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You Were Made for Health!

Welcome to RIFM!

Thank you for for trusting us with your time. We believe you were made for health ... but it’s hard to harness your body’s remarkable power to heal when you’re dealing with a broken healthcare system, confusion, and misinformation.

We help you restore your health & hope with science-backed solutions, so you can live the vibrant life you were made for. We encourage you to explore our free resources, and our membership opportunities.

—Aaron Hartman, Christian Jenski, & Jodi Caddell

The Most Trusted Functional Medicine Practice in Richmond

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Meet Veronica Porterfield

RIFM Welcomes Veronica Porterfield

June 16, 2025

Our Podcast is Here!

December 11, 2024

Best in Richmond—2 Years Strong!

August 1, 2024

First-Of-It’s-Kind Probiotic That Promotes Weight Loss

March 19, 2024

Vote for Richmond’s Best Medical Practice

March 15, 2024

New Service: Advanced Body Composition Analysis

December 29, 2023
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Body Image in the Filter Age. A Functional Medicine Approach

The Connected Life Crisis

Body Image in the Filter Age

A Functional Medicine Approach

“We make body image issues worse for one in three teen girls.” Facebook said that. Not some outside critic—Facebook’s own researchers, buried in internal documents that only came…

July 23, 2025

The Connected Life Crisis

The Inflammation Connection

How Social Media Stress Shows Up in Your Body

What if a simple blood test could reveal how much time you spend on social media? Sound impossible? New research shows a shocking connection: your inflammation levels rise…

July 16, 2025
Beyond Blue Light: How Evening Scrolling Steals Tomorrow's Energy

Our Connected Life Crisis

Beyond Blue Light: Social Media & Sleep

How Evening Scrolling Steals Tomorrow’s Energy (and What Actually Helps)

Blue light gets all the blame — but that’s a bit like blaming the match while ignoring the entire forest on fire. Picture this: It’s 10 PM, and you’re…

July 9, 2025
Protect Your Child's Developing Brain from Social Media

Our Connected Life Crisis

Critical Windows

Protecting Your Child’s Developing Brain from Social Media

Half of all children under 11 are already caught in The Connected Life Crisis—using social-media platforms they weren’t supposed to access in the first place. Yet here we…

July 2, 2025
Slot machines with an overlay text that says the neuroscience of social media

Our Connected Life Crisis

The Neuroscience of Social Media

How Algorithms Hijack Your Brain

The first in our series: “Our Connected Life Crisis” — How Social Media Steals Your Health & How to Get It Back Remember those anti-drug PSAs? “This is…

June 25, 2025
Heart Healthy Brain Damage - Different Cooking Oils

The Kitchen Oil Investigation

How ‘Heart-Healthy’ Fats Are Damaging Your Brain

This 15-minute kitchen investigation reveals the hidden toxins stealing your family’s mental clarity—and the replacement strategy to restore vibrant brain function.

