Leading Functional Medicine in Calgary

What is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine, often hailed as the ‘medicine of the future,’ represents a patient- centred system of healing. Diverging from conventional allopathic medicine, functional practitioners prioritize identifying the root cause of a patient’s health issues, rather than merely managing symptomatic manifestations. In essence, Functional Medicine poses critical questions: “Why are you unwell?

What has triggered these symptoms or conditions?” Instead of resorting to additional prescriptions aimed solely at symptom management, Functional Medicine endeavours to tackle the underlying factors contributing to, or exacerbating, chronic diseases.

How Does Functional Medicine Differ from Other Alternative Approaches?

Functional Medicine distinguishes itself through several key characteristics:

Root Cause Analysis: Unlike traditional approaches that primarily address symptom management, Functional Medicine delves into identifying the underlying causes of diseases. For instance, it focuses on mitigating factors that drive inflammation, rather than solely alleviating resultant pain, often stemming from chronic inflammation.
Patient-Centric Approach: Emphasizing the individual patient over their diagnosis or condition, Functional Medicine takes into account a comprehensive evaluation encompassing physical, emotional, and psychological aspects. This evaluation includes an exploration of the patient” current and past lifestyle and dietary choices, emotional and physical traumas, and their physiological responses.
Non-Invasive Methodology: Committed to the principle of “do no harm” Functional Medicine prioritizes natural alternatives to prescription drugs or surgeries to mitigate potential adverse effects.
Personalized Treatment: Each patient receives a tailored treatment protocol, eschewing the one-size-fits-all approach common in conventional medicine.
Holistic Modalities: Treatment modalities within Functional Medicine may include nutritional guidance, lifestyle adjustments, high-quality supplements, and acupuncture, grounded in the latest advancements in biochemistry and cellular biology research.

Dr. Yan's Commitment to Functional Medicine in Calgary

Over the past decade, I have cultivated a profound interest in Functional Medicine. Recently, I completed the Functional Medicine certification course offered by The American Academy of Functional Health, obtaining certification as a Functional and Nutritional Medicine Practitioner (CFNMP) with a focus on addressing cognitive decline, autoimmune diseases, and anti-aging medicine. With a solid foundation in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and a background practicing both Western and Eastern medicine during my tenure in China, I possess a unique ability to integrate modern medicine, TCM, and Functional Medicine. This ensures a holistic and comprehensive approach to health care for the people of Calgary.

Functional Medicine in Calgary has witnessed a surge in interest and recognition in recent years. As a Functional Medicine Practitioner based in Calgary, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, making significant strides in addressing various health concerns prevalent among Calgarians. If you are seeking a functional medicine doctor in Calgary, my practice offers the expertise and dedication needed to improve your overall health and well-being.

Functional Medicine Versus Acupuncture

Aligned with the principles of TCM and Functional Medicine, my acupuncture practice serves as an effective protocol for symptom relief and expediting the healing process. While conventional wisdom suggests a minimum three-month supplementation period for noticeable results, my extensive experience indicates that combining acupuncture with supplementation often yields quicker outcomes. Thus, my practice uniquely combines dietary and lifestyle interventions with supplementation and over three decades of acupuncture expertise, enhancing the efficacy of Functional Medicine treatments.

Areas of Interest

Functional Medicine finds application across a spectrum of chronic diseases, including but not limited to leaky gut syndrome, metabolic dysfunction, and hormonal imbalances. My particular areas of interest encompass:

In addition to Functional Medicine, my treatment protocols for the aforementioned health issues draw inspiration from the following books:

"Super Gut" by Dr. William Davis
“The End of Alzheimer’s” by Dr. Dale E. Bredesen
"The End of Alzheimer’s Program" by Dr. Dale E. Bredesen
"Lifespan" by Dr. David Sinclair
"Outlive" by Dr. Peter Attia
"The Brain That Changes Itself" by Dr. Norman Doidge
“The XX Brain” by Dr. Lisa Mosconi
“Menopause Brain” by Dr. Lisa Mosconi
"Brain Maker" by Dr. David Perlmutter
"Drop Acid" by Dr. David Perlmutter
"The Cycardian" Code by Dr. Satchin Panda
"Why We Sleep" by Dr. Matthew Walker

Cognitive Decline

Informed by Dr. Dale Bredesen’s ReCODE program and tailored to adhere to Functional Medicine principles, my protocol for cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases prioritizes:

This protocol caters to individuals experiencing subjective cognitive impairment, mild cognitive impairment, as well as those in the mild to moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis.

