Functional Health Intelligence

Evidence-Based Guidance for Chronic Conditions

Living with chronic illness means navigating a healthcare system that often dismisses what you're experiencing.

Content on Rails delivers functional health intelligence with the scientific rigor of peer-reviewed research and the accessibility of a conversation with a friend who happens to have a medical degree. We serve patients first—with compassion, clarity, and honesty.

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Why Functional Health Is Different

Our other verticals—AI, Crypto, Fintech—serve professionals making business decisions. Functional Health serves people navigating health challenges that conventional medicine often fails to address adequately. This requires a fundamentally different approach.

Patient-First Model

60% of every briefing is written specifically for patients—people living with chronic conditions who need accessible, actionable guidance.

Strict Accessibility

Every medical term explained. 8th-grade reading level. No "just" or "simply." Realistic timelines. Honest about costs. No miracle cure language, ever.

Compassionate Validation

We acknowledge that managing chronic illness is exhausting. We validate that your experience is real even when tests come back "normal."

Patients, Practitioners, and Health Optimizers

Our Functional Health briefings serve three distinct audiences

Patients with Chronic Conditions

Autoimmune, chronic fatigue, digestive disorders, metabolic dysfunction, Long COVID

Caregivers

Supporting loved ones through complex health journeys

Functional Medicine Practitioners

Doctors, naturopaths, and integrative medicine providers

Health Coaches

Building evidence-based practices and client recommendations

Health Optimizers

Biohackers and longevity enthusiasts seeking signal over noise

Researchers

Staying current on emerging interventions and protocols

The Four Perspectives

Every Functional Health briefing integrates four perspectives, with patients at the center.

Living Well with Chronic Conditions

60% of every briefing

What it covers: Treatment options explained accessibly, lifestyle modifications with evidence, navigating the healthcare system, community and support, and pacing and energy management.

Sample Content

**NAD+ Supplements: What the Research Actually Shows** NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide—let's just call it NAD+) is a molecule your cells use to produce energy. Think of it like the fuel that keeps your cellular power plants running. As we age, NAD+ levels decline, which some researchers believe contributes to fatigue and cellular dysfunction. *What the research shows:* Small studies suggest NAD+ precursors (NR and NMN) may help with energy and cognitive function in some people. The evidence is promising but not conclusive—most studies are small and short-term. *Realistic expectations:* Some people notice improved energy within 4-8 weeks. Others notice nothing. This isn't a failure—it may mean NAD+ wasn't your specific bottleneck. *Cost reality:* Quality NR/NMN supplements run $40-80/month ($480-960/year). That's a significant investment, and it's okay to decide other interventions are higher priority for your budget.

Who reads this:

Patients managing chronic conditionsCaregiversAnyone seeking evidence-based health guidance

Learn more about Living Well with Chronic Conditions

Research That Matters

20% of every briefing

What it covers: New research findings with practical implications, clinical trial updates, mechanism explanations (how things work in your body), and evidence quality assessment.

Sample Content

**Vagus Nerve Stimulation: From Seizures to Inflammation** The vagus nerve (pronounced VAY-gus, from Latin for "wandering") runs from your brain through your neck to your gut, heart, and other organs. It's your body's main "rest and digest" communication highway. Researchers are discovering the vagus nerve does more than we thought—including helping regulate inflammation. Some small studies show vagus nerve stimulation may help with inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. *The evidence so far:* A 2023 study of 18 rheumatoid arthritis patients found daily vagus nerve stimulation reduced inflammation markers by 30% after 12 weeks. Promising, but small. *What this means for you:* If you have an inflammatory condition, vagus nerve support (through breathing exercises, cold exposure, or devices) might be worth exploring. It's low-risk and low-cost to start with breathing techniques.

Who reads this:

Health-curious patientsPractitioners staying currentAnyone wanting to understand the science

Learn more about Research That Matters

Clinical Programs

10% of every briefing

What it covers: Practice model analysis (cash-pay vs. insurance, group programs, telemedicine), treatment ROI, patient acquisition and retention, compliance and documentation, and technology tools.

