Autoimmune conditions occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, leading to chronic inflammation and a wide range of symptoms. These conditions—such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis—have been steadily rising in recent decades, often linked to environmental, dietary, and lifestyle factors.

At Amrit MD Integrative Medicine, we take a root-cause approach to autoimmune health—looking beyond symptoms to understand the underlying imbalances driving immune dysfunction. Functional medicine emphasizes identifying triggers such as chronic inflammation, gut dysbiosis, infections, environmental toxins, stress, and nutrient deficiencies. Through advanced testing and personalized care plans, we support immune system balance, reduce flares, and help patients restore their quality of life.

Cardiovascular disease—including high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and stroke—is the leading cause of death worldwide. Its increasing prevalence is closely tied to modern lifestyle factors such as poor diet, sedentary behavior, chronic stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance.

At Amrit MD Integrative Medicine, we approach cardiovascular health by identifying and addressing the root causes rather than simply managing symptoms. A key focus is on restoring endothelial function—the health of the inner lining of blood vessels—which plays a critical role in regulating blood flow, inflammation, and nitric oxide production, a molecule essential for vascular relaxation and resilience.

Our personalized approach emphasizes sustainable lifestyle changes, including anti-inflammatory nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, and stress reduction to decrease sympathetic overdrive, a major contributor to hypertension and heart strain. We utilize advanced testing to assess cardiovascular risk beyond standard labs, including inflammatory markers, metabolic function, genetic predispositions, and cutting-edge imaging such as the Cleerly scan, which provides detailed visualization of plaque burden and arterial health.

By combining in-depth evaluation with integrative strategies, we support optimal heart health, slow or reverse disease progression, and promote long-term vitality.

Cardiometabolic syndrome is a growing health crisis defined by a cluster of risk factors including insulin resistance, abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and systemic inflammation. These imbalances increase the risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Often driven by modern lifestyle patterns—nutrient-poor diets, physical inactivity, chronic stress, environmental toxins, and disrupted sleep—these conditions frequently progress unnoticed until advanced disease has developed.

At Amrit MD Integrative Medicine, we take a root-cause, systems-based approach to cardiometabolic health, with a strong emphasis on early detection, prevention, and reversal. Functional medicine recognizes insulin resistance as the central driver of metabolic dysfunction and vascular damage. Our goal is to restore metabolic flexibility, improve endothelial health, and enhance nitric oxide production, which plays a key role in maintaining vascular tone and reducing inflammation.

Our approach to diabetes management and prevention extends beyond glucose control. We evaluate the full metabolic picture—including inflammation, oxidative stress, micronutrient status, and sympathetic nervous system overactivation—to design a personalized care plan that promotes long-term stability and even disease reversal when possible. For those at risk, early intervention can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes and its complications.

We incorporate body composition analysis to assess muscle mass, visceral fat, and fat-to-muscle ratio, which are crucial for evaluating insulin sensitivity and the risk of developing NAFLD and kidney damage. Preserving renal function is a key goal in our care plans, as the kidneys are highly vulnerable to prolonged insulin resistance, hypertension, and systemic inflammation.

Our evaluations are supported by advanced diagnostic testing, including fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, hs-CRP, adiponectin, advanced lipid panels, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), kidney health biomarkers (eGFR, microalbuminuria), liver function tests, and cutting-edge imaging such as the Cleerly scan to assess cardiovascular plaque and risk.

Chronic inflammation is a persistent, low-grade immune response that underlies many chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune conditions, gut disorders, and neurodegenerative illnesses. Unlike acute inflammation, which is protective and short-lived, chronic inflammation is often silent and harmful, slowly damaging tissues and accelerating disease progression.

At Amrit MD Integrative Medicine, we take a root-cause approach to identifying and resolving what’s fueling the inflammatory process. Common contributors include hidden infections, environmental toxins, pro-inflammatory diets, chronic stress, poor sleep, and immune system dysregulation.

Rather than simply suppressing symptoms, we work to restore balance by addressing these underlying triggers through targeted lifestyle, nutritional, and integrative therapies. Our goal is to reduce inflammation at its source, support immune resilience, and promote long-term healing and disease prevention.

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) - This requires a special membership program. 
CIRS is a complex, multi-system illness triggered by biotoxin exposure—most commonly from water-damaged buildings (mold), but also from sources like Lyme disease, cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), or other microbial toxins. In genetically susceptible individuals, exposure to these biotoxins can lead to a persistent, dysregulated immune response that affects multiple organ systems, often without obvious findings on routine labs or imaging.

Dr. Fornos is trained under Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, a pioneer in the diagnosis and treatment of CIRS. At Amrit MD Integrative Medicine, we follow a structured, evidence-based approach grounded in Dr. Shoemaker’s protocols to identify and treat the underlying inflammatory and immune dysfunction.

