Join the Revolution to Reinvent Healthcare - and Create a Practice You Love

Easy read, which is SORELY needed in the world of medicine today. In my mind, it's one of the "best practices", that we can only HOPE that the professional community will follow, and include us, patients.

Kresser points out many shortcomings of conventional medicine and proposes how to fix things up with “functional medicine”. He makes many good arguments. However, the main thrust of his manifesto is apparent in the first 50 pages, thereafter it is just details and a sales pitch for the courses at his institute (And a drag to read too). Could have been shorter! Also, I don’t believe medicine needs to be divided up into conventional versus functional medicine. There are only two types of medicine; medicine that works and medicine that does not; no need for the new dichotomy he created. “Conventional Medicine” should take on board his suggestions.

For some time now, I've looked forward to getting care from the new kind of doctor I've heard about, but it was just a vague dream. I've had unfortunate experiences of the kind described in this book, and I knew there was something better out there, but I didn't have a clear path toward it. This book told me exactly what to look for and what to expect from a functional medicine practitioner, and with the included resources, it even helped me find several in my area. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this.

This book provides a much-needed road-map for health professionals that are fed up with mainstream medicine's rushed, symptom-quenching, over-prescribing mentality and who wish to do something about it. Functional medicine is truly the future of health care and I feel that this book can greatly assist in making that happen, both by raising awareness and by providing practical guidance.

I found Chris Kresser and his book through Joe Rogan's podcast. While I am into "alternative" medicine, diet and health, I don't buy whatever is being sold, so to speak. Common sense and skepticism go a long way. That said, I had high hopes for this book.
Those hopes were quickly dashed in the first 100 or so pages. Anyone who has been to a doctor in an urban/suburban area in the last decade knows there is a problem; it doesnt take a 300 page book to illustrate this fact. If you've taken a walk or people-watched lately you also know that the average person is getting larger. Again, a 300 page book is not needed I prove this fact.
However, between mentions of his ADAPT framework and case studies whose issue is resolved by removing gluten from the diet, this is essentially what "Unconventional Medicine" consists of.
Natural medicine; treating the root cause rather than simply treating symptoms, is a no brainer. Chris' main premise is correct. We should all be much more proactive when it comes to our health. The issue here is that this presented as a novel concept with many times, less than anecdotal evidence to support the opinions contained therein. There is nothing new here, and if there are GP's out there switching their approach based simply on the contents of this book, I'm very afraid. I'm quite certain that my (ex)GP, who spends 7 minutes with me and gets antsy when I ask questions maintains his schedule because he likes his BMW 6-Series, his big house and his bank account, NOT because he's being forced into it by the insurance companies. Chris makes the GP the victim here, as the GP is part of his target demographic. In reality the GP shares the blame for our current state of health affairs right along with insurance companies and "big pharma". GPs are just less likely to invest in your product if you share that truth.
My gripe is only compounded by the fact that Chris' "practice" receives less than stellar reviews (do a google search), with many reviewers singling Chris out as being cold, mechanical and possessing a poor bedside manner. This after writing a book about a better patient experience!

Ultimately, after about the 20'th time I read the term "ADAPT framework" I realized that this book was more marketing piece than informational or self help. Sure enough, on the Kresser institute site Chris is selling access to his training program for $40-some a month.

Unconventional Medicine is a sales piece. There are much better sources available.

It's no secret that "conventional" medicine is failing people. Rather than popping a pill for every ill, symptoms can be important indicators that something is out of balance in the body as whole. While some people might just want the symptom to go away and not have to think about its implications, plenty of thinking people out there aren't crazy about the idea of taking something to make the symptom go away without looking at the underlying cause. They know from the long list of potential side effects that the standard pharmaceutical approach to health may cause as many if not more problems that it solves. Chris Kresser's Unconventional Medicine is a readable, thoughtful introduction to functional medicine, a new paradigm of thinking in medicine that takes into account how different system in the body impact one another, and, like traditional medicine frameworks of Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, seeks to treat not only the symptom, but the root cause. Chris points out the disservice the medical establishment does to patients by purporting that the real power is in chemical medicine while downplaying the potency of lifestyle and diet changes in reversing the course of disease. An important read for patients and practitioners alike.

I've been following Chris Kresser's impressive and healing work for a few years now. Still, I found some new information and totally enjoyed reading Unconventional Medicine. The content held my interest and is written in a way to be easily understood by non practicing medical professionals. That's me. I'm a retired truck driver, always looking for ways to improve the quality of my life. Thanks to Chris Kresser and folks who know there's a better way, I've remained drug free and in good health at the age of 61.

Parents need this book! The odds have been getting worse year after year, that children will live a long and happy life, free from disease. This is not normal. Please wake up!

