QUESTIONS AND EXPERT VERIFIED
ANSWERS || 2024\2025 EXAM GRADED
A+
Summarize and explain the core principles of functional medicine - ANSWER-
BPDWHE
(1) biochemical individuality (2) pt centered care (3) dynamic balance between
external and internal factors (4) web-like interconnectedness (5) health as a
positive vitality (6) enhancement of organ reserve
State the characteristics and explain the importance of biochemical individuality
State the characteristics and explain the importance of biochemical individuality
and patient centered care - ANSWER- -concept that each individual has a unique
physiological and biochemical composition, based upon his or her individual
genetic make-up, that interacts with the individual's specific environment and
inputs (experiences, nutrients, activity, toxins, medications, etc.), to influence gene
expression.
-gene expression related to proteomics, genomics, metabolomics, and epigenetics
,-Considers variations in DNA → affect gene expression & Our dietary habits,
environment, and lifestyle → affect gene expression (i.e., these effects are NOT
attributed to changes in DNA sequence)
State the characteristics and explain the importance of patient centered care -
ANSWER- -Applying the model of person-centered diagnosis to patients facilitates
a broader understanding of a patient's chronic illness and how to most effectively
approach it.
-Disease pathogenesis is conceptualized in the antecedents, triggers, and mediators
(ATMs).
7 Factors to pt centered care - ANSWER- --Person centered dx, considering ATMs
and
--Consider also the physical and social environment in which sickness occurs
--dietary habits of the person who is sick (present diet and preillness diet)
--beliefs of the patient about the illness
--impact of illness on social and psychological function
--factors that aggravate or ameliorate symptoms
--factors that predispose to illness or facilitate recovery
Antecedants - ANSWER- factors, genetic or acquired, that predispose to illness.
Triggers - ANSWER- factors that provoke the symptoms and signs of illness.
Mediators - ANSWER- factors, biochemical or psychosocial, that contribute to
pathological changes and dysfunctional responses.
,State the characteristics and explain the importance of dynamic balance -
ANSWER- -homeostasis: balance of internal and external factors (not only
internal)
allostasis - ANSWER- The process of achieving stability, or homeostasis, through
physiological or behavioral change.
Homeodynamics - ANSWER- the tendency of homeostatic set points to change
throughout an organism's lifespan, and thus describes how departures from a
homeostatic norm can be adaptive (e.g., fever) or pathological, depending on the
context.
homeostasis . - ANSWER- the tendency of living things to maintain physiological
parameters within a narrow range usually considered normal in order to maintain
optimal function. Under this definition, disease can be defined as a departure from
the homeostatic state
State the characteristics and explain the importance of web-like interconnections -
why do we use a multidirectional web? - ANSWER- Definition: when multiple
core imbalances lead to one disease/condition AND/OR one core imbalance leads
to multiple diseases/conditions
• Core imbalances can influence many different body functions and systems
• Sometimes there is no core imbalance, but there are several biochemical
pathways that are off-center and affect health.
Core Imbalances - ANSWER- ADEBCTS (1) Assimilation (2) Defense and repair
(3) energy (4) biotransformation (5) communication (6) transport (7) structural
integrity
, State the characteristics and explain the importance of health as a positive vitality -
ANSWER- state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely
the absence of disease or infirmity
State the characteristics and explain the importance of promotion of organ reserve -
ANSWER- -Definition: difference between the maximal function of a vital organ
and the level of function required to maintain an individual's daily life
-i.e. "reserve power" - ability to go above & beyond what is required
-declines with stress (medications, toxins), aging, and illness
-most sig changes occur in heart, lungs, and kidney
Identify the similarities between functional medicine and conventional Western
medicine - ANSWER-
Identify the differences between functional medicine and conventional Western
medicine - ANSWER- · Root causes vs symptoms of the disease.
· Patient-centered as opposed to disease-centered.
· Preventive: treats the disease at an early stage instead of at a later stage when the
disease requires clinical intervention.
· Emphasizes that diseases are caused by altered physiological processes (root
causes) and imbalanced bodily systems (core imbalances).
Analyses the patient's story, signs, symptoms, and laboratory results instead of
matching diagnosis with drug/hardware interventions
· Describe and clarify scenarios when one type of healthcare might be more
appropriate and beneficial to the patient - ANSWER- i. For acute conditions (e.g.,
a heart attack, a broken leg, appendicitis, a sudden lung infection, etc.), you need
CM with its life-saving technology, surgery, and antibiotics.