Symptoms of CIRS are often widespread and include fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, sinus issues, muscle pain, gastrointestinal disturbances, temperature regulation problems, and sensitivity to light or sound. Because it is frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked, proper evaluation requires clinical expertise and a stepwise approach to treatment.

Common contributors to CIRS include:

• Exposure to mold and mycotoxins in water-damaged buildings
• Tick-borne infections such as Lyme disease
• Immune dysregulation and genetic susceptibility (HLA-DR gene variants)
• Persistent inflammation and abnormal detoxification pathways

Our approach includes:

• Comprehensive history and symptom pattern recognition
• Identification and avoidance of ongoing biotoxin exposure
• Sequential treatment steps aimed at reducing inflammatory markers, repairing barriers (e.g., blood-brain and gut), and rebalancing the immune system

By addressing the root causes of immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation, we help patients recover clarity, energy, and resilience—often after years of unexplained illness.

Chronic Fatigue and MECFS: This requires a special membership program

Chronic Fatigue & ME/CFS
Chronic fatigue and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) are debilitating conditions marked by profound exhaustion, post-exertional malaise, cognitive dysfunction (“brain fog”), unrefreshing sleep, and often a range of neurological, immune, and autonomic symptoms. These conditions can be triggered by viral infections, environmental toxins, trauma, or other immune stressors, and are frequently misunderstood or dismissed in conventional care.

At Amrit MD Integrative Medicine, we approach fatigue as a symptom with many possible root causes—rather than a diagnosis in itself. Functional medicine allows us to explore the underlying biological imbalances contributing to fatigue, including:

• Viral or stealth infections (e.g., EBV, HHV-6, Lyme disease)
• Mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired cellular energy production
• Immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation
• Gut dysfunction and microbiome imbalances
• Environmental toxin exposures (e.g., mold, chemicals, heavy metals)
• Hormonal imbalances (thyroid, cortisol, sex hormones)
• Autonomic nervous system imbalance and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)
• Chronic psychological or physical stress

Each patient’s care is tailored based on their individual history, triggers, and biochemical needs. Our goal is not just to manage symptoms, but to restore energy production, rebalance the immune system, and support the body's ability to heal through a combination of lifestyle interventions, targeted supplementation, mitochondrial support, detoxification, and stress recovery strategies.

By treating the root causes of fatigue and dysregulation, we help patients reclaim their vitality, functionality, and quality of life—even after years of living with unexplained exhaustion.

Clinical longevity is the science of optimizing not just how long you live, but how well you live. At Amrit MD Integrative Medicine, we focus on extending healthspan—the years of life lived with strength, clarity, mobility, and independence—by addressing the underlying causes of aging-related decline before disease develops.

Dr. Annette Fornos holds special certification in Longevity Medicine, with advanced training in the use of peptides and peptide-supporting therapies. These evidence-based tools help stimulate cellular repair, improve tissue regeneration, support immune modulation, and enhance metabolic and cognitive performance—all vital components of a healthy aging process.

Our functional medicine approach targets the root causes of aging and dysfunction, including:

• Mitochondrial and metabolic decline
• Hormonal imbalance and circadian disruption
• Cognitive changes and neuroinflammation
• Endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular aging
• Immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation
• Toxin accumulation and impaired detox pathways
• Muscle loss and unfavorable body composition

We combine advanced diagnostic testing with body composition analysis and biomarkers of aging to create a personalized roadmap. Therapeutic strategies include anti-inflammatory nutrition, targeted supplements, movement protocols, stress resilience practices, and, when appropriate, peptide therapies and regenerative tools tailored to your needs and goals.

By supporting your body’s natural repair mechanisms and intervening early, we help you age with strength, clarity, and purpose—adding life to your years, not just years to your life.

Food Sensitivities and Gastrointestinal Conditions:

Food Sensitivities & Gastrointestinal Health
The gastrointestinal system plays a foundational role in immune regulation, nutrient absorption, inflammation, and overall health. At Amrit MD Integrative Medicine, we take a comprehensive, root-cause approach to evaluating and treating digestive conditions and food sensitivities, which are often interconnected and overlooked in conventional care.

Unlike food allergies, which cause immediate immune reactions, food sensitivities involve delayed, low-grade immune responses that can contribute to chronic symptoms such as bloating, brain fog, fatigue, skin issues, joint pain, migraines, and inflammation. They are frequently driven by intestinal permeability (leaky gut), gut dysbiosis, immune dysregulation, or chronic stress.