I've been unsatisfied with our corporate health care system for a very long time. It never made sense to me; diagnose in 15 minutes and then medicate in an endless loop; one drug eventually followed-up by another.

If you are a medical professional at any level, you need to read this book! It must be daunting to see patient after patient slowly decline over the years, despite medical / ploypharmaceutical intervention. People deserve better, and the book Unconventional Medicine can lead others to discover how to gain and sustain a higher quality of life - without a cabinet full of pills! There's a better way for patients and Doctors as well.

So guess what! -> Just read this book!

Due to the circumstances in my own life regarding health care - both for myself and my family - I had begun thinking a fair amount over the last 18 months about both how the health system especially in the US is broken and what to do to fix it.

When I listened to Chris summarizing this book, and then even more so when I read the book, it felt like a series of lights going off. Chris was articulating things that I'd been reaching for, and putting it all into an actionable framework. My own personal focus is on the flow of data, creating more evidence-based science using grass-roots techniques, and the role of the support network of coaches and those of us who have come out the other side of crippling chronic conditions. Unconventional medicine helps me frame my thinking in an organized way that also makes it feel like part of something larger and coherent.

Outstanding and refreshing! I'm a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP) and have referred many of my clients out to Functional Medicine Doctors, Naturopaths, and Chiropractors, yet stay in the loop and provide the nutritional support needed. I work with drivers in the long haul trucking industry and they face many health problems. Using the model in this book we have had tremendous success helping them lose weight, reverse type 2 diabetes, lower blood pressure, reduce or eliminate inflammation, improve sleep, fix digestive issues and eliminate autoimmune conditions. I can't recommend this book and Chris Kresser's material enough. If you are any kind of a health practitioner, this is gold. If you are an individual that wants to take control of your own health, read this book, and share it!

If you are frustrated with the current state of our healthcare system you must read this book. Chris Kresser lays out a realistic plan that addresses the major shortcomings of our broken system. We are plagued with chronic diseases and there is no promising plan in place to address this dilemma. Giving doctors minimal exposure time with patients and masking symptoms with meds is not working. A patient deserves to have someone get to the true root cause of their issues and to provide a comprehensive plan and support to help them be successful. This book dives into a framework that does just that. Chris Kresser is a leader in functional medicine and has created a tremendous amount of educational material and programs to help others. Check out his books and website so you too can help yourself or your loved ones. I guarantee you will not regret the time or money you dedicate to learning what he has to say.

An eye-opening journey into the state of healthcare today and a fascinating read for anyone who has been getting the run around from their doctors or who is involved in the functional medicine community.

Chris systematically outlines concerning issues with modern healthcare and what we can do as patients and health practitioners to change it for the better. It is empowering and extremely informative.

My own personal journey has been summarized by years of doctor's visits that resulted in nothing more than doctors artfully explaining to me why they can't help me. The most interesting of quotes that doctors have shared with me over the last 5 years of visits in trying to find help throught the Kaiser system of Doctors and Specialists; "Do you think you are just depressed and there is a deeper issue here?," and a particularly interesting one, "Doctor: Just avoid the foods that cause the symptoms, ME: I get symptoms within 60 to 90 minutes of eating all foods, Doctor: Then you must avoid all foods that cause the symptoms," and my personal favorite, "Do you think you just have a phobia of food?" Statements like these from some of Kaiser's top GI specialists and family doctors that I have known for most of my life are alarming, to say the least.

The fundamental precepts of this book were foundational in finding healing for the first time and hope for the long term. More than that, Chris' book provides a needed perspective and lays the groundwork for meaningful change for our healthcare system, a must read!

I've been passionate about real health reform for quite a while, and am so grateful to Chris Kresser for taking the lead. The 'health care system' is upside down, it is leaders who are knowledgeable in Functional Medicine like Chris who will turn it right side up. Chris is brilliant, a superb teacher and he cares most that people approach their health in restorative fashion with root cause analysis, rather than treating one problem while ignoring other imbalances. In this book you will learn from the case studies and gain valuable insights on what a transformed health care delivery system looks like.
The chronic disease burden in the US is alarming, and the projections moving forward are staggering. This alone is a compelling reason to adopt these Functional Medicine principles. But an even bigger reason- they work. Restoring lives, healing people, the possibilities are limitless. Shout out to Chris Kresser for his tireless dedication to real health reform.

As an Integrative Health Coach and Functional Medicine Practitioner, I've been following Chris Kresser for years, back slightly before "paleo" and "ancestral" became everyday words for most of us.

He is SPOT ON with the fact that not only are we heading into a healthcare crisis, we are deep in it. I know this. I've worked in conventional medicine for 30 years and have been transforming to a functional/integrative approach over the last few years. It is the only thing that will save medicine, save practitioners and save lives.

