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Personalized Nutrition Research Review

By Dr. Laura Bennett · Endocrinologist & Obesity Medicine Editor, The GLP-1 Daily

Updated May 2026

April 11, 2026 · 20 min read

Last updated: April 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any treatment.

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Quick Answer

  • Functional medicine focuses on root causes of chronic disease, often using personalized nutrition plans.
  • A Cleveland Clinic study showed 31% of functional medicine patients improved their PROMIS global physical health scores by 5 points or more at 6 months.
  • Shared medical appointments (SMAs) in functional medicine led to greater improvements in physical and mental health than individual appointments.
  • SMAs were also less costly to deliver compared to individual appointments.

Functional medicine offers a unique approach to healthcare, emphasizing personalized nutrition and lifestyle interventions to address the underlying causes of chronic diseases. Research from the Cleveland Clinic demonstrates the effectiveness of this model. In one significant study, 31% of patients treated at the Cleveland Clinic's Center for Functional Medicine improved their PROMIS global physical health scores by 5 points or more within six months. This improvement is considered clinically meaningful and represents a noticeable positive effect on daily life. The functional medicine model investigates individual patient factors, including genetics, environment, and lifestyle, to create tailored treatment plans. This contrasts with traditional medicine, which often focuses on managing symptoms rather than uncovering the root issues. The evidence suggests that this root-cause approach can lead to substantial and sustainable improvements in health-related quality of life for patients.

What is Personalized Nutrition in Functional Medicine?

Personalized nutrition is a fundamental component of the functional medicine model, which aims to identify and address the root causes of chronic disease rather than merely treating symptoms. This approach recognizes that each individual is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. Functional medicine practitioners delve deep into a patient's health history, lifestyle, genetics, and environmental exposures to develop highly individualized nutrition plans. This detailed investigation allows for interventions that are precisely tailored to the patient's specific biological needs and health challenges.

Understanding the Functional Medicine Approach

The core philosophy of functional medicine is to understand the "why" behind a patient's health issues. Instead of simply prescribing medication for a symptom, a functional medicine practitioner seeks to uncover the imbalances or dysfunctions in the body that are contributing to the problem. This root-cause analysis often reveals that chronic conditions stem from a complex interplay of factors, many of which can be influenced by diet and lifestyle. Personalized nutrition becomes a powerful tool in this process, as it allows practitioners to recommend dietary changes that support the body's natural healing mechanisms and restore balance.

For example, two individuals with the same diagnosis, such as irritable bowel syndrome, might receive entirely different personalized nutrition plans based on their unique digestive health, food sensitivities, gut microbiome composition, stress levels, and genetic predispositions. This level of customization is a hallmark of functional medicine and distinguishes it from a more generalized, one-size-fits-all dietary advice often found in conventional healthcare. The goal is not just to alleviate discomfort but to foster long-term health and prevent future disease progression by optimizing bodily functions through targeted nutritional support.

The Role of Nutrition in Chronic Disease

Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and autoimmune conditions, are often linked to inflammation, gut dysbiosis, nutrient deficiencies, and metabolic imbalances. Personalized nutrition in functional medicine directly targets these underlying issues. By adjusting macronutrient ratios, recommending specific micronutrients, eliminating inflammatory foods, and incorporating gut-healing protocols, practitioners can significantly impact the trajectory of chronic illness. This is not about restrictive dieting, but rather about providing the body with the right building blocks and signals to function optimally.

The functional medicine model understands that food is more than just calories; it is information that communicates with our genes, hormones, and immune system. Therefore, a personalized nutrition plan might involve a focus on whole, unprocessed foods, specific types of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, and the strategic use of dietary supplements to fill nutritional gaps. This comprehensive approach is designed to create an internal environment where the body can thrive, reduce disease risk, and enhance overall well-being. The emphasis on individualized care ensures that each patient's journey towards better health is guided by their unique physiological landscape, moving beyond generic dietary recommendations to truly personalized interventions that address their specific health challenges at the deepest level.

Does Functional Medicine Improve Health-Related Quality of Life?

Yes, functional medicine has been associated with significant improvements in health-related quality of life, according to research conducted by the Cleveland Clinic. A two-year retrospective cohort study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open, investigated 1,595 patients treated at Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine and compared them to 5,657 patients seen in a primary care setting. This study provided valuable insights into the tangible benefits of the functional medicine model on patient well-being, utilizing a standardized and validated measurement tool.

