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Dr. Brian Lum, DC, IFMCP

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Olathe, KS
Dr. Brian Lum, DC, IFMCP

Dr. Brian Lum (DC) is a board-certified Functional Medicine Practitioner (IFMCP). Worldwide consultation practice. There is always something that can be done.

Recent Postdoctoral Education And Certifications

Functional Medicine Advanced Practice Module - Cardiometabolic
The Institute For Functional Medicine - January 2020
Transforming the Assessment, Prevention, and Management of Chronic Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disorders

Functional Medicine Advanced Practice Module - Immune
The Institute For Functional Medicine - February 2020
The Many Faces o

f Immune Dysregulation and Chronic Inflammation: Chronic Infections, Atopy, and Autoimmune Disorders

Coronavirus: Modern Research from Traditional Chinese Medicine - Michael McCulloch L.Ac MPH PhD - March 2020

Functional Medicine Advanced Practice Modules - Hormone
The Institute For Functional Medicine - July 2020
Re-establishing Hormonal Balance in the Hypothalamic, Pituitary, Adrenal, Thyroid, and Gonadal Axis

Functional Medicine Advanced Practice Modules - Bioenergetics
The Institute For Functional Medicine - July 2020
Clinical Solutions for Mitochondrial and Metabolic Dysfunction

Demystifying the Small Universe
Grand Master Chunyi Lin - Spring Forest Qigong - August 2020
The Small Universe Qigong Meditation from the Inside Out

Functional Medicine Advanced Practice Module - Gastrointestinal
The Institute For Functional Medicine - October 2020
Restoring Gastrointestinal Equilibrium: Practical Applications for Understanding, Assessing and Treating Gut Dysfunction

Functional Medicine Advanced Practice Module - Environmental Health
The Institute For Functional Medicine - October 2020
Addressing the Toxic Effects of the Exposome by Enhancing Biotransformation and Elimination

Functional Medicine Advanced Practice Module - Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice
The Institute For Functional Medicine - November 2020
New Tools For Treating Common Conditions

Intensive Healing Qigong Retreat with Grand Master Chunyi Lin
Spring Forest Qigong - November 2020

Spring Forest Qigong Level 2 - Qigong for Healing Training with Master Gadu Doushin
Spring Forest Qigong - April 2021

Vaccine Intensive Clinical Research Review - Vaccines & Covid
National University of Natural Medicine - May 2021

Master of Qi Spring Forest Qigong Annual Conference
Grand Master Chunyi Lin, Spring Forest Qigong - May 2021

Spring Forest Qigong Level 3 - Qigong for Healing Training with Master Gadu Doushin
Spring Forest Qigong - May 2021

Intensive Healing Conference - Dr. Anthony Cahill
Human Engineering - August 2021

Background

From a young age, I was aware of how people with chronic illness can suffer. My mother was diagnosed with Crohn's disease before I was born and endured excruciating symptoms for 15 years. The standard conventional medicine approach to Crohn's then was much the same as it is now - prescribe steroids to lessen symptoms and wait until the colon needs to be removed surgically. Scientifically valid, effective supplemental and nutritional therapies were scoffed at by her doctors as not worth pursuing. The number of patients with chronic illness under my care who have successfully gone into symptom-free remission is a constant reminder of how inadequate a one-dimensional approach to patient care can be. I graduated from Cleveland Chiropractic College at the age of 23 and have been active in continuing education to ensure that I have the latest tools and resources available. I specialize in treating those who are told by other doctors that there is no treatment, who are told that they will helplessly watch their chronic condition progress and there is nothing they can do. Philosophy

Headlines abound that promise 'Gut-health,' 'The One Supplement To Heal Your Joint Pain' and 'The Diet To Heal Your Autoimmune Disease' - giving the impression that you just have to do or buy one thing to heal. My new patient appointments are an hour-long because it's all important. Your diet, environment, emotional health, supplements, family history, and patient history since birth - it's all relevant when we are unraveling an illness that, most likely, took decades to create. The testing and nutritional medicines you receive will be completely unique to you as a patient. I do not have a 'one size fits all' treatment plan, as you heal we will adjust your treatment based on your renewed health goals.

07/23/2025

Green tea has been revered for centuries in traditional cultures for its therapeutic benefits for both the mind and body. It has long been valued for its calming, clarifying, and longevity-enhancing effects.

Today, its most concentrated form—matcha—is an increasingly popular way to enjoy those same benefits.

EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is the most abundant catechin in both green tea and matcha, and one of the most extensively researched polyphenols in nutritional science.⁠
⁠
It has been shown to:
🍵 Neutralize free radicals and protect cells from damage.
🍵 Downregulate the NF-κB pathway, a major driver of chronic inflammation⁠.
🍵 Cross the blood-brain barrier and calm neuroinflammation⁠.
🍵 Inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis⁠.
🍵 Support cardiovascular health by enhancing nitric oxide production, reducing LDL oxidation, and protecting endothelial function⁠.
🍵 Help the body defend against fungal overgrowth, including Candida⁠.
🍵 Reduce oxidative stress and organ damage linked to mold toxins, and even support mold detoxification.
⁠
Incorporating green tea or matcha (opt for ceremonial grade matcha, if possible) even just a few times per week can offer steady, multi-system support — for brain, heart, and immune health, detoxification, and more!⁠
⁠
www.DrBrianLum.com

(*Additional sources in comments if interested!)

07/03/2025

Lately, it seems social media is flooded with content about 'perimenopause.' It is frequently positioned as the catch-all answer to women’s chronic symptoms.

While raising awareness is important, it is also easy to fall into the trap of self-diagnosing based on age alone, or by only testing s*x hormones when chronic symptoms are present.

Just because you are in your 30s or 40s and experiencing chronic symptoms does not automatically mean perimenopause is solely to blame. MANY other issues—like blood sugar dysregulation, thyroid dysfunction, or nutrient deficiencies—can masquerade as perimenopause. Fortunately, these conditions are often easily identifiable (and fixable) with the right bloodwork and treatment.

And even if a s*x hormone imbalance such as perimenopause is part of the clinical picture, that does not mean you are powerless. Perimenopause does not have to be a one-way road toward low energy, mood swings, poor sleep, or brain fog. There is always a path toward feeling better—often one that supports your body as a whole, not just your hormones.

www.DrBrianLum.com

06/25/2025

Implementing targeted nutrition can be a gentle, yet highly impactful, way to help the body combat mold toxicity. While there are many foods that can support the process of mold detoxification, these slides spotlight a few particularly powerful choices.

When it comes to safely and effectively addressing mold toxicity, it is best to collaborate with a healthcare professional who can tailor interventions to your specific health needs. Dr. Lum is a Mold-Literate Certified Practitioner through Dr. Jill Crista’s certification and would be happy to discuss your case in a free 15-minute consultation!

Visit DrBrianLum.com or the link in bio to book your appointment.

06/06/2025

When the nervous system feels safe, the whole body breathes a little easier—the orchestra comes back into harmony.

Immune cells communicate more clearly. Digestion becomes more efficient. Detox pathways open. The circulatory and lymphatic systems flow. The body's natural rhythms come back online, effortlessly and instinctively.

Nervous system support is never separate from physical healing—it is the foundation.

Whether you’re navigating complex, chronic symptoms or simply trying to reconnect with yourself, tending to your nervous system creates the internal conditions your body needs to repair and restore.

The roadmap to healing may look different for everyone—but nervous system nourishment is almost always a powerful place to begin.

What that looks like can also vary from person to person. For some, it’s meditation and gentle movement. For others, it’s setting boundaries, reconnecting with nature, and/or spending more time with loved ones.

The tools may differ—but the goal remains the same: to create a felt sense of safety in the body, from which true harmony can be restored.

This approach may seem subtle, but it is often the shift that makes every other layer of healing possible.

www.DrBrianLum.com

05/17/2025

Quercetin is a potent polyphenol — a plant-derived compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Beyond cellular protection, it has a unique ability to help regulate mast cells — central mediators of immune activation and histamine release.

For those navigating histamine intolerance, allergies, or other chronic inflammatory conditions, quercetin can offer a natural and often well-tolerated way to support immune balance.

And with allergy season in full swing, histamine-related symptoms like congestion, skin flushing, digestive upset, headaches, and brain fog can easily flare (even in those without diagnosed histamine intolerance).

Incorporating quercetin-rich foods may offer a gentle, consistent strategy to help calm this immune reactivity — creating more space for resilience and ease within the body.

Some of the richest food sources of quercetin include:
1. Capers – By far the highest food source of quercetin.
2. Red Onions – Especially when raw (outermost layers have the most).
3. Apples (with skin) – Particularly red apples like Gala and Red Delicious.
4. Kale – Especially raw or lightly cooked.
5. & 6. Cranberries + Blueberries – Berries offer bonus antioxidants too!
7. Buckwheat – Gluten-free grain with strong quercetin content.
8. Green + Black Tea – Not a food, but a great quercetin-rich beverage option.

Though food is just one part of the equation, nutrients like quercetin can offer valuable support — especially when thoughtfully integrated into a personalized care plan that addresses any underlying drivers of histamine and immune overactivity.

