FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE & HOLISTIC WELLBEING

An approach to optimal health & wellbeing that combines
nutrition, movement, lifestyle & a positive attitude.

ACHIEVING OPTIMAL HEALTH.
PREVENTING ILLNESS. TREATING ROOT CAUSE. NOT ONLY TREATING SYMPTOMS.

The Functional Medicine approach to health and wellbeing is a holistic, biology-based approach. It looks at us each as individuals, and the body and mind as a connected whole. It focuses on finding the root cause of your symptoms, pain and discomfort, through personalised and comprehensive testing, and then aims to achieve optimal health by preventing illness through lifestyle, nutrition, movement, community, sleep and stress management. When these are in balance, you will have a healthier mind and body, and live a more energetic, fulfilled, happy life.

Unfortunately today's medical world is not equipped or set up to keep us healthy in a holistic way. It is not healthcare, but sick-care - it predominantly treats the symptoms, often times with medication, when the disease has already taken hold but it does not address the crucial root cause of these symptoms. Taking too much medication for too long periods of time for chronic problems that can and should be addressed holistically can in fact have serious adverse effects on our microbiome and immune system which means that, ultimately, optimal health can not be achieved. That is sadly our current healthcare system. But it can be different!

As your Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach at IMPERIUM I will help you navigate the vast world of health and wellness, and guide and empower your behavioural change using all of the below parameters on your journey of wellbeing.

FOOD IS MEDICINE. FOOD IS INFORMATION.

The right food can quite literally change your life and give you (back) your power. It keeps us healthy and has the ability to heal us when we are not.

By eating real, nutrient dense whole foods we have the power to transform our body and mind. When we nourish our body, it is able to thrive physically and mentally. Phytonutrients, polyphenols, flavanoids, anthocyanins, vitamins, minerals and omega 3 fats, all found in natural wholesome foods are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, reducing oxidative stress and providing essential nutrients and building blocks for body cells, brain cells, tissues and muscles. Food is also key for the health of your microbiome, which holds the key to immune and full systems health.

The wrong foods however can make us very sick. The more I delved into our current diet and lifestyle choices, as well as the power and influence of the agricultural and food industries, I became very worried. The average Western diet contains far too much processed food, sugar, refined carbohydrates and unhealthy oils. This has such adverse effects on our body that it has lead to the increase of chronic illnesses and nutrient deficiencies as well as behavioural changes and cognitive disfunction. Food is information to every cell in our body. When we are not eating a colourful, natural, healthy and wholesome diet, we are not giving our bodies the right information, but instead information to make us sicker, weaker, bigger, and dumber, reducing our chance at living a healthy lengthy life.

MANAGING STRESS & TRAUMA THROUGH MINDFULNESS.

Today we live in a world where it is accepted that stress is part of every day life. However many people do not realise how much stress they are experiencing, and that, to function optimally it is important that we consciously manage our exposure to stress.

Stress from work is almost a given, but we are also experiencing stress from processed food, environmental toxins, toxic relationships, unaddressed past trauma's, too little sleep, too much screen time, social media, lack of nature exposure, no self-reflection and lack of exercise. What has become chronic stress from so many manifests in the body. The continuous activation of your sympathetic nervous system means you are constantly in fight or flight mode and producing cortisol, which cause inflammation in the body and reduce the ability of your body to absorb the vital nutrients, vitamins and minerals, putting more strain on the body.

Mindfulness practices such as meditation, gratitude practices, breath work, journaling, yoga and pilates are all tried and tested ways to manage and reduce stress and the effects of stress on our bodies. It is key that you find the mindfulness practice that you enjoy to add to your daily life.

EXERCISE TO STIMULATE HEALTH.

Exercise can be transformative. Not only does it clear your mind, strengthen your muscles, burn calories and allow your brain to release endorphins, it is in fact the one thing that can activate your internal medicine cabinet - the endothelial cells lining your blood vessels. These cells are packed with healing and body regulating chemicals that can only be activated by exercise (as per the Nobel Prize winning study by Dr Louis, J. Ignarro PhD.) It is thus a key component of a healthy, happy and strong body that takes care of itself.

Focus on the movement(s) that you enjoy, wether that is hiking, cycling, swimming, yoga, pilates, weight training, or a combination of cardio, resistance training and stretching and try to fit in at least twenty minutes every day. If you are able to do your workout in the fresh outdoors, that is even better! But even small additions of movement in your day can give you many benefits like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, doing squats as you brush your teeth or pelvic floor exercises as you sit in traffic!

COMMUNITY & PURPOSE

Two of the more underrated influences on our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing are the people around us and our sense of purpose. Our modern way of life has made us more disconnected than ever, not only from others, but also from ourselves. It is key that we are part of a like-minded community, consciously choosing people we love to be around that inspire, motivate and uplift us, making us the best versions of ourselves. This makes us feel loved, safe and secure, the foundations to a mentally stable and happy existence.

The philosopher Nietzsche wisely stated that "he who has a why to live for, can bear almost any how". That why is our purpose. The reason we get up every day should bring is closer to that why in pursuit of our authentic selves. It gives us a sense of fulfilment, gratitude and satisfaction, and thus better health, when we are living in line with our deepest values. Finding your own why can enhance the meaning in your life and transform how you view the world, and ultimately yourself.