Measuring Health-Related Quality of Life

To assess health-related quality of life, the researchers employed PROMIS® (Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System), a questionnaire validated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). PROMIS is a comprehensive tool that measures various aspects of patients' global physical and mental health. These measurements can be tracked over time, providing a clear picture of how a patient's health is evolving. Key factors assessed by PROMIS include fatigue levels, physical function, pain intensity, gastrointestinal issues, and emotional well-being. By using such a robust and recognized instrument, the study ensured that the reported improvements were based on objective and patient-centric data, reflecting real-world impacts on daily life.

The study aimed to understand the association between the functional medicine model of care and patient-reported outcomes. It meticulously compared the progress of patients receiving functional medicine interventions with those receiving standard primary care. This comparative design is crucial for evaluating the distinct effects of the functional medicine approach, allowing researchers to draw conclusions about its unique contributions to patient health. The findings indicated a clear trend toward improved health outcomes for those engaging with functional medicine, particularly in the realm of physical health.

Significant Improvements in Physical Health

The Cleveland Clinic study revealed that patients treated by the Center for Functional Medicine experienced beneficial and sustainable improvements in their PROMIS global physical health scores. At the six-month mark, these patients showed significantly larger improvements in their PROMIS global physical health compared to individuals receiving care in a primary care setting. Specifically, approximately 31% of patients seen by the Center for Functional Medicine improved their PROMIS global physical health scores by 5 points or more. This 5-point improvement is considered a clinically meaningful change, indicating a noticeable and positive effect on their daily lives and overall physical functioning. In contrast, only 22% of primary care patients achieved a similar 5-point improvement in their scores over the same period. This difference highlights the enhanced efficacy of the functional medicine model in promoting physical well-being.

Furthermore, the study also looked at long-term effects. At 12 months, patients in the Center for Functional Medicine continued to show improvements similar to those observed at 6 months. While these improvements were not statistically significant when directly compared to the primary care group at the 12-month mark in the larger cohort, a deeper analysis of a smaller group of patients who had scores at both 6 and 12 months demonstrated sustained and significantly larger improvements in PROMIS global physical health for functional medicine patients compared to primary care patients. This suggests that the benefits of functional medicine are not fleeting but can be maintained over a longer duration, contributing to lasting enhancements in quality of life. The comprehensive findings of this research, as detailed in Association of the Functional Medicine Model of Care With Patient-Reported Health-Related Quality-of-Life, underscore the positive impact of functional medicine on patient outcomes.

Factors Contributing to Improvements

Researchers involved in the study believe that several factors contribute to the observed improvements in health-related quality of life among functional medicine patients. These factors include inherent differences in the functional medicine model itself, which prioritizes a holistic, root-cause approach. The types of patients seeking functional medicine care may also play a role; these individuals are often highly motivated to engage in lifestyle changes and take an active role in their health journey. Additionally, treatment adherence and a strong belief in the functional medicine model of care could contribute to better outcomes. When patients are invested in and committed to their personalized plans, they are more likely to implement the recommended dietary and lifestyle changes effectively.

These findings suggest that the functional medicine model, with its emphasis on personalized interventions and addressing the underlying causes of chronic disease, can lead to substantial and meaningful improvements in how patients experience their physical health. The study provides robust evidence supporting the value of this approach in enhancing the quality of life for individuals dealing with chronic conditions. However, the researchers also emphasize the need for future prospective studies to further examine the functional medicine model of care and its long-term outcomes, ensuring continued advancements in understanding its full potential.

How Do Shared Medical Appointments Impact Outcomes and Costs?

Shared medical appointments (SMAs) within the functional medicine model have shown to deliver improved patient outcomes and are less costly to deliver compared to traditional individual appointments. A study conducted at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine compared the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of care delivered in SMAs versus individual appointments for patients with chronic conditions. This research highlights an innovative way to provide functional medicine care that benefits both patients and the healthcare system.