June 18, 2025
YouTube Series
I sat down with Denise, one of our courageous patients at Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine, to talk about her powerful healing journey—from facing cancer twice to navigating a complicated healthcare system and learning to trust her intuition along the way. Her story is raw, real, and full of wisdom for anyone feeling unseen or dismissed by traditional medicine. This is a conversation about resilience, listening to your body, and the life-changing potential of functional care. W H A T N E X T ? If you want to watch more interviews from the Made for Health series, check out our playlist below! Made for Health Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zKitZ5uAhpWPHaYoqo3obr8uBQFS7da A B O U T D R . H A R T M A N & R I F M Dr. Hartman’s interest in integrative & functional medicine first began after he and his wife Rebekah adopted their first daughter Anna in 2007. The medical system didn’t offer much hope for Anna’s medical condition and they were forced to explore alternative treatments. Over time, Aaron began to apply the new concepts and treatment modalities he was learning to his clinic patients as well as his own family. In 2012 he formalized his commitment to exploring new and advanced treatment opportunities through his membership with the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine and then the Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2015 he received his second board certification in Integrative and Holistic Medicine through the American Board of Physician Specialties and in 2016 earned the recognition as a Certified Practitioner in Functional Medicine from the Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2012, Aaron and Rebekah’s commitment to their family’s health led them to move to a little farm outside of Richmond Virginia. While researching how to care for their land, animals, and livestock, Aaron and Rebekah learned about the intricate connections between their health, that of the land they cultivate, the animals they care for, and the food they eat. This led to Dr. Hartman’s intense interest in nutritional medicine as well as ecological medicine and toxicology. Dr. Hartman opened Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine in 2017. His mission at RIFM is to apply the sum total of his scientific research, medical knowledge, clinical experience and continuing studies to his patients in an individualized manner. This new field of medicine has been called Functional Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Systems Biology Medicine and Root Cause Medicine. R I F M W E B S I T E: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe for Integrative & Functional Medicine videos uploaded every week. – Dr. Aaron Hartman, MD
Beating Cancer Twice: Ignored by Doctors... Saved by Her Gut
YouTube Video UEwxektpdFo1dUFocFdQSGFZb3FvM29icjh1QlFGUzdkYS41OURENDc2NEM1MDI5Mjky
In this episode, Dr. Jenski and I are diving into the real-world solutions for better sleep—from how to actually fall asleep (and stay asleep) to what might be sabotaging your rest without you even realizing it. We cover everything from sleep hygiene tips and temperature hacks to deeper topics like dysautonomia, hormone imbalances, and even when medications (yes, even controversial ones) might have a role. If sleep feels elusive, this one’s for you. Want to learn more about sleep? Check out our blog: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/?s=sleep W H A T N E X T ? If you want to watch more interviews from the Made for Health series, check out our playlist below! Made for Health Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zKitZ5uAhpWPHaYoqo3obr8uBQFS7da A B O U T D R . H A R T M A N & R I F M Dr. Hartman’s interest in integrative & functional medicine first began after he and his wife Rebekah adopted their first daughter Anna in 2007. The medical system didn’t offer much hope for Anna’s medical condition and they were forced to explore alternative treatments. Over time, Aaron began to apply the new concepts and treatment modalities he was learning to his clinic patients as well as his own family. In 2012 he formalized his commitment to exploring new and advanced treatment opportunities through his membership with the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine and then the Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2015 he received his second board certification in Integrative and Holistic Medicine through the American Board of Physician Specialties and in 2016 earned the recognition as a Certified Practitioner in Functional Medicine from the Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2012, Aaron and Rebekah’s commitment to their family’s health led them to move to a little farm outside of Richmond Virginia. While researching how to care for their land, animals, and livestock, Aaron and Rebekah learned about the intricate connections between their health, that of the land they cultivate, the animals they care for, and the food they eat. This led to Dr. Hartman’s intense interest in nutritional medicine as well as ecological medicine and toxicology. Dr. Hartman opened Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine in 2017. His mission at RIFM is to apply the sum total of his scientific research, medical knowledge, clinical experience and continuing studies to his patients in an individualized manner. This new field of medicine has been called Functional Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Systems Biology Medicine and Root Cause Medicine. R I F M W E B S I T E: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe for Integrative & Functional Medicine videos uploaded every week. – Dr. Aaron Hartman, MD
The Real Reason You’re Not Sleeping (It’s Not Just Stress or Caffeine)
YouTube Video UEwxektpdFo1dUFocFdQSGFZb3FvM29icjh1QlFGUzdkYS42QzdBMzlBQzQzRjQ0QkQy
Dr. Jenski and I are diving deep into something that's literally killing Americans - our national sleep crisis. We're breaking down the shocking truth that sleeping just 6 hours a night is equivalent to driving with 2 beers in your system, plus sharing our own personal wake-up calls about how chronic sleep deprivation nearly destroyed our health during medical training. If you think you can "sleep when you're dead," this conversation might just save your life by showing you why quality sleep isn't optional - it's essential. Want to learn more about sleep? Check out our blog: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/?s=sleep W H A T N E X T ? If you want to watch more interviews from the Made for Health series, check out our playlist below! Made for Health Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zKitZ5uAhpWPHaYoqo3obr8uBQFS7da A B O U T D R . H A R T M A N & R I F M Dr. Hartman’s interest in integrative & functional medicine first began after he and his wife Rebekah adopted their first daughter Anna in 2007. The medical system didn’t offer much hope for Anna’s medical condition and they were forced to explore alternative treatments. Over time, Aaron began to apply the new concepts and treatment modalities he was learning to his clinic patients as well as his own family. In 2012 he formalized his commitment to exploring new and advanced treatment opportunities through his membership with the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine and then the Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2015 he received his second board certification in Integrative and Holistic Medicine through the American Board of Physician Specialties and in 2016 earned the recognition as a Certified Practitioner in Functional Medicine from the Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2012, Aaron and Rebekah’s commitment to their family’s health led them to move to a little farm outside of Richmond Virginia. While researching how to care for their land, animals, and livestock, Aaron and Rebekah learned about the intricate connections between their health, that of the land they cultivate, the animals they care for, and the food they eat. This led to Dr. Hartman’s intense interest in nutritional medicine as well as ecological medicine and toxicology. Dr. Hartman opened Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine in 2017. His mission at RIFM is to apply the sum total of his scientific research, medical knowledge, clinical experience and continuing studies to his patients in an individualized manner. This new field of medicine has been called Functional Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Systems Biology Medicine and Root Cause Medicine. R I F M W E B S I T E: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe for Integrative & Functional Medicine videos uploaded every week. – Dr. Aaron Hartman, MD
