My Journey Into Functional Medicine
Written by Mandi Snell, APRN
Owner, Solutions Functional Medicine
About ten years ago, I stepped into the world of functional medicine, and it completely reshaped my understanding of health.
For much of my career, I believed nutrition could always be met with diet, that genetics determined destiny, and that conventional medical guidelines reflected optimal health. I thought menopause was simply a natural “season” to be endured. But I soon discovered otherwise.
Peptides, for instance, are naturally occurring molecules that God designed to carry blueprints for healing. They signal the body to repair itself, fight invaders, and replace damaged cells. Acoustic wave therapy helps activate the body’s reset switches, triggering stem cells and growth factors to rush to areas in need of repair.
Most importantly, I came to understand the incredible role hormones play in sustaining life and vitality. Menopause, I realized, is not just “the change” but a marker of decline. Within three years of menopause, women lose up to 20% of their bone density—something diet and exercise alone cannot reverse. Long before hot flashes, women often experience brain fog, anxiety, weight gain, and fatigue—all rooted in hormone deficiencies.
Progesterone, for example, is a natural mood stabilizer. During pregnancy, when progesterone levels are high, panic attacks and new-onset depression are rare. But when progesterone drops, postpartum depression often follows. Yet instead of treating with progesterone, conventional medicine typically turns to antidepressants, which don’t address the root cause.
Testosterone is just as essential for women, supporting mood, motivation, mental focus, memory, libido, and muscle preservation. And yet, despite its proven benefits, there is still no FDA-approved testosterone therapy for women.
Stepping into functional medicine marked the end of what I call my “medical innocence.” Today, I know better. God has designed the body with remarkable systems for repair, restoration, and renewal—and functional medicine helps us partner with that design.