Study Design and Participants

The retrospective cohort study, published in BMJ Open, assessed outcomes and costs associated with functional medicine-based care. The study included a large sample of 2,455 patients who participated in either in-person SMAs or individual appointments between March 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019. Out of these, 226 patients were in SMAs and 2,229 were in individual appointments. All participants were aged 18 years or older and had baseline and 3-month follow-up Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Physical Health (GPH) scores. To ensure a fair comparison, researchers propensity score-matched 213 pairs of patients, balancing groups based on factors such as age, sex, race, marital status, income, weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), baseline PROMIS scores, and functional medicine diagnostic category. This rigorous matching process helped to minimize confounding variables and strengthen the validity of the comparison, ensuring that differences in outcomes could be attributed more confidently to the care model itself.

The primary outcome measured was the change in PROMIS GPH at 3 months, while secondary outcomes included changes in PROMIS Global Mental Health (GMH), various biometrics, and the cost of delivering care. This comprehensive evaluation allowed the researchers to capture a broad spectrum of impacts, from physical and mental well-being to tangible physiological markers and economic considerations. The study's design was robust, providing reliable data on how different delivery methods for functional medicine care influence patient health and financial efficiency.

Greater Improvements in Physical and Mental Health

The findings from the matched pairs revealed significant advantages for patients participating in SMAs. Patients in SMAs exhibited greater improvements at 3 months in their PROMIS GPH T-scores, with a mean difference of 1.18 points (95% CI 0.14 to 2.22, p=0.03) compared to patients in individual appointments. This indicates that the group setting fostered better physical health outcomes. Beyond physical health, SMAs also led to greater improvements in PROMIS GMH T-scores, showing a mean difference of 1.78 points (95% CI 0.66 to 2.89, p=0.002). This suggests that the collaborative and supportive environment of SMAs positively impacted patients' mental well-being, which is a critical component of overall health-related quality of life.

In addition to self-reported outcomes, objective biometric data also showed favorable results for SMA participants. Patients in SMAs experienced greater weight loss, with a mean difference of -1.4 kg (95% CI -2.15 to -0.64, p<0.001) compared to those in individual appointments. This is a clinically meaningful reduction in weight, particularly for individuals managing chronic conditions often exacerbated by excess body weight. Both groups, however, experienced a notable 5.5 mm Hg improvement in systolic blood pressure, indicating that functional medicine care, regardless of delivery method, can positively impact cardiovascular health markers. These results collectively demonstrate that SMAs not only enhance patient-reported well-being but also contribute to measurable physiological improvements. The detailed findings on these outcomes are available in Functional medicine shared appointments outcomes.

Cost-Effectiveness of Shared Medical Appointments

One of the most compelling findings of the study was the economic benefit of SMAs. The research concluded that SMAs were less costly to deliver than individual appointments. This cost-effectiveness has significant implications for making functional medicine more accessible and sustainable within the broader healthcare system. By providing care in a group setting, practitioners can reach more patients efficiently, optimizing their time and resources. This model potentially reduces the per-patient cost of care delivery, making comprehensive functional medicine interventions more affordable for both patients and providers.

"SMAs deliver functional medicine-based care that improves outcomes more than care delivered in individual appointments and is less costly to deliver," said Michelle Beidelschies, Ph.D., one of the lead researchers on the study. This statement underscores the dual benefit of shared medical appointments: superior patient outcomes coupled with reduced costs. This innovative approach offers a promising pathway for expanding access to functional medicine, particularly for patients managing chronic conditions that require ongoing support and education. The ability to achieve better results at a lower cost positions SMAs as a highly valuable model for future healthcare delivery.

What Does the Cleveland Clinic's Functioning For Life® Program Offer?

The Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine offers a specialized program called Functioning For Life® (FFL), which is a prime example of how shared medical appointments (SMAs) are implemented in practice. This program is designed to provide comprehensive care and education to patients dealing with various chronic conditions, leveraging the principles of functional medicine in a supportive group setting. The FFL program represents a structured approach to personalized nutrition and lifestyle intervention, aiming to empower patients to take an active role in their health.

Structure of the Functioning For Life® Program

The Functioning For Life® program is structured as a 10-week shared medical appointment series. This duration allows for a sustained period of learning, implementation, and support, which is often crucial for making lasting lifestyle changes. Over these 10 weeks, patients meet regularly in a group setting, guided by functional medicine practitioners. The group dynamic fosters a sense of community and shared experience, allowing participants to learn from each other's challenges and successes. This communal aspect can be particularly beneficial for individuals facing similar chronic health issues, as it reduces feelings of isolation and provides a strong support network.

