Functional Medicine

Functional Medicine is based on the truth that our body systems function as an interrelated whole. I enjoy spending an entire hour with my patients so that we can do the necessary detective work to examine each body system and find the underlying causes for your symptoms. I search diligently for everything that is causing inflammation in your body. I test and treat for underlying infections, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal issues, chemical, heavy metal or mold toxicities. I determine whether you have any nutritional deficiencies that can prevent your body from healing or working correctly. I focus on supporting your immune system, plus optimizing your brain neurotransmitters, blood sugars, adrenal, thyroid, and sex hormones. I test for genetic variations, as these can affect how well your body will detox meds, supplements, and toxins. Genetic Profiles give us one more valuable tool for choosing the best treatment plans for you, as a unique individual. Functional Medicine means we no longer treat symptoms, we treat you.

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About

Pearl Zimmerman M.D.

I became a Functional Medicine doctor because I personally experienced having cancer twice then an immune system breakdown with severe chemical sensitivities that lasted 7 years. During those years, multiple conventional and integrative doctors either gave me treatments that made me worse or kept telling me that all I needed was Prozac. When I finally found a Functional Medicine doctor who helped me get my life back, I was inspired to learn all I could about this field. My heart goes out to the complex mystery patients who experience the seemingly hopeless search to get well, struggling with so many symptoms that doctors either don't believe you or haven't been able to help you. I’ve been there.

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Services

Allergies, Chemical, Environmental, and Food

My painful journey with 7 years of severe Multiple Chemical Sensitivities has motivated me to continually keep on top of the science in this field. Allergies often develop due to a malfunctioning immune system, associated with a high toxic burden that overwhelms your body’s ability to detox. Oxidative stress continually depletes key antioxidants, and it's imperative that we reverse this process. I test and treat for chemical, heavy metal, and mold toxicities, plus customize dietary and supplement recommendations to nourish each of your body systems, with special focus on your hormones, gastrointestinal, and immune system.

Anti-Aging/Wellness Promotion

We start with my Mega Detox Diet followed by food reintroduction challenges, then a Customized Gut Healing program with extensive detox options. Cardiovascular screening will include Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring, plus an Individualized Functional Medicine Testing and Treatment Plan. Since genetic variations are especially common in chronic diseases, I review genetic profiles and tailor your treatment plan to those findings. Optional anti-aging services include Peptide Therapy, such as CJC-1295. Peptides have wide ranging effects and have been used for a variety of conditions, promoting wellness and longevity.

Bioidentical Hormone Therapy, BHRT

Given my personal breast cancer history, I only prescribe BHRT in good conscience. I'm not able to refill prescriptions for synthetic hormones. With that in mind, I enjoy being part of the rejuvenation that I see in both male and female patients when we carefully test, monitor and optimize estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels. We can make further strides with weight management plus positively impact your strength and peak performance by reversing a loss of growth hormone with natural peptides.

Brain Health

For Alzheimer's prevention, I use the Bredesen ReCode Protocol, ordering a NeuroQuant MRI as needed. Consistent with Dr. Bredesen's 36 holes in the roof analogy, we search for all sources of inflammation, addressing allergies, undiagnosed infections, and chemical, heavy metal, or mold toxicities. Furthermore, I incorporate the treatments discussed in Dr. Datis Kharrazian's landmark book, Why Isn't My Brain Working? I'm thankful that Dr. Kharrazian has been my personal mentor for years; his teachings are woven throughout much of my practice.

Digestive Disorders

Breaches in your intestinal barrier allow food allergens, infectious agents, and toxins to pass into your bloodstream. This can lead to systemic chronic illnesses and autoimmune diseases. This is why the majority of Functional and Integrative Medicine programs start with healing your gut. Gastrointestinal symptoms are often clues to underlying dysfunction. For example, difficulty digesting proteins may be due to low stomach acid. Abdominal bloating may be due to infections, gall bladder disorders, lymphatic obstruction, hypothyroidism, etc. Functional Medicine offers significant testing and treatment options that are not part of conventional medical practice.

Insomnia Management

Insomnia is your body's way of saying it is out of balance. First, I support the health of your adrenal glands, particularly balancing cortisol and melatonin. Next, I restore any deficient thyroid or sex hormones. Then, I assess and provide any needed nutritional building blocks for your brain neurotransmitters, serotonin, GABA, and Acetylcholine. With every treatment plan, I work to find and get rid of all inflammatory triggers which can sabotage your sleep.

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I have been working with Dr. Zimmerman for 18 months. I cannot say enough about her level of knowledge and expertise in the Functional Medicine area. I came to see her for leaky gut and associated problems. Through testing, she identified and treated my gut infections, hormone imbalances, and immune system deficiencies. I gained 15 pounds, sleep through the night, and can now exercise 3-4 days a week. Dr. Zimmerman is the first doctor I have found in over 40 years who was able to treat all of my symptoms. Her approach is holistic and integrative. She is patient, compassionate and caring.

Edith

What Patients Say

Dr. Zimmerman is an amazingly intelligent and caring doctor. The first (of many) who finally ordered the appropriate tests & was able to address my long term health issues. I am so grateful for her holistic and traditional medical knowledge and that she treats the root cause, not the symptoms.

Katie

More Five Star Reviews

Dr. Mark Hyman (Google him, he's like the "godfather" of functional medicine) a good friend of mine, but over in the Berkshires unfortunately, recommended that I see Dr. Zimmerman. Thank the good lord!
I'll try to make the rest of the review quick... SHE CHANGED MY WORLD!!! I am off of all of my previous meds for cholesterol, acid reflux, depression, anxiety, or sleep meds!!! I actually saw my long-time doctor at men's health here in West Hollywood yesterday for my physical, and he is elated with all that Dr. Zimmerman and I are doing together! He actually wants to send her more "mystery" patients to help him figure out.

Gray