Tara McLellan, Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner and owner of Integrative Healthcare of Lower Alabama, has moved her office to a more convenient location so that more residents may easily access the benefits of functional medicine.

According to the Institute of Functional Medicine, the functional medicine model is an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying causes of disease and promote optimal wellness. It requires a detailed understanding of each patient’s genetic, biochemical and lifestyle factors and leverages that data to direct personalized treatment plans and improved patient outcomes.

In addition to standard bloodwork, McLellan offers testing that provides a more comprehensive look at hormones, thyroid function or gut imbalances and microbiome (e.g., parasites, yeast overgrowth, function of digestive organs). Other tests look at vitamin and mineral imbalances in the body to reveal foods and supplements for optimal nutrition and function.

Issues McLellan sees typically deal with hormone imbalances, chronic fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune diseases and gut health—chronic constipation or diarrhea, to leaky gut and yeast or parasite overgrowths.

McLellan describes one successful outcome involving a woman who could not travel or go out with friends due to her gut issues.

“She had developed sensitivities to some of her favorite foods and had a very limited diet. Based on her symptoms, we tested for small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and did stool testing to look for parasites, an imbalanced gut or possible digestive insufficiencies,” says McLellan. “After the patient eliminated foods that contributed to the SIBO and used herbal supplements to correct imbalances, she returned to eating foods she loves and is not suffering from intestinal distress as she was before.”

McLellan sees new patients on Mondays through Thursdays. Please call well in advance for an appointment.