How to Get to Root Cause Healing? Free Yourself of Physical and Mental Symptoms

 

Less than 150 years ago, there were no blood tests, scans, x-rays, EKGs, and functional tests. For all of time, humans managed their health based on symptoms. The doctors of yesteryear supported the body via symptoms and the look and feel of the patient in front of them. We need to go back to trusting our own body’s innate wisdom. When your body presents symptoms, any symptoms, it’s the body’s way of communicating that something isn’t right. And just because a symptom is common, it doesn’t mean it’s normal. A symptom means something is wrong. The body is sharing that something needs extra attention.

 

Our functional medicine practice (Empower Functional Health) focuses on finding that something. The body is one large system made up of many systems (e.g., immune, digestive, endocrine), but they all work together. Our goal is to find the things at the fundamental root that are causing the symptoms to even occur. Just because you are manifesting mental health symptoms doesn’t mean it’s always a mental health imbalance. It can be that your gut is dysregulated, causing neurotransmitters to work less effectively.

 

We focus on getting to root-cause solutions.

 

We get asked, “I need to heal my gut; What supplement can I use? How do I get to root cause?”

 

Our answer usually is, it depends. It depends on your symptoms and where you’re starting from in your healing journey.

 

One way we get to root-cause healing is through the Personalized Health Plan (PHP).

 

The Personalized Health Plan, formally known as the Symptom Burden Assessment (SBA) Report, is the first step to working with our private practice, Empower Functional Health, as a one-on-one client or patient.

 

The Personalized Health Plan

What is the Personalized Health Plan (PHP)?

 

The PHP is our flagship service for helping us get to root-cause healing solutions.

 

It is a self-guided, in-depth medical and health questionnaire that uses a detailed symptom and lifestyle assessment (Symptom Burden Assessment) to map imbalances across all major systems. The PHP connects your health and medical history, nutrition, and symptoms into a personalized, actionable protocol. We also don’t want to reinvent the wheel. Most of our clients and patients who work with our team are self-learners and seek non-traditional answers, desiring more than what standard care offers. That’s why we ask about detailed history with things tried and protocols attempted—what’s worked and what hasn’t—so we can build on what’s been effective and avoid repeating things that haven’t helped. In our practice, we know too well that you can have the best tool in the world, but if it doesn’t get implemented, it won’t lead to results.

 

Our goal is to make sure the plan we create is both strategic and actionable for our clients.

 

The comprehensive data that we gather is then compiled into a Personalized Health Report, serving as a personalized roadmap that acts as a foundation for root-cause healing.

 

The PHP is something to consider if a diet regimen isn’t working perfectly or if it’s not moving the needle enough on your symptoms. A PHP is recommended if you have been sick for a long time, and are frankly, sick and tired of being sick and tired. The PHP can help you figure out the root cause(s) based on your health history and the symptoms you are experiencing. No one knows your physical and mental symptoms better than you. The power of the PHP is identifying these symptoms through a holistic, functional lens, uncovering what the drivers are, and providing you with a clear path forward.

 

 

The graphic above shares the symptom burden graph (sometimes referred to as the Symptom Burden Assessment or SBA) provided in the PHP.

 

Everything to the left of the red line is what we consider the foundations or root cause. This includes the

 

• Upper GI,
• Liver/Gallbladder
• Small intestine
• Large intestine
• Minerals
• Fatty acids
• Sugar handling

 

We want to focus first on healing these areas.

 

Please note that the upper GI, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, and large intestine are all part of our gut health. This is why gut health matters so much (it also houses most of our self-defense system, AKA the immune system), and understanding this will be important as we go through the PHP results.

 

If any of the foundations are imbalanced, there will eventually be adverse consequences. These consequences are to the right of the red line on the graph. These include:

 

• Vitamin needs
• Adrenals
• Pituitary
• Thyroid
• Male reproduction
• Female reproduction
• Cardiovascular
• Kidney
• Immune system

 

 

An imbalance is anything in the High to Medium Priority range.

 

The above graph indicates a need and support for the Small Intestine. The priority shows high or medium to high.

 

This could mean there are some immune imbalances or compromised immune function, as most of your immune health is in your small intestine. The small intestine is also where nutrients are absorbed, which means we could see a lack of mineral absorption, resulting in a greater need for nutrients.

 

Although the graph does not reflect a strong need for vitamins (“Vitamin Needs”), it is clear that the immune system needs support.

 

The more robust your immune system, the stronger your tolerance to this toxin-filled world.

 

Probiotics may be needed to help rebalance the population in the small intestine, and nutrients may also be needed to help seal the lining of the small intestine. The overarching point of this graphic shows a holistic view of the current burden on the body, felt by the individual at the time of filling out the forms.

 

People also ask us, “What should I take for my gut?” Without taking this assessment, we’re not as certain about what part of the gut needs support.

 

Upper GI (stomach), or GI hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid), will be different from someone with small intestinal needs.

 

It may be that the upper GI needs some hydrochloric acid.

 

The person may need some digestive enzymes. Depending on the body’s ability to break down fat, the liver and gallbladder may also need a different supplement or support.

 

If you struggle with immune health, allergies, and even histamines, you may need the Probiotic Restart Kit. If you have SIBO or leaky gut or have been on multiple rounds of antibiotics, this probiotic kit with a meat-only diet could be extremely beneficial for you.

 

If you don’t have these issues, a quality Gut Healing Kit or a safe detox protocol may be more suitable for your needs.

 

Many clients come to us for thyroid, pituitary, or female reproductive issues, but we usually don’t prioritize those first. If you look at the symptom burden graph, those issues are usually related to one of the root-cause imbalances. As you heal your gut, oftentimes we see the thyroid and reproductive areas improve.

 

Note: There are always nuances and exceptions to the case. If a person has flatlined their cortisol in the morning, then hormones or thyroid function will be addressed.

 

There usually is something else in the foundation’s section that suggests the client needs support. Looking at the graph, the most prevalent deficiency is fatty acids. What questions were answered to produce this result?

 

Let’s take a look.

 

 

While tension headaches at the base of our client’s skull may be fatty acid-related, they also could be related to the adrenals or mineral imbalances. With the practitioner’s review of the symptom burden assessment, we then parse through the different symptoms and consider the client’s symptoms, history, lifestyle, and medical information to see what may be causing the headaches.

 

This is where root-cause healing is so important.

 

Lack of fatty acids can also cause dry skin and dandruff. Lack of fat in your body or your food will start pulling the fat from your skin. It can also be related to candida and muscle fatigue.

 

The graph shows a need for fatty acids. But why is there a need for fatty acids? Does this client eat enough animal fats? Does this client eat fatty fish? Even if the client is consuming fat, is the gut absorbing the fat?

 

Pro-Tip: One way to figure out the latter question is by knowing your bowel movements and consistency. Loose stools can be indicative of not absorbing or assimilating nutrients properly.

 

Omega-3s, the fatty acids from fish, especially DHA and EPA, are essential fats. We noticed a lot of clients are fatty acid deficient, including carnivores. We recommend practitioner-grade, GMP-certified, triglyceride-form high-quality omega-3s or consuming three servings of fatty fish a week.

 

Sometimes our body doesn’t produce enough bile to help the fatty acids break down and remove toxins. Eating more high-quality fat can also support this process. You may see this as liver/gallbladder support.

 

Symptom Burden Conditions

 

Above are the conditions that the client is currently experiencing based on the results from the symptom burden graph. We like to look at the top five based on score, along with the top five based on percentage.

 

CONDITIONS — Top 5 Based On Score

 

 

While hyperglycemia is very low on the list, its percentage indicates a probable case of hyperglycemia or blood sugar dysregulation. From the notes on the symptom burden portion of the PHP, we know this client has diabetes.

 

Likely, her body is still trying to balance blood sugars with a meat-based diet. Her energy is probably fluctuating in the evenings and at night, likely waking up to hypoglycemic events, where her blood sugar drops too low, and she’s awakened with a cortisol output response.

 

Also indicated in the table is GI Hypochlorhydria (deficiency in hydrochloric acid or stomach acid).

 

On the symptom burden graph, the upper GI shows medium priority. Assuming this client is getting omega-3s from meat, she’s likely not breaking down enough nutrients in the stomach or absorbing them in the small intestine.

 

Even if this client consumed significant fish and fatty meats, they would still struggle with nutrient absorption. This person is likely not breaking down most of their food and properly utilizing the nutrients.

