5 Reasons You Might Not Be Seeing Results
(That Your Doctor Might Not Tell You)
In functional medicine, we look deeper than just managing symptoms; we look for root causes. True healing happens when the body feels supported, nourished, and safe. If you’ve been eating clean, taking supplements, and still not seeing the progress you expected, it’s not a failure; it’s a sign to look deeper. Here are five often-overlooked reasons why your healing might feel “stuck.”
1. You Don’t Have Enough Minerals
Minerals are the foundation of cellular health. They play critical roles in hormone production, detoxification, digestion, energy metabolism, and even mood regulation. Unfortunately, due to modern agricultural practices and chronic stress, many people are unknowingly depleted. Low mineral status means your body can’t perform optimally, no matter how clean your diet is.
Tip: Focus on remineralization with high-quality sea salt, mineral drops, trace mineral supplements, and mineral-rich foods like pumpkin seeds, leafy greens, and sea vegetables. Consider testing mineral levels through hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) for deeper insight.
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2. Your Body Mirrors Your Thoughts
Your internal dialogue directly affects your physiology. Negative thought patterns or chronic stress keep the body in a sympathetic “fight-or-flight” state, inhibiting healing, digestion, and hormone balance. Healing begins in safety, not stress.
Tip: Cultivate self-awareness around your thoughts. Try journaling, shadow work, somatic therapy, breathwork, or gratitude practices to calm your nervous system and create a sense of internal safety.
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3. You’re Trying to Detox Before Opening Drainage Pathways
Jumping straight into detox protocols without first supporting drainage (the liver, lymph, kidneys, colon, and skin) is like trying to clean your house with the windows closed, toxins have nowhere to go. This can lead to headaches, fatigue, skin flare-ups, or feeling “stuck” in your healing process.
Tip: Always begin with drainage support. Focus on hydration, fiber, sweating, movement, gentle binders, and liver-supportive foods like beets, dandelion, and artichoke. Once these pathways are open, detox protocols become much more effective. (If you’re new to drainage, check out my full post on it on my blog linked below)
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4. You’re Undereating (Especially Protein and Calories)
Many people struggling with fatigue, weight resistance, or hormonal issues are unknowingly undereating, especially women. Chronic dieting, stress, or restrictive eating patterns can signal the body that resources are scarce, slowing metabolism and halting healing.
Tip: Focus on eating enough to fuel your metabolism. Aim for protein at each meal (20-30g), balanced with healthy fats and complex carbs. Undereating doesn’t just affect your energy; it impacts thyroid health, hormones, and digestion!!
Click here to learn more why food is medicine
5. You’re Missing Rest and Nervous System Regulation
Your body heals in a parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) state. Without deep rest, sleep, and downtime, your nervous system stays on high alert, diverting energy away from digestion, detoxification, and tissue repair.
Tip: Prioritize rest like a nutrient. Support your circadian rhythm with consistent sleep schedules, evening wind-down routines, and magnesium or adaptogenic herbs if needed. Practices like meditation, grounding, and spending time in nature can profoundly reset your nervous system.
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Final Thoughts
Healing is not linear, and it’s not about doing more; it’s about doing what's right for your body’s current needs. Functional medicine reminds us that when we support the body’s foundations, minerals, mindset, drainage, nourishment, and rest, results begin to flow naturally.
References
Cannon, W. B. (1939). The wisdom of the body. W. W. Norton & Company.
Drake, I., Colditz, G. A., & Frazier, A. L. (2021). The role of diet and nutrition in women’s health. Journal of Women’s Health, 30(3), 322–331. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2020.8706
Ruscio, M., & James, N. (2019). Healthy gut, healthy you: The personalized plan to transform your health from the inside out. Ruscio Institute Press.
Wilson, J. L., & Fisher, J. (2020). Adrenal fatigue: The 21st-century stress syndrome. Smart Publications.
World Health Organization. (2021). Micronutrient deficiencies: Iron, iodine and vitamin A. WHO. https://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/micronutrients
