By, Dr. Rosemarie Rutecki
As we age, it’s crucial to listen to our bodies. They often give us subtle yet important signals that things may be off balance.
Whether it’s fatigue, bloating, or waking up in the middle of the night, these symptoms are often more than just annoyances — they can be cries for help from within.
Recent research from Stanford Medicine revealed that significant changes in the body occur during our 40s and 60s, affecting both molecular and microbial levels.
These shifts might be why many people start experiencing new health challenges during these years. But rather than just chalking it up to aging, it’s important to dig deeper and understand the underlying causes of these symptoms.
Take bloating, for example. It could be due to bacterial overgrowth, yeast, or even parasites in your gut.
Fatigue is another common issue, often linked to adrenal insufficiency, low thyroid function, or imbalances in hormones like progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone.
If you find yourself waking up at 2 or 3 a.m., it might be high cortisol levels, low progesterone, or insulin imbalances disrupting your sleep cycle.
Our bodies are wise and constantly send us signals when things are out of balance.
Ignoring these signs or simply masking them with medications might offer temporary relief, but it doesn’t address the root cause.
This is where a functional medicine approach can make a significant difference. Functional medicine goes beyond the standard checkup and looks for the underlying causes of health issues.
Instead of just focusing on symptoms, functional medicine practitioners will check your adrenal function, sex hormones, gut microbiome, mitochondrial health, nutrient levels, and toxins.
This holistic approach helps identify what is really going on inside your body and can be key to managing aging and reversing some of its effects.
For example, a basic blood test might not reveal much if you’re feeling chronically fatigued. But by diving deeper into your adrenal health, thyroid levels, or hormone balance, you might discover that your body is struggling to produce the hormones or energy it needs.
Similarly, bloating or digestive issues may be tied to an imbalance in the gut microbiome, which could be throwing your whole system off. Addressing these root causes is essential for keeping your body in top shape as you age.
Functional medicine also recognizes the impact of toxins, both from the environment and from what we put in our bodies. Over time, these toxins can accumulate and disrupt everything from hormone balance to energy production.
Aging doesn’t have to mean feeling rundown or constantly managing symptoms. By listening to your body and adopting a functional medicine approach, you can work to restore balance, optimize your health, and even reverse some of the aging process.
Your body’s signals are there for a reason — listen to them and take action to keep yourself feeling strong and healthy at every stage of life.
To learn more, visit drrosemarierutecki.com or follow Dr. Rosemarie on social media
@drrosemarie_rutecki