Each session within the 10-week program likely builds upon previous lessons, progressively introducing concepts related to functional medicine, personalized nutrition, and other lifestyle interventions. The curriculum is designed to be comprehensive, covering a range of topics that are essential for addressing the root causes of chronic disease. This structured, sequential learning environment ensures that patients gain a deep understanding of the principles and practices necessary for improving their health, moving beyond superficial advice to actionable strategies that can be integrated into their daily lives. The consistent engagement over ten weeks helps reinforce new habits and provides ample opportunity for questions and personalized guidance within the group context.

Focus on Food as Medicine

A central pillar of the Functioning For Life® program is its strong emphasis on the concept of "food as medicine." This principle is fundamental to functional medicine, recognizing that diet plays a profound role in health and disease. The program educates patients on how specific foods can either promote healing and reduce inflammation or contribute to chronic health issues. Participants learn to identify foods that may be triggering their symptoms and discover nutrient-dense alternatives that support optimal bodily function. This focus goes beyond simple dietary restrictions; it involves understanding the biochemical impacts of different foods on individual physiology.

Through the FFL program, patients are empowered to make positive decisions regarding food choices. They learn practical skills such as meal planning, healthy cooking techniques, and how to read food labels effectively. The program likely provides guidance on selecting whole, unprocessed foods, incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and lean proteins, and understanding the importance of gut health through diet. The goal is to equip patients with the knowledge and tools to use their diet as a primary therapeutic intervention, enabling them to manage and even reverse chronic conditions. By the end of the program, patients are not only better informed about nutrition but are also equipped to become advocates for healthy lifestyles within their own homes and communities, spreading the impact of their learning beyond themselves. The Cleveland Clinic has highlighted how this program, with its 10-week SMA structure, aims to address various chronic conditions through the use of food as medicine, leading to patient empowerment and positive lifestyle changes Cleveland Clinic functional medicine study.

Empowering Patients for Healthy Lifestyles

The ultimate aim of the Functioning For Life® program is to empower patients. This empowerment comes from providing them with knowledge, skills, and a supportive environment to implement sustainable lifestyle changes. The program doesn't just tell patients what to do; it teaches them why these changes are important and how to integrate them into their daily lives. This educational component is critical for long-term success, as it allows patients to understand the rationale behind their personalized nutrition plans and make informed choices independently.

By the end of the 10-week program, patients are expected to have a deeper understanding of their own health and the tools to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes making conscious decisions about the food they eat, managing stress, incorporating physical activity, and prioritizing sleep. The program fosters self-efficacy, enabling individuals to become proactive participants in their own healthcare. The ripple effect extends to their families and communities, as empowered patients often share their newfound knowledge and healthy habits with those around them, promoting a wider culture of wellness. The FFL program, therefore, is not just about treating illness, but about cultivating a sustainable approach to health that extends far beyond the duration of the appointments.

Why is Root-Cause Healthcare Important?

Root-cause healthcare, the cornerstone of functional medicine, is crucial because it seeks to identify and treat the underlying causes of chronic diseases rather than merely managing symptoms. This fundamental difference sets functional medicine apart from conventional medicine, which often focuses on symptom suppression. While symptom management can provide temporary relief, it may not address the core issues contributing to a patient's illness, potentially leading to ongoing health problems and a diminished quality of life.

The Limitations of Symptom-Based Approaches

Conventional medicine excels at acute care and emergency interventions, where rapid symptom relief is paramount. However, for chronic conditions, a symptom-based approach can have limitations. For example, a patient with chronic fatigue might be prescribed stimulants or antidepressants to mask the exhaustion, without investigating potential underlying causes such as nutrient deficiencies, mitochondrial dysfunction, chronic infections, or hormonal imbalances. While the patient might feel temporarily better, the root cause remains unaddressed, potentially worsening over time or manifesting as new symptoms. This cycle of symptom management without root-cause resolution can be frustrating for patients and may not lead to lasting health improvements.

Moreover, managing symptoms often involves pharmaceutical interventions that can come with side effects, requiring further medications to manage those side effects, creating a complex and sometimes debilitating cascade. This approach can overlook the interconnectedness of bodily systems, treating each symptom in isolation rather than as part of a larger, systemic imbalance. Functional medicine, by contrast, adopts a systems biology approach, recognizing that symptoms are often signals of deeper physiological dysregulation. It aims to restore proper function across all body systems, leading to more comprehensive and sustainable health outcomes.

