Neha Yevalekar
Written by Heather Anderson
Exploring Functional Medicine with Neha Yevalekar: A Path to Holistic Health
In this feature, we dive into the holistic approach to health led by Neha Yevalekar, founder of Roots & Rhythm Functional ImmunoWellness. After a successful career in biopharmaceuticals, Neha transitioned to functional medicine to focus on understanding and treating the root causes of illness. Drawing on her deep background in immunology and personal health struggles, she’s developed the R.O.O.T Method, which empowers individuals to take control of their health. Below, she shares her journey, discusses the transformative potential of functional medicine, and offers practical advice for those interested in pursuing holistic health.
Neha, transitioning from a successful career in biopharmaceuticals to starting your own practice in functional medicine is a big leap. What sparked this change, and how does your background influence your current practice?
I spent many years in the pharmaceutical industry, focusing on immuno-oncology drugs that aim to inhibit or control the immune response. While this approach provides temporary relief for patients, it doesn’t address the root cause of the problem. Around 2014-2015, I began experiencing health challenges of my own—symptoms that went undiagnosed because traditional healthcare systems often only detect issues once they’ve progressed.
My background in immunology and my own personal journey led me to ask: why was this happening? I started searching for more comprehensive solutions. While pharmaceuticals play a crucial role, especially for acute conditions, I realized they function more like a "lock and key" mechanism—addressing symptoms momentarily but not solving the underlying issue. This realization led me to functional medicine, where I could combine my scientific knowledge with a more holistic approach to prevent and resolve chronic health issues.
Your own health journey played a significant role in your career shift. Can you share how overcoming your struggles has equipped you to better understand and help your clients?
Absolutely. My journey began with seemingly small issues like hair loss, brain fog, and fatigue—all of which I felt were unusual for someone in their early 30s. Traditional medicine provided medications that masked my symptoms but didn’t offer real solutions. I soon realized that chronic conditions often stem from imbalances that aren’t detected in standard tests until they are severe.
I delved into functional medicine to understand how immune system imbalances could trigger these issues. By focusing on the gut, nutrition, stress, and lifestyle, I was able to address the root causes. Having gone through this process myself, I understand firsthand the frustrations my clients face. I’m now able to guide them with empathy and confidence, knowing what it takes to find true healing.
When you think of your typical client, who comes to mind? What types of symptoms or health issues are they struggling with that you can help address?
I work with a broad spectrum of clients, from women and men to children, who are often dealing with digestive issues like IBS, bloating, or chronic constipation. These gut-related problems are often the first indicators of deeper imbalances, such as food sensitivities, hormonal dysregulation, or immune system overactivity.
Many of my clients also struggle with hormonal issues, particularly women facing menstrual irregularities, thyroid imbalances, and symptoms related to menopause. For some, this has progressed to autoimmunity, where the immune system begins to attack the body itself. I use immunomodulatory techniques and a personalized approach to help restore balance and support long-term health.
Your 4-step R.O.O.T Method seems pivotal to your practice. Could you explain this approach and how it uncovers and treats the underlying causes of illness?
The R.O.O.T Method is central to what we do at Roots & Rhythm. It stands for Relief, Origin, Optimization, and Thriving, and it’s designed to guide clients through a comprehensive healing process.
Relief is the first step, where we focus on calming the immune system and providing immediate relief from symptoms. This could mean removing specific environmental or food triggers while incorporating herbs and foundational lifestyle changes. It's about allowing the body to reset.
Origin is where we investigate the root cause. We conduct in-depth testing to understand what’s really going on—whether it’s gut health, hormonal imbalances, or immune dysfunction. This step is critical because it helps us target the underlying issues rather than just treating symptoms.
Optimization involves refining the protocol. Once we’ve identified the root cause, we tailor nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle changes to support the body’s natural healing processes. It’s about providing the body with the right resources to rebuild and restore.
Thriving is the maintenance phase. Clients come back every three months for a check-in to fine-tune their protocol and ensure they continue to thrive in the long term. This step helps maintain the progress we’ve made and keep clients on the path to sustained health.
For someone accustomed to traditional Western medicine, why might they consider functional medicine as a complementary or alternative approach? What additional benefits does it offer?