 

Since the small intestine is imbalanced, most nutrients are not absorbed, leading to fatty acid deficiency. If this person is also not eating fish, it makes sense why they are fatty acid deficient. The consumption of fish would be indicated on the symptom burden questionnaire.

 

Another condition related to the small intestine is an immune allergy. 80% of your immune system is in your small intestine, and many mast cells are in your small intestine. While removing high histamine foods would help, it does not get to root-cause healing. The better solution would be to fix the gut, where most of your immune health resides.

 

Potential Nutritional Deficiencies

Based on the discussed conditions, below are the potential nutritional deficiencies. Simplistically, the consequences are causing the deficiencies in this picture.

 

 

The first one is essential fatty acids; that’s not a surprise.

 

We would recommend consuming fatty fish and taking a quality omega-3 supplement for a few months for this particular client. After a few months, they can take omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid tests to get a pulse on their fatty acid profile. Tracking symptoms is key here, and seeing if symptoms are improving will be a big indicator of moving in the right direction.

 

The PHP should be taken again after a few months to see any updates and if changes need to be made. The client should notice physical and mental changes. If the priorities are lower and symptoms are reduced overall, the person would taper down on the supplements, and the PHP would be a great indicator of how.

 

The second deficiency, mineral alkaline ash, is related to electrolytes. While we know this person previously had diabetes, the question is, “Does this person also have high blood pressure imbalances?” Does this person wake up multiple times a night? Does this person have restless leg syndrome?

 

These are conversations we would need to have with the client.

 

Vitamin B is B1 (thiamine), and vitamin G is B2 (riboflavin). There’s also B12 and B6. These deficiencies might be from the lack of hydrochloric acid if this person is eating adequate protein. Even if she’s eating meat with substantial sources of B vitamins, a deficiency is still showing.

 

You need thiamine (vitamin B1) for so many different metabolic functions, including mineral balancing. This is why we believe in a more well-balanced carnivore diet (or the rainbow of meats) is beneficial long-term. You can check out our Don’t Eat Just Beef blog post, as pork has the most thiamine.

 

If you eat 16–20 ounces of beef daily, you may only get 30% of your thiamine needs for the day. Whereas if you eat nine ounces of pork belly, you will have your total amount of thiamine for the day.

 

With the symptom burden graph, the symptom burden report, the deficiencies, and the consequences, we can start focusing on a root-cause healing protocol. This comprehensive report and personalized plan are created in the Personalized Health Report, providing you with dietary guidance, supplement protocols, lifestyle recommendations, and more.

 

After years of clinical practice, we see trends with client intake responses and medical histories. We know that as we fine-tune the diet and gut-healing protocols, we may need to consider environment (mold, CIRS), vector-borne illnesses (Lyme and coinfections), and nervous system regulation (trauma, childhood adverse experiences). Not everything is diet, but diet is fundamental to healing. This is why root-cause healing requires a holistic health approach and cannot thrive in a one-trick pony model.

 

Judy’s Personal Healing Journey (In Her Words)

Below you’ll find my personal SBA results. Healing may not always be linear, but it is always possible. You can see my healing journey in a very candid blog post.

 

 

As you can see from the symptom burden graph, I struggled with sugar handling (I was plant-based and ate mostly carbohydrates), and my upper GI needed support.

 

I was deficient in hydrochloric acid and struggled with disordered eating behaviors. I’m certain that the ultra-processed food choices likely caused hydrochloric acid imbalances.

 

I also have been on antibiotics and have taken laxatives that likely messed with my gut, affecting the small and large intestine.

 

What’s helpful about this assessment is that you can track your progression and results. While you are healing, it can be easy to forget some of the healing, especially when you’re still hurting. This symptom burden graph records a period of time, and it’s a great motivating tool when you retake the test.

 

Any amount of healing is still progress. The journey is moving forward day by day.

 

The power of this Personalized Health Plan is that you and only you are taking the same test, answering the way you feel at that very moment. You won’t remember how you answered 400 questions because you answered based on how you felt at that very moment.

 

When I was eating a keto diet, I was still struggling with blood sugar imbalances. Imbalanced sugar handling will impact your cortisol, adversely affecting your adrenals. There’s no surprise that my adrenals were a high priority and needed support.