The Benefits of Addressing Root Causes

Identifying and treating the underlying causes of chronic diseases leads to more sustainable and comprehensive health improvements. When the root cause is addressed, the body's natural healing mechanisms can be engaged, and symptoms often resolve naturally as a result. For instance, if a patient's migraines are found to be triggered by specific food sensitivities, eliminating those foods from the diet can lead to a significant reduction or complete cessation of migraines, without the need for ongoing medication. This approach empowers patients by giving them control over their health through informed lifestyle choices.

Functional medicine practitioners utilize a variety of tools to uncover root causes, including detailed patient histories, advanced laboratory testing, and a deep understanding of physiology and biochemistry. They consider factors like diet, stress, sleep, environmental toxins, genetics, and the microbiome, all of which can contribute to chronic illness. By systematically evaluating these areas, they can construct a personalized roadmap to health that targets the specific dysfunctions unique to each individual. "Functional medicine addresses the root causes of chronic disease," states Michelle Beidelschies, Ph.D., highlighting the core principle that guides this approach. This philosophy is about building health from the ground up, fostering resilience, and preventing future disease, rather than just reacting to illness as it arises.

Long-Term Health and Prevention

Beyond resolving current symptoms, root-cause healthcare is inherently preventative. By identifying and correcting imbalances early on, functional medicine can mitigate the risk of developing more severe chronic conditions in the future. For example, addressing pre-diabetes through dietary and lifestyle changes can prevent the progression to type 2 diabetes, avoiding its associated complications. This proactive stance on health is vital in an era where chronic diseases are on the rise and place a significant burden on individuals and healthcare systems.

The focus on personalized nutrition and lifestyle interventions, guided by an understanding of root causes, equips patients with the knowledge and habits to maintain their health long-term. It's an educational model that teaches patients how to care for their bodies, make informed choices, and adapt their lifestyle as their needs evolve. This empowerment fosters a sense of agency and self-responsibility, leading to sustained well-being. Ultimately, root-cause healthcare is important because it offers a path to genuine health and vitality, moving beyond the endless cycle of symptom management to truly transformative and lasting health outcomes.

What are the Future Directions for Functional Medicine Research?

While existing research, particularly from the Cleveland Clinic, has demonstrated promising associations between the functional medicine model and improvements in health-related quality of life, researchers emphasize the need for continued investigation. The field of functional medicine is dynamic, and ongoing studies are crucial to further validate its efficacy, understand its mechanisms, and optimize its application in various clinical settings. Future research will focus on expanding the evidence base, exploring long-term outcomes, and refining the understanding of patient-specific factors that influence success.

Need for Prospective Studies

A key recommendation from researchers is the need for more prospective studies to further examine the functional medicine model of care. The initial Cleveland Clinic study was a retrospective cohort study, meaning it looked back at existing patient data. While valuable, retrospective studies can have limitations in establishing direct cause-and-effect relationships and controlling for all variables. Prospective studies, on the other hand, follow participants forward in time, allowing researchers to design interventions, collect data systematically, and observe outcomes as they unfold. This type of research design can provide stronger evidence regarding the effectiveness of functional medicine interventions and help to identify specific components of the model that contribute most significantly to patient improvements.

Prospective studies can also be designed to include larger and more diverse patient populations, enhancing the generalizability of findings. They can incorporate more detailed data collection on lifestyle factors, adherence to treatment plans, and specific dietary changes, which can provide a richer understanding of the intervention's impact. Such studies would also allow for direct comparisons of different functional medicine protocols or the efficacy of the model in treating specific chronic conditions, thereby refining best practices within the field. The call for prospective research underscores the scientific community's commitment to rigorously evaluating and advancing the functional medicine model.

Investigating Long-Term Outcomes

Another critical area for future research is the investigation of long-term outcomes of functional medicine interventions. While studies have shown beneficial improvements in health-related quality of life at 6 and 12 months, understanding the sustained impact over several years is essential. Chronic diseases often require ongoing management, and the ability of functional medicine to provide lasting solutions is a key measure of its success. Long-term follow-up studies can assess whether the initial improvements in physical and mental health are maintained, if patients continue to adhere to lifestyle changes, and if there are reductions in disease progression or recurrence rates over extended periods.

