The typical aging processes can be characterized by a gradual alteration and essential breakdown of the functional systems of the body. Numerous factors play important roles in the alterations of these pathways from biochemical individuality and genetic predisposition to environmental insults and deficiency states.1 Clinical research, as but one example, has clearly documented the role of free radicals (ROS) or oxidative injury in disease and aging affecting the body's basic cellular structures.

The objective of functional or health assessments is to be able to detect in vivo stresses and imbalances in the biological systems, while the patient is asymptomatic, so that early therapeutic intervention can resolve the problems prior to disease onset or accelerated aging. The ability to assess risk factors and treat the sub-clinical metabolic toxicities, deficiency states, hormonal imbalances, oxidative injury (ROS), immunodeficiencies, enzyme down regulations, antioxidant status, metal toxicities, cardiovascular stresses, organ reserves/stresses and detox systems in a low-complexity, cost-effective office procedure is true preventive medicine.