Well, Honestly Episode 3 interview w/ Dr. Tony Hampton

Links:
Dr Hampton Book On Amazon Fix Your Diabetes
Institute of Functional Medicine www.IFM.org
Protecting Your NEST with Dr. Tony Hampton Podcast

Think about the last time you went to the doctor, chances are you went to the wrong person for medical advice. 

In this episode of Well Honestly, the ladies dig deep into the work of Dr Tony Hampton and uncover one of the major reasons many brown women globally aren't receiving the quality medical care that they need.

What is the difference between a traditional doctor vs a functional  doctor? According to the institute of functional medicine “the Functional Medicine model is an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying causes of disease and promote optimal wellness. It requires a detailed understanding of each patient’s genetic, biochemical, and lifestyle factors and leverages that data to direct personalized treatment plans that lead to improved patient outcomes.”

During a traditional doctors appointment you’d meet with a physician and a few supportive medical team members to categorize your current level of health. The goal is to determine any concerning health issues and document the severity. We’ve all been there. You go in to see your doctor to learn about what is going on with your body and you take a few tests and leave with a new medication.  The medication is usually prescribed to treat the symptoms and not the cause for the disruption of your health. 

That is where Functional Medicine comes in. Within this realm of treatment, the patient’s health is the main priority and not the symptoms. The goal is to find the root of the problem and work as a team to restore the patient to optimal health and wellness. This is especially important during the pandemic. 

When breaking down why Black and brown people were impacted the most during the pandemic Dr. Hampton focused on communities of color dealing with stress, unbalanced cultural food choices, lack of sleep and even trauma. His well documented data set that allows him to outline health via the NEST model is shocking.  (Featured below as ;)

• N is for Nutrition, which consists of whole, unprocessed foods with no sugar that are low-carb. “I tell them they can have ribs, but not with barbecue sauce.”
• E is for Exercise, even just walking or easy resistance exercises like pushups and squats at home. “It can be very hard to jog in some communities that are not safe.”
• S is for less Stress and more Sleep. “Sleep is so important to health but it can be hard to get it if you work the night shift or are under a lot of stress.”
• T is for “what you are Thinking” and for how you deal with Trauma in your life. “Instead of focusing on everything that is bad, look for the good, like the fact that it is a beautiful day and the sun is shining.”

With the common notion that vitamin D is a game changing factor for minorities looking for preventative measures to dealing with Covid 19, Dr. Hampton pinpoints the safest levels of vitamin D consumption for most. This was pivotal information as he also mentioned that  where you live can determine how long you live.  It’s best to know what elements your body produces naturally so that you can find ways to support your health and fill in the gaps to ensure you are functioning at your highest capacity. The aim is to be as physically , mentally and emotionally strong as possible.