Integrative, Functional & Lifestyle Medicine

WHOLE-PICTURE, SCIENCE BASED, COMPASSIONATE

Physical & Mental Wellbeing for all ages

Dr Zuzi’s approach to healthcare is integrative, drawing from multiple disciplines to provide comprehensive care to her patients. By incorporating a range of disciplines into her practice, she is able to offer her patients a more holistic and personal approach. This might include elements of functional medicine, which focuses on treating the root causes of illness; lifestyle medicine, which emphasizes healthy behaviors and prevention; as well as other modalities such as mindfulness-based therapies and counseling.

Dr ZUZI has a SPECIAL INTEREST IN MENTAL HEALTH AND GUT HEALTH. Microbiome and its intricate connections with brain, metabolism, hormones, skin, immune and cardiovascular systems have been of specific interest to her in the past 5-or-so years.

Dr Zuzi offers in-person and telehealth services. 

 Examples of common issues in Dr Zuzi’s clinic:  

- Digestive health (e.g. IBS, IBD, reflux, constipation, food intolerances, unexplained abdominal pain, etc.) 

- Mental well-being (e.g. anxiety, mood issues, sleep disturbances, addictions, excess stress, burnout, etc.) 

- Cardiometabolic health (e.g. type 2 diabetes/ prediabetes/ insulin resistance, high blood pressure, non-alcoholic fatty liver, excess weight, etc.) 

- Hormonal health (e.g. thyroid issues, heavy painful periods, (peri)-menopause, (peri-)andropause, PCOS, PMS, etc.)

- Skin health (e.g. eczema, acne, rosacea, psoriasis, rashes, etc.) 

- Other common issues (e.g. unexplained fatigue, headaches/ migraines, recurrent infections, etc.)

- Atopy (asthma, chronic sinus issues, eczema, allergies)

- Autoimmune conditions (e.g. chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, etc.)

- Early life well-being (e.g. breastfeeding, sleep, baby unsettled behavior, physical and mental well-being for mothers/other carer)

- Environmental exposures (e.g. allergies, heavy metal toxicity, mold, occupational exposures, etc.) 

What are Functional, Integrative and Lifestyle medicines?

Dr Zuzi has a very thorough approach to both history and examination of her patients to help her identify the primary causes of problems. Her care plans are comprehensive and collaborative.

 Functional medicine is an approach to healthcare that focuses on treating the root causes of illness, rather than just addressing the symptoms. It's a holistic and personalized approach that considers the unique genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that influence an individual's health.

In functional medicine, practitioners aim to understand how different systems in the body are interconnected and how imbalances in one system can lead to symptoms elsewhere. We often use a combination of conventional medicine, lifestyle interventions, nutrition, supplements, and alternative therapies to restore balance and promote optimal health.

Key principles of functional medicine include:

  1. Personalized Care: Treatment plans are tailored to each individual's unique needs and circumstances.

  2. Holistic Approach: Rather than focusing solely on isolated symptoms or organs, functional medicine considers the whole person, including their mind, body, and spirit.

  3. Systems-Based Approach: Functional medicine practitioners view the body as a complex network of interconnected systems, and they aim to address imbalances at the root cause level.

  4. Prevention and Wellness: Functional medicine places a strong emphasis on preventing illness and promoting overall wellness, not just treating disease.

  5. Patient Empowerment: Patients are encouraged to take an active role in their own health and are empowered with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about their well-being.

Overall, functional medicine seeks to shift the focus of healthcare from simply managing symptoms to optimizing health and vitality for the long term.

Evidence-based complimentary nutraceutical and herbal preparations are part of Dr Zuzi's tool box.
Dr Zuzi uses a range of modern and ancient complimentary practices to enhance outcomes for her patients.

Integrative medicine combines conventional medical treatments with complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) that have been proven to be safe and effective. It emphasizes treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—and focuses on the relationship between practitioner and patient to address the root causes of illness.

Key principles of integrative medicine include:

  1. Combining Conventional and Complementary Therapies: Integrative medicine practitioners use a blend of evidence-based conventional medical treatments with complementary therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, herbal medicine, massage therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, nutrition counseling, and others.

  2. Personalized Care: Treatment plans are individualized to each patient's unique needs, preferences, and health goals.

  3. Holistic Approach: Like functional medicine, integrative medicine considers the whole person, including physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of health.

  4. Prevention and Wellness: Integrative medicine emphasizes preventing illness and promoting overall wellness, rather than just treating disease.

  5. Collaborative Care: Practitioners from different disciplines work together as a team to provide comprehensive care for patients, often including medical doctors, naturopathic doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists, nutritionists, and mental health professionals.

  6. Patient-Centered Care: Patients are active participants in their healthcare decisions, and their values, preferences, and beliefs are respected and integrated into their treatment plans.

Integrative medicine seeks to provide patients with the best of both conventional and complementary therapies, with the ultimate goal of optimizing health and well-being. It acknowledges that different individuals may respond differently to various treatments and aims to provide a personalized approach that addresses the unique needs of each patient.

Laughter is medicine, too- as is social connection and sense of purpose. Dr Zuzi seeks opportunities to deeply connect and engage with her patients to help her understand where they are coming from, where they are how she can help them.
Dr Zuzi uses food as medicine in her personal life,a s well as in her medical practice. Clean, whole-food are paramount to our health. Alt Text

Lifestyle medicine focuses on promoting healthy behaviors and addressing lifestyle factors as a primary means of preventing, managing, and treating chronic diseases. It recognizes that many common health conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and certain types of cancer, are largely influenced by lifestyle choices.

Key principles of lifestyle medicine include:

  1. Healthy Behaviors: Lifestyle medicine emphasizes the importance of adopting healthy behaviors such as regular physical activity, nutritious diet, stress management, adequate sleep, avoidance of tobacco, and moderation in alcohol consumption.

  2. Prevention: The primary focus of lifestyle medicine is prevention, aiming to prevent the onset of chronic diseases by promoting healthy lifestyle habits from an early age.

  3. Treatment and Management: Lifestyle medicine also plays a crucial role in managing and treating existing chronic conditions. Lifestyle interventions, such as dietary changes, exercise programs, stress reduction techniques, and behavior modification strategies, are often used alongside conventional medical treatments to improve health outcomes.

  4. Individualized Care: Treatment plans in lifestyle medicine are tailored to each individual's unique needs, preferences, and circumstances. Practitioners work closely with patients to develop personalized strategies for adopting and sustaining healthy lifestyle habits.

  5. Interdisciplinary Approach: Lifestyle medicine often involves collaboration among various healthcare professionals, including physicians, dietitians, exercise physiologists, psychologists, and other specialists, to provide comprehensive care for patients.

  6. Patient Education and Empowerment: Patients are actively involved in their healthcare decisions and are empowered with the knowledge and skills to make informed choices about their lifestyle behaviors. Education and support are key components of lifestyle medicine interventions.

Overall, lifestyle medicine recognizes that lifestyle factors play a significant role in determining an individual's health outcomes and seeks to empower individuals to make positive changes that promote lifelong health and well-being. By addressing the root causes of chronic diseases through lifestyle interventions, lifestyle medicine aims to improve both quality of life and longevity.