Sleep and Circadian Rhythm
Natural Melatonin Alternatives: Evidence-Based Sleep Supplements
Melatonin is effective but many people prefer alternatives due to grogginess, dependency concerns, or diminishing returns.
13 min readFeb 24, 2026
Text the Guide
Sign inFree · Private · No app required
Functional Medicine JournalYour health questions,
Your health questions,
answered.
Root-cause protocols, lab guides, and evidence-based insights — so you can take charge of your health.
Lab Interpretation and Testing
Homocysteine: The Cardiovascular Marker You Need to Know
Optimal homocysteine is below 7–8 μmol/L — the conventional upper limit of 15 already carries significant risk
14 min readFeb 24, 2026
Gut Health and Microbiome
Zonulin and Leaky Gut: The Biomarker That Changed Everything
Zonulin is a protein that regulates intestinal tight junctions — elevated levels indicate increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut).
13 min readFeb 23, 2026
Sleep and Circadian Rhythm
Blue Light Sleep Disruption: A Functional Medicine Root Cause Approach
Blue light disrupts circadian rhythms through multiple pathways beyond simple melatonin suppression
12 min readFeb 23, 2026
Womens Health and Fertility
Can PCOS Cause Hair Loss? The Androgen Connection
PCOS is one of the most common causes of hair loss in women under 40, driven by excess androgens—particularly DHT—that miniaturize scalp follicles over time.
20 min readFeb 23, 2026
Gut Health and Microbiome
Low Stomach Acid: The Hidden Cause of Bloating and Reflux
Low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) is far more common than excess acid and can mimic acid reflux symptoms
12 min readFeb 23, 2026
Mold and Toxins
Mercury Amalgam Fillings Health Risks: A Functional Medicine Investigation
Mercury from amalgam fillings can contribute to chronic fatigue, neurological symptoms, and autoimmune dysfunction through multiple pathways
13 min readFeb 23, 2026
Mental Health and Neurotransmitters
Lithium Orotate Low-Dose Benefits: A Functional Medicine Approach to Mood Disorders
Low-dose lithium orotate (5-40mg) provides mood stabilization without the toxicity risks of pharmaceutical lithium carbonate
12 min readFeb 22, 2026
Gut Health and Microbiome
GI-MAP Interpretation Guide: Functional Medicine Approach to Gut Health Testing
GI-MAP provides comprehensive gut microbiome analysis beyond conventional stool tests
12 min readFeb 22, 2026
Lab Interpretation and Testing
Inflammatory Markers Blood Test Guide: A Functional Medicine Approach to Lab Interpretation
Standard inflammatory marker panels often miss subclinical inflammation that can drive chronic disease
13 min readFeb 22, 2026
Mold and Toxins
Can Mold Cause Autoimmune Disease? The CIRS Connection
Mold exposure can trigger chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), a multi-system illness that shares many symptoms with autoimmune conditions.
13 min readFeb 22, 2026
Lab Interpretation and Testing
How to Read Your Inflammation Markers: CRP, ESR, and Beyond
hs-CRP is the most important single inflammation marker — functional optimal is below 0.5 mg/L, not the conventional cutoff of 3.0 mg/L.
13 min readFeb 22, 2026