Western medicine is excellent for acute care—managing symptoms, treating emergencies, and saving lives. However, when it comes to chronic conditions, it often falls short. Functional medicine, on the other hand, looks beyond the symptoms to understand the deeper imbalances that contribute to chronic disease.
One major difference is the approach to diagnostics. Traditional medicine often uses broad ranges derived from unhealthy populations, which can mislead people into thinking they’re "normal." In functional medicine, we use more sensitive ranges to catch imbalances earlier. This allows us to treat the root cause before it progresses into a full-blown disease. Functional medicine focuses on prevention, personalization, and empowering the body to heal itself, making it an excellent complement to Western care.
“My goal is to bring the immune system back into balance so it can protect the body without overreacting or underperforming.”
How do you integrate your deep scientific knowledge with the holistic practices of functional medicine to create personalized treatment plans?
My background in immunology has given me a strong foundation for understanding the intricate workings of the immune system, how it reacts to triggers, and how it can become overactive or suppressed. In functional medicine, I apply this knowledge by using immunomodulatory techniques—using specific herbs, nutritional therapies, and lifestyle modifications to regulate immune function.
For instance, stress plays a significant role in immune health. Chronic stress can lead to increased gut permeability and immune dysfunction, so I work with clients to incorporate stress-reducing techniques like meditation and lifestyle adjustments. I also focus on sleep hygiene, which is critical for immune repair and regeneration. My goal is to bring the immune system back into balance so it can protect the body without overreacting or underperforming.
Could you share a client success story that particularly stands out to you, highlighting the transformative power of your practice?
One of my most transformative cases involved a client who had experienced two unsuccessful rounds of IVF and multiple miscarriages. She came to me feeling defeated and exhausted after years of hormone treatments and medications. We began by focusing on her gut health, detoxifying her system from the residual effects of medications, and addressing her stress levels.
Through a combination of gut healing, mineral therapy, and emotional support, she started seeing improvements in her mood, energy levels, and menstrual cycle. Eventually, her inflammation markers came down, and her fertility improved. We’re now hopeful for a successful pregnancy, and she’s feeling much more empowered and balanced in her overall health.
Lifestyle changes are often a cornerstone of functional medicine. What key lifestyle modifications do you find most impactful for overall health?
I always emphasize the importance of four main pillars: nutrition, sleep, stress management, and movement. These are simple yet powerful foundations for health.
Nutrition: Focus on whole, unprocessed foods, avoiding pro-inflammatory ingredients like refined sugars, unhealthy oils, and processed grains. Incorporate plenty of vegetables, clean proteins, and fermented foods to support gut health.
Sleep: Sleep is critical for the body’s healing and repair processes. Pairing sleep with intermittent fasting can give the digestive system a much-needed break and allow the body to focus on healing.
Stress management: Stress is a major disruptor of immune and gut health. I encourage techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and even somatic exercises to release trauma and calm the nervous system.
Movement: Gentle, consistent movement is key. I advise clients to focus on activities that they enjoy and that help maintain flexibility and circulation without overburdening the body.
Your development of a probiotic drink using wild fermentation and Indian spices is fascinating. What inspired this, and how does it differ from conventional probiotics?
I’ve always been fascinated by microbiome health and how much influence our gut bacteria have on overall wellness. Conventional probiotics are great, but they are supplements—meant to be used for a period of time, not forever. I wanted to create something more sustainable. That’s when I started experimenting with wild fermentation, which naturally populates beneficial microbes from the environment into the gut.
Inspired by traditional Indian recipes, I began incorporating ingredients like turmeric, ginger, and fennel into my fermented drinks. These ingredients not only have anti-inflammatory properties but also add a unique flavor profile. The result is a natural, effervescent probiotic soda that’s easy to drink, rich in beneficial bacteria, and more sustainable than relying on store-bought probiotic capsules.
Ready to begin your journey to holistic health? Neha offers personalized solutions that address your unique health challenges.
Book a free consultation with Neha today to get started on your health journey.
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You can also find Neha on The M List, The Mamahood’s searchable database of mom-recommended resources, or connect and collaborate with her inside of The Club membership for women Founders.