We treat a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions, including:

• IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
• SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
• Leaky gut and intestinal permeability
• GERD and reflux
• Food sensitivities and intolerances
• Candida overgrowth and dysbiosis
• Non-celiac gluten sensitivity
• Inflammatory bowel conditions (e.g., early-stage Crohn’s or colitis support)

Our approach includes:

• Identifying root causes such as hidden infections, poor digestion, stress, dietary triggers, and environmental toxins
• Healing and sealing the gut lining
• Rebalancing the microbiome
• Supporting digestion and motility
• Reducing immune overactivation related to food antigens

Dr. Fornos uses advanced testing, detailed intake, and clinical insight to guide personalized protocols that may include elimination diets, gut-healing nutrients, probiotics and prebiotics, digestive support, and lifestyle modifications that restore balance and resilience.

By resolving gastrointestinal dysfunction and calming immune reactivity, we help patients improve digestion, energy, mood, immunity, and long-term well-being from the inside out.

Hormones play a central role in regulating energy, mood, metabolism, sleep, cognition, and reproductive health. When even one part of the hormonal system is out of balance—whether it's the thyroid, adrenals, or sex hormones—it can affect the entire body and quality of life. At Amrit MD Integrative Medicine, we take a root-cause, systems-based approach to identifying and correcting hormonal imbalances, rather than simply replacing hormones or treating lab values in isolation.

Hormonal symptoms often stem from deeper imbalances such as:

• Chronic stress and dysregulated cortisol rhythms (adrenal dysfunction)
• Thyroid hormone resistance, autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s), or nutrient deficiencies
• Perimenopause, menopause, and andropause-related hormone shifts
• Blood sugar instability and insulin resistance
• Toxin exposure, poor sleep, or gut-liver axis disruption

Common symptoms of hormonal imbalance may include:

• Fatigue or “wired but tired” feelings
• Weight changes, especially around the midsection
• Brain fog, memory issues, or mood swings
• Irregular periods, low libido, or hot flashes
• Hair loss or skin changes
• Sensitivity to cold, constipation, or dry skin (thyroid)

Our personalized evaluation includes in-depth history, symptom tracking, and functional testing when appropriate. We focus on restoring optimal function through:

• Targeted nutrition and lifestyle changes to support hormone production and clearance
• Adrenal rhythm support and stress resilience strategies
• Thyroid support, including nutrient optimization and addressing autoimmunity
• Bioidentical hormone therapy, when indicated, using a thoughtful, individualized approach
• Detoxification and liver support for healthy hormone metabolism

Rather than chasing numbers, our goal is to restore hormonal harmony, support the body’s natural rhythms, and help you feel more balanced, energized, and resilient—at any stage of life.

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women
As women move through perimenopause, menopause, or experience hormone-related symptoms earlier in life, changes in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone can significantly impact energy, mood, sleep, cognitive clarity, metabolism, and overall well-being. At Amrit MD Integrative Medicine, we offer a functional and personalized approach to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)—focusing not just on symptom relief, but on restoring deeper hormonal balance and long-term health.

Bioidentical hormones, which are chemically identical to those naturally produced by the body, are prescribed in individualized doses based on clinical history, symptoms, and comprehensive lab findings. We go beyond standard hormone testing by incorporating the DUTCH (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones)—a cutting-edge tool that provides insight into:

• Hormone levels and diurnal patterns
• Estrogen metabolism (including 2-OH, 4-OH, and 16-OH pathways)
• Progesterone and androgen balance
• Cortisol rhythm and adrenal function
• Methylation and detoxification capacity

This detailed analysis helps us understand how hormones are produced, metabolized, and cleared, allowing for truly tailored treatment. We also consider epigenetic factors, liver and gut detoxification pathways, and immune system interactions that influence how your body responds to hormone therapy.

BHRT at Amrit MD is closely monitored and continuously personalized, with adjustments made based on symptom response, DUTCH results, and evolving health goals. We also support related systems—including thyroid and adrenal health, nutrition, and stress resilience—to promote overall hormonal harmony.

Our goal is to guide women through hormonal transitions with a thoughtful, root-cause strategy—helping you regain clarity, strength, and vitality at every stage of life.

Cognitive decline is not an inevitable part of aging. At Amrit MD Integrative Medicine, we take a root-cause, proactive approach to supporting memory, focus, mood, and long-term brain resilience. Whether you're experiencing brain fog, forgetfulness, low mood, or seeking to prevent cognitive decline, we evaluate the full range of biological and lifestyle factors that influence brain health.

The brain is highly responsive to changes in inflammation, circulation, blood sugar, hormones, stress, sleep, and toxin burden. Many of these are modifiable and can be addressed well before significant decline occurs.

