The beauty of the functional medicine approach is that it is applicable to a wide range of conditions and diseases. It is safe, effective, and beneficial to those who want to achieve an improved state of health and prevent future illness, as well as those who are suffering from a chronic condition and taking multiple medications.
The clinical approach of functional medicine is to search for the root cause of the disease or condition. The clinician is always asking “why did this symptom start?” and “why now?” and "What else is contributing?". Causes of any disease could be nutrient imbalances, hormonal disruption, poor metabolic health, unfavorable gut health, environmental toxins, inadequate sleep, chronic stress, suboptimal diet, inappropriate or inadequate exercise, chronic infections or a combination of a few of these. Two people may be diagnosed with the same disease, but the cause is often different in each case.
The therapeutic treatment plan is different for every patient who works with Sutton Wellness. Finding the underlying triggers and creating in individualized treatment plan makes the functional medicine approach so effective for a variety of conditions.
The Functional Medicine model is an individualized, science-based approach that relies on a detailed understanding of each patient’s environmental, biochemical, and lifestyle factors, to create personalized treatment plans. By addressing root cause, rather than symptoms, practitioners may find one condition with many different causes and, likewise, one cause resulting in many different conditions. As a result, Functional Medicine treatment targets the specific manifestations of disease in each individual.
Hippocrates famously said, “All disease begins in the gut.” Modern medicine increasingly supports this idea, as research continues to support that the microbiome plays a foundational role in overall health. The gastrointestinal system influences many critical body systems, including immune function, hormone regulation, and mental health.
When the gut is inflamed or not functioning optimally, it can contribute to or worsen a wide range of conditions from immune dysregulation to mood disorders and hormonal imbalance. The gut is also where nutrients are absorbed. If absorption is impaired, essential vitamins and minerals may not be adequately utilized, disrupting key biochemical processes the body relies on for energy, repair, and balance.
Beth completed advanced training with the Microbiome Restoration Center, studying under Dr. Jason Hawrelak, a globally recognized expert in the clinical treatment of gastrointestinal disease and microbiome-related conditions. After months of intensive study, she earned certification as a Microbiome Restoration Center Certified Practitioner.
Because the gut microbiome plays a central role in shaping inflammation throughout the body, nearly all Sutton Wellness patients undergo a comprehensive gastrointestinal evaluation. This assessment helps establish a strong foundation for care and allows treatment plans to be tailored with precision, addressing root causes rather than symptoms alone.
GERD
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Food Allergies / Intolerances
Yeast Overgrowth
Small Intestinal Bowel Overgrowth
Sutton Wellness uses genomics testing (IntellxxDNA) to better understand each patient’s unique biological “blueprint.” This testing evaluates how genes influence key systems such as inflammation, detoxification, neurotransmitters, hormone balance, and immune function—insights that are often not revealed through standard laboratory testing alone.
Beth has incorporated genomics into patient care since the beginning of her practice as a nurse practitioner and has consistently found it to be a valuable tool in helping patients move toward their health goals. In addition to guiding care for chronic and complex conditions, genomic testing is also an excellent tool in preventive medicine, helping identify potential vulnerabilities early so proactive steps can be taken to support long-term health.
When used thoughtfully and in context, genomics can reduce trial-and-error care and allow for more personalized, strategic decision-making. If you’re interested in learning how genomic testing may help improve your health and quality of life, consider scheduling a Discovery Call.
Mycotoxins, harmful compounds produced by certain molds, can have a profound impact on health when exposure occurs in a person’s home, workplace, or school. For some individuals, ongoing exposure becomes an unrecognized driver of chronic illness or a factor that significantly worsens pre-existing conditions. Because symptoms are often multisystem and nonspecific, mycotoxin-related illness is frequently overlooked.
Research and clinical experience suggest that mycotoxin exposure may contribute to or exacerbate conditions affecting the neurologic, immune, endocrine, and gastrointestinal systems. These may include cognitive and behavioral disorders, autoimmune disease, dysautonomia, mast cell activation, hormone imbalance, and chronic inflammatory conditions of the gut. In susceptible individuals, exposure can impair detoxification pathways, disrupt immune regulation, and increase systemic inflammation—making recovery difficult without addressing the environmental source.
Beth has trained extensively in identifying and managing mycotoxin-related illness under the mentorship of Dr. Neil Nathan and Dr. Jill Crista, both internationally respected leaders in the field of environmental medicine. This training informs a careful, evidence-based approach to determining when mycotoxins may be contributing to a patient’s symptoms and how to safely guide recovery.
Homes and buildings in the Washington DC Metro Area, where Sutton Wellness is located, are particularly prone to water damage due to high humidity, aging infrastructure, and construction practices that can promote mold growth. For this reason, environmental exposure is thoughtfully considered as a potential contributor when evaluating complex or unexplained chronic illness.
