As healthcare professionals, we often encounter patients with chronic diseases. While we excel at addressing immediate symptoms, it’s crucial to dig deeper and uncover the underlying root causes. One key factor that frequently goes unnoticed is low-grade systemic inflammation, which can persist for years or even decades. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to identify low-grade inflammation, its link to chronic diseases, and the power of personalized interventions in improving patient outcomes.
Identifying Low-Grade Inflammation
There are several ways to identify this hidden culprit in your clients. Information like this gathered from intake forms, labs and your conversation with the client spots red flags and potential steps to help resolve it:
Blood Tests:
Highly sensitive CRP (>0.7)
Elevated interleukin-6, TNF-alpha, fibrinogen, ferritin, and sedimentation rate
Physical Evaluation:
Skin: Acanthosis nigricans (black, velvety skin) indicates blood sugar imbalance or insulin sensitivity dysfunction
Oral Cavity: Periodontitis is associated with interleukin-1 inefficiency and low-grade inflammation
Genetic Panels:
Inefficiencies in genes regulating inflammation (interleukin-1, interleukin-6, TNF-alpha, CRP) are linked to bone and cartilage degeneration
Family History:
Cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes are associated with interleukin-1 inefficiency and low-grade inflammation
Anthropometrics:
Increased waist circumference and body fat percentage are indicators of low-grade inflammation
The Power of Personalized Interventions
Functional medicine allows us to create targeted, personalized plans based on a client’s unique genetic profile and clinical presentation. For example, research shows that individuals with interleukin-6 gene inefficiency experience a more significant reduction in inflammation when incorporating berries into their diet compared to those without the inefficiency. By identifying these specific factors, we can tailor interventions to achieve optimal results.
Tracking Progress and Long-Term Wellness
Functional medicine enables us to go beyond symptom relief and focus on long-term wellness and preventative care. By monitoring clinical signs, anthropometrics, and blood tests, we can track a patient’s progress and fine-tune their treatment plan accordingly. This approach allows us to help patients achieve optimal health and prevent the recurrence of chronic issues.
As healthcare professionals, embracing the systemized approach of functional medicine empowers us to address the deep root causes of chronic diseases, such as low-grade systemic inflammation. By identifying this hidden culprit through comprehensive evaluations and genetic testing, we can create personalized interventions that yield better long-term outcomes. Integrating functional medicine with our existing skillset not only enhances our ability to alleviate symptoms but also positions us as advocates for preventative care and optimal wellness in our communities.
If you’re intrigued by the potential of functional medicine and want to learn more about integrating it, we invite you to watch our webinar or book a call with our team. Together, we can revolutionize healthcare and make a lasting difference in the lives of our patients.
Want to Learn more? Here's The Next steps:
- Register for our Free Training: Why Adding an Online Functional Medicine Program to Your Practice is the Key to Escape the Office, Scale Your Income, and Reach Millions (While getting even better outcomes for your patients than you are now!)
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