Berberine vs Metformin: A Functional Medicine Comparison
Berberine and metformin both activate AMPK and can lower blood sugar by comparable amounts in clinical studies
13 min readApr 23, 2026
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Functional Medicine JournalYour health questions,
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Root-cause protocols, lab guides, and evidence-based insights — so you can take charge of your health.
Questions to Ask Your Holistic Health Practitioner
Ask about credentials, training specifics, and licensure before your first visit — 'holistic' is not a regulated term
8 min readApr 22, 2026
Antioxidants and Aging: Separating Hype from Science
High-dose antioxidant supplements (vitamin E, beta-carotene) have failed to extend lifespan and may increase mortality in some populations
9 min readApr 22, 2026
Not Just IBS: Kelsey Essink on Why Your Gut Is Responding to What You Thought Was Permanent
Gut symptoms usually have upstream causes: nutrition gaps, nervous-system dysregulation, poor sleep, medications, or unidentified inflammatory triggers. Treating the symptom without finding the source is why so many patients feel they are chasing a moving target.
7 min readApr 21, 2026
Diagnosis First, Needles Second: Nicholas Adams on Matching Acupuncture to the Pain You Actually Have
Effective acupuncture starts with a diagnostic question, not a needle: what is actually causing this pain? A practitioner who skips the history and exam is guessing.
8 min readApr 21, 2026
Can Environmental Toxins Cause Weight Gain? The Hidden Link
Obesogens — chemicals that promote fat storage — are found in plastics, pesticides, personal care products, and household items.
12 min readApr 21, 2026
Cortisol Awakening Response Test: A Functional Medicine Guide to Interpreting Your Results
The cortisol awakening response (CAR) provides deeper insight into adrenal function than single-point cortisol tests, revealing circadian rhythm disruptions
13 min readApr 21, 2026
Iron Panel Interpretation: A Complete Functional Medicine Guide
Standard lab ranges for iron markers are not the same as optimal functional ranges — you can feel terrible and still be told your labs are 'normal'.
14 min readApr 20, 2026
Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Diet: A Complete Guide
The AIP diet is an elimination protocol designed to identify food triggers that worsen autoimmune symptoms
14 min readApr 20, 2026
Cytokine Storm Explained: Understanding Inflammatory Overload and Its Root Causes
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11 min readApr 19, 2026
Subclinical Hypothyroidism Treatment: Comparing Conventional, Functional, and Integrative Approaches
Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is defined as elevated TSH (typically 4.5–10 mIU/L) with normal free T4 and free T3—but 'subclinical' doesn't mean 'symptom-free.'
13 min readApr 19, 2026
Bioidentical Hormones vs Synthetic: What You Need to Know
Bioidentical hormones are molecularly identical to what your body produces; synthetic hormones have altered structures
12 min readApr 18, 2026