These studies could track markers such as medication usage, hospitalizations, and overall healthcare costs over many years, providing a comprehensive picture of the long-term value of functional medicine. For example, examining how personalized nutrition plans impact the progression of conditions like type 2 diabetes or autoimmune diseases over five to ten years would offer invaluable insights. Such long-term data would not only strengthen the evidence base for functional medicine but also inform healthcare policy and insurance coverage decisions, demonstrating the enduring benefits of a root-cause approach to chronic disease management. Research into personalized lifestyle medicine, as outlined in Personalized lifestyle medicine: relevance for nutrition and lifestyle recommendations, emphasizes the long-term potential of these approaches.

Understanding Patient Adherence and Belief

Researchers also believe that understanding patient adherence to treatment plans and their belief in the model of care may be important for future research. The functional medicine model often requires significant patient engagement and commitment to lifestyle changes, which can be challenging. Future studies could explore factors that influence patient adherence, such as educational support, community building (as seen in shared medical appointments), and the patient-provider relationship. Identifying predictors of adherence could help functional medicine practitioners tailor their support strategies to maximize patient success.

Furthermore, the role of patient belief in the model of care, often referred to as the placebo effect or patient expectation, is a complex but important area. While functional medicine relies on evidence-based interventions, a patient's positive outlook and trust in their practitioner and treatment plan can undoubtedly contribute to better outcomes. Future research could investigate the psychological and behavioral aspects of functional medicine care, exploring how patient belief interacts with physiological interventions to produce therapeutic effects. This deeper understanding could lead to strategies for enhancing patient engagement and belief, ultimately improving the overall effectiveness of functional medicine interventions and potentially impacting the outcomes for conditions like obesity-related cancers, as suggested in Personalized Lifestyle Interventions for Prevention and Treatment of Obesity-Related Cancers: A Call to Action.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is personalized nutrition?

Personalized nutrition is a key part of functional medicine that creates unique diet plans for each person. It looks at individual factors like lifestyle, genes, and environment to find the root causes of chronic disease. This approach helps to tailor food choices and nutrient recommendations to support the body's specific needs, rather than using a general diet plan.

How does functional medicine differ from traditional medicine?

Functional medicine differs from traditional medicine by focusing on the root causes of chronic disease, not just treating symptoms. For example, a Cleveland Clinic study found that 31% of functional medicine patients improved their physical health by 5 points or more at 6 months, compared to 22% in primary care. Traditional medicine often uses medications to manage symptoms, while functional medicine aims to resolve the underlying issues through personalized nutrition and lifestyle changes.

Can functional medicine improve mental health?

Yes, functional medicine can improve mental health. A Cleveland Clinic study found that patients in shared medical appointments (SMAs) showed greater improvements in PROMIS Global Mental Health T-scores, with a mean difference of 1.78 points, than those in individual appointments. This suggests that the holistic approach and supportive group environment of functional medicine can positively impact emotional well-being.

Are shared medical appointments as effective as individual appointments?

Shared medical appointments (SMAs) can be more effective than individual appointments for functional medicine-based care. Research showed that SMA patients had greater improvements in both physical (mean difference 1.18 points) and mental health (mean difference 1.78 points) T-scores at 3 months compared to patients in individual appointments. SMAs also led to greater weight loss (mean difference -1.4 kg) and were less costly to deliver.

What kind of chronic conditions can personalized nutrition address?

Personalized nutrition in functional medicine can address a wide range of chronic conditions by targeting their root causes. While specific conditions are not detailed in the provided research, the Cleveland Clinic study included patients with conditions like diabetes (17.9% of functional medicine patients), depression (25.8%), and hypertension (19.2%). The Functioning For Life® program, a 10-week SMA, is designed to address various chronic conditions through food as medicine.

Sources

  1. https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2019/10/25/cleveland-clinic-study-finds-functional-medicine-model-is-associated-with-improvements-in-health-related-quality-of-life
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33849860/
  3. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2753520
  4. https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2021/04/13/cleveland-clinic-study-finds-functional-medicines-shared-medical-appointments-deliver-improved-patient-outcomes-at-less-cost
  5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23878520/
  6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40282431/

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