If you’re navigating complex allergic reactions or histamine-driven symptoms that feel hard to pin down, I offer free 15-minute consultations worldwide. Visit www.DrBrianLum.com to connect. I’d be honored to support your journey.

05/09/2025

The skin may remember what the mind attempts to forget.

Interestingly, the skin has its own localized stress-response system — sometimes referred to as the ‘cutaneous HPA axis.’ Research shows that psychological stress activates two major stress-reactive cell types within the skin:
🔹 Keratinocytes – The main cells in the outer layer of skin.
🔹 Mast Cells – Immune cells involved in inflammation and allergic reactions⁠.

When triggered, these cells release a cascade of stress and inflammatory mediators — including histamine — as well as:
🔹 Interleukin-6 (IL-6) – A pro-inflammatory signaling molecule.
🔹 Cortisol – The body’s primary stress hormone.
🔹 CRH (Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone) – Initiates the body’s stress response⁠.

The skin even expresses POMC — a precursor molecule that breaks down into ACTH, beta-endorphin, and other peptides that influence stress, immunity, and inflammation locally.⁠

Emerging research also suggests the stress-skin relationship is bidirectional — skin inflammation itself can influence brain stress circuits, perpetuating the cycle.

While stress may not be the only factor at play, it is nearly always part of the clinical picture — which is why topical treatments alone often prove inadequate for lasting healing. However, when we give the nervous system as much care as the skin itself, the entire healing process can begin to shift.

The health of our skin often mirrors the healing happening within.

Source: Slominski et al., Corticotropin Releasing Hormone and Proopiomelanocortin Involvement in the Cutaneous Response to Stress. Physiol Rev. 2000. doi: 10.1152/physrev.2000.80.3.979

04/26/2025

Migraines can be incredibly debilitating, but adopting certain healthy habits can drastically reduce their frequency and severity. Follow this ‘Migraine Checklist’ to help keep migraines at bay!

➡️ Eat 3 meals a day – Maintaining stable blood sugar is crucial for migraine control. Sudden drops or spikes in blood sugar can trigger headaches. Eating regularly helps prevent these fluctuations.

➡️ Consume adequate protein – In addition to eating consistently, aim for 25–30g of protein per meal to further support blood sugar stability throughout the day.

➡️ Support the liver – Incorporate a variety of vegetables and fruits for optimal liver function. Anything green = helpful for the liver!

➡️ Avoid food allergens/sensitivities – Identifying and avoiding personal food triggers can go a long way in migraine control. For some, it’s dairy or gluten. For others, it’s high-histamine foods like fermented foods or smoked meats. Learn what may be affecting you (if anything).

➡️ Opt for low-tox products – Harsh chemicals and strong fragrances can be a trigger. Choose fragrance-free or low-tox household and beauty products when possible.

➡️ Stay hydrated – Aim to consume half your bodyweight in ounces of water per day.

➡️ Replete electrolytes – Repleting electrolytes, especially magnesium, can be key for migraine control. Magnesium-rich foods, lemon water + sea salt, or high-quality supplements can help—especially under stress.

➡️ Prioritize sleep – Aim for at least 7 hours of quality sleep per night.

➡️ Manage stress – Whether it’s meditation, yoga, qigong, walking in nature, or learning to say “no,” create more peace in your life to reduce migraine risk.

If migraines continue to be an issue for you even after making lifestyle changes, I offer Free 15-Minute Consultations worldwide and would be happy to discuss your case!

www.DrBrianLum.com

04/18/2025

Dr. Lum’s 3 Tips for Optimal Digestion:

1. Take time to relax: Stress can significantly impact digestion. When we’re stressed, our body’s natural digestive processes can be disrupted, leading to issues like bloating, gas, and indigestion. Taking time to unwind can help mitigate these effects. Consider deep breathing, listening to nature sounds, stretching in a quiet room, meditating, going for a leisurely walk outside, reading a book, or doing some gentle yoga. Activities such as these can help activate the parasympathetic nervous system and support healthy digestion.

2. Stimulate your digestion: Consider incorporating alcohol-free bitters into your routine. Bitters are herbal preparations made from a variety of plants and are known for their ability to stimulate digestion by activating bitter receptors on the tongue, which in turn stimulates the production of saliva, gastric juices, and bile. Lemon water, especially when consumed before meals, can help prepare the digestive system for incoming food. Chamomile tea, known for its calming effects, can soothe the digestive tract and reduce inflammation, making it a great choice after a meal.