Sample Content

"CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) programs represent the highest-margin offering in functional medicine with clear clinical validation. Implementation costs: $2,500-5,000 setup (software, training, initial devices). Patient pricing: $400-600/month for device, coaching, and interpretation. Margins: 60-70% after device costs. Patient retention: 85%+ for 3 months when combined with weekly coaching calls. Key success factor: structured interpretation and coaching, not just data access."

Who reads this:

Functional medicine practitionersHealth coachesClinic owners

Learn more about Clinical Programs

Tools & Protocols

10% of every briefing

What it covers: Supplement evaluation (what works, quality considerations), testing comparison (which labs, cost-benefit analysis), wearables and quantified self, and protocol assessment.

Sample Content

**Comprehensive Stool Testing: GI-MAP vs. GI Effects vs. Genova** Three major labs dominate functional stool testing. Here's how they compare: *GI-MAP (Diagnostic Solutions):* Uses PCR technology (DNA-based), most sensitive for detecting pathogens. Doesn't culture bacteria so can't tell live vs. dead organisms. $400-450 retail, often $300-350 through practitioners. *GI Effects (Genova):* Combines PCR with culture and microscopy. Takes longer (3-4 weeks vs. 2 weeks) but provides complementary data. $500-600 retail. *Trio-Smart (Gemelli):* Newer breath test option for SIBO specifically. Less comprehensive but more affordable ($250-300) and non-invasive. *Our assessment:* For general gut health evaluation, GI-MAP offers the best balance of comprehensiveness and cost. For suspected SIBO specifically, start with Trio-Smart—it's cheaper and answers the specific question.

Who reads this:

Informed patients evaluating optionsPractitioners comparing testing modalities

Learn more about Tools & Protocols

Real-World Use Cases

How patients and practitioners are using health intelligence to navigate chronic conditions.

Hashimoto's Patient—3 Years Post-Diagnosis

"I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's three years ago and spent two years feeling dismissed by doctors who said my labs were 'fine' while I could barely get through my workday. COR's Functional Health briefings helped me understand the difference between optimal and 'normal' ranges, gave me language to advocate for myself with my endocrinologist, and introduced me to lifestyle factors (like gluten and blood sugar) that no doctor had mentioned. I'm not 'cured'—I'm managing, and the briefings helped me set realistic expectations about what that looks like."

Functional Medicine Practitioner—Solo Practice

"I use the Clinical Programs section to evaluate new offerings for my practice. The CGM program breakdown was exactly what I needed—I'd been considering adding it but couldn't find ROI data anywhere. I implemented their suggested structure (weekly coaching calls, 3-month minimum commitment) and it's now my highest-margin service with the best patient outcomes."

Long COVID Patient—18 Months In

"Long COVID has been the most isolating experience of my life. Medical gaslighting is real. COR's briefings do something no other source does—they validate that this is hard without promising miracle cures. When they covered pacing strategies, they acknowledged that rest can feel impossible when you have a family depending on you. That recognition mattered more than any supplement recommendation."

Health Coach—Building Practice

"I started reading COR for clinical updates, but the Tools section has been invaluable for recommending testing to clients. I used to recommend GI-MAP for everyone; now I understand when Trio-Smart makes more sense. My clients trust that I'm making recommendations based on their specific situation and budget, not just defaulting to the most expensive option."

Our Commitment to Every Reader

What we promise in every Functional Health briefing

Accessibility

No jargon without explanation. No assumed medical knowledge.

Honesty

Real costs, realistic timelines, acknowledgment when evidence is limited.

Compassion

Validation that this is hard. Recognition that you know your body.

Evidence

Science-backed guidance, with clear disclosure of evidence quality.

No Miracles

'May help some people' not 'will cure.' Your mileage may vary, and that's okay.

Respect

Your health decisions are yours. We inform; you decide.

Start Your Functional Health Briefing

Evidence-based guidance with compassion. No miracle cures. No jargon. Just honest help.

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