The Institute for Functional Medicine

20/08/2025

Looking to make nutrition a central part of your patient care?

The Therapeutic Food Plans (TFP) course provides a suite of dietary interventions designed for improving specific areas of health. These food plans can be easily customized for each patient, making the process of incorporating a dietary intervention simple, intuitive, and effective. This course gives you the skills to address nutritional imbalances that may be contributing to chronic conditions and provides proven techniques to support your patients in making lasting changes.

TFP gives you the knowledge and practical guidance to:
🥑Understand the importance of nutrition in the management of chronic conditions.
🌶️Compare the features and applications of IFM’s food plans.
🍆Personalize IFM food plans based on dietary needs, preferences, and health goals.
🥦Use IFM tools to identify dietary and lifestyle patterns contributing to a patient’s health.
🥕Understand how diet and nutrition can improve health.

The August cohort has already started, but we saved you a seat at the table! 🍽️ Last chance to join. Earn up to 6.5 CME with self-guided presentations by registering here: https://go.ifm.org/3HI04mP

19/08/2025

Researchers continue to investigate the safety and efficacy of clinically administered psychedelic drugs as effective therapeutic agents for treating mental health conditions. Some studies demonstrate their positive benefits for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and PTSD, but limited clinical evidence and concerns over legal access prevent these agents from being widely used in practice. How do psychedelics affect the brain on a physiological and emotional level, and how can this insight pave the way for advances in mental health care? On this episode of "Pathways to Well-Being," we welcome noted psychiatric researcher Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris to discuss the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapies and better understand how these agents may be applied therapeutically to support mental health and the brain. Listen to the episode here: https://go.ifm.org/3VdceHq

18/08/2025

What should you eat for optimal eye health? Many patients take their vision for granted until age-related changes occur. While conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration are more likely to develop after age 50, there are simple choices patients can make to help mitigate the risk and impact of these diseases.

IFM Certified Practitioners Rudrani Banik, M.D. and Neda Gioia, OD, CNS, IFMCP (Integrative Vision), both experts in integrative eye health, contributed to a recent article in Experience Life Magazine highlighting how nutritional choices, particularly a diet rich in antioxidants like carotenoids, are the most significant modifiable factors for long-term ocular health. Discover the best nutrients to incorporate into your diet to support eye health here:

Food plays a big role in sustaining our vision — and carrots are just the beginning. Discover the best nutrients for eye health.

12/08/2025

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Filomena Trindade, MD, MPH, IFMCP, and remember her extraordinary contributions to IFM and the field of functional medicine.

Dr. Trindade started educating with IFM in 2014, serving as an educator for more than 13 IFM program offerings, including Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP) and the Hormone Advanced Practice Module (APM), domestic and international. As recently as one month ago, she participated in a live question and answer session and monitored the learner forum for the 2025 Hormone APM with the same enthusiasm she brought to the program over a decade ago. In addition to IFM core programs, Dr. Trindade was an IFM mentor and shared her knowledge with learners at conferences around the globe, furthering the widespread adoption of functional medicine.

“Filomena brought a rare blend of clinical mastery, clarity in teaching, and heartfelt connection to her work. Whether she was presenting complex endocrine concepts or walking a practitioner through a case, she did so with warmth, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to improving patient care,” said Dr. Dan Lukaczer. “Filomena deeply embodied IFM’s mission by not only sharing knowledge, but by inspiring practitioners to see their patients—and themselves—through a more compassionate and integrative lens. And, while we honor her professional achievements, we also remember the moments between the work: the dinners after a long day of teaching, the conversations in hotel lobbies, the laughter and shared stories that make the IFM faculty a true community.”

Dr. Trindade’s contributions to functional medicine run deep. Her commitment to healing, lives on through her enduring education and the impact she had on so many individuals. Our hearts go out to Dr. Trindade’s family, friends, and community.

12/08/2025

Vitamin D is well known to be a transcriptional activator for thousands of genes, with an influence on numerous cellular processes. Less than optimal levels of vitamin D are associated with risks of several conditions, while repletion has been found to be associated with several health benefits. However, some recent guidelines have questioned the utility of vitamin D for prevention and especially vitamin D supplementation outside of select populations. Now, a recently published study has found evidence that supplementation with a moderate amount of vitamin D daily prevents the shortening of telomeres in immune cells, delaying immunosenescence and potentially turning back the biological clock on aging by the equivalent of three years. Read the full study findings and the functional medicine response in the following article: https://go.ifm.org/4ltdp05

Each month, IFM sends out our Connections newsletter exclusively to IFM members, helping to bring them into the discussion about current topics in functional medicine, such as the article linked above, highlighting useful tools available to IFM members, and keeping them informed about upcoming IFM opportunities. Consider becoming an IFM member today to have early access to this content each month!

Vitamin D May Slow Telomere Shortening, Immunosenescence Practitioner | Reading Time: 4 minutes | Written on: June 6, 2025 By Joel DahmsSenior Manager, Editorial & Marketing Content, IFM Vitamin D is well known to be a transcriptional activator for thousands of genes, with an influence on numerous ...

