Dr. Hicks Wellness

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Myrtle Beach, SC
Dr. Hicks Wellness

Dr. Hicks is a leading Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner who helps sick people get well!

Dr. James Hicks, ND, is a recognized authority in detoxification and toxicity, holding certifications as a Functional Medicine Practitioner, Blood Work Specialist, Integrative Health Practitioner, and Restorative Wellness Solutions Practitioner. As the founder of Functional Wellness LLC, Dr. Hicks is dedicated to guiding individuals toward optimal health by addressing underlying causes of illness

through evidence-based approaches involving diet, nutrition, and lifestyle modifications. He is the #1 bestselling co-author of “Healing Beyond the Diagnosis” and author of “The Ultimate Way to a Healthy Quality of Life.” Dr. Hicks's commitment to promoting detoxification as an essential component of longevity is evident in his innovative Functional Wellness Protocol, which systematically addresses sensitivities, deficiencies, and toxicity—a methodology successfully implemented with thousands of clients. He incorporates a range of natural supplements to enhance daily detoxification and supports a variety of health concerns including weight loss resistance, gut health, food sensitivities, skin conditions, and hormonal imbalances. Through his virtual practice, Dr. Hicks serves patients nationwide and remains deeply committed to helping individuals achieve and maintain lasting wellness.

04/24/2026

I’m looking for 7 women 25-75 who are suffering from hormone chaos resulting in fatigue, mood changes, weight gain, or change in life to work with closely who want to get feel like the old version of themselves without hormonal fluctuations—stability and happiness in life in the next 90 days.

You’ll also gain the skills to get balanced hormones naturally and maintain steady energy, and create a stable, healthy lifestyle with ongoing support.

So if you...

Are ready to get foundational lifestyle habits that support hormone balance, including nutrition, addressing food sensitivities, and eliminating toxicities
Are capable of handling balanced hormones naturally and maintaining steady energy
Are 100% committed to doing the work
And you are coachable…

Then this might be for you.

If this is speaking to you, let me know... I'd love to hear from you! 💙

04/22/2026

I didn’t need to lose weight… but I did it for the women who do.

Even though I have helped thousands of patients over the years with chronic conditions by delivering naturopathic and conservative chiropractic care, auto and work injuries, airborne and special forces troops retain their resiliency and readiness, needle acupuncture, diet, nutrition, fitness, weight loss strategies, whole body healing programs, detoxification measures, and manipulation under anesthesia for challenging musculoskeletal cases…

I know what it’s like to see a problem that isn’t being solved.

Because I saw so many women struggling with weight management—trying diet after diet, only to gain it all back—I knew something wasn’t working.

So I decided to put myself through the process.

Even though I didn’t need to lose weight, I followed a structured approach—and lost 18 pounds in 6 weeks.

And what I realized changed everything…
It works—when you actually follow a system designed for your body.

Now, I wake up every day knowing there are so many women suffering with fatigue, brain fog, hormone chaos, and weight that won’t budge—without real answers.

And I go to bed thinking about how I can help more women break that cycle.

The best part is being able to guide women back to feeling like themselves again—without relying on medications.

And, I want this kind of life for all women 35–55 who are struggling with fatigue, brain fog, digestion issues, weight challenges, and hormone imbalance.

That’s why I do the work that I do.

Even though there’s a part of me that thinks I’m sharing too much about my life’s work this week… my deeper truth is that I care way too much about helping women get their health back to let that fear stop me.

If you (or anyone you know) struggles with fatigue, weight gain, or hormone imbalance, I'm offering 5 people a free 30 minute Optimal Wellness Strategy Session to start moving toward feeling like yourself again. I’d be honored to help you (or someone you know) who is struggling with no immediate answers or loss of hope.

If I can support you, just drop me a note "Interested" in the comments or tag a friend who is struggling. Have an awesome day!

04/22/2026

🌱 YOUR BODY HAS A TERRAIN. IS YOURS GROWING GRASS OR WEEDS?

Think about your yard for a second. Compacted soil. No nutrients. Poor drainage. You can throw down all the grass seed you want — nothing takes root. Weeds move in fast. Green grass? It struggles or dies. Your body works the same way.

Your internal terrain — the condition of your gut, your blood, your hormones, your cells — determines what grows inside you. Inflammation grows in poor terrain. Dysfunction grows in poor terrain. Fat cells resist leaving poor terrain. And yes, a healthy pregnancy struggles to take hold in poor terrain.

