Exploring the Journey to Holistic Functional Medicine in Dermatology & Why Band-Aid Solutions Don't Work
Overview
In this episode, I dive into my journey and evolving perspective on holistic and functional medicine. I opened up about my transition from traditional Western medicine to a more integrative wellness approach focused on identifying the root causes of health issues. We will walk through my lab work and uncover the startling discrepancy between standard lab reference ranges and optimal health markers. By examining my health through a functional lens, I shed light on the importance of tailored wellness specifics, including vitamin deficiencies and possible underlying infections.
What you'll learn in this episode:
00:00 | Intro
01:24 | Journey to holistic, functional medicine
04:17 | The decision to pursue a more holistic approach to dermatology
06:48 | Interpreting lab work for acne and skincare
11:55 | Reflecting on the limitations of the modern healthcare system
13:03 | Overview of the lab work and supplements I have been taking
14:37 | Limitations of reference ranges in lab tests and her plan to use an optimal range instead
15:16 | My deficiencies and the supplements I plan to take
16:16 | Possibility of underlying infections and parasites in the body
18:41 | Implement foundations, including nutrition, sleep, and meditation
19:49 | Holistic acne program for the future
Resources:
Mom Guilt Podcast’s Instagram
Vanna’s TikTok
To watch this episode on video, subscribe to Vanna’s YouTube Channel
Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not to be taken as medical advice.
This episode is not sponsored. Product links may contain affiliate links that are eligible for a small commission.
Navigating Motherhood and Wellness: Embracing Holistic Medicine for Intuitive Health Management
Motherhood is an intricate dance of nurturing, guiding, and constantly learning. In the quest to balance their own health with the rigors of parenting, many women are seeking holistic solutions. Vanna, a dermatology nurse practitioner, shares her transformative journey towards integrating holistic, functional medicine into her life and practice. By focusing on root causes rather than superficial remedies, she provides a fresh perspective on achieving wellness that resonates with many mothers navigating similar paths.
Key Takeaways:
Functional medicine offers personalized health solutions by addressing root causes rather than just symptoms.
The healthcare system often opts for quick fixes over in-depth health strategies, highlighting an alarming trend towards reactive rather than proactive treatments.
Personal health revelations can catalyze a broader mission to educate and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health and wellness.
From Western to Holistic: Redefining Healthcare Approaches
The shift from traditional Western medicine to a functional medicine approach marks a significant departure from the conventional healthcare narrative. Vanna's experience emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals and patients alike to explore more nuanced and person-centered treatment methods. As Vanna explains, "In the last year, I have had this calling... there has to be more to the picture than just giving someone a pill or a cream or putting a band-aid." This statement reflects a growing awareness of the limitations of a healthcare system reliant on quick fixes.
By aligning with healthcare practitioners who prioritize root cause analysis, individuals can uncover underlying health issues that may manifest in various ways, such as chronic skin conditions like acne or eczema. Vanna's own revelation upon analyzing her lab work echoes the sentiment, "You can't ignore it... until you don't know what you don't know. But then when you start to know, you can't ignore it."This insight underscores the untapped potential for greater health literacy and self-advocacy among patients.
A Personal Health Revolution: Delving into Lab Work and Supplements
Vanna's deep dive into her own lab results served as an eye-opening experience, prompting her to reconsider her supplement regimen and lifestyle choices. Her findings reveal that standard lab reference ranges might not always paint the complete picture. With "one flag off," compared to "18 outliers" when looking through a functional medicine lens, Vanna lays bare a critical flaw in how health markers are typically interpreted.
Her personalized health action plan includes a broad spectrum of supplements and lifestyle modifications, addressing deficiencies and adrenal stress, potentially hinting at underlying infections or imbalances. Vanna's enthusiasm is palpable as she outlines her proactive strategy, highlighting the empowerment that comes from gaining control over one's health narrative.
The Broader Mission: Educating and Empowering Others
Vanna's individual healthcare journey has evolved into a passionate mission to educate others on the benefits of a holistic approach. She speaks candidly about providing options and eschewing pressure, stating, "It's my mission to give the option... I want people to be able to make an informed decision."Her commitment to spreading awareness about functional medicine serves as an inspiration for mothers and others who seek a more comprehensive understanding of their health and well-being.
As Vanna plans to offer her insights and guidance to clients facing acne and other skin conditions, she also demonstrates an awareness of her current limitations, acknowledging the need to refer to more experienced practitioners for issues beyond her expertise. This humble yet forward-looking approach positions her as a trusted ally for those on their wellness journeys.
By taking ownership of her health education and applying it to benefit others, Vanna exemplifies a new wave of healthcare professionals who are dedicated to effectuating tangible, positive changes within the healthcare industry.
In the tapestry of modern healthcare, narratives like Vanna's are weaving a new pattern of holistic, preventative, and individualized care. As more mothers and individuals gravitate towards functional medicine's promise of a life free from the constraints of symptomatic treatment, a movement towards wellness and prioritization gains momentum. From personal revelation to broadscale mission, the significance of understanding and addressing the root causes in health cannot be overstated. Vanna's story not only illuminates the path she has taken but sheds light on the potential each person has to redefine their own health destiny.