You walk into your doctor’s office clutching a mental list of symptoms that have been plaguing you for months—maybe even years. The stubborn belly fat that refuses to budge despite your best efforts. The brain fog that makes you forget why you walked into a room. The crushing fatigue that has you reaching for your fourth cup of coffee before noon. The sleep that somehow leaves you more exhausted than when you went to bed.
Fifteen minutes later, you’re walking out with a new prescription, a dismissive comment about “getting older,” and absolutely zero answers about why these symptoms are happening in the first place.
If this sounds painfully familiar, you’re not alone. And more importantly, you’re not crazy.
I recently sat down with Dr. Myra Reed, a board-certified internal medicine physician who spent decades working within the traditional medical system before making a dramatic career shift to functional medicine. What she revealed during our conversation will fundamentally change how you view healthcare—and why you’ve been frustrated for so long.
The Uncomfortable Truth About Modern Medicine
“I was trained to prescribe 8-10 medications per patient,” Dr. Reed confided. “The system I was working in wasn’t about getting people better. It was about managing symptoms to keep them coming back.”
This isn’t a conspiracy theory. It’s the reality of a healthcare system that has been increasingly controlled by insurance companies and pharmaceutical sales goals rather than patient outcomes. The result? A medical model that treats symptoms instead of root causes, leaving millions of people—especially women—feeling unheard, undertreated, and genuinely unwell despite “normal” lab results.
The 15-Minute Appointment Problem
Think about it: How can a complex health issue that has been developing for years possibly be addressed in a 15-minute appointment? The answer is simple—it can’t. But that’s exactly what most doctors are forced to work with due to insurance demands and productivity quotas.
Dr. Reed explained, “I wanted to spend time with patients, ask the right questions, and actually get them better—naturally. That’s what led me to functional medicine.”
What Functional Medicine Gets Right
Unlike the traditional “diagnose and prescribe” model, functional medicine operates on a revolutionary principle: finding and addressing the root cause of illness rather than merely managing symptoms. This approach recognizes that your body is an interconnected system, and what happens in one area affects everything else.
Beyond the Basic Labs
One of the most eye-opening parts of our conversation was Dr. Reed’s explanation of advanced laboratory testing. While most doctors still rely on basic panels, functional medicine practitioners use comprehensive testing that reveals what’s really happening in your body.
For heart health, instead of just looking at total cholesterol (which, Dr. Reed emphasized, is largely irrelevant), they examine:
- HSCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) – a marker of inflammation
- Oxidized LDL – the type of cholesterol that actually damages arteries
- LP-PLA2 – an enzyme associated with plaque instability
- Myeloperoxidase – indicates active inflammation in arterial walls
- LP(a) – a genetic marker for cardiovascular risk
“It’s not about cholesterol—it’s about inflammation and particle size,” Dr. Reed explained. This is why some people with “perfect” cholesterol numbers still have heart attacks, while others with higher numbers remain heart-healthy.
Real Results: A Case Study in Healing
Dr. Reed shared the story of a woman who came to her with severe ulcerative colitis. This patient had been on multiple medications, including steroids, and was experiencing constant inflammation, joint pain, and digestive distress.
Instead of adding more medications to the mix, Dr. Reed took a functional medicine approach:
- Eliminated inflammatory foods (gluten and dairy were major triggers)
- Implemented an anti-inflammatory diet rich in whole foods
- Added targeted supplements like Inflamacor to support healing
- Addressed underlying nutrient deficiencies
The result? This patient successfully went off ALL medications, including steroids. No more GI flares. No more joint pain. Complete resolution of symptoms by addressing the root cause rather than suppressing them with drugs.
The Hidden Epidemic: Understanding Insulin Resistance
Perhaps one of the most crucial topics we discussed was insulin resistance—what Dr. Reed calls “the silent epidemic hiding in plain sight.” Here’s why this matters so much:
Insulin resistance isn’t just about blood sugar. It’s the common thread connecting:
- Stubborn belly fat
- Type 2 diabetes
- Alzheimer’s disease (now being called “Type 3 diabetes”)
- Heart disease
- PCOS
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
The Perfect Storm
Modern life creates the perfect storm for insulin resistance:
- Processed foods high in refined carbohydrates
- Chronic stress that elevates cortisol
- Sedentary lifestyles that reduce muscle mass
- Poor sleep quality
- Exposure to endocrine disruptors (yes, even in your shampoo and skincare products)
But here’s the empowering part: insulin resistance is completely reversible through targeted lifestyle interventions.
Reclaiming Women’s Hormones: A Life-or-Death Issue
Dr. Reed didn’t mince words when discussing hormones: “Low estrogen is the number one cause of death in women after menopause.”
This statement might shock you, but here’s the science: estrogen protects your heart, brain, bones, mood, skin, and more. After menopause, the dramatic drop in estrogen significantly increases your risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, cognitive decline, and even death.
