IFM Doctors Highlight Functional Medicine Hot Topics of 2020

All in all, 2020 was a productive year for those in the field of functional medicine. COVID-19 forced many in the medical profession to put the patient at the center while evaluating the root cause of illness. These were some of the takeaways from a recent episode of Pathways to Well-Being—the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) podcast—that focused on the top clinical themes of 2020.

Host Kalea Wattles, ND, interviewed the IFM director of medical education, Dr. Dan Lukaczer, and IFM director of medical education initiatives, Dr. Robert Luby, who discussed how new information continues to emerge through ongoing research to support the power of functional medicine.

In 2020, everyone was talking about fasting, intermittent fasting, and time-restricted eating. Research found that these practices can help those with obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some types of cancers.  Wattles said the concept of metabolic flexibility is a buzz term now. When patients want to know which fasting strategy is best for them, she advises them to use the one that’s most realistic for them to adhere to.  

Another hot topic that emerged in 2020 was the impact of COVID-19 on patients with one or more comorbidity. According to Dr. Lukaczer, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and hypertension were found to increase the chances of contracting COVID as well as the severity of the illness once infected. He stressed the importance of addressing these issues by working with the patient using a functional medicine approach. It was noted that the IFM has curated a list of lifestyle practices and nutraceuticals and botanicals that can be used to support patients infected by COVID-19.

Another common condition of concern is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Research has found that lifestyle interventions involving weight loss for those with NAFLD are extremely effective. NAFLD is not a disease or liver problem, but a metabolic issue that can be corrected with a dietary intervention that includes reduced saturated fat, reduced refined carbohydrate, and increased plant-based foods.

Dr. Luby emphasized that the medical world as well as the public are waking up to the importance of addressing lifestyle factors to mitigate chronic disease. Since lifestyle contributes to infection risk and disease severity, whole-person healthcare is important.