Best doctor! Rich Stagliano is the most incredible doctor. He is what a doctor in the field of medicine ought to be. I was initially very nervous to go see him because of past experiences, but I was told by another clinic to go see Rich because in their words "he is the best Functional Medicine Doctor on the West Coast". From my first conversation with him, Rich has made me feel at ease, he actively listens, asks the right questions, and problem solves with me to find the most appropriate solution. Upon completion of a thorough questionnaire & eval, he pinpointed the root cause of my issue to be an allergy to gluten, dairy & a deficiency in a vit/min. He not only gave me the tools needed to make changes to diet, stress, sleep, self-care, relationships, etc; he supported me through each step. What I think is incredible about Rich, is that he takes a holistic approach. He not only treats the condition, it's underlying causes but he treats the whole person!!! He has not only been a doctor to me, but also a coach. He is kind, compassionate, extremely thorough & has excellent follow-through. Again, let me say that he is the BEST doctor!! He has changed the course of my life, & to him I am forever grateful. Thank you! read more

Compassionate and knowledgeable whole-person care that is excellent! My partner and I are so very happy that we have found Dr. Stagliano. As health professionals ourselves, we can truly appreciate his expert depth and width of knowledge of functional medicine. He has helped us in several areas in which we could never previously find an MD who would actually do the expanded type of diagnostic testing required, nor prescribe the best treatments, many being non-pharmaceutical. We always receive kindness, caring, and thorough care. He is the best! We're so grateful! read more

Dr. Stagliano is thoughtful, thourough and committed to getting to the root cause of what ails. He keeps up with the current research, uses a systemic approach to health, and provides resources that empower the patient to move towards wellness. Dr. Stagliano is an excellent physician and I wish more doctors adopted his care model. read more

I was looking for a functional medicine practitioner when I found Dr. Rich, among others. After a free 1/2 hour consultation, my instincts told me that he would be the practitioner who would be knowledgeable enough to cure my discomforts. I felt that his calm energy and caring bedside manner would do me a world of good. My three general complaints were digestion discomfort, inflammation in my joints and lack of energy. He documented my life-long medical time line and we discovered that my stomach problems began in 1994 when I took an anti-fungal at the direction of an allergy doctor. From a digestive test, Dr. Rich ascertained what bacteria was missing from my gut. The special probiotic he prescribed has led to my digestion being 100% better. I can eat anything - but I don't because Dr. Rich also taught me about eating more healthy, exercising regularly and how to approach my life from a healthier perspective. My energy is up and the inflammation is down as a result of conscious eating and supplements. My approach towards what life presents to me has shifted. Dr. Rich has more expertise to offer than what you think you are coming in for. He has been refreshing and a nice surprise in a world of physicians who claim that they can "cure" you. I plan on keeping him in my life over the years as a health partner and coach. read more

I've worked with Dr. Stagliano over the past few months and have found him to be a very organized, thorough and kind doctor. I was especially impressed when I mentioned to him that I wasn't sure my treatment plan was working and he took the time to discuss with me in-depth and figure out a new path forward. He is a great communicator and looks at the whole person rather than just the symptoms when treating patients. read more

A few years ago a close family member was diagnosed with a serious autoimmune condition. The only option given by the Western medical doctors was taking immunosuppressant drugs for life. NOT a good option. So we did a lot of research and asked questions. Someone suggested finding a functional medicine practitioner, which prompted additional research to find out what functional medicine is all about and it was the answer we were searching for! Rather than being sentenced to a lifetime of pharmaceuticals, functional medicine focuses on finding the root cause of the problem and actually eliminating it, and giving you your life back. This is exactly what we were searching for. As we searched for the functional medicine practitioner, we found www.livefitmedicine.com. Reading through Dr. Stagliano's bio and the rest of the site, we knew that he could be the answer to our prayers, and he was. This was four years ago and I am happy to report that the patient is doing great and all his labs have normalized. He has no symptoms and has no need for the pharmaceuticals! With Dr. Rich's guidance and support, we found the root cause of the problem and focused on healing it by utilizing healing diet, taking the right supplements, which support the body's healing, and learning to handle stress. Words cannot describe how grateful we all are for finding Dr. Rich and for the care he has provided. Not only is he a trained medical doctor with years of experience in the ER, who knows everything about things that need to be checked and the drugs that need to be prescribed (only if all other options have been exhausted) but he is also certified in functional medicine, which means he will dig down to find the root cause of what ails you and then focus on eliminating it. He will be your ally in gently but firmly guiding you towards owning your body, your health and your life. Dr. Rich offers non-traditional options to help you heal along with all necessary labs to really understand what's going on. Healing dietary recommendations and supplements are suggested along with meditation, mindfulness and exercise, to take a whole body approach. There's an individual approach to each patient (not one diet/supplement fit all). I know this because I also became Dr. Rich's patient and we were able to find the root cause of my symptoms; and recommendations given were specific to my health challenges. If you've never experienced functional medicine and Dr. Rich's approach, you will be shocked to find that the first appointment is 2 hours long! When was the last time you've spent 2 hours with your doctor going over your life and health history?! Dr. Rich will dig deep to really get to know you and what brought you to him. Not only will he know you as a patient, this is a truly collaborative relationship where he will get to know you as a person too so that he can guide you towards your optimal healthy, happy life. In Dr. Rich you will find a kind and compassionate doctor, a friend and your best cheerleader. He will patiently answer your endless questions and explain things in a way anyone will understand. This is the way the medicine should be practiced! If the cost of the appointments is keeping you from taking the first step, consider this: the 35% savings from the supplements discounts you will receive through Dr. Rich's site will pay for the appointments rather quickly. If you have a PPO plan, depending on your deductible, a portion of the cost may be reimbursed by your insurance (you will need to submit a claim). The rest you can claim via Section 125 flexible benefits, which are offered by most employers (ask your HR/benefits department). This will result in significant tax savings as flexible benefits are pre-tax for Federal and State income tax. Finally, supplements prescribed by Dr. Rich can also be claimed through the flexible benefits plan as long as you submit a letter of medical necessity from the doctor, which Dr. Rich will happily provide. For our family, finding Dr. Rich has been the answer we've been looking for and we are so happy that we asked the right questions and kept an open mind. I can't recommend him enough. Good luck on your journey back to health! read more

The biggest shift in my health occurred when I started working with Dr. Rich. For reasonable money he ran several important tests that helped me understand my body composition, food sensitivities, and general digestive issues. From there, he customized a diet and supplement plan while also supporting me in completing a career that was no longer serving me psychologically and physically. The end result was my chronic psoriasis went into remission and since that time, I have been experiencing exceptional health and vitality. Functional medicine is an emerging path to solving the health care mess in this country, by empowering people to understand their bodies and take control of their health. read more

I'm so grateful for Dr. Rich and the help he has given me! I've struggled with chronic gut health issues for years ever since I took multiple antibiotics in a short period of time. He's the first doctor who's really diagnosed me, made me feel like I'm not going crazy, and given me the tools to get better. This is the best I've felt in years! He is a wonderful advocate, listener, and empathizer. He's been great at answering all of my emails too. He has taken such good care of me! read more

Dr. Rich is a wealth of knowledge and has been an immensely valuable resource to me. Functional medicine was a completely novel concept to me before I came to Dr. Rich. However, after my experience with him, I feel, that I can comfortably recommend this practice and specifically Dr. Rich to my friends and family. He was able to quickly identify my digestive issues and consult me on how to adjust my eating habits and prescribe a solution that has been very effective. I have a great deal more energy now and feel great. I am very glad that I decided to take a consultation with Dr. Rich and I wish I had done so sooner. read more

I've been on quite a journey with multiple health problems, loads of antibiotics, many doctors, & heavy anxiety. Things worsened over the last five years & I'm not even 40. I saw a few naturopaths, did tons of my own research, and then I found Dr. Stagliano. He was recommended to me & I'm so glad we connected. Dr. Stagliano is incredibly thorough, clear, & knowledgeable. He seeks to get to the root of your health problems & is well versed in his systematic approaches. I highly recommend him! read more

Dr. Stagliano saved me. I have had ulcerative colitis for ten years and he treated my whole being and not just my symptoms. He is extremely knowledgeable and he was sensitive to my needs. It was evident from our phone consultation that he truly cares about the health of his patients and is on the journey of wellness with me. I recommend him to everyone I know. He changed my life. Thank you, Dr. Stagliano. read more

Dr. Rich is amazing and has forever changed my mindset on nutrition and eating habits. I originally started seeing him after I had my first baby and needed a "jump start" to my eating habits and exercise routine. Dr. Rich got me on the right track and the changes made have now been life changes and are incorporated in my entire families daily life. I have continued to stick with these amazing changes through my 2nd pregnancy and couldn't be happier. If you are in a rut and need a good jump start - go see Dr. Rich!! You won't be sorry!! read more

I have been under Dr. Stagliano's care for almost 2 years and highly recommend him to anyone looking for an MD that understands the Functional Medicine approach. Dr. Stagliano took a methodical approach to my health. He took the time to understand my history and ordered appropriate tests to ