The Institute for Functional Medicine

11/26/2025

IFM is closed Thursday and Friday in recognition of the federal holiday, Thanksgiving. In the spirit of gratitude, we would like to share a message from IFM CEO Amy R. Mack, MSES/MPA:

"One of the favorite parts of my job is having the opportunity to meet with scholarship winners of IFM’s Functional Medicine for All Scholarship Program as they begin their Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP) course together. In October, I met with our most recent AFMCP cohort of winners and found their enthusiasm and joy to begin their functional medicine training contagious. My cup is always full after meeting each practitioner and hearing how they plan to serve their patients in medically underserved communities through the functional medicine approach to care. You can learn more about this year’s incredible recipients here: https://go.ifm.org/3LUOHKj

I know the next few weeks of the winter holiday season can be a time of great joy and sometimes a bittersweet feeling as we mourn those who are no longer with us. As I take stock of my blessings this year, personally, I am grateful for my family and friends and my dog, Diesel, who make me laugh and buoy me during difficult times. And professionally, I am grateful for the strategic leadership of IFM’s Governing Board of Directors, the new International Board of Functional Medicine Certification overseeing the Functional Medicine Certification Program, IFM’s Executive Leadership team, and most importantly, the IFM team, who make the work we do possible, and all of you, our functional medicine community of practitioners and patients.

Thank you for advancing the widespread adoption of functional medicine around the globe."

11/24/2025

Every year, IFM's Annual International Conference (AIC) attracts over a thousand healthcare professionals from all over the world who are eager to learn about the latest evidence-based patient care strategies. Your clinical insight and research can help transform health outcomes for the many populations and communities served by functional medicine practitioners.

Present at the upcoming AIC 2026 and position yourself as a thought leader in the field. Applications will be accepted until January 9, 2026. Submit yours here: https://go.ifm.org/3JU0ibX

11/20/2025

Functional medicine is making a positive impact on patient care, and your research in this field can contribute to the growing evidence base. Apply to present a poster at AIC 2026 and get the opportunity for potential publication in Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal (IMCJ). Poster session applications are open until December 15! Please submit your proposal with a potential topic and abstract here: https://go.ifm.org/489DHQI

11/19/2025

Earlier this year, we sat down with AIC 2025 speaker Donald K. Layman, PhD, FASN, an internationally recognized expert in protein metabolism and muscle health with a distinguished career in nutrition science, to talk about the importance of muscle health to overall health and the role that protein plays.

In the following clip from this podcast episode, Dr. Layman breaks down the significant gap between the minimum protein required for basic survival and the optimal amounts needed for muscle growth and healthy aging. He explains why standard dietary guidelines may be sufficient for young, active individuals but often fall short for older adults, highlighting specific nutrient components that become increasingly critical as we age. Listen to the full episode, or read a written transcript, by clicking here: https://go.ifm.org/43zvzYg

11/18/2025

IFM’s Toolkit provides resources that help clinicians examine the body systems, symptoms, and risk factors associated with their patients’ health conditions and concerns. IFM’s Functional Medicine Matrix is one toolkit resource that organizes what may seem to be disparate issues into a complete health story to help clinicians gain a comprehensive perspective of their patients, facilitate discussion of complex, chronic disease, and design personalized treatment and wellness strategies. Learn how clinicians can organize a patient’s health story using the Functional Medicine Matrix in the following article: https://go.ifm.org/488Qy5C

11/17/2025

Lead is a toxic metal that has been incorporated into many different products, including paints, cosmetics, fuels, and more. Lead can be absorbed by the intestine and through the skin and may then travel to different tissues and organs. How can even low levels of exposure to this heavy metal affect health for adults and children, and how can a functional medicine approach help?

Read more about lead exposure and health risks in the following article: https://go.ifm.org/3LMNkgr

In functional medicine, healthcare practitioners understand how exposures to environmental pollutants, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals play a critical role in health and disease. Use the Find a Practitioner database on our website to find functional medicine care near you and engage in a personalized approach to prevention, health, and well-being.

Learn how low levels of lead and heavy metal exposure can affect health outcomes and increase disease risk for adults and children.

