At Turnpaugh Health, we are always thrilled when Dr. Chris Turnpaugh has the opportunity to share his insights on functional medicine with the broader community. This month, he joined an all-star panel for the Functional Forum’s PLMI Preview: Metabolic Mastery—a powerful discussion on the interplay between liver function, mitochondrial activity, and chronic disease. We can’t thank the Functional Forum team enough for featuring Dr. T alongside some of the leading minds in the field, including Dr. Jeffrey Bland, Dr. Cindy West, and host James Maskell.
As obesity rates and metabolic disorders continue to rise, the conversation around metabolism, mitochondrial function, and liver health has never been more important. The Functional Forum event served as a preview for the upcoming Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute (PLMI) Conference, where practitioners will dive even deeper into these crucial topics.
Dr. Bland, often referred to as the godfather of functional medicine, kicked off the discussion by explaining why liver function and mitochondrial health are so deeply interconnected. Historically, liver health has been undervalued in mainstream medicine, but its role in detoxification, metabolism, and immune signaling makes it a central player in overall wellness.
Dr. Turnpaugh brought his decades of experience to the conversation, sharing insights on how functional medicine is transforming healthcare. As the founder of one of the largest functional medicine clinics in the country—spanning five locations, 20 practitioners, and 85 employees—he understands the complexities of metabolic dysfunction firsthand.
One of Dr. Turnpaugh’s key takeaways? Energy medicine isn’t “woo-woo”—it’s about understanding how mitochondria function, how the gut microbiome influences the liver, and how those processes, in turn, impact brain health. Chronic illness isn’t just about treating symptoms; it’s about identifying where the system has broken down and restoring balance.
He also emphasized the importance of individualized care, explaining that patients don’t fit into neat protocols. Instead, functional medicine clinicians must assess each person’s unique biochemical makeup, looking beyond traditional lab markers to understand the root causes of disease.
Click the thumbnail to the left to re-watch the entire conversation surrounding metabolic mastery, mitochondrial health, and functional medicine’s role in addressing chronic disease. Hear directly from Dr. Chris Turnpaugh, Dr. Jeffrey Bland, and other leading experts as they discuss the latest insights in functional healthcare and practical strategies for improving patient outcomes.
One of the most exciting parts of the discussion was the recognition that functional medicine is no longer a fringe concept—it’s becoming a mainstream movement. Dr. Turnpaugh shared that his clinic receives over 500 new patient inquiries every month, a testament to the growing demand for personalized, root-cause approaches to health.
Functional medicine is about more than just “alternative” treatments—it’s about rewiring the way we think about health, using cutting-edge tools like AI and wearables to enhance patient care while maintaining the human connection that makes this approach so powerful.
The panel also tackled the hot topic of GLP-1 agonists (such as Ozempic and Wegovy) and their role in metabolic health. While these drugs have been hailed as breakthrough solutions for obesity and diabetes, Dr. Turnpaugh urged caution. He acknowledged that while they can be beneficial in some cases, they should not be seen as a magic bullet. Instead, he advocates for restoring natural physiology and finding ways to support mitochondrial function, liver detoxification, and metabolic flexibility without long-term pharmaceutical dependence.
As Dr. Bland pointed out, the history of medicine is filled with examples of drugs that were once considered revolutionary—only to later be revealed as having serious long-term consequences. Functional medicine aims to avoid these pitfalls by addressing the underlying causes of metabolic dysfunction rather than relying on quick fixes.
This Functional Forum episode was just a glimpse into the incredible discussions happening within the world of functional medicine. If you missed the live session, we highly encourage you to watch the replay and learn more about the PLMI Metabolic Mastery Conference, where Dr. Turnpaugh and other leaders in the field will be expanding on these topics.
At Turnpaugh Health, we believe in empowering patients with knowledge so they can take control of their health. We’re proud to be part of this movement, and we can’t wait to continue sharing insights from the frontlines of functional medicine.
