Are we asking the right questions about our health? For Dr. Nathalie Bloom, a practitioner of functional medicine and clinical nutrition, the journey starts with why. “In functional medicine, we focus on the root cause, the why behind a problem or a condition or an ailment,” she explains to host Abby Starr in this episode of the Well-Informed Podcast.   Dr. Bloom peels back the layers of functional medicine, a practice rooted in addressing the whole person, not just their symptoms. Through her thoughtful and compassionate approach, she shows how personalized care and lifestyle adjustments can make a real difference in addressing the interconnected factors behind chronic conditions, stress, and inflammation.   How does stress manifest differently in the body? Why is prevention often misunderstood in mainstream healthcare? And what can we all do to optimize our well-being? Dr. Bloom provides insights, from understanding “perceived stress” to uncovering hidden patterns in our health through advanced blood tests.   This episode points out the importance of patient empowerment and the value of working collaboratively with healthcare providers. Dr. Bloom reminds us that wellness is deeply individual and begins with understanding our unique needs and goals.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 What Is Functional Medicine? 03:40 How Lifestyle and Stress Affect Chronic Conditions 07:22 Prevention vs. Detection in Healthcare 09:06 Functional Medicine’s Approach to Bloodwork 15:06 Inflammation and Autoimmune Conditions 22:03 Simple Ways to Reduce Inflammation 26:03 Thoughts on Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic 30:15 Why Active Participation in Your Health Matters   Links Connect with Dr. Natalie Bloom: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nathalie-bloom-73278430 Website: atnucare.com    Source & Self: Website: https://source-self.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceandself Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceandself TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceandselfboxes Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm