About Us

Functional Medicine Specialists is an Encinitas-based health practice founded by Cambria De Marco, serving patients in CA, FL, NV, NH, NM, NY, OR and WA. At Functional Medicine Specialists, we practice a model of medicine that is holistic, patient-centered and individualized, drawing from both conventional medicine, and evidence-based functional and integrative therapies. We are dedicated to finding root cause answers for patients and empowering them to direct and optimize their own long-term health and overall vitality.

Illness in and of itself is exhausting, made all the more tiring by trying to find the right doctor. Just anyone is never ok, but if you’ve had cancer, as I have, or heart disease as my partner has, the right fit is crucial. Beyond all the important and necessary credentials, you want someone who you feel is partnering with you on your path of health, who can give you insight, informed support and most importantly, a road to prevention. Cambria Demarco is what they call a godsend. The one you recommend to friends with a kind of of awe, “I found a good one.” She is all that I mentioned above and more. As a cancer survivor twice over, I have seen my share of doctors and I know when I get the right fit. Dependable, wise and intelligent, my experience of Cambria is what one would hope all of health care might one day be – personal and in-depth. When I learned that Cambria was no longer at the office where I had been seeing her, I immediately set out to become a patient wherever she would now be practicing. I have a number of friends who are planning to do the same. I have no doubt that wherever she ends up, Cambria will have a following and will certainly be an asset to her clients.

Devorah M., Encinitas

Cambria helped me overcome a bad stomach issue, which was hindering my basic daily responsibilities and activities for almost a full year. I was nervous I'd be stuck on a prescription for the rest of my life but Cambria set out to find the root of my problem rather than putting a band-aid on the issue with a prescription. After many tests, we were able to unveil the cause of my issue and I was able to focus on healing as I was no longer blind to what was causing me to feel unhealthy. Cambria do a great job in balancing holistic medicine with conventional medicine as I believe both are equally beneficial and have their time and place. Thank you for helping with getting me back to a healthy state to where I can finally get the most out of life again!

Chris M, Carlsbad

We are beyond thankful for the wisdom and care our daughter received from Cambria. She led us on a path of true healing for our daughter. We will forever be eternally grateful! When my daughter was ten years old, we noticed some extreme changes physically and emotionally over a few short months. We knew something was not right. Although her pediatrician strongly felt it was simply puberty, we knew it was more than that and had to push for her to run tests. The results showed severe Hashimoto's disease and her thyroid was barely functioning. She had stopped growing, was experiencing constant stomach pain and we saw her personality fade. They immediately scheduled us at Rady Children’s in the endocrinology department. Thankfully, we were doing additional homework and reached out to Cambria. We had appointments with Cambria and Rady's on the same day. Cambria spent an hour with us and explained how she would look for the source of our daughter's immune reaction, including food allergy testing and testing of her digestive system. She recommended targeted supplements to better support her immune system and she suggested a low dose of natural thyroid hormone medication. We next went to see the head of endocrinology who spent 10 minutes with us and simply handed us a prescription for the standard synthetic thyroid medication, at an extremely aggressive dose. We asked the doctor what to do about the issue going on with her immune system, which would not be addressed by the thyroid medication he prescribed. He looked us straight in the eye and said ``There is nothing you can do for that.`` We did not return to see that doctor again. Cambria discovered various food allergies, which we were unaware of, and suggested diet changes. Our daughter also began a supplement program, specifically targeted for her deficiencies. We saw immediate improvements in her wellbeing. Two years later, her thyroid function, and most importantly her auto-immune markers are nearly all normal. Her TPO antibody level at her initial test was 4340. The normal range is 0-60. And after following Cambria’s program, a month ago her TPO antibody level decreased to 63. Cambria found a way to do something for a disease that, in the eyes of the head of Pediatric Endocrinology “could not be treated.”

Ali, Carlsbad

Cambria helped me trough postpartum hell and to get pregnant again at 42! I honestly don’t know how to thank Cambria for all that she has done for me and my health. I was deep in postpartum depression after my first son was born. I had seen several doctors that said “nothing was wrong with me” and wanted to give me antidepressants. I knew deep in my heart that something wasn’t right and my therapist gave me Cambria’s information. From the initial consultation I knew that Cambria would help me. She took the time to listen and really cared about my health. After doing a thorough questionnaire and in depth blood work she discovered that I had issues with my thyroid and so much more. After being on the right supplements I recovered and started to feel whole again. Cambria was also a huge part of my journey to getting pregnant for the second time in my 40’s. I highly recommend Cambria and have referred so many of my friends and clients to her. Everyone has been so happy with their results. Thank you for sharing your gifts Cambria!

Micaela M., Encinitas

Cambria turned a hot mess into a clean healthy specimen. I’m 66 and was thinking I could blame all my ailments and low energy on age. My girlfriend told me about Cambria and convinced me to give her a try. Best advice I’ve ever listened to. Cambria made the whole process simple and it was easy because all of our appointments were via telemed. Some of my blood levels came back as in the danger zone for things nobody wants to hear or deal with. Diabetes, heart attack, stroke, you name it. Within 5 months of doing what Cambria told me to do, I dropped 25 lbs and my levels came back in the green, no more heart attack and stroke risk thanks to Cambria. I’m more athletic now than I have been in years and feel great. I would highly recommend her and Functional Medicine Specialists to family and friends or anyone who wants to change their health and life for the better.

Kirk S., Encinitas

Where do I start, I have like soo many others been soo frustrated with doctor's I basically had to research and become my own doctor and have been able to resolve quite a few issues but I knew there was something else going on. I googled and researched to find someone that was open to natural methods and only prescribed medicine when was absolutely necessary. Cambria is 100% what I was looking for. I was sent a patient form to fill out and to say was thorough would be a understatement, no stone was left unturned. After our initial visit thru ZOOM (I'm in Fl and she's in Cali) she sent me for blood testing. 18 vials of blood!! The most I ever had done in the past was MAYBE 3. The results pinpointed what was happening and Cambria knew what would help me and 90% were natural supplements. It's been around 7 months and I dont feel (unwell anymore) and I just had my 18 vials rechecked again and there was one that was dangerously high like scary has come down to almost normal levels. When we have our meet ups it's like I'm talking with a close friend and I so look forward to them and she's able to answer any and all questions that I have for her. Like alot or reviews say I wish I had found her sooner. 10 stars ++++ and she is my only DR that I really need now. Thanks Cambria soo much.

Darren M.

Cambria is the most intuitive, detail oriented, caring physician I have ever known. She doesn’t want to just Band-Aid problems, she wants to fix them. We are very fortunate to have someone like her in the medical community. Absolutely 100% the best!

Salima W.

Cambria is my go to practitioner for my health issues. She is knowledgeable about many chronic issues and is a true partner in health for me. I have referred many others to her over the years.

Cindy W.

When we first sought out Cambria, it was because we were in a dire situation as a family. We found out about her from the James Greenblatt website, where it had a list of FMP that took his training. We checked out her website and watched some of her blogs, she seemed like a good fit for us. At the time, our 6 year old daughter had been experiencing acute anxiety. She had been having daily anxiety attacks, sometimes lasting an hour or two, and was barely sleeping through the night. The anxiety was also presenting itself with her not wanting to leave the house. She developed a fear of even going outside the front door, or having the blinds open. And since she was a baby, she had sensory issues, but now they were compounded by the anxiety. One day, she woke up and she was unable to wear clothes.. at all, for over 2 months. It was heartbreaking. She would only sleep on a towel, with one specific sheet on her. She couldn’t touch the couch, so it had to be covered at all times, and a fear of water was manifesting as well. She was also suffering from ADHD. Her homeschooling became non-existent, we would talk to her and it would be as if we were not even there. She just could not focus. Cambria did a lot of testing on her. The phlebotomist came to the house, which was great, because this kid was deathly afraid of needles. But we did it. It was so much calmer that way. After the results came back, and Cambria formulated the protocol for our daughter, things began to improve… within the first two days. The first thing we noticed was that her anxiety attacks stopped and her ADHD symptoms were subsiding. She was playing independently, for long stretches of time, with the same toys. She began to draw… which was something she had absolutely no interest in before. She could actually sit and comprehend the schoolwork that was presented to her, and began to do it on her own. She would listen and follow instructions. Then, about 2 weeks later, she Began to wear some clothes, and within 8 weeks. It was a miracle… she was wearing clothes that she never even wore before her anxiety came on. She began sleeping through the night, and we were able to lessen her dose of melatonin from 3mg down to 1mg. We were able to go on vacation, and resume our lives. Our happy little girl is back! She loves picking out here outfits every day now. She draws and plays, and follows instructions, and is doing things that I just assumed she would not be able to do because of ADHD. Cambria was the answer to all our prayers. She listened to our family, and she knew exactly what to do. She is available when we need her, she answers our questions, and is very responsive. She is the Practitioner that every family needs! We still have some work ahead of us with some future Occupational Therapy, but our daughter is feeling better! We are beyond thankful for finding and having the privilege to work with Cambria DeMarco and we tell everyone we know about her! Thank you, Cambria!

Kristina R.

Functional Medicine and Cambria DeMarco has been a strong source for the light at the end of the tunnel to grow brighter this year! From the start Cambria and her employees have been very kind, very intelligent, and very professional. Although a complicated and highly detailed world of science, Cambria was able to effectively break it down and put me on the right path--quickly! I can't say enough how great Functional Medicine is, and the results are already starting to set in--a new life is in-store and I stand here very grateful for everything they have done for me!

Zach W.

Cambria is the BEST. I have had my whole family see her. She helped me when 20 other practitioners had given me the wrong diagnoses and she is now my main practitioner. I LOVE that she listens and is your healthcare partner. Very knowledgeable and kind and will help!!!

Liz F.

Dr. Cambria is very knowledgeable and has helped me get my levels in check when other doctors could not. I am so thankful for her, without her I would still be feeling terrible. I had never really looked into functional medicine before but I am so glad I did. I highly recommend you see her if you are having any issues!

Nicole D.

The Functional Medicine Approach

Our bodies need overall biological balance to perform optimally and to maintain wellness.

Functional medicine gets down to what the body needs more ov, and what the body needs to get rid of.

Neurological Health

The brain cannot function well in an inflamed, toxic, metabolically deranged environment. We focus on evaluating our patient’s overall system and create specific plans to remedy any imbalances.

Digestive Health

Digestive problems wreak havoc over your entire body leading to chronic illnesses. Digestion is central to your entire health. It is connected to everything that happens in your body.

Cardiovascular Health

Ninety percent of heart disease is preventable, yet heart disease is still the number one killer in this country. We address the root cause of heart disease and audit diet to change how your genetic code reacts.

Autoimmunity & Allergies

If you have food allergies, it will affect how you think, function and feel. Food allergies can be the root cause of chronic inflammation and are associated with chronic diseases.

Hormonal Balance

Balancing hormones safely requires knowledge of how each hormone works with the others and how to monitor if the hormones are being metabolized and detoxified correctly.

PRP & Micro-Current Facials

Both facials reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, leaving you with glowing skin while also rejuvenating your skin at a cellular level.

Now Offering Telehealth Appointments

In these trying times we now have the flexibility of offering telemedicine so you can continue to get state of the art care from your home at your convenience. Private video conference appointments are available with flexible hours. Telemedicine appointments are available to any patient in the state of California, Florida, New Hampshire, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Washington

Contact Us

Send a message using the form below and we will get back to you within one business day. If you don’t hear back within one day, please email [email protected] or call 760-270-3990.

Our hours are Tuesday – Friday, 9am-5pm.