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Functional Medicine and Nutrition Counseling

Healthy Family

Nutritional Counseling is also an important part of Dr. Timko’s practice. It is his firm belief that next to freeing the body of life choking vertebral subluxations through chiropractic and physical rehabilitation, the most important aspect of health and healing is nutrition.

His Targeted Nutritional approach is geared toward identifying the underlying cause of your symptoms utilizing the practice of Functional Medicine. Functional Medicine is defined by treatments that focus on optimal functioning of the body and its organs, usually involving systems of holistic or alternative medicine. In other words, Functional Medicine addresses the underlying cause(s) of disease, using a systems-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership.

When illness is present, it is common that symptoms may arise. Too often we find ourselves chasing these symptoms and treating them utilizing over-the-counter or prescription medications or through more invasive medical treatments. Looking toward the cause of the symptom can, in turn, help us to find the answer as to what can help us heal.

By utilizing nutritional questionnaires and performing a comprehensive consultation and examination, Dr. Timko can then recommend any changes to your diet, lifestyle or supplementation that he feels can help you heal.

Often, additional lab testing is recommended. These may include blood analysis, food and chemical sensitivity testing, hormone testing, tissue mineral analysis, Neurotransmitter Testing and/or others depending on your specific condition. By using these tests and his years of clinical experience, Dr. Timko can then design a program that can get to the root cause of your problem and put you on the road to true healing.

Here is an example of some of the testing which we use to determine your nutritional needs:

NUTRITIONAL QUESTIONNAIRES- These questionnaires are specifically designed to help the doctor evaluate your particular symptoms and determine stresses on your body caused by toxins, food and chemical sensitivities and general nutrient imbalances. From these results a program may be developed to help alleviate the cause of your imbalances or to determine if additional testing may be necessary.

BLOOD ANALYSIS- After determining which lab tests are best suited for your particular problems, you will be sent to a local lab for a blood draw. The results of this testing are then sent to our office for review. These results are placed into a specially designed program which lets us determine whether a particular blood value is within an ideal range, is slightly high or low, is high or low, or is extremely high or low. This advanced scientific approach identifies nutritionally significant information through the careful analysis of the various blood values. This is one of the most scientific ways to determine nutritional imbalances and then develop a program to optimize the metabolic processes and help maintain the healthy performance of the body.

FOOD AND CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY TESTING- These tests help to identify cellular reactions to common foods, chemicals and herbs. These inflammatory reactions are linked to chronic health problems like auto immune disease, obesity and diabetes, as well as skin, heart, joint, and digestive disorders. Digestive remnants and environmental antigens are the most common assaults that pose the greatest burden to our immune system on a daily basis. By identifying these harmful antigens and eliminating exposure through the food and chemical sensitivity testing program, the immune burden can be reduced or eliminated, allowing the defense and repair systems to return to optimal function. The result is improved, sustainable health.

HORMONE TESTING- A saliva sample is taken and sent to the lab for testing of up to eight hormones, including: Progesterone, Estradiol, Estriol, Estrone, DHEA, Testosterone and Cortisol. Balanced hormones are necessary for optimal health in both males and females. Medical studies show that poor libido, fatigue, sleep disturbances, sugar cravings, loss of hair, hormonal related acne, some types of cancer, osteoporosis, PMS and many menopausal problems correlate to hormonal imbalance. The results of your test will be reviewed with you by the doctor and recommendations will be given for naturally balancing your levels.

TISSUE MINERAL ANALYSIS- This test utilizes strands of your hair which are used to measure mineral content. Mineral content of the hair reflects the mineral content of the body tissues. Mineral deficiencies or excesses existing in the hair usually indicate the same within the body. Minerals are the “sparkplugs” of life. They are involved in almost all enzyme reactions within the body. Without enzyme activity, life ceases to exist. We are also able to detect harmful minerals and heavy metals such as cadmium, arsenic, aluminum and mercury. These metals have been shown to cause serious adverse health reactions when found in higher levels. Hair analysis is an invaluable screening tool, which allows a correct program of diet and supplementation to be designed for each individual’s specific needs.

NEUROTRANSMITTER TESTING – Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers used by the nervous system to relay information from one nerve to another. Optimal neurotransmitter balance is required to maintain proper health. Imbalances can cause the brain and the body to be over- or under-stimulated, producing neurological or psychological symptoms. Common neurotransmitter-related causes of health issues may lead to symptoms of Anxiety & Depression, Chronic Fatigue, Impulsivity (OCD, ADD, ADHD), Insomnia, PMS and others. A simple take home urine test kit is utilized to determine your levels and any imbalances that may be affecting your health.

Additional Testing that may be performed as needed may include:
Comprehensive Stool Analysis w/ Parasitology
Dysbiosis Testing for Candida and Intestinal Bacteria
Intestinal Antigenic Permeability Screen (Leaky Gut Testing)
Wheat/Gluten Reactivity
Gluten Associated Cross-Reactive Food Sensitivity