07/08/2025

Mitochondria are found within cells, and these “powerhouse” organelles make most of the energy used for cellular processes. Mitochondrial health impacts the performance of multiple body systems and tissues. What happens if mitochondria are dysfunctional? How can nutrition support mitochondrial health? Read about mitochondrial health in the following article, and contact a functional medicine practitioner near you to learn more:

Nutrition is one lifestyle-based approach that supports mitochondrial health and function.

06/08/2025

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a disorder of gut-brain interaction that impacts many people worldwide, and stomach acid reducers such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are common treatments. However, a significant number of researchers have linked PPIs to increased risk of adverse health outcomes. What are the functional medicine considerations and lifestyle approaches for treating GERD? Read more about the benefits and risks of various treatment options here:

Explore lifestyle modifications and alternate therapies that may help with symptom relief of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

05/08/2025

Lifestyle & Functional Medicine, Ireland's mission is to educate, empower, and inform practitioners through high-quality, evidence-based education and events that inspire lasting good health. IFM's collaboration with FMC Ireland focuses on creating awareness and increasing functional medicine education and practices within Ireland. Read more about IFM's international partnerships here: https://www.ifm.org/partnerships/international

Visit FMC Ireland's website to learn more about their upcoming 8th Annual Lifestyle & Functional Medicine Conference: https://www.fmcireland.com/

A new era for functional medicine in Ireland: Functional Medicine Conference Ireland and The Institute For Functional Medicine.

We are so proud to share some exciting news: FMC Ireland is now an International Organizational Member of The Institute For Functional Medicine (IFM).

This marks a powerful new chapter—expanding access to world-class functional medicine education, clinical frameworks, and community support for practitioners and clinicians and beyond.

When I stepped into the role of Director of FMC Ireland in 2024, I did so with deep gratitude and a clear mission: to carry forward the legacy of the late Maev Creaven, a trailblazer who built something extraordinary in functional medicine education in Ireland.

As a Nutritional Therapist using a functional medicine approach to clinical practice, I’ve seen first hand how IFM’s approach empowers both practitioners and patients.

This new partnership allows us to offer even more to our community—through education, connection, and clinical excellence.

Join us for our landmark 2025 conference: FMC Ireland Annual Practitioner Event

Vitality: A functional medicine approach to hormonal health and longevity Hogan Suite, Croke Park, Dublin

Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th November 2025

Let’s explore how to cultivate lasting vitality—through science, systems, and the power of functional medicine.

04/08/2025

Do you want to improve outcomes for your patients suffering from chronic pain, migraine, fatigue, brain fog, neurocognitive issues, or depression?

Inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular energy deficiency underpin many of these chronic, challenging-to-treat conditions. At the Bioenergetics Advanced Practice Module (APM), expert clinicians teach attendees how to evaluate, understand, and target the root causes of these conditions, helping patients reach new levels of health and well-being.

Course access has already begun, but it’s not too late to join. Go beyond the standard and start applying personalized therapeutics that make a difference. Swipe through these graphics to learn more about the global impacts of mitochondrial and energetic dysfunction, and register to join us at the Bioenergetics APM by clicking here: https://go.ifm.org/4ogBOZL

01/08/2025

We are delighted to share IFM’s 2024 Impact Report. This annual report highlights a year marked by meaningful growth, expanded access, and impactful partnerships shaping the future of functional medicine and helping us advance the transformation of healthcare for patients and practitioners. We would like to offer a special thanks to all our 2024 donors and partners.

Read more about our impact here:

Our Impact on Health and Well-Being As the leading voice for functional medicine for over 30 years, IFM equips clinicians with the clinical skills and resources to improve health outcomes through whole person care. 2024 Impact Report IFM’s 2024 Impact Report highlights a year marked by meaningful ...

31/07/2025

Nutrition has the potential to greatly improve health outcomes for individuals, but most nutritional recommendations are general guidelines that may not be suitable for each patient’s needs. The Therapeutic Food Plans (TFP) course provides an in-depth overview of IFM’s foundational food plans and gives you the clinical confidence to quickly select and customize an appropriate dietary intervention to address specific health concerns. Swipe through these graphics to review some of the topics covered in this course, and register to join our upcoming cohort at https://go.ifm.org/4ffbDyt!

30/07/2025

According to recent statistics, the global burden of migraine has increased to impact over one billion people.* While the exact pathophysiology of migraine is unclear, some etiologies have been suggested, such as:

🔵An overall pro-inflammatory and oxidative state.*
🔵Mitochondrial dysfunction.*
🔵Common migraine triggers such as stress, hormonal changes, skipped meals, disturbed sleep, environmental allergens, and food allergens or sensitivities.*

How can clinicians address the root causes of migraine? A functional medicine approach considers mitochondrial dysfunction, triggers, and oxidative stress. Read more about treating the underlying causes of migraine in the following article:

Migraine is a complex disease with such etiologies as mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, allergens, and food triggers.