IFM Detox Advanced Practice Module

Understanding Biotransformation and Recognizing Toxicity: Evaluation and Treatment in the Functional Medicine Model

In the 21st century, two things have become increasingly apparent: first, we are exposed to a more complex array of toxic compounds in our air, water, and food than ever before. Second, it has been recognized that an individual’s ability to detoxify or biotransform and excrete toxic substances is of critical importance to overall health. While the concept that toxins accumulate in the body and are the cause of various health problems has long been a fundamental tenet of traditional healthcare systems around the world, we have learned a great deal in recent years about how toxins affect us, where they originate, and how to improve our ability to detoxify in a toxic world. Understanding toxicity and taking practical steps to improve biotransformation are essential and critical pieces in any integrative approach to your patients’ health and well-being.