Functional Medicine Strategies for Diabetes, Insulin Resistance & Metabolic Health
A Functional Medicine Approach to Diabetes & Metabolic Dysfunction
We help patients uncover and address the root causes driving insulin resistance, blood sugar imbalances, weight gain, metabolic dysfunction, and chronic inflammation so they can improve energy, support long-term health, and reduce disease risk.
We Help Address the Root Causes Behind Diabetes & Metabolic Dysfunction
Diabetes and metabolic dysfunction do not develop overnight.
For most people, these conditions are the result of years of accumulated imbalances that gradually affect the body’s ability to properly regulate blood sugar, energy production, inflammation, and metabolism.
We have worked with countless patients over the years who have struggled with insulin resistance, prediabetes, metabolic syndrome, weight gain, and type 2 diabetes that impact their energy, confidence, and overall wellbeing.
Many patients come to us struggling with:
- Weight gain
- Difficulty losing weight
- Stubborn belly fat
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Sugar cravings
- Increased hunger
- Energy crashes
- Elevated A1C
- Elevated fasting glucose
- Insulin resistance
- Chronic inflammation
- Hormone imbalances
- Poor sleep
- Low energy
- Unexplained metabolic dysfunction
These root causes may include:
- GI microbiome imbalances
- Poor metabolic flexibility
- Chronic inflammation
- Food sensitivities
- Inflammatory diets
- Nutrient deficiencies
- High cortisol states
- Chronic stress
- Nervous system dysregulation
- Poor sleep quality
- Hormone imbalances
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Ongoing toxin exposures
- Mold toxicity
- Medication side effects
- Blood sugar instability
- Fatty liver dysfunction
- Systemic inflammation
We’ve successfully helped many patients improve their metabolic health by identifying and addressing the deeper drivers impacting weight and overall wellness.
Why Conventional Care Often Falls Short
Conventional medicine often focuses on managing blood sugar numbers with medications while rarely investigating why metabolic dysfunction developed in the first place.
While medications can absolutely play an important role in care, many patients are never given a thorough evaluation of the factors contributing to insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, weight gain, and metabolic dysfunction.
The functional medicine approach focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes and mediators contributing to blood sugar dysregulation so the body can begin functioning the way it was designed to.
Conditions we commonly work with include:
- Insulin resistance
- Prediabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Metabolic syndrome
- Obesity
- Fatty liver disease
- Blood sugar dysregulation
- Reactive hypoglycemia
- PCOS-related insulin resistance
- Hormone-related weight gain
- Chronic metabolic dysfunction
Get to the Root Cause with Functional Medicine
Our process always begins with a very thorough medical and lifestyle investigation, taking into account timelines for symptom onset, weight history, eating patterns, stressors, medications, environmental exposures, sleep quality, physical activity, hormone health, and lifestyle patterns.
Because metabolic dysfunction is often influenced by multiple factors, we believe a comprehensive investigation is necessary to understand what may be contributing to blood sugar imbalances and insulin resistance.
We often begin by addressing the foundations for optimal health and healing, starting with nutrition, metabolic health, and gut function. Many patients begin seeing improvements in energy, cravings, blood sugar regulation, and weight management when inflammation, microbial imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, and metabolic stressors are addressed.
We also work to identify lifestyle and environmental factors that may be contributing to insulin resistance while helping patients build sustainable habits that support long-term metabolic health.
Sleep quality, stress management, physical activity, nervous system regulation, and blood sugar stability all play critical roles in metabolic function. Small improvements in these foundational areas can create significant gains over time.
When appropriate, additional investigations may include evaluating hormone imbalances, cortisol dysfunction, mold exposure, nutrient deficiencies, fatty liver disease, or other hidden contributors that may be impacting metabolic health.
Our goal is not simply to help patients chase better lab numbers. Our goal is to help create an environment where the body can regulate blood sugar more effectively, improve metabolic function, and support long-term health.
The result?
Many patients experience:
- More stable energy
- Fewer cravings
- Better blood sugar control
- Improved metabolic markers
- Healthier weight management
- Better sleep
- Reduced inflammation
- Greater confidence in their long-term health
Feel Confident in Your Care Team
Experience sets us apart
- Extensive education and training
- Compassion and a Christian worldview
- Years of clinical experience
- A personal Functional Medicine Journey
- An ongoing, weekly mentorship with Dr. Beard
Amy Beard, MD, IFMCP
Owner, Founder, Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner
Dr. Amy Beard is a Board Certified Family Medicine MD, an Institute of Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner, a Dietitian, an ER Physician, a previous Cardiac Rehab Medical Director, and has extensive clinical and personal experience in Functional Medicine...
Lindley Kinard DNP, APN, FNP-C
Certified Functional Medicine Practitoner
Dr. Kinard is a Nurse Practitioner with a Doctorate of Nursing, an Institute of Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner, a previous Registered Nurse in CVICU at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and a mother of two young boys. Lindley is an exceptional Functional...