11/14/2025

November is , a time to honor the rich traditions, languages, and stories of Native American and Alaska Native communities. Today, we recognize Lori Arviso Alvord, MD, the first Navajo woman to become a board-certified surgeon. Dr. Arviso Alvord’s career stands out due in part to her integration of conventional Western medicine with traditional Navajo healing, treating each patient as a whole person.

After training at Stanford University, Dr. Arviso Alvord returned home to New Mexico to discover that despite her technical expertise and surgical proficiency, simply "fixing" the issues her patients presented with did not bring true healing. In her own words, "Although I was a good surgeon, I was not always a good healer. I went back to the healers of my tribe to learn what a surgical residency could not teach me. From them I have heard a resounding message: Everything in life is connected. Learn to understand the bonds between humans, spirit, and nature. Realize that our illness and our healing alike come from maintaining strong and healthy relationships in every aspect of our lives."

Dr. Arviso Alvord explores her journey in “The Scalpel and the Silver Bear,” reflecting on blending modern medicine with traditional healing. Read an excerpt from her story via Stanford Magazine:

Through Navajo Eyes

11/13/2025

Level up your clinical skills at AIC 2026! From clinical applications of AI to personalized nutrition and gut-brain insights, learn strategies you can bring back to your patients to improve practice outcomes. If your employer offers professional development or CME funding, we’ve prepared email resources and a conference fact sheet you can customize to help you get support to attend. AIC is the perfect opportunity to gain new skills, connect with experts, and bring measurable value back to your practice. Access these employer resources by filling out this quick form: https://go.ifm.org/47EZwsh

11/11/2025

Veterans Day is more than a calendar observance; it’s an opportunity to show gratitude through action and empower the future of military-based healthcare professionals. You can join us in honoring their service by contributing to IFM’s Military Tuition Program. This program provides access to accredited functional medicine education for former and active-duty service members and US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-based providers. All donations received November 11 and 12 will go directly toward tuition assistance that helps our practitioners in military settings deliver comprehensive, personalized care to address the unique health needs of the communities they serve. Pledge your support now by visiting https://go.ifm.org/47Ac04r.

11/10/2025

Los módulos de práctica avanzada de Inmune y Salud Ambiental comenzarán pronto y ¡le hemos guardado un asiento!

La medicina funcional ayuda a los profesionales médicos de todo el mundo a mejorar los resultados de salud de sus pacientes mediante una atención personalizada y sistemática. Experimente el potencial de la medicina funcional por usted mismo/a en los módulos de práctica avanzada de Inmune y Salud Ambiental, del 12 al 17 de noviembre de 2025, en Bogotá, Colombia o asista en línea con la opción de transmisión en vivo.

Esta es su oportunidad de establecer contactos con expertos de su región, conocer nuevos colegas, y descubrir nuevas perspectivas sobre el tratamiento de las enfermedades crónicas. Esta es tu última oportunidad para registrarse; inscríbase aquí: https://go.ifm.org/49c73Qz

11/07/2025

We are thrilled to share that exhibit and sponsorship opportunities are now available for IFM’s upcoming 2026 Annual International Conference (AIC)! By aligning with IFM, sponsors can foster meaningful connections with dedicated functional medicine practitioners, secure prime visibility for products and services, and play an integral role in shaping the future of functional medicine.

As the premier functional medicine conference, AIC provides an exclusive opportunity to engage with clinicians, health professionals, and thought leaders alike. You can review our AIC 2026 Exhibiting & Sponsorship Prospectus here: https://go.ifm.org/3LNpDEG

Don’t miss your chance to participate in the Exhibit Hall. Last year’s Exhibit Hall sold out in just a few weeks, and we expect an even higher demand this year! Apply to exhibit at AIC by clicking here: https://go.ifm.org/47MkSCK

11/06/2025

Autoimmune disease and pediatric chronic disease have both risen dramatically in the US over the years. For the autoimmune condition type 1 diabetes (T1D), genetic predisposition and immune markers may help indicate risk level for patients. From early life, whether related to maternal influences on fetal development during pregnancy or exposures during infancy and childhood, environmental factors may both impact T1D risk and progression as well as hold promise for prevention. Read more about the risk, progression, and prevention of T1D in the following article: https://go.ifm.org/497Pdy8

Read the latest data on type 1 diabetes prevention and how genetic predisposition and environmental factors contribute to its progression.