As a double board-certified physician in Integrative Medicine and Pediatrics, with over 25 years of clinical practice, I have seen firsthand the limitations of conventional medicine. But it wasn't until my own family's health struggles that I truly understood the power of Functional Medicine.

My son's health issues began when he was just a few weeks old with eczema and chronic congestion. As time went on, he developed chronic ear infections, constipation, a persistent cough, and eventually asthma. He was a picky eater, not thriving, and his muscle tone was so poor that he was diagnosed with developmental delay.

We tried everything, but nothing seemed to help. Antibiotics did not help and resulted in side effects. We sought help from a naturopath and homeopath, but it only brought him temporary relief. His condition only worsened, and eventually, he ended up in the Children’s Hospital with respiratory distress and required oxygen for four days.

I felt helpless as a mother and physician but was determined to find answers. I attended every Integrative Medicine conference, soaking up all the knowledge I could and learnt from experts like Dr. Mark Hyman, who recovered from a debilitating illness through Functional Medicine. After enrolling in the Institute of Functional Medicine’s training program, I finally understood that my son's leaky gut was the root cause of his seemingly unrelated symptoms, such as eczema, chronic infections, poor appetite, developmental delays, and poor muscle tone.

Now I was able to connect the dots between my son's health issues and my own. I realized that I also had leaky gut, with a history of strange rashes and stomach pains treated with PPIs, positive for Hashimoto antibodies. When I showed my recurrent rash to a dermatologist, he told me that he couldn't do anything about it, but that I would probably develop lupus in 10-20 years. I was determined to find a better path for my family,  my patients and myself.

Fast forward to today, my son is now a state champion in mountain biking and has been off antibiotics and asthma medication for more than 16 years. It's hard to believe that he was once told he would never be an athlete. Meanwhile, my Hashimoto's antibodies have gone down, and I am still off thyroid medication and PPIs. This is the power of Functional Medicine and resetting the gut microbiome.

My personal experience has fueled my passion and mission to bring functional medicine to my patients. I firmly believe that true healing lies in addressing the root causes of health problems, rather than simply treating symptoms. I am committed to helping my patients achieve optimal health and wellness, empowering them to take control of their health and live their best lives.