Hormones play a vital role in every system of the body, affecting energy, mood, metabolism, sleep, cognition, fertility, and overall resilience. Hormonal imbalances can affect both women and men at every stage of life, not just during midlife or menopause. When hormones are out of balance or when key hormones are deficient, daily functioning can suffer and symptoms can become disruptive or overwhelming.
Hormone imbalances often occur downstream of chronic illness, inflammation, or prolonged stress, but they can also be the primary driver of symptoms themselves. In these cases, addressing hormones directly may be necessary to help the body regain stability, vitality, and normal function. For some patients, this includes carefully considered hormone replacement therapy, used when appropriate and guided by clinical history, symptoms, and objective data.
Beth has advanced training in hormone health and received certification as a Midlife Specialist through an organization formerly known as Wise and Well. She is a member of the Women's Hormone Network, where she has completed extensive training in evidence-based hormone care. Beth is also a member of and has trained with FACTS About Fertility, an organization dedicated to providing medical professionals with evidence-based education to empower individuals and couples in understanding and supporting reproductive health. This comprehensive training allows hormonal concerns to be addressed thoughtfully—recognizing when hormones are a downstream signal of deeper imbalance and when direct intervention is necessary to restore health and quality of life.
PCOS
Menstrual Irregularity
Infertility
Perimenopause
Menopause
Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are far more common and complex than many people realize. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 476,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year. Of those, an estimated 10–20% go on to develop Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), experiencing persistent symptoms despite standard treatment.
Patients with Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections often report long diagnostic journeys, having seen multiple physicians and specialists without clear answers or meaningful relief. Because symptoms can be multi-system and mimic other conditions, tick-borne illnesses are frequently overlooked or under-recognized in conventional medical settings, leaving patients feeling isolated, unheard, and unsure of where to turn.
While these conditions can be complex, there is a path forward. Identifying and treating TBDs requires a clinician skilled in recognizing nuanced presentations, ordering appropriate testing, and developing individualized treatment plans that address both infection and its downstream effects on the immune, neurologic, and metabolic systems.
Beth is a member of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS). She has completed ILADS foundational training and is currently working toward Fellowship certification. Beth has also received extensive training under Dr. Tom Moorcroft, a nationally recognized expert in TBDs, and is an active member of his Lyme Disease Practitioners Group. This advanced training supports a thoughtful, evidence-informed approach to helping patients move forward with clarity, support, and hope.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasingly common, with current estimates indicating that approximately 1 in 36 children in the US have an autism diagnosis. While autism is often discussed in behavioral or developmental terms, growing research supports the understanding of autism as a complex, chronic neuro-immune condition that affects multiple systems in the body.
A well-known autism researcher once remarked, “If you can treat autism, you can treat all complex chronic illness.” This perspective reflects the reality that many children and adults on the spectrum experience far more than neurologic differences alone. Common underlying contributors may include chronic gastrointestinal dysfunction, genetic variations, immune dysregulation, subclinical infections (including tick-borne illness), impaired mitochondrial function, and increased vulnerability to environmental toxins.
Behavioral and cognitive challenges are often outward manifestations of these deeper biologic imbalances.
Both children and adults on the autism spectrum can experience meaningful improvements in health, cognition, and function when these contributing factors are thoughtfully addressed using individualized, biomedical approaches. Care is focused on identifying and supporting the systems that influence brain function, resilience, and overall well-being.
Beth is a member of the Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs (MAPS) and regularly attends professional conferences to remain current with evolving research and treatment strategies for individuals on the spectrum. As a mother to a son with autism, Beth brings both clinical expertise and personal understanding to her work. She approaches care with persistence, compassion, and a commitment to leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of improved health and quality of life.
Beth has also received advanced training through the Doniparthi Neurogen Academy under the guidance of Dr. Krishna Donaparthi, where she learned to incorporate fatty acids, phospholipids, and plasmalogens to support cellular repair, neurologic health, and regeneration.
PANS and PANDAS are conditions in which brain inflammation occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy brain tissue, often following an infection. This autoimmune response can disrupt normal central nervous system function and lead to dramatic changes in a child’s behavior, emotions, and cognition.
Because these symptoms can appear abruptly and often resemble primary psychiatric or behavioral conditions, PANS/PANDAS is frequently misunderstood or missed, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Without proper recognition, families may struggle for months or years without answers, while symptoms continue to impact daily life.
Beth has trained under the mentorship of Dr. Nancy O'Hara, a nationally recognized leader in PANS/PANDAS care. This specialized training allows her to recognize symptom patterns, perform an appropriate and thorough medical workup, and guide families toward a clear path forward. With early recognition and targeted treatment, many children and adolescents experience meaningful improvement, allowing them and their families to begin living fully again.


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