Functional Medicine Course

Lesson 1 • The Functional Medicine Matrix

Presents the organising clinical tool used to map patient complexity. Students apply the matrix to categorise antecedents, triggers, and mediators.

Lesson 2 • Core Philosophy and Systems Thinking

Introduces systems-biology thinking as the intellectual backbone of functional medicine. Connects philosophical principles to clinical decision-making.

Lesson 3 • Evidence Base and Research Landscape

Evaluates the current scientific evidence supporting functional medicine interventions. Prepares students to critically appraise research and communicate findings.

Lesson 1 • Gastrointestinal Physiology and the Gut-Brain Axis

Details gut structure, microbiome ecology, and bidirectional gut-brain communication. Establishes GI health as central to systemic functional medicine practice.

Lesson 2 • Cellular Biology and Energy Production

Reviews mitochondrial function and cellular energy pathways as foundational to health. Links cellular dysfunction to fatigue, metabolic, and chronic disease presentations.

Lesson 3 • Detoxification and Biotransformation

Covers hepatic and extrahepatic detoxification phases and their nutritional cofactors. Students link impaired detox capacity to toxin accumulation and chronic illness.

Lesson 4 • Immune System and Inflammatory Pathways

Analyses innate and adaptive immunity in the context of chronic inflammation. Connects immune dysregulation to autoimmunity and metabolic disease.

Lesson 1 • Advanced History-Taking Techniques

Trains practitioners in open-ended, narrative-based interviewing beyond standard intake. Elicits lifestyle, environmental, and psychosocial factors critical to functional assessment.

Lesson 2 • Functional Laboratory Testing Overview

Surveys specialty and standard labs used in functional medicine assessment. Establishes the rationale for test selection before detailed interpretation in later chapters.

Lesson 3 • Functional Physical Examination

Adapts physical exam findings to functional medicine interpretation. Students identify clinical signs of nutritional deficiency, toxicity, and system dysfunction.

Lesson 4 • The Functional Medicine Timeline

Teaches construction of a longitudinal patient timeline to identify disease antecedents. Connects life events, exposures, and health changes to current presentations.

Lesson 1 • Inflammatory and Immune Markers

Interprets inflammatory cytokines, autoimmune panels, and immune function tests. Students use marker patterns to guide anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating strategies.

Lesson 2 • Hormonal and Thyroid Testing

Covers full thyroid panels, adrenal hormone testing, and sex hormone assessment. Students distinguish optimal from merely normal hormone ranges.

Lesson 3 • Metabolic and Cardiometabolic Panels

Interprets comprehensive metabolic panels, lipid profiles, and insulin markers functionally. Students identify early metabolic dysfunction before conventional thresholds are reached.

Lesson 4 • Nutritional and Micronutrient Testing

Evaluates methods for assessing micronutrient status, fatty acid profiles, and organic acids. Students correlate deficiency patterns with clinical presentations.

Lesson 1 • Stress Physiology and Resilience Building

Analyses the HPA axis stress response and its downstream effects on health. Students apply mind-body interventions to reduce allostatic load and build resilience.

Lesson 2 • Sleep Optimisation and Circadian Biology

Examines circadian rhythm regulation and its impact on hormones, immunity, and metabolism. Students assess sleep quality and prescribe evidence-based sleep interventions.

Lesson 3 • Social Connection and Environmental Factors

Evaluates the health impact of social relationships, purpose, and environmental exposures. Students screen for social determinants and incorporate them into care plans.

Lesson 4 • Exercise as Medicine

Reviews the physiological effects of aerobic, resistance, and high-intensity exercise on chronic disease. Students prescribe individualised movement plans based on patient capacity and goals.

Lesson 1 • Nutritional Supplementation Strategies

Evaluates evidence for targeted supplementation to correct deficiencies and support function. Students select, dose, and sequence supplements based on lab data and clinical need.

Lesson 2 • Nutritional Biochemistry Fundamentals

Reviews macronutrient and micronutrient roles in cellular function and gene expression. Provides the biochemical rationale for all subsequent dietary interventions.

Lesson 3 • Anti-Inflammatory and Elimination Diets

Teaches protocols for reducing dietary inflammation and identifying food triggers. Students implement and monitor elimination-reintroduction protocols systematically.

Lesson 4 • Personalised Nutrition Planning

Integrates genetic, microbiome, and metabolic data to individualise dietary recommendations. Students produce patient-specific nutrition plans with measurable outcome targets.

Lesson 1 • Cardiometabolic Conditions

Addresses insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia through functional protocols. Students integrate nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted supplementation into cardiometabolic plans.

Lesson 2 • Hormonal and Thyroid Disorders

Develops functional protocols for hypothyroidism, adrenal dysfunction, and sex hormone imbalances. Students address upstream drivers rather than isolated hormone replacement.

Lesson 3 • Autoimmune and Inflammatory Conditions

Applies functional protocols to autoimmune diseases by addressing gut, immune, and hormonal drivers. Students design multi-modal plans targeting root causes of immune dysregulation.

Lesson 4 • Gastrointestinal Disorders

Covers functional protocols for IBS, SIBO, leaky gut, and inflammatory bowel conditions. Students apply the 5R framework to restore GI function systematically.

Lesson 1 • Integrated Treatment Plan Design

Guides construction of phased, prioritised treatment plans addressing multiple root causes. Students sequence interventions for maximum therapeutic impact and patient tolerability.

Lesson 2 • Complex Case Studies and Simulation

Applies full functional medicine methodology to multi-system, complex patient cases. Students demonstrate integrated competency through structured case presentations and peer review.

Lesson 3 • Clinical Reasoning and Differential Diagnosis

Trains systematic functional reasoning to generate and prioritise root-cause hypotheses. Students apply pattern recognition across systems to complex multi-symptom presentations.

Lesson 4 • Monitoring, Outcomes, and Plan Adjustment

Establishes frameworks for tracking patient progress using objective and subjective measures. Students adjust treatment plans based on outcomes data and evolving patient needs.