3. Eat according to the season: Nature provides us with a variety of foods that are perfectly suited to each season. In the colder months, hearty root vegetables and warming spices can help support our bodies' need for warmth and nourishment. Once the weather warms up, lighter and more hydrating foods, such as leafy greens and fruits, become more abundant, helping us stay hydrated and cool. Eating seasonally not only ensures that we’re getting a diverse array of nutrients but also helps us align with the natural rhythms of the earth.

These simple practices can support not only your digestive system but your overall health as well!

Dr. Lum offers free 15-minute consultations worldwide if you are looking for additional support along your journey to digestive health. Visit www.DrBrianLum.com to book your appointment.

04/03/2025

Sometimes, mysterious symptoms aren’t all that mysterious. You just need to find a doctor who is willing to listen.

Visit www.DrBrianLum.com to book a free, 15-minute consultation.

03/21/2025

Polyphenols are abundantly present across the plant kingdom and make up the most extensive category of phytochemicals.

Phytochemicals, and thus polyphenols, are bioactive compounds present in plants. While they are not essential nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, they are potent compounds that plants produce for various protective mechanisms, such as to guard against pests, diseases, and environmental stressors. As such, it has been discovered that these compounds have the potential to offer powerful protective and healing properties for the humans who consume them as well.

There are over 8,000 known polyphenols and they can be classified into different subclasses – such as flavonoids, stilbenes, and lignans – according to their chemical structure and biological activities. These subclasses can be further broken down into more specific polyphenolic compounds, including anthocyanins, quercetin, and resveratrol. Resveratrol, found in grapes and wine, and catechins, found in green tea, are two of the more well-known polyphenols.

Polyphenols are known for their antioxidant properties, meaning they can help neutralize free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause oxidative damage to cells and contribute to many, if not all, chronic diseases – including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and a variety of neurological diseases.

In addition to their antioxidant effects, polyphenols have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It has been shown that some may also directly benefit cholesterol and blood sugar levels, contribute to the health of blood vessels, and even stabilize histamine-releasing cells.

This list of polyphenol-rich food sources is certainly not exhaustive – but incorporating a variety of plant-based foods into your diet can be a good way to ensure a diverse intake of powerful polyphenols!

www.DrBrianLum.com

03/07/2025

While commonly associated with structural support, connective tissue serves as more than just a scaffold for organs and tissues. In addition to its other functions, connective tissue is a vital part of our immune system.

Connective tissue houses a network of immune cells–including dendritic cells, macrophages, and mast cells–that serve as sentinels, constantly surveilling their surroundings for signs of trouble. When pathogens are detected, these immune cells release signaling molecules, called cytokines, triggering an inflammatory response that serves to confine and eliminate the threat while alerting other immune cells to provide assistance.

The connective tissue matrix (think of it like a spider web) also contains fibrous proteins, such as collagen and elastin, that guide the movement of mobilized immune cells, facilitating their journey to sites of infection or inflammation.

The lymphatic system, which is also intricately woven within connective tissue, plays a crucial role in immune function as well. It acts as a body-wide drainage system, carrying pathogens, toxins, waste products, and immune cells away from tissues and toward lymph nodes so vital immune responses can take place.

Recognizing the role of connective tissue in immunity highlights the intricate nature of our body’s defense mechanisms and offers an additional means to bolster those defenses! Gentle stretching for even just 10-15 minutes 3-5x per week (especially if you are beginning to feel unwell) is an excellent way to support your immune system.

www.DrBrianLum.com

02/20/2025

Symptoms of histamine intolerance can vary greatly from one person to the next and tend to be exacerbated by histamine-containing and histamine-releasing foods. This slideshow highlights many of the foods that may pose challenges for those experiencing histamine intolerance.

While a low-histamine diet is not meant to be a permanent solution or a comprehensive path to deep healing, reducing or eliminating histamine-rich foods from the diet can be an excellent means of mitigating histamine-related symptoms.

Histamine intolerance can manifest in various ways, including gastrointestinal issues like abdominal pain, cramps, and diarrhea, skin reactions such as hives, itching, and eczema, cardiovascular symptoms like heart palpitations and dizziness, and even neurological issues such as migraines, insomnia, and anxiety. This is not an exhaustive list, and symptoms can vary widely.

Temporarily following a histamine-restricted diet can be a beneficial adjunctive therapy while deeper healing processes are underway. Once the underlying causes of histamine intolerance–which can include factors such as hidden infections, gut dysbiosis, or mold toxicity–have been identified and properly treated, these foods can often be gradually reintroduced back into the diet.

For a more targeted and personalized approach, visit http://www.drbrianlum.com to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. Nutritional therapies are considered a primary mode of healing in our practice!

Address

18122 W. 119th Street
Olathe, KS
66061

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 7pm

Website

http://www.drbrianlum.com/

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