Dys-Functional Medicine

Why the functional-medicine field is low on evidence and rife with diet culture

This post is from my previous newsletter, Food Psych Weekly.

This week’s question is from a reader named Claudia. Fyi, this question and my answer contain some details about functional-medicine practitioners and their diet/supplement recommendations. Both Claudia and I are skeptical of these recommendations, and I provide some evidence against them in my answer, but if this kind of discussion is likely to trigger disordered thoughts or behaviors for you then please feel free to skip it. Claudia writes:

Hi Christy -

What is your take on the new “Functional Medicine” physicians out there like Mark Hyman and Amy Myers? The Cleveland Clinic now has an ENTIRE “Center” devoted to FM which includes supplements, nutrition, and “lifestyle” changes that supposedly help prevent and manage chronic diseases. I know that testing for all kinds of things and supplementation is a big part of it, and the nutrition advice may include cutting out grains and sugars and beans. On the other hand, a family member being treated for cancer was told outright by their oncologist that “diet doesn’t matter.” I’m so tired of medical professionals constantly contradicting themselves, but don’t have a problem with playing on people’s fears of disease by having them pay A LOT for supplements and tests that seem unnecessary. Thanks for all you do!