Understanding Immune Dysfunction
The Many Faces of Immune Dysregulation and Chronic Inflammation: Chronic Infections, Atopy, and Autoimmune Disorders
The innate immune system is the gatekeeper for coordinating the body’s entire immune response, and over the last decade, a growing body of knowledge on the clinical impacts of unbalanced innate immunity has begun to make an impact in the treatment of immune-related disorders. Functional medicine teaches that immune imbalance, while often resulting from a genetic disposition and environmental factors, will generally arise in the context of one or more of the following: the habitual consumption of a proinflammatory diet; food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances; microbial infections; hormonal imbalances; nutritional insufficiencies; and xenobiotic exposure. How can dietary and lifestyle modifications help return the immune system to a state of balance? Learn more below.
This module will focus on chronic inflammation, systemic influences on the immune system, and the consequent dysfunction that may ensue. The Immune APM will supply clinicians with an in-depth understanding of underlying immune mechanisms and offer effective interventions to use even in the absence of a conventional diagnosis.
- Recognize patterns of chronic inflammation or immune dysfunction that will help guide overall evaluation and treatment of patients.
- Broadly understand the physiology and pathophysiology associated with inflammation and immune dysregulation and their associations with systemic disease.
- Elicit and recognize important history and physical exam findings associated with immune dysregulation and inflammation so as to counsel patients appropriately on evaluation and treatment options.
- Evaluate and recognize the most important underlying antecedents, triggers, and mediators of immune dysfunction and inflammation.
- Reframe the patient’s story in the context of the functional medicine matrix model and a patient-centered assessment, with incorporation of the concepts of antecedents, triggers, and mediators.
- Learn how to evaluate the most useful and reliable laboratory tests associated with immune dysfunction and inflammation.
- Develop and organize individual treatment protocols that include dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and botanical treatments.

Immune Related Articles
Who is AFMCP designed for?
IFM encourages a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. We welcome a variety of licensed healthcare disciplines to AFMCP, including MDs, DOs, NDs, DCs, physician assistants, nursing professionals, and nutrition professionals.
Can I take another course before taking AFMCP?
Many learners find taking AFMCP first helps them to understand IFM’s proprietary tools, such as the Functional Medicine Matrix, and provides context for the skills, processes, and science behind incorporating Functional Medicine principles into practice. The course is offered multiple times each year in order to meet the needs of clinicians wishing to begin their IFM education with AFMCP. However, AFMCP is not a prerequisite to take any IFM course if you are comfortable with the material to be presented.
Will I be certified as a Functional Medicine practitioner after attending AFMCP?
No. AFMCP is one of seven required courses in the IFM Certification Program. In addition to AFMCP, you must complete the six Advanced Practice Modules as required coursework for the IFM Certification Program.
Will I be listed on the Find A Practitioner search after I attend AFMCP?
After attending AFMCP, you will be eligible to list your profile in our Find A Practitioner search as long as you are also enrolled in the IFM Membership Program. Before your profile is listed, however, you must fill in your practice information within your account profile to activate your profile to appear in the search.

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