Choosing a healthcare provider can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re seeking something beyond the conventional model. Functional medicine has grown rapidly in Kansas City, and many people are discovering its benefits for conditions like metabolic issues, hormone imbalance, gut problems, weight loss, and chronic fatigue.

But with several options in town, how do you know which functional medicine practice is right for you?

If you’ve spent any time in the world of health and wellness, you’ve probably heard the golden rule: "All health starts in the gut." It’s practically a mantra at this point. Got bloating? Heal your gut. Feeling sluggish? Heal your gut. Bad skin, brain fog, anxiety, joint pain? You guessed it, heal your gut.

It’s 3 AM. Again. You roll over, check the clock, and sigh. You’re wide awake, your brain is already running through tomorrow’s to-do list, and no matter how much you toss and turn, sleep just won’t come back. Meanwhile, your partner? Sleeping peacefully, completely oblivious to your nightly struggle.

Some days, you feel like a bottomless pit, hungry from the moment you wake up. Other days? You have zero appetite, and food sounds about as appealing as doing your taxes. One minute, your digestion seems fine. The next, you’re dealing with bloating, sluggishness, or an urgent trip to the bathroom. And those late-night sugar and carb cravings? It’s like your body turns into a different person after dark.

Ever feel like every little sound is grating on your nerves? The hum of the fridge, the chatter of a nearby conversation, or even the brightness of overhead lights feels overwhelming, almost like your senses are on high alert.

If you’ve ever had lab work done and been told, “Your estrogen is low,” or “Your testosterone is high,” you might have thought, Great, that means I just need to fix that one hormone, right?

Well… not exactly.

You eat well, exercise, and try to manage stress, but something still feels off. Your energy dips for no reason, your metabolism seems sluggish, and your mood swings are becoming impossible to ignore. Maybe your cycle is unpredictable, or your libido has disappeared without a trace. Sound familiar? In my experience, so many people come to me feeling frustrated and confused by their bodies, wondering why their hormones seem to be working against them. And the truth is, for many of us, they are—because modern chemicals are hijacking them.

Ever feel like your brain’s buffering, even after chugging that overpriced matcha? You sit down to work, but your focus drifts, your ideas feel uninspired, and by mid-afternoon, you’re battling the kind of brain fog that makes simple tasks feel like a mental marathon. If this sounds familiar, what I’m about to say might surprise you: your lighting could be to blame.

Have you ever walked into a room and immediately forgotten why? (don’t lie… we’ve all done it), struggled to focus through afternoon brain fog? Or felt like your memory just isn’t what it used to be? If so, you’re not alone. Many people assume cognitive issues are just a normal part of aging or a sign they need more coffee, a fancy nootropic, or another productivity hack. But in my experience, brain fog has less to do with how much caffeine you’re drinking and more to do with something almost no one talks about: brain drainage.

It’s 3 PM. You’re staring blankly at your screen, willing your brain to function, but all it can think about is caffeine, sugar, or maybe a nap (preferably all three). So, you grab a coffee, maybe a protein bar (or let’s be real—a cookie), and push through. Sound familiar?

ave you ever felt irritable, impatient, or overly emotional for no clear reason? Maybe you snapped at your partner over something minor or made a decision you regretted instantly—like stress-buying something online or grabbing that extra slice of cake when you weren’t even hungry. Maybe you just felt... off. More anxious, more reactive, less like yourself.

Did you know that your gut has its very own biological clock? Yep, that’s right. Our bodies are built to follow a natural 24-hour rhythm, influencing everything from how soundly we sleep to how efficiently we digest our food. When that rhythm is off (we’ll get into the culprits later), it can leave us feeling completely out of sync.

Let’s talk about something nobody wants to admit they have, but many do: a fungal problem. No, not the kind on old bread! I’m talking about Candida, a yeast that naturally lives in your body but can spiral out of control under the right (or rather, wrong) conditions.

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to age effortlessly, maintaining their energy and youth, while others struggle with fatigue, weight gain, or health issues as the years go by? If you’ve ever felt like your energy isn’t what it used to be, or you’re curious about how to stay sharp and strong well into your later years, you’re not alone.

So, you’re eating well, exercising, and doing all the “right” things, but your body feels like it’s working against you. Energy is low, the weight won’t budge, or maybe you’re struggling with mood swings or that mid-afternoon crash (cue one more cup of coffee). Sound familiar? 

Do you ever feel like your body is trying to tell you something, but you’re not quite sure what? Maybe it’s persistent fatigue that sleep doesn’t fix, constant bloating that makes you feel uncomfortable in your own skin, or a nagging brain fog that clouds your thoughts.

We’ve all been there—feeling that spark of motivation to finally make a change. Maybe it’s the start of a new year, or a picture of your ideal self pops into your mind. You’re inspired, ready to commit, and it feels like this time will be different.

Have you ever wondered why that stubborn weight won’t budge no matter how hard you try? The answer could be toxins. These sneaky chemicals—now classified as obesogens—are disrupting our hormones, impairing our metabolism, and causing us to store fat.

The holiday season is a time we often look forward to—filled with joy, celebration, and time spent with loved ones. It’s the season of gathering around the table, sharing laughter, and making memories. But amidst all the excitement, the pressure can start to build. Between juggling family gatherings, shopping for gifts, and managing a packed calendar, the once-festive mood can easily shift to stress. It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed, even when trying to keep up with holiday cheer.

When you think of Vitamin C, chances are you picture a glass of orange juice or a remedy for the sniffles. It’s the go-to vitamin when cold and flu season rolls around, right? But what if I told you that this powerhouse vitamin offers so much more?