I am a holistic Nurse Practitioner practicing in the conventional health care system and many of Chris's observations about where our health care system is failing us rings true. I think this is a great book for both the general public and health care professionals to read to understand where we could do things differently by embracing a different approach to chronic illness than allopathic pharmaceutical based treatments.

Clear evidence on why our current system is failing. A science based plan and direction for how to create the change we need for better health and reduce the incidence of chronic illnesses. It is so right on, that its hard to believe this is not the "norm". Completely inspired me to add Health Coach to my Physical Therapy degree so I can be a part of the shift! Lets roll!

Few disagree that our health system needs improvement. Unconventional Medicine teaches practitioners what they need to change to more effectively address the tsunami of chronic disease that is coming to light. But perhaps even more importantly, it teaches health consumers how to be unconventional in their own pursuit of improved health care. Powerful simplicity for everyone, in words that work.

This easy-to-understand book is for patient, healthcare provider, or anyone else invested in the healthcare system or their own health. It clearly identifies the current "elephant in the room" problem with our current system of addressing chronic disease, and the related ripple effect it has on our health individually and on the economy as a whole.

Chris clearly has done his research and distills the nitty gritty details down to an understandable, logical manifesto. I highly recommend this as a read to anyone who wants to "Be The Change They Want To See In The World."

Chris Kresser did a wonderful job in this job explaining why and how we need to reinvent the healthcare system. We can't keep doing what we're doing and expect different results. I love functional medicine and the approach that is given. If you're ready to find out how we can turn conventional medicine into unconventional, you need to pick up a copy of this book! Chris Kresser lays out the framework that is NEEDED! Great book!

Chris is well researched, balanced in his approach and passionate about getting to the root cause of our health issues. This book gives scientifically researched direction for healing to those failed by conventional approach to healthcare - both patients and doctors. Refreshing and practical steps towards a sustainable model of health is available, can be applied and results are unmistakable. Thank you, Chris, for spreading the word, leading us and teaching us.

Hey Chris.
Just finished reading your book and wanted to congratulate you in advance on what I am sure will be another great personal success.
You presentation of functional medicine as a profound platform for recovering our collective health was clear, unambiguous and presents patients with both concrete options as well as setting realistic expectations. Bravo!
Viva la revolution!
Also, it was an honor to have my journey be mentioned in your book.
All the best,
Christian

As a registered nurse I have been looking for something to revive my passion for treating and caring for patients. I haven’t quite found my niche in nursing to determine the path I’d like to take as a nurse practitioner. After reading this I believe it has revealed my purpose and given me back the drive and motivation to pursue this as the future of medicine.

Easy, informative read that effectively sums up the dire state of our US healthcare system while offering a hopeful and timely solution. Functional medicine has guided me to be the clinician I initially went to school to become. A must read for any clinician who wishes to BE the the change they wish to see in the world!

Absolutely incredible information. A must read for everyone. I wish doctors would actually treat the whole person and the root of the problem like he described.
Only negative about this book, the author/narrator has the MOST monotone voice and was nearly putting us to sleep.....still amazing info tho!

As with his first book, Chris again delivers a thorough investigation of our current health crisis due to chronic disease, with clear options on how our health care systems need to change to ward off catastrophic consequences. Cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Chris Kresser does a great job in addressing the problem conventional medicin has with chronic disease and gives very understandable alternative that really can make a difference in peoples lives.
I highly recommend to everybody who is possibly dealing with health problems or work in healthcare. This is an eyeopener!
I've had my own health problems and it's so clear to me that conventional medicin couldn't help me.
Thank You Chris for your earlier books, website, podcast and now this new book.
You have really helped me and my family too.

Unconventional medicine by @chriskresser came out today. I've read it already on Kindle while I was on my nutrition coaching certification.

The book is great and the content is beyond important. While it focuses on the US health care system, the ideas are equally true for other countries too.

If we want to have real health care we need to understand that the current situation isn't working. It's not made to treat chronic illness in the amount and intensity we force it to.

That's why the costs explode and ultimately will make either health care too expensive too uphold or force countries into bankruptcy.

@chriskresser made a fantastic job highlighting this, all the while showing that conventional medicine still is relevant and important.
But functional medicine has and needs it's place too.

All of us need to participate in this change, all of us have the power to be this change.
I try to understand nutrition, movement, sleep and breath in a way that will let me coach and help people to establish a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

What will you do to make a difference?

I have been following Kresser for a long time and was so excited to see this book come out. As a functional medicine practitioner, I have been feeling what he's explained for a long time. Our healthcare systems are totally unsustainable and as a result, so are our governments. This book lays out the big difference between conventional care and functional medicine in an easy to understand way and how medicine can actually help resolve chronic disease and bring people back to full function. It's for patients who want hope for a better system, practitioners that want to really help people and anyone who's interested in how to make a healthier world. A must read!