Contributors to cognitive dysfunction often include:

• Insulin resistance and blood sugar instability (“type 3 diabetes”)
• Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress
• Hormonal imbalances (thyroid, estrogen, testosterone, cortisol)
• Poor sleep and stress-related nervous system dysregulation
• Environmental toxins (heavy metals, mold, chemicals)
• Nutrient deficiencies (B vitamins, omega-3s, choline, antioxidants)
• Gut-brain axis dysfunction and microbiome imbalances

We use CNS Vital Signs, a clinically validated computerized cognitive assessment, to measure key brain functions such as memory, processing speed, attention, and executive function. This helps us track cognitive performance over time and evaluate treatment effectiveness.

When appropriate, we also incorporate genetic testing (e.g., APOE status, detoxification and methylation SNPs) to assess your personal risk factors and tailor prevention strategies accordingly.

Our comprehensive care may include:

• Advanced lab testing to evaluate root causes
• Targeted nutrition and supplementation to support brain repair and neuroplasticity
• Hormonal optimization to enhance mood, memory, and clarity
• Detoxification and inflammation-reduction protocols
• Sleep and stress optimization to support brain detox and resilience
• Lifestyle interventions (movement, mental engagement, circadian rhythm)
• Optional use of peptides or regenerative therapies for cognitive support

Whether you're interested in prevention, early intervention, or active cognitive recovery, our goal is to help you protect your brain, preserve independence, and live with clarity, purpose, and vitality.

Obesity and Weight loss:

Obesity & Functional Weight Management
Obesity is a complex, chronic condition influenced by much more than calories and willpower. At Amrit MD Integrative Medicine, we take a root-cause, personalized approach to weight management by addressing the underlying metabolic, hormonal, inflammatory, and neurological factors that make lasting weight loss challenging.

We recognize that excess weight is often a metabolic symptom, not the primary problem. Contributing factors may include:

• Insulin resistance and blood sugar dysregulation
• Hormonal imbalances (thyroid, cortisol, sex hormones)
• Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress
• Gut microbiome disruption and poor nutrient absorption
• Sleep disturbances and circadian rhythm disruption
• Autonomic nervous system imbalance—especially sympathetic overdrive
• Environmental toxins and endocrine disruptors
• Emotional stress and trauma stored in the body

Sleep and nervous system regulation are critical to sustainable weight loss. Poor sleep increases hunger hormones, insulin resistance, and inflammation—while impairing metabolism and fat-burning capacity. Similarly, an overactive sympathetic nervous system ("fight or flight") can lead to cortisol-driven fat storage, especially around the abdomen. We support parasympathetic activation ("rest and repair") through tools like breathwork, vagus nerve stimulation, and mindful movement.

Our comprehensive approach includes:

• Body composition analysis to assess muscle, fat distribution, and metabolic trends
• Personalized nutrition and anti-inflammatory meal planning
• Hormonal rebalancing and insulin sensitization
• Gut healing and digestive support
• Detoxification protocols to reduce toxic load
• Sleep optimization and circadian alignment
• Stress reduction and nervous system balancing techniques
• Integration of targeted supplements, peptides, or lifestyle therapies when appropriate

Our goal is not just weight loss—but restored metabolic health, improved energy, and lasting vitality. By addressing what’s blocking the body from healing, we help patients achieve sustainable results rooted in balance—not restriction.

Osteoporosis and low bone density are not inevitable with age. At Amrit MD Integrative Medicine, we take a comprehensive, root-cause approach to bone health—focusing not only on preventing further bone loss, but also on supporting the formation of new, healthy bone.

Bone is a dynamic, living tissue regulated by far more than calcium or vitamin D. Hormones, gut health, inflammation, detoxification, and the nervous system all influence bone turnover, remodeling, and strength. Our approach goes beyond bone density scores to evaluate the full picture of skeletal health and fracture risk.

Contributors to bone loss may include:

• Declining estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone
• Nutrient deficiencies (vitamin D, K2, magnesium, calcium, collagen, boron)
• Gut dysfunction and poor absorption
• Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress
• Toxin accumulation and poor detoxification
• Sedentary lifestyle or lack of weight-bearing exercise
• Autonomic imbalance and chronic stress (sympathetic dominance)

We use body composition analysis and advanced lab testing to assess nutritional status, muscle mass, inflammation, and hormonal balance—key factors in building and maintaining strong, resilient bones.

Our personalized treatment plans include:

• Targeted nutrient repletion with bone-building cofactors (vitamins D3, K2, magnesium, boron, collagen)
• Gut healing protocols to improve absorption and reduce inflammation
• Strength training and weight-bearing movement programs
• Detoxification and inflammation-reduction support
• Stress management and vagal tone enhancement

Under hormonal optimization, we support not only the prevention of further bone loss but also the stimulation of new bone formation, particularly through individualized use of bioidentical hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone when clinically indicated.

Our goal is to restore the biological conditions that allow bone to regenerate, strengthen, and support long-term mobility and independence—so you can stay active and confident at every stage of life.