Doctors Reveal Why Sleep Deprivation Is Killing You
YouTube Video UEwxektpdFo1dUFocFdQSGFZb3FvM29icjh1QlFGUzdkYS4zMUEyMkQwOTk0NTg4MDgw
Welcome to the wrap up episode of our 3‑part dive into hormone optimization. In this episode, we walk through the practical, foundational lab panel I run—think cortisol curves, thyroid markers, nutrient levels, sex‑hormone rhythms, gut health, glucose/insulin metrics—and why each piece matters. I also share my philosophy: medicine evolves, personalization is key, and the biggest wins often come from managing stress, sleep, detox, nutrition, and picking off the low‑hanging fruit first. Want to learn more about hormones? Check out our blog:https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/?s=hormones W H A T N E X T ? If you want to watch more interviews from the Made for Health series, check out our playlist below! Made for Health Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zKitZ5uAhpWPHaYoqo3obr8uBQFS7da A B O U T D R . H A R T M A N & R I F M Dr. Hartman’s interest in integrative & functional medicine first began after he and his wife Rebekah adopted their first daughter Anna in 2007. The medical system didn’t offer much hope for Anna’s medical condition and they were forced to explore alternative treatments. Over time, Aaron began to apply the new concepts and treatment modalities he was learning to his clinic patients as well as his own family. In 2012 he formalized his commitment to exploring new and advanced treatment opportunities through his membership with the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine and then the Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2015 he received his second board certification in Integrative and Holistic Medicine through the American Board of Physician Specialties and in 2016 earned the recognition as a Certified Practitioner in Functional Medicine from the Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2012, Aaron and Rebekah’s commitment to their family’s health led them to move to a little farm outside of Richmond Virginia. While researching how to care for their land, animals, and livestock, Aaron and Rebekah learned about the intricate connections between their health, that of the land they cultivate, the animals they care for, and the food they eat. This led to Dr. Hartman’s intense interest in nutritional medicine as well as ecological medicine and toxicology. Dr. Hartman opened Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine in 2017. His mission at RIFM is to apply the sum total of his scientific research, medical knowledge, clinical experience and continuing studies to his patients in an individualized manner. This new field of medicine has been called Functional Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Systems Biology Medicine and Root Cause Medicine. R I F M W E B S I T E: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe for Integrative & Functional Medicine videos uploaded every week. – Dr. Aaron Hartman, MD
Beat Hormone Chaos: 4 Proven Stress + Gut Labs for Daily Balance
YouTube Video UEwxektpdFo1dUFocFdQSGFZb3FvM29icjh1QlFGUzdkYS4wMTYxQzVBRDI1NEVDQUZE
In this episode, Dr. Jenski and I dive deeper into hormone optimization therapy—focusing on the “hormone hierarchy” and how systems like stress, thyroid, and sex hormones are all interconnected. We also explore often-overlooked pieces like the gut, detox pathways, and even the autonomic nervous system—and how addressing those can lead to powerful ripple effects in healing. If you’ve ever felt like your hormones were off but didn’t know where to start, this is a great foundation. Want to learn more about hormones? Check out our blog:https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/?s=hormones W H A T N E X T ? If you want to watch more interviews from the Made for Health series, check out our playlist below! Made for Health Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zKitZ5uAhpWPHaYoqo3obr8uBQFS7da A B O U T D R . H A R T M A N & R I F M Dr. Hartman’s interest in integrative & functional medicine first began after he and his wife Rebekah adopted their first daughter Anna in 2007. The medical system didn’t offer much hope for Anna’s medical condition and they were forced to explore alternative treatments. Over time, Aaron began to apply the new concepts and treatment modalities he was learning to his clinic patients as well as his own family. In 2012 he formalized his commitment to exploring new and advanced treatment opportunities through his membership with the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine and then the Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2015 he received his second board certification in Integrative and Holistic Medicine through the American Board of Physician Specialties and in 2016 earned the recognition as a Certified Practitioner in Functional Medicine from the Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2012, Aaron and Rebekah’s commitment to their family’s health led them to move to a little farm outside of Richmond Virginia. While researching how to care for their land, animals, and livestock, Aaron and Rebekah learned about the intricate connections between their health, that of the land they cultivate, the animals they care for, and the food they eat. This led to Dr. Hartman’s intense interest in nutritional medicine as well as ecological medicine and toxicology. Dr. Hartman opened Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine in 2017. His mission at RIFM is to apply the sum total of his scientific research, medical knowledge, clinical experience and continuing studies to his patients in an individualized manner. This new field of medicine has been called Functional Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Systems Biology Medicine and Root Cause Medicine. R I F M W E B S I T E: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe for Integrative & Functional Medicine videos uploaded every week. – Dr. Aaron Hartman, MD
The Hormone Hierarchy that Changes EVERYTHING (Why Most Treatments Fail)
YouTube Video UEwxektpdFo1dUFocFdQSGFZb3FvM29icjh1QlFGUzdkYS4wNEU1MTI4NkZEMzVBN0JF
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Podcast

Made for Health

with Aaron Hartman, MD

You were made for health—vibrant, thriving, and full of possibility. But navigating today’s broken healthcare system, endless misinformation, and confusion can feel overwhelming. On Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman cuts through the noise to deliver science-backed solutions that restore your health and reignite your hope. Join us each week for expert insights, practical tips, and inspiring conversations that empower you to harness your body’s incredible power to heal. Whether you're seeking clarity, direction, or just a trusted voice, this podcast is your roadmap to the vibrant life you were made for.

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