Pillars of Health Program | Function Health Patients

Ruthie Harper MD is a board certified internist who emphasizes a functional, holistic approach to healthcare. She has developed the Pillars of Health Program that focuses on the unique needs of each patient, and personalizes each treatment plan accordingly to achieve optimal health for every individual. If you have already had your blood work done through Function Health, she offers a thorough review, examination and consultation to put your Function Health results to work for you.

Dr. Harper believes that traditional Western medicine tends to treat symptoms and disease instead of focusing on resolving the underlying imbalances in the body that contribute to disease. Dr. Harper’s Pillars of Health Program focuses on treating the root cause of illness rather than just managing symptoms. She promotes healthy lifestyle habits to support health, prevent chronic disease, reduce reliance on prescription medication and expensive medical interventions, and improve longevity and quality of life.

Dr. Harper’s decades of medical experience have shown her that at birth the body is designed with optimal function and an innate ability to heal itself when provided with the right ingredients and guidance for healing. Her Pillars of Health Program focuses on providing this guidance while treating the whole person rather than just the symptoms of disease. This involves a deep understanding of the underlying imbalances in the body that contribute to illness, and addressing these imbalances through the most advanced diagnostic techniques and cutting edge conventional and alternative therapies.

If you want to take proactive steps to live a long, active, and healthy life – with vigor and vitality – the Pillars of Health Program can help you achieve optimal health and prevent disease. If you already have your Function Health test results, schedule your in-depth Function Health Consultation and thorough health analysis with Dr. Harper today. (And if you do not have Function Health lab results, schedule an Initial Consultation Here and we can arrange all appropriate diagnostic testing for you.)

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Pillars of Health Program

Holistic Approach

In addition to conventional medical treatments, functional doctors focus on the whole individual and use a range of complementary therapies, to support the body’s natural healing processes such as nutrition, acupuncture, supplements, stress reduction, sleep management, massage, and herbal remedies to support the body’s natural healing processes.

Root Cause Analysis

Instead of simply treating symptoms, functional and integrative medicine doctors like Ruthie Harper, MD in Austin, TX identify and address the underlying causes of illness and disease. This involves looking at factors such as inflammation, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, stress, sleep, exercise, and other lifestyle factors that may be contributing to disease.

Focus on Prevention

Functional and integrative medicine emphasizes the importance of preventive care, such as regular screenings and lifestyle modifications, to help patients resolve symptoms and avoid chronic diseases before they occur. Our executive health program focuses on key pillars of health that must be mastered to achieve optimal health and provide disease prevention.

Personalized Care

Functional and integrative medicine doctors like Ruthie Harper, MD in Austin, TX believe that every patient is unique, and that healthcare should be tailored to their individual needs. This involves considering the patient’s medical history, lifestyle, genetics, and environment as well as use of advanced laboratory testing and diagnostic tools to identify imbalances in the body.

Traditional medicine works off the premise that the body is not working, leading to symptoms or disease and asks what medications or interventions can be used to treat the problem. Functional medicine asks a different question: If the body is not working, what is happening at a deeper level that is causing the body not to work and what is needed to regain the original function of the body?

Traditional medicine attempts to increase lifespan without accompanying healthspan. Lifespan refers to the length of time a person is alive, while healthspan refers to the length of time a person lives in good health, free from disease, disability, and functional decline. While extending lifespan is a desirable goal, it is only valuable if accompanied by good health and quality of life. This is not about making traditional medicine wrong, it’s to rethink what it offers and what it does not.

The Pillars of Health Program focuses on the ten key pillars of health that must be mastered to achieve optimal health and provide disease prevention. By focusing on the pillars of health and personalizing the information provided, individuals master a comprehensive approach to optimizing their health and well-being. By addressing the root cause of disease, individuals can achieve greater balance and resilience in their lives and can build a strong foundation for optimal health and longevity. By empowering patients to take an active role in their own health and wellbeing we will create a culture of health that supports you in achieving your full potential.

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The 10 Pillars of Health

Cutting Edge
Technology

In recent years, the field of healthcare has witnessed a remarkable transformation driven by cutting-edge medical technologies. Prenuvo, Galleri testing, and Hart CVE are among the innovative technologies that are reshaping the landscape of healthcare, offering new possibilities for early detection, personalized treatment, and improved patient outcomes. Embracing these new diagnostic and treatment technologies ensures precise, personalized medical care for improved health, longevity, and disease prevention.

Digestion &
Gut Health

Gut health is essential to overall health & well-being. The gut microbiome is a complex community of microorganisms that live in the digestive tract. These microorganisms work together to help break down food, produce vitamins & other essential nutrients. Research has shown that the gut microbiome has been linked to many aspects of health, including immunity, metabolism & mental health – and can reduce risk of many chronic diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease & certain types of cancer.

Cardiovascular
Health

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, with over 17 million deaths annually. However, recent research has shown that cholesterol is not the primary cause of heart disease. Instead, metabolic disease and insulin resistance, which lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and excess body weight, are the primary underlying causes. Therefore, a personalized approach to heart disease prevention and treatment that considers an individual’s unique genetic profile and advanced diagnostic testing is crucial.

Diabesity &
Metabolic Syndrome

Diabesity is an epidemic affecting one out of two Americans. It is a spectrum of conditions ranging from mild insulin resistance to full-blown type 2 diabetes. 90% of those affected by diabesity are not even aware that they have it. There are several symptoms that can indicate if you have diabesity: belly fat, fatigue after meals, difficulty losing weight, sugar cravings, early heart disease, low sex drive, high triglycerides & low HDL cholesterol. Evaluating patients for diabesity is crucial because it is completely reversible with treatment.

Mitochondrial Health
& Metabolism

Mitochondria are cellular structures responsible for producing energy. They play a vital role in metabolic processes, proper cellular function, and disease prevention. As we age, the number and function of mitochondria can decline, leading to age-related diseases & a decline in health, including: muscle weakness, exercise intolerance, neurological symptoms, weight gain, gastrointestinal, cardiac & respiratory issues, endocrine disorders & kidney problems. Maintaining mitochondrial function is crucial for optimal health.

Vital Signs

It is essential to understand the significance of each of your vital signs, as these measurements can provide valuable information about your overall health status. Understanding how to maintain healthy vital signs is crucial for overall health and well-being. By keeping track of your vital signs you can avoid numerous health issues, prevent disease, and enjoy a long, healthy, and vital life.

Inflammation

Inflammation is a complex process that is a necessary part of the body’s healing response. However, chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of many diseases, including: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, asthma, IBD, COPD, psoriasis & autoimmune diseases. Reducing chronic inflammation is critical when preventing & managing disease.

Nutrition

Up to 90% of Americans are not consuming enough of the essential nutrients required for healthy functioning of all aspects of their bodies. These nutrient deficiencies can compound over time and have lasting negative effects. Understanding the connection between food and health is vital for every individual who desires to prevent disease and achieve optimal functioning of their body.

Hormones

A personalized integrative health program requires evaluation of hormonal needs through all stages of life, especially as we age. Lab analysis of the hormonal systems that affect our body, and personalized, 100% natural Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), can help maintain optimal hormonal balance for health, sexual vitality, disease prevention, and anti-aging.

Detoxification

Detoxification is a natural process that eliminates harmful substances to maintain optimal health. Understanding the importance of detoxification and taking steps to support it can significantly contribute to your overall well-being. After thorough testing we develop a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs to support your body’s natural detoxification processes.

Pillars of Health Program | Function Health Patients

Pillars of Health Program