The modern patient is looking for a healthcare provider that not only can treat and reverse disease, but can also advise their patients about disease prevention, optimizing health and graceful aging. Not only does this approach to medicine lead to more vibrant and happy patients, but it is ultimately more cost-effective.

Naturopathic doctors (ND) are physicians that specialize in this holistic approach to health care.  Along with a thorough intake encompassing the details of their patients’ chief concerns, diet, exercise, stress levels, sleep and toxic exposures, naturopathic doctors utilize functional lab testing that often goes above and beyond conventional labs. Functional lab testing is a tool that allows the provider to develop individualized treatment plans, as well as catch disease in the early stage, where it is more likely to be reversible, such as hypothyroidism and insulin resistance, and monitor patient progress over time.

One such functional blood test is a micronutrient panel which looks at 31 vitamins, minerals, amino/fatty acids, antioxidants and metabolites. Correcting micronutrient deficiencies via simple dietary changes and/or targeted supplementation can drastically improve a patient’s health, slow aging and ultimately mitigate or reverse disease progression.

Leia Anderson, ND, MS is one of three naturopathic doctors at Natural Paths to Wellness, located at 3601 Gettysburg Rd., in Camp Hill. For more information, call 717-494-4500 or visit NaturalPathsToWellness.com and SpectraCell.com/micronutrient-test-panel.