I call this the Three Terrain Disruptors:
🔸 Sensitivities (foods, toxins, and triggers inflaming your system)
🔸 Deficiencies (missing the minerals, hormones, and nutrients your body needs to function)
🔸 Toxicity (heavy metals, mold, chemicals disrupting your biology)

Here is what restoring your terrain actually looks like:
✅ DIET: Remove inflammatory foods. Add fiber, clean protein, and colorful vegetables. Feed your gut bacteria like you mean it.
✅ REST: Cortisol spikes when you under-sleep. High cortisol destroys terrain. Seven to nine hours is non-negotiable.
✅ EXERCISE: Movement drives lymphatic drainage, improves insulin sensitivity, and reduces systemic inflammation. Walk. Lift. Sprint occasionally.
✅ STRESS: Chronic stress acidifies your terrain. Breathwork, prayer, and real recovery time are therapeutic — not optional.
✅ SUPPLEMENTS: Magnesium, vitamin D3/K2, omega-3s, and a quality probiotic rebuild the foundation most people are missing.
✅ ENVIRONMENT: Filter your water. Reduce plastics. Address mold exposure. Your terrain absorbs everything around you.

If you are trying to lose weight and nothing is working — check your terrain.
If you are trying to get pregnant and facing obstacles — check your terrain.

Symptoms are not the problem. They are the signal that your terrain is compromised.

We Test, Don't Guess™. Start at: FunctionalWellnessLLC.com/
—
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider.

04/22/2026

What Is Your Missing Link? 🔗

What is holding you back from enjoying your life and being your best self?
For many people, it goes deeper than diet and exercise.

It's the fear that your best years are behind you.
It's the trauma you never fully processed, now showing up as chronic inflammation and fatigue.
It's the anxiety that wakes you at 3 AM and steals your recovery.
It's the grief you're still carrying, quietly draining your hormones and your energy.
It's the generational curses passed down through family patterns, poverty, addiction, and emotional wounds you didn't choose but inherited.
It's the setbacks that left you wondering if restoration is even possible.
It's the old hurts, the betrayals, the losses, that quietly became the ceiling on your health and your life.

These are real. They are documented. They are measurable in your biology.
Chronic stress spikes cortisol. Cortisol suppresses testosterone, disrupts thyroid function, and accelerates aging. Unresolved trauma rewires the HPA axis, the command center for your sleep, immunity, and stress response. Anxiety and grief alter neurotransmitter production, gut health, and nutrient absorption. Generational hardship imprints on your nervous system and your genes.

Your body keeps score. The labs prove it. But here is what I need you to hear:
You are not your history. You are not your family's pattern. You are not the sum of what happened to you.

When you know your worth, and I mean truly know it, you stop letting the past write your future. You stop accepting exhaustion, brain fog, and decline as your normal. You start demanding answers. Real ones.

"Test". To start, we look at a Comprehensive Female Panel. https://labs.rupahealth.com/store/storefront_Gvpkban

Then we build a plan around what is actually broken.

Your past does not have to determine your health. Your worth is not up for debate.
If you are ready to find YOUR missing link and reclaim the life you were built for, the labs are waiting.

FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

04/21/2026

Your Gut Is Running Your Metabolism. Here's the Proof.

You've been eating less. Moving more. Still nothing.

Before you blame willpower, check your microbiome.

Your gut is home to 38 trillion microorganisms. They don't just digest food. They regulate hormones, control inflammation, determine how many calories you extract from what you eat, and signal your brain when to stop eating. If that ecosystem is out of balance, weight loss becomes nearly impossible.

Here's what the science shows:

Firmicutes vs. Bacteroidetes Ratio 🔬
Overweight individuals consistently show higher Firmicutes and lower Bacteroidetes. This imbalance increases caloric extraction from food. You eat 400 calories. Your gut absorbs 500.

GLP-1 Connection 🧠
Beneficial gut bacteria stimulate GLP-1 production. GLP-1 is the gut hormone that signals satiety and regulates insulin. Poor microbiome diversity = lower GLP-1 = you never feel full.

Metabolic Endotoxemia 🔥
Dysbiosis (gut imbalance) allows lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to leak into the bloodstream. LPS triggers systemic inflammation and directly impairs insulin sensitivity. You can't burn fat efficiently when your body is inflamed.

Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) 📉
Healthy bacteria ferment fiber into SCFAs like butyrate. Butyrate reduces fat storage, improves insulin signaling, and fuels your gut lining. Without it, fat metabolism stalls.

