Functional medicine in Englewood, CO · Since 1998(303) 343-8800 · info@ascenthealthcenter.com
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Functional Medicine

A personalized, integrative approach that asks the deeper question: why is this happening in the first place?

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What is functional medicine?

Functional medicine is a personalized, integrative approach to healthcare. It looks for the underlying drivers of symptoms and chronic health challenges. Instead of treating the body as separate parts, we look at how your hormones, gut, brain, immune system, metabolism, nervous system, genetics, lifestyle and environment all work together.

Conventional medicine often manages one symptom or one lab number at a time. Functional care asks a deeper question: why is this happening in the first place?

That question is how we help patients who have been told everything looks "normal" but still feel exhausted, inflamed, foggy, hormonally off or unable to lose weight.

Conditions we serve

What we help with

MTHFR & Methylation Support

Methylation is a key process involved in detoxification, energy production, neurotransmitters, hormone metabolism and cardiovascular health. When methylation pathways aren't working well, it can affect how your body processes nutrients, stress, toxins and hormones.

Common signs: Fatigue, mood changes, poor detox tolerance, brain fog, hormone symptoms, stress sensitivity, and family history of methylation concerns.

Digestive Health

Your gut affects far more than digestion. It plays a role in immune health, inflammation, nutrient absorption, hormone metabolism, skin, mood and energy. We help identify what may be disrupting your digestive system and create a plan to restore balance.

Common signs: Bloating, constipation, diarrhea, reflux, gas, food sensitivity, nausea, abdominal discomfort, skin issues, fatigue, and inflammation.

Candida & Fungal Overgrowth

Candida is a yeast that naturally exists in the body. When it overgrows, it can contribute to digestive issues, fatigue, cravings, inflammation, immune stress and recurring symptoms that are hard to explain.

Common signs: Sugar cravings, bloating, fatigue, brain fog, skin rashes, recurring yeast issues, digestive discomfort, and immune system stress.

Parasite & Microbial Imbalance

Parasites and microbial imbalances can disrupt digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function and inflammation. Symptoms aren't always obvious and may overlap with gut issues, fatigue, skin problems and unexplained digestive changes.

Common signs: Bloating, diarrhea or constipation, unexplained digestive symptoms, fatigue, food reactions, abdominal discomfort, poor nutrient absorption, and inflammation.

Unexplained Fatigue & Brain Fog

Feeling tired all the time isn't normal just because it's common. Fatigue and brain fog can be connected to hormones, thyroid function, blood sugar, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, methylation, gut health, sleep and chronic stress.

Common signs: Low energy, poor concentration, memory issues, afternoon crashes, lack of motivation, waking tired, and feeling mentally "cloudy."

Weight Loss Resistance

If you're eating well and exercising and still not seeing results, your body may be responding to hormonal, metabolic, inflammatory or stress-related signals. We look at the full picture behind weight gain and weight-loss resistance.

Common signs: Stubborn belly fat, cravings, blood sugar swings, low energy, inflammation, poor sleep, perimenopause changes, and a body that no longer responds to old strategies.

Peptide Therapy

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that help support cellular communication, repair, recovery, metabolism, immune function, hormone regulation and healthy aging. Peptide therapy may be part of a personalized plan to support energy, body composition, healing and performance.

Common goals: Better energy, improved recovery, fat metabolism, muscle support, sleep, immune resilience, inflammation support, skin health, and longevity.

Specialty Lab Testing

When symptoms don't match standard lab results, deeper testing can help show what's happening underneath. Testing is one tool among many. We may use customized blood work, hormone testing, genetic testing, food intolerance testing, DUTCH testing, Gut Zoomer and other tools to guide your care plan.

Testing may include: Hormone panels, DUTCH hormone testing, food intolerance testing, genetic testing, gut testing, comprehensive blood work, inflammatory markers, thyroid markers, and metabolic markers.

Services

How we help

Methylation / MTHFR

Testing and targeted support for MTHFR variants and methylation pathways that influence detox, mood, hormones and energy.

  • MTHFR & SNP testing
  • Methylated B-vitamin protocols
  • Titrated to avoid overmethylation

Digestive Health

Restore gut function using the DesBio 4R approach: remove triggers, replace what's missing, reinoculate and repair the gut lining.

  • Gut Zoomer & stool testing
  • Personalized gut-healing protocols
  • Systems-level focus

Candida / Fungal

Comprehensive candida and fungal overgrowth protocols to reduce inflammation, cravings and immune stress.

  • Advanced testing
  • Antifungal and dietary support
  • Gut restoration

Parasite

Detection and treatment of parasitic and microbial imbalances that quietly disrupt digestion, energy and immunity.

  • Advanced parasite testing
  • Targeted treatment protocols
  • Gut and immune support

Specialty Lab Testing

Advanced testing that goes beyond standard labs to help reveal what's driving your symptoms.

  • Comprehensive customized lab testing
  • Genetic testing
  • Food intolerance testing
  • DUTCH hormone testing

Not sure where to start?

A brief consultation is the fastest way to know whether this is where your care should begin. Book a visit or call us at (303) 343-8800.

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