A Quest for Lasting Health

Hello, I'm Preeti Raheja, a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P), National Board-Certified Health Coach (NBC-HWC), a former software engineer, and the mother of two young adults. I know what it's like to grapple with chronic health issues. Just like you, I've faced the challenges of weight gain, brain fog, debilitating fatigue, painful periods, joint pain, high cholesterol, allergies, mold exposure, inflammation, skin problems, and more. My personal journey into functional health coaching has been deeply transformative, and I hope my story inspires you to embark on a journey to improved health and a life filled with vitality.

Resilience in the Face of Challenges

From a young age, I encountered a series of health hurdles. Chronic bronchitis, environmental allergies, and sinusitis were my constant companions. I was a "mouth breather," and my father's smoking habit only exacerbated my struggles. Prescribed antibiotics for chronic bronchitis, I endured prolonged coughs and endless courses of medication.

In my 20s, a demanding career, fertility issues, miscarriages, hyperhidrosis, and high cholesterol added to my health challenges. My life was a whirlwind of activity, and I embraced the type-A personality – working hard, playing hard, and striving for perfection. Financial stress and a husband frequently away for work further complicated the picture.

Motherhood's Unique Challenges

Motherhood arrived in my 30s, but it brought its own set of hurdles. Both my children faced extensive immune issues and food allergies, necessitating meticulous meal preparation. Over the next two decades, I explored numerous doctors, researched books, and sought remedies to heal their food allergies and eczema. Despite my efforts, the only solutions offered were multiple prescribed medications, inhalers, steroids, allergy shots, and biologics to manage the symptoms. My life became a whirlwind of overscheduling, with meals devoured in the car between activities. While managing my children's demanding schedules, I began noticing unwelcome changes in my own health.

The Onset of Perimenopause

Entering my late 30s and 40s, I found myself grappling with belly weight gain, low libido, anemia, and chronic fatigue, despite adhering to a diligent diet and exercise regimen. I became entangled in a cycle of trial and error, visiting countless doctors who couldn't provide answers. I resorted to over-the-counter pain relievers just to cope with daily life. It was apparent that something was amiss, but my lab results consistently returned as "normal," with some physicians even suggesting my issues were purely psychological.

The Turning Point: Stage 4 Endometriosis

In 2018, I reached a breaking point. Chronic pelvic pain became unbearable, and I appeared six months pregnant due to stage 4 endometriosis, adenomyosis, and massive ovarian cysts. An abnormal mammogram added to my concerns. I learned I was at higher risk for breast and ovarian cancer. Shockingly, my endometriosis had gone undiagnosed for two decades, leading to a surgery that thrust me into surgical menopause. It was a bewildering experience, and I struggled to comprehend what was happening to my body.

Navigating Surgical Menopause

My life took an unexpected turn as I faced surgical menopause. Hormones plummeted, and I traded one set of problems for another. Sweating profusely, hot flashes, hair loss, extreme fatigue, zero libido, severe brain fog, anxiety, insomnia – my world turned upside down. I could barely muster the energy to get out of bed each day. It was a stark contrast to the vitality I once knew.

Seeking Answers and Becoming a Health Advocate

Desperate for answers, I sought help from a functional doctor, my first venture into alternative medicine. While supplements replaced drugs, something still felt amiss. It was during this period that I discovered the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) and delved into various dietary theories, nutrition science, and holistic practices to heal my family and myself. The journey was so transformative that I decided to make it my career, becoming a board-certified health coach.

The Missing Piece: Functional Health and FDN

While IIN emphasized nourishing the mind, body, and spirit with nutrient-dense foods and balancing primary foods like relationships, finances, and physical health, something was still missing. The cycle of trial and error persisted. With my background in software architecture and engineering, I yearned for data and analysis. My passion for solving puzzles led me to Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN), a data-driven approach to functional wellness. FDN focuses on resolving the root causes of chronic symptoms and diseases through functional labs. Through my functional training, it became clear to me that allopathic medicine, though effective in acute care, often falls short of understanding and addressing the root causes of chronic issues. Allopathic medicine tends to offer medications and surgeries to manage symptoms, allowing underlying problems to worsen. In contrast, the functional model believes that the root cause is typically far removed from the symptom that initially presents itself. Doctors often miss how seemingly unrelated symptoms are interconnected if they only looked upstream. Functional lab testing revealed that I was living with severe HPA axis dysfunction, estrogen dominance, liver congestion, multiple gut infections, food sensitivities, and more. By piecing the puzzle and addressing these imbalances one by one, I've made incredible progress in my health. I understand my hormones and no longer rely on allergy medications, rarely fall ill, have regained my energy, witnessed the lifting of brain fog, and experienced improvements in memory and cognitive function. I sleep better and think better.

Empowering Women in Mid-Life

Through my quest for answers, I realized that countless women around me silently endure similar struggles. It's time to break the silence and open the dialogue about women's health. My experiences with endometriosis and a pre-cancer warning have been my greatest teachers, revealing that our health is our most valuable asset. I wish I knew then what I know now about metabolic and hormonal health. This wake-up call empowered me to redefine my career path and how I wanted to live my life. While I cherish technology, functional health coaching provides fulfillment in leading a more purpose-driven life, restoring health one person at a time. My own experiences underscored the toll of my type-A, multitasking lifestyle on my health. It became evident that I couldn't care for others without valuing my own well-being.

A Wake-Up Call

My struggles emphasized the importance of taking ownership of our health. Health is our most precious asset, and no job title or salary can replace it. I learned that true success begins with being healthy in mind, body, and spirit.

A Journey of Growth and Gratitude

My wellness journey, though marked by challenges, has been my greatest gift. It has deepened my empathy and compassion. My struggles with fertility fueled my determination to be the best mother I could be. Watching my parents’ health deteriorate now in their 70s and 80s, has helped me understand the importance of living with gratitude, building strong connections, and implementing a healthy vision for the future. I plan to age gracefully by instilling those habits now.

My Mission: Empower, Educate, and Transform

I believe in a proactive, root-cause approach to health. Instead of chasing symptoms with medication and then more medications to address the side effects, I'm here to empower you with knowledge and strategies to rebuild and restore your vitality today. Together, we can build healthy habits and lifestyles to thrive at every stage of life.

Listening to Your Body

In the world of specialized care, it's easy to overlook the interconnectedness of our health. Everything is linked – from metabolic health to external stressors and emotional well-being. Symptoms are whispers from your body that grow louder if ignored. Together, we can decipher their messages.

A Vision for Better Health

Did you know that almost 70% adults are on at least one medication and that over 80% of chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer, stem from lifestyle choices? They are startling facts, but it's also a promise of hope. What is your vision for health in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years? Prioritizing metabolic health and making informed choices can transform our lives.

Your Body's Innate Healing Power

Your body has a remarkable ability to heal itself with the right conditions. The FDN framework has been proven and helped over 10,000 clients over 20 years in their health journey. You're not alone; I'll be by your side every step of the way.

Your Path to Renewed Health Begins Here

I hope that sharing my story inspires you to take control of your health journey. Your well-being is your most precious asset, and therefore the greatest investment anyone can make in themselves. You deserve to enjoy every moment of your life. Health is not a destination but a continuous journey, and your golden years should be filled with vibrant, high-quality living.

Ready to Thrive? Reach Out Today

Your journey toward optimal health starts now. Let's embark on this transformative path together to create a life and future filled with energy, free from disease, and vitality. Contact me to schedule a free consultation, and let's redefine your health story. It's time to celebrate your incredible journey of well-being.