Most of the chronic diseases are characterized by risk factors that are dietary, lifestyle or metabolic. An unhealthy diet in combination with lack of physical activities, alcohol consumption and tobacco use represent the most significant risk factors for the onset and progress of chronic medical conditions. Other risk factors include bacterial or viral infections, environmental pollutants, stress, access to medical facilities for preventive tests etc.
Unfortunately, there is a big gap between the classical medical approach to chronic illnesses and current research and scientific findings. Integration of innovative research in basic sciences and medical practice is very low. Most physicians and health specialists tend to focus mainly on symptoms and usually fail to address the underlying causes of chronic diseases.
The Functional Medicine approach is based on the axiom that the key of any potential treatment should be based on the cell and its mechanisms. Innovative Molecular-level diagnostic tests, are now available and can provide the Health Specialist with specific valuable information about abnormalities and deviations from the optimal way of cell function.