 

As I worked on my macros, I started taking digestive supplements and my Gut Healing Kit. My favorite was Intestinal Permeability Support (IPS), which focused on strengthening the small intestine. We also did lingual neuro testing on our bodies during nutritional training, and my body reacted very well to IPS. Not everyone who has small intestinal imbalances can take IPS. IPS contains shellfish, and many people are sensitive to shellfish.

 

For me, IPS was a game-changer.

 

In March of 2020, my upper GI and liver needs were in the low priority, which is what we want everyone to achieve. If I only took the test once, I wouldn’t know if there was any positive or negative progression beyond any symptoms I tracked on my own. It’s clear that there’s been healing.

 

This was the result of me:

 

• following a gut-healing supplement protocol
• eating a meat-only diet
• removing processed dairy
• choosing fattier cuts of meat (and adding more fat)
• adding more salmon

 

In 2020, nothing was showing up as a priority for my thyroid. I took no thyroid medication. As I worked on balancing the root cause areas, my gut health, minerals, fatty acids, and sugar handling, all other focus areas have consequently reduced in priority.

 

This is what I define as root-cause healing.

 

Since working on my gut, I no longer take a lot of these supplements. Sometimes I will take a high-quality omega-3 supplement because I don’t eat enough fish.

 

I can tell the difference with my skin (it gets dry without enough fatty fish). My muscles tend to feel weak when climbing stairs. This is why I recommend eating at least three servings of fatty fish a week. I shared more about this in a YouTube video.

 

Sometimes I’ll take a probiotic or immunoglobulin once a year for upkeep. I can’t help it, I’m a practitioner. 

 

Nowadays, (as I’m updating this in 2025), I will take a binder, especially when I know I’ve been exposed to toxins. I’ll take supports when needed, but I try to let my body do its job.

 

In Closing

Taking the time to heal will allow you to better listen to your body. We may not always live a perfectly balanced life, but knowledge is power. We encourage everyone who wants to heal to start with the Personalized Health Plan.

 

You no longer have to guess which supplement or nutrient your body needs. You’ll also learn if there are other areas to consider for root-cause healing. If you have Hashimoto’s and have only focused on thyroid health and reducing antibodies, maybe there is something more root-cause, and a Hashimoto’s diagnosis is actually a symptom. Yes, we’ve seen this in our practice. 

 

The PHP is the first step to working with our private practice, Empower Functional Health. Without the PHP, we don’t have adequate information about the client to start the one-on-one sessions.

 

 You will receive a comprehensive Personalized Health Plan with

 

• A full organ system assessment (gut function, adrenals, thyroid, hormones, immune, minerals, and more)
• A symptom burden score tied to your top health concerns
• Dietary protocol with custom macros based on metabolic needs
• Hydration strategy, including electrolyte balance and mineral guidance
• Personalized supplement plan (digestive function, nutrient repletion, support for high-burden systems)
• Carnivore Cure-based elimination and reintroduction tips
• Sample day of meals with meat-based food options
• Lifestyle and mind-body recommendations for sleep, stress, and movement
• A review of potential nutrient depletions tied to symptoms or medications
• Detoxification and nervous system support strategies
• Food sensitivity self-testing and meal timing advice
• Supplement discounts and EFH-exclusive resources
• Recommendations for future testing (if applicable)

 

If you are tired of being unwell, the PHP allows you to finally start figuring out what is going on and how to best support yourself to get to root-cause healing.

 

The PHP can be taken now and again in four to six months. This will track your results and help identify what supplements or dietary changes you need to make with the new results.

 

With ♥ and hope for healing,

 

Work With Our Trusted Carnivore Diet Functional Medicine Practitioners

Our Empower Functional Health practice is honored to be trusted carnivore diet functional medicine practitioners, supporting patients and clients from around the globe. We’re passionate about helping individuals achieve root-cause healing in order to live the life they are meant to, nearly symptom-free. We provide nutritional thought leadership and evidence-based insights, paired with clinical pearls, to help you achieve your wellness goals. We welcome you to explore our free resources, and if you find that self-troubleshooting falls short, we’re here to guide you with personalized support and protocols. Our Personalized Health Plan (PHP) is the ideal starting point for uncovering your root causes. 

 

DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only. While we are board-certified in holistic nutrition and are functional practitioners, we are not providing medical advice. Whenever you start a new diet or protocol, always consult with your trusted practitioner first.