Hannah Tikson, MS, FMCHC
Functional Medicine Consultant
Hannah is a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach; she has a Master’s in Exercise and Nutrition Science, professional experience as a coach, educator and researcher, and is a mother of two young girls. Hannah is passionate about helping people optimize...
Laura Postlethwait, RN, INHC
Functional Medicine Consultant
Laura is a Certified Integrative Nutritional Health Coach. She has been in the medical field since 2005 and a Registered Nurse since 2011. She has been on two medical mission trips to Kenya, Africa. She and her husband were foster parents for 7+ years. She has been an...
Anna Allen, FDNP, CNP(S)
Functional Medicine Consultant
Anna is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner with a Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics and a minor in Strategic Communication. Her path to Functional Medicine began with her own unresolved health struggles. Those challenges, along with guidance from the Lord,...
Paul Buch
Owner, Head of Research, Product Development, and Customer Service
Paul is, first and foremost, Dr. Beard’s husband. Together, they run AmyBeardMD.com as their passion and ministry. Paul manages many aspects of the business, including, but not limited to, research, product development, sales, and client satisfaction. His...
Blake Harrell
Pastor, Teacher, Guest Speaker
Blake Harrell is a pastor, teacher, and guest speaker who has spent the last 10 years leading a family of believers in central Arkansas. (Yes, he’s Dr. Beard’s pastor!). Before entering ministry, Blake worked for a decade in the medical field, preparing to...
What We Treat
Spoiler: We treat all chronic conditions because they all have a root cause!
Digestive Issues
Autoimmunity and Inflammation
Chronic Fatigue
Hormone and Thyroid Imbalances
Body Composition & Weight
Skin Conditions
Infant & Children’s Health
Asthma & Allergies
Cognition & Brain Health
Joint Pain/ Chronic Pain
Jump In and Become a Client
Step 1 – Schedule a free 15 minute Exploratory Call
Schedule a free 15 minute Exploratory Call with our patient liaison to make sure we are a good fit for your care and learn about how our functional medicine clinic operates. After your Exploratory Call, you will be sent a link to schedule your First Step Appointment either with Dr. Beard or Dr. Kinard. Regardless of who you see, Dr. Beard always oversees all cases in our practice.
Step 2 – Schedule a first step medical investigation.
Schedule a first step appointment with a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner ($300).
Step 3 – Invest in the recommended 2 month package.
Why a two month package? We can help you make substantial improvements to your health in that amount of time. Many patients see complete resolution of their issues and most see substantial improvements by the end of two months. At the end of the two months you will be left with a detailed plan to either continue on your own or with guidance from the appropriate member(s) of our team. One of our main goals during this two month timeframe is to empower you with the knowledge to take charge of your health.
Dr. Beard will guide you to the proper package that will best meet your medical needs and financial ability. There is no one-size-fits-all plan; we customize your treatment plan for your unique needs.
What to expect at your first step medical investigation:
An in-depth medical investigation
with an experienced medical doctor who leaves no stone unturned.
A medical, lifestyle and symptom timeline
from birth to present.
Evaluation and assessment
of medication side effects, surgical & procedural impacts
In-depth evaluation
of diet and nutrient intake, gut health, toxin exposures and toxic burden, sleep hygiene and quality, sun exposure and biological rhythms, movement and exercise, mitochondrial function, nervous system status, detox and drainage status.
Discussion of next step
(may include but not limited to): specialty and standard lab testing, protocols, medication weaning and changes, supplement changes, referrals to other specialists (biological dentists, for example)
Plenty of time
for concerns and questions to be addressed.
2 Month Treatment Packages:
Option 1:
First Step medical investigation + four RN functional medicine practitioner visits
$975
At the end of two months you will be provided with a care plan to continue on your own or with the help of the appropriate clinic member.
Option:2
First Step medical investigation + four RN functional medicine practitioner visits with Dr. Beard’s oversight $1375
This is the most cost effective way to involve Dr. Beard in your care. Dr. Beard and your RN practitioner meet frequently to discuss your case and direct your care as warranted.
At the end of the two months you will be provided with a care plan to continue on your own or with the help of the appropriate clinic member.
Additional Costs & Options:
- 30-minute appointments with Dr. Beard can be added at anytime for $250
- 40-minute appointments with RN Functional Medicine Practitioner (outside of 2 month package) $125
- Specialty and standard labs: we do not mark up the cost of labs in an effort to save you money. Dr. Beard takes a conservative approach to ordering labs, but also understands their importance in certain clinical situations.
$50-$300 per test panel - Protocols: many patients are prescribed protocols during their two month treatment plan according to their needs. $300-$600 per protocol
We try VERY hard to keep our services affordable. Even though Dr. Beard is one of the most credentialed and experienced functional medicine doctors in the country, she charges less because this is her personal ministry.