The Hormone Therapy Confusion
The confusion around hormone therapy stems from the Women’s Health Initiative study published in the early 2000s, which caused widespread panic and led millions of women to stop hormone therapy. However, there were significant flaws in this research:
- It studied synthetic hormones, not bioidentical ones
- The average age of participants was 63 (well past menopause)
- Many participants had pre-existing health conditions
- The study design didn’t match how hormones are typically prescribed today
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, when properly prescribed and monitored, can be not just safe but life-saving for many women. The key is working with a knowledgeable practitioner who understands the nuances of hormone optimization.
The Brain-Gut-Heart Connection
One of the most fascinating aspects of our discussion was how interconnected our body systems truly are. Dr. Reed explained how:
- Gut inflammation can lead to systemic inflammation affecting the brain
- Insulin resistance in the brain contributes to cognitive decline
- Heart health is directly linked to brain health through vascular connections
- Sleep quality affects hormone production, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation
This is why a truly effective health approach must address all these systems simultaneously, not treat them as separate, unrelated issues.
The Bredesen Protocol: Hope for Brain Health
Dr. Reed is trained in the Bredesen Protocol, a comprehensive functional medicine approach to preventing and reversing cognitive decline. This protocol has shown remarkable success in improving cognitive function by addressing multiple factors:
- Optimizing ketone levels through strategic dietary changes
- Improving sleep quality and addressing sleep disorders
- Correcting nutrient deficiencies
- Managing blood sugar and insulin sensitivity
- Reducing inflammation
- Addressing toxin exposure
The protocol recognizes that Alzheimer’s isn’t a single-cause disease but rather the result of multiple metabolic and toxic insults over time.
Taking Control: Your Action Steps
After hearing Dr. Reed’s insights, you might be wondering, “Where do I start?” Here are some immediate steps you can take:
- Advocate for Better Testing
Don’t accept “normal” lab results if you’re symptomatic. Ask for:
- Comprehensive metabolic panel including fasting insulin
- Advanced lipid panel (not just basic cholesterol)
- Inflammatory markers like HSCRP and ESR
- Complete thyroid panel (not just TSH)
- Nutrient status (B12, D3, magnesium, etc.)
- Focus on Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition
Start with these foundational changes:
- Eliminate refined carbohydrates and added sugars
- Increase omega-3 intake through fatty fish or high-quality supplements
- Add colorful vegetables at every meal
- Include fermented foods for gut health
- Stay hydrated with clean, filtered water
- Prioritize Sleep
Sleep is when your body repairs and detoxifies. Aim for:
- 7-9 hours of quality sleep nightly
- A consistent sleep schedule
- A cool, dark sleeping environment
- Limited screen time before bed
- Move Your Body Strategically
- Include both cardio and strength training
- Try high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for metabolic benefits
- Incorporate stress-reducing activities like yoga or tai chi
- Take regular walking breaks throughout the day
- Manage Stress Effectively
Chronic stress is a major driver of inflammation and disease. Consider:
- Daily meditation or mindfulness practice
- Regular time in nature
- Journaling or other stress-release techniques
- Professional support when needed
Finding the Right Healthcare Partner
Not every healthcare provider is equipped or willing to practice this type of comprehensive medicine. When looking for the right partner in your health journey, seek someone who:
- Spends adequate time with you (at least 45-60 minutes for initial visits)
- Looks at root causes, not just symptoms
- Orders comprehensive testing
- Considers lifestyle factors as primary interventions
- Supports you with education and empowerment
The Bottom Line: It's Not Too Late
No matter where you are in your health journey, it’s not too late to make meaningful changes. Your body has an incredible capacity for healing when given the right tools and support.
As I often tell my clients, “You are worthy of confidence, healing, and beauty—inside and out.” You deserve more than symptom management. You deserve to thrive.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re tired of being told “it’s just your age” or “your labs are normal” while you continue to feel unwell, it’s time for a different approach. Whether you choose to work with a functional medicine practitioner like Dr. Reed or seek nutrition support that addresses root causes, remember that you are the CEO of your own health.
The conversation with Dr. Reed opened my eyes to so many possibilities for healing that exists beyond the traditional medical model. Her success stories aren’t anomalies—they’re what becomes possible when we address the root causes of illness rather than just managing symptoms.
Your health transformation starts with a single decision: the decision to demand better for yourself. You deserve healthcare providers who listen, investigate, and partner with you in your healing journey. You deserve to understand not just what’s wrong, but why it’s happening and how to fix it.
Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about adding years to your life—it’s about adding life to your years.
Ready to discover what’s really behind your symptoms? Watch my full conversation with Dr. Myra Reed [here] or schedule a discovery call to explore how personalized nutrition support can transform your health journey.