This is why two people eat the same diet and get different results. Their microbiomes are different.

At Functional Wellness LLC, we test. We don't guess. 🎯

A comprehensive stool analysis reveals your bacterial diversity, inflammatory markers, and metabolic function. Then we build a targeted protocol: specific probiotic strains, prebiotic foods, and dietary shifts that rewire your gut for fat burning.

Ready to see what your gut is actually doing? . 👇
www.FunctionalWellnessLLC.com/weightloss

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

04/21/2026

🚽 YOUR TOILET PAPER MAY BE MAKING YOU SICK

You can't be healthy if your home isn't healthy. And most people never think twice about what's in that roll sitting in their bathroom. Conventional toilet paper is loaded with chemicals that cause real harm — especially for women, seniors, and anyone with chemical sensitivities.

HERE'S WHAT'S IN YOUR PAPER:

PFAS ("Forever Chemicals"). Found in virtually all major brands globally. They accumulate in the body, disrupt hormones, suppress immunity, and are linked to cancer. They never break down.

Formaldehyde. Added to strengthen the paper. Classified as a Group 1 carcinogen. Directly linked to chronic vulvar irritation and skin rashes.

Chlorine Bleach + Dioxins. That ultra-white paper comes at a cost: dioxins and furans. Immune damage. Hormone interference. Reproductive harm.

Synthetic Fragrances + Petroleum Dyes. "Scented" and "infused with aloe" means petroleum-based mineral oils and chemical fragrance. Carcinogenic. Triggers rashes, contact dermatitis, and allergic reactions.

WHO IS MOST AT RISK: Women: vulvar and perianal tissue is highly vascular. Daily chemical exposure here is significant. Chronic UTIs, eczema, and hormone disruption are common consequences. Seniors: aging skin is thinner, more permeable, and slower to recover. Chemical absorption increases with age. Reactions are more severe. People with chemical sensitivities or MCS: even trace exposure to formaldehyde, fragrance, or dioxins can trigger systemic flares.

THE FIX: Switch to 100% unbleached bamboo. BimBamBoo is PFAS-free, BPA-free, and whitened with hydrogen peroxide — not chlorine. No fragrance. No dyes. FSC Certified. ECOS and Caboo are solid alternatives.

Your home is either protecting your health or undermining it. This is one of the easiest swaps you can make. Start with what touches your body every day.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.*

04/20/2026

WHY YOU KEEP HITTING PLATEAUS (And It Has Nothing to Do With Calories)
You don't lose weight to get healthy. You get healthy first. Then your body releases the weight. That's the sequence most practitioners get backwards. And it's exactly why so many people eat less, move more, and still plateau. Here's what's actually happening: if your liver is sluggish, your kidneys are overburdened, and your cells are starved of key nutrients, your body will not burn fat efficiently. Period. It doesn't matter how clean your diet is.

Your liver is your primary fat-processing organ. It conjugates hormones, filters toxins, and drives bile production for fat digestion. When it's overwhelmed by environmental toxins, food additives, or hidden sensitivities, fat metabolism stalls. The body holds fat as a buffer against toxicity. That's survival biology. Your kidneys work alongside the liver to clear metabolic waste. Dehydration, heavy metal exposure, and chronic inflammation compromise kidney filtration. Slow kidneys mean slower detox. Slower detox means more fat retention.

Add in nutrient deficiencies and the picture gets worse. Low magnesium impairs insulin sensitivity. Low zinc disrupts thyroid signaling. B vitamin deficiencies slow mitochondrial energy output. Without these foundational nutrients in place, fat-burning pathways don't run at full capacity. And food sensitivities? They drive low-grade inflammation 24/7. Inflammation is a fat-storage signal.

This is why I run the Test, Don't Guess™ protocol before we ever talk about a weight loss strategy. We test for:
● Nutrient deficiencies (magnesium, zinc, B12, D, iron)
● Food sensitivities (the ones you'd never suspect)
● Toxicity load (heavy metals, mycotoxins, plastics)
● Liver and kidney function markers

When those barriers are removed, the weight starts moving. Not because we forced it. Because the body finally has what it needs to let it go. Ready to find out what's actually blocking your progress? Not guesswork.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.*

04/19/2026

🏖️ Beach Season Is 6 Weeks Away. Here's What Actually Works.

Every year, people start crash diets in May and wonder why they feel worse by June. Here's the truth: rapid restriction slows your metabolism, tanks your energy, and costs you muscle. That's the opposite of what you want in a swimsuit.

Here's what I recommend instead. A targeted, science-backed plan that gets real results.

1. Shrink the Window, Not the Menu
Time-restricted eating (14:10 or 16:8) cuts insulin exposure without calorie obsession. Eat in a consistent 8-10 hour window. This alone can drop 2-4 lbs in the first two weeks for most people.

2. Protein First. Every Meal.
Aim for 30-40g of protein per meal. Protein is thermogenic. It burns calories just being digested, and it preserves the muscle that keeps your metabolism running. Chicken, eggs, Greek yogurt, salmon. Lead with protein before anything else on your plate.

3. Portion Architecture, Not Portion Punishment
Use your hand. One palm of protein. One fist of non-starchy vegetables. One cupped handful of complex carbs. One thumb of healthy fat. Simple. No scale required. This naturally lands most people at a 400-500 calorie deficit without white-knuckling it.

4. GLP Peptide Support
Natural GLP activators work on the same receptors targeted by expensive injectable medications. They slow gastric emptying, reduce appetite signaling, and improve blood sugar regulation. When combined with the strategies above, they accelerate the process significantly.

5. Walk After Every Meal
Just 10 minutes post-meal drops blood sugar spikes by up to 30%. Three meals, three walks. That's 30 minutes of movement that costs you almost nothing and delivers real metabolic benefit. Six weeks is plenty of time to see a meaningful change. But only if you start with the right strategy.

Want to know if hidden deficiencies or hormonal imbalances are blocking your results? That's exactly what we test for. Sensitivities, Deficiencies, and Toxicities.
Test, Don't Guess.™

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

04/16/2026

A2 Milk vs. Other Milk Products

Not All Milk Is the Same. Here's What Your Gut Knows.
If you've given up dairy because of bloating, brain fog, or digestive pain... you may not be reacting to lactose.

You could be reacting to A1 beta-casein protein.

Most commercial dairy in the U.S. (from Holstein cows) contains A1 beta-casein. When digested, A1 releases a peptide called BCM-7. BCM-7 has been linked to gut inflammation, increased mucus production, and impaired digestion, even in people who test negative for lactose intolerance.

A2 milk comes from cows that naturally produce only A2 beta-casein (think Guernsey, Jersey, and many heritage breeds). No BCM-7. Cleaner digestion. Less inflammatory load.

Here is a quick breakdown:
A2 Whole Milk: Best protein profile, easiest digestion, full fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, K2). Best choice for most people.

Standard A1 Dairy (conventional): Affordable but problematic for many. BCM-7 exposure is the hidden issue most doctors miss.

Raw Milk: Rich in enzymes and beneficial bacteria. Legal in some states. Higher quality when sourced properly. Not for everyone.

Oat Milk: High glycemic. Often contains glyphosate residue and seed oils. No real protein value. Skip it.

Almond Milk: Low calorie but low nutrition. Often packed with additives. Poor calcium bioavailability.

Coconut Milk (full fat): Anti-inflammatory. Great for cooking. Low in protein. Use as a complement, not a staple.

The bottom line: if you have gut issues and you have not tried A2 milk, that is a missing variable. At Functional Wellness, we test before we guess. Food sensitivity testing tells us exactly how your immune system responds to dairy proteins.

Want to know if dairy is working for or against you? Start with the right labs. Ask me how.

DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet or health routine. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.

04/15/2026

🔥 STOP GRADING YOUR LIFE ON SOMEONE ELSE’S TEST

Comparison is one of the fastest ways to destroy self-esteem.

You look at someone else…
Their success… their body… their confidence… their gifts…

And you start grading yourself
on something you were never designed to do.

👉 That’s not humility.
👉 That’s misalignment.

You weren’t created to run their race.

You were created to run yours.

🚧 Stay in Your Lane

When you drift into someone else’s lane:
• You lose clarity
• You lose confidence
• You lose purpose

But when you stay in your lane:
• You gain momentum
• You build mastery
• You walk in alignment

🧬 You Were Designed—Not Randomly Assembled

The truth?

You are not lacking.

You are uniquely wired—with specific strengths, gifts, and purpose.

📖 As it says in Psalm 139:
“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

That means:
👉 Nothing about you is accidental
👉 Nothing about you is inferior
👉 Nothing about you needs comparison to be validated

⚡ The Shift

Instead of asking:
“Why am I not like them?”

Start asking:
“Am I fully stepping into who I was created to be?”

Because confidence doesn’t come from comparison…

It comes from alignment.

💬 Final Thought

Stay in your lane.
Run your race.
Own your design.

That’s where your power is.

⚠️ Disclaimer:
This content is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical or mental health advice.

04/14/2026

🔥 Ever Wonder Why Olive Oyl Was Always So Tired?

💬 Think about it…

Olive Oyl was always:

Low energy
Easily overwhelmed
Struggling to keep up
Running on empty

Meanwhile, Popeye gets all the attention 💪

But what if Olive Oyl was actually showing us something deeper?

👉 Low iron. Low nutrients. Low reserves.

🧠 HERE’S THE REALITY TODAY:

Just like Olive Oyl…

Millions of people are walking around with:

Chronic fatigue
Brain fog
Hair thinning
Poor endurance
Feeling “off”… but being told everything is “normal”

⚠️ THE HIDDEN PROBLEM:

It’s not just what you eat…

👉 It’s what your body can absorb, store, and utilize

Modern foods—even “healthy” ones like spinach—
don’t carry the same iron and mineral density they once did.

So you can be doing everything right…

…and still feel exhausted.

🧪 THIS IS WHERE WE DIFFER:

At Functional Wellness, we don’t guess.

We measure what matters:
✔ Ferritin (iron reserves)
✔ Serum iron
✔ Transferrin & saturation
✔ CBC markers most providers overlook

Because:
👉 You don’t feel “normal” when your reserves are low

🔬 START WITH TESTING:

👉 Order your Iron & Energy Panel here:
https://labs.rupahealth.com/store/storefront_n9EWoWn

👉 Learn more about fatigue, mood, and deeper root causes:
Functionalwellnesslabs.com/trt2212

🥩 WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW:
Prioritize bioavailable iron (grass-fed red meat, liver)
Pair with Vitamin C for absorption
Support gut health
Reduce absorption blockers

And most importantly…

👉 Test. Don’t Guess.

🔥 FINAL THOUGHT:
Olive Oyl didn’t need more effort…
She needed better data.

So do you.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER:

This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.

04/13/2026

🔥 ARE YOU LOSING YOUR EDGE… OR JUST LOSING DATA?
Not like the man you used to be?

At some point, a man feels it.

Energy drops.
Drive fades.
Focus isn’t what it used to be.
Performance—mentally, physically, even sexually—starts to slip.

And what do most men hear?

👉 “It’s just aging.”
👉 “Your labs are normal.”

But here’s the truth…

⚠️ You Don’t Have an Age Problem—You Have a SIGNAL Problem

Your body is always communicating.

Low testosterone is not the root issue.
It’s the symptom of something deeper:

🔻 Nutrient deficiencies
🔥 Chronic inflammation
⚖️ Hormonal imbalances
🧠 Stress overload
🍽️ Metabolic dysfunction
🧬 REAL VIRILITY IS BUILT—NOT PRESCRIBED

You don’t fix this by guessing.
You fix it by testing and targeting the breakdown.

Because when you optimize:

✔ Hormones
✔ Metabolism
✔ Nutrient status
✔ Recovery systems

Everything changes:

Energy comes back
Focus sharpens
Strength returns
Confidence rises
🔥 THIS IS HOW YOU BECOME THE MAN ON FIRE

Not by grinding harder…
Not by ignoring the signs…

👉 But by understanding your body at a deeper level.

🧭 THE FIRST STEP? DATA.

If you’ve been told “everything looks normal” or have been afraid to check it out...
…but you know something is off…

You’re exactly who this is for.
⚡ THIS IS HOW YOU BECOME THE MAN ON FIRE

Not by guessing.
Not by accepting decline.

👉 By understanding exactly what your body is doing.

🧭 START WITH THE RIGHT PANEL

The Male Virility & Testosterone Optimization Panel™ was built to go deeper—
to uncover why your performance has declined, not just confirm that it has.

👉 Order your panel here:
https://labs.rupahealth.com/store/storefront_7akYl64

💳 Payment plan available at checkout.

🔥 BOTTOM LINE

You were not designed to fade.

You were built to:
👉 Perform. Lead. Stay sharp.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult with your qualified healthcare provider before beginning any health program.

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Myrtle Beach, SC

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http://drhickswellness.com/, http://functionalwellnessllc.com/

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