Anti-Aging Medicine

Anti-Aging medicine represents an evolving discipline within medical science and practice, targeting the root causes of aging and endeavouring to mitigate age-related ailments. Anchored in scientifically sound lifestyle practices, anti-aging medicine emphasizes:

Recognizing inflammation, oxidative stress, insulin imbalance, hormonal fluctuations,telomere attrition, and epigenetic alterations as key drivers of aging, anti-aging medicine interventions aim to:

Fortify gut health
Enhance the body's detoxification system
Combat inflammation
Address insulin resistance
Optimize mitochondrial function
Attain hormonal equilibrium

Ultimately, the goal of anti-aging medicine is to extend both lifespan and health span.

Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Functional Medicine Intervention?

You may benefit from Functional Medicine intervention if:

You suffer from any of the aforementioned health issues
You are a strong believer that food is the best medicine
You are committed to actively participating in your journey to wellness
You listen to your body

Functional Medicine Calgary Cost and Fee Schedule

Discovery, Evaluation, and Recommendation (60 minutes): $300
Initial deposit during the initial 15-minute meeting
Subsequent deposit during the 45-minute meeting
Follow-up Consultation (30 minutes): $150
Supplements and functional tests are not included in the consultation fee.
Expenses incurred may be eligible for reimbursement through Health Spending Accounts.

How Can You Initiate Your Journey?

Complete the intake form provided at the bottom of this page. This comprehensive form requires ample time, so allocate approximately an hour for its completion.
Upon receipt of your completed form, I will reach out to schedule our initial 15-minute Discovery meeting. During this session, I will gather additional information to aid in analyzing your case. Subsequently, I will provide you with a Functional Medicine Survey to garner a deeper understanding of your health profile. This survey typically requires 45 minutes for completion.
Following your submission of the Functional Medicine Survey, I will schedule our Evaluation and Recommendation meeting approximately one week later. This interim period allows for thorough analysis of your case and the formulation of a personalized treatment plan. We may engage in email correspondence to clarify some details prior to our second meeting.
Our second meeting, lasting 45 minutes, will primarily involve me elucidating the intricacies of your condition, explaining the underlying causes, and outlining the protocols aimed at restoring your well-being. These protocols may include strategies for environmental toxin avoidance, tailored anti-inflammatory dietary and lifestyle adjustments, as well as recommendations for professional-grade supplements and herbs.
Within 48 hours post our second meeting, you will receive a detailed email comprising your personalized recovery plan, supplemented with a bonus e-book: “7 Steps Anti-inflammatory & Functional Nutrition Guide.”
A follow-up consultation is recommended approximately one month after commencing supplementation. This session serves to address any challenges encountered in adhering to the recovery plan and enables necessary adjustments. Should you experience no compliance difficulties or adverse reactions, this follow-up may entail a brief email report at no additional cost.
The subsequent follow-up is scheduled three months post-supplementation initiation. Prior to this meeting, you will be asked to complete the Functional Survey again, facilitating the assessment of any improvements. Positive outcomes may warrant the formulation of a long-term plan, whereas limited progress may necessitate functional lab testing, including comprehensive stool analysis, organic acid tests, environmental toxin screenings, food sensitivity tests, adrenal tests, or Dutch tests, to glean further insights and inform subsequent interventions.
As an added benefit, you are entitled to request a bonus 30-day healthy meal cooking e-book at any juncture.

Fee Schedule

Discovery, evaluation and recommendation (60 minutes in total): $300
- First deposit $150 @ initial 15 minutes meeting
- Second deposit $150@ the 45 minutes meeting
Follow up (30minutes): $150
Supplements and functional tests are not included