Evaluation of a functional medicine approach to treating fatigue, stress, and digestive issues in women

• A functional medicine program may effectively manage chronic stress in women.
• The treatment program increased mean salivary DHEA levels and cortisol-DHEA ratio.
• The program substantially improved Helicobacter pylori infections.
• The program improved many stress, fatigue, and quality-of-life measures.

Fatigue, stress, and digestive disorders are common among adults, especially women. We conducted a 28-week pilot study to assess the efficacy of a functional medicine approach to improving stress, energy, fatigue, digestive issues, and quality of life in middle-aged women. Findings showed significant improvements in many stress, fatigue, and quality-of-life measures. The treatment program increased mean salivary dehydroepiandrosterone levels and the cortisol-dehydroepiandrosterone ratio. Stool sample analyses suggested that these treatments reduced Helicobacter pylori infections. This study suggests that functional medicine may be an effective approach to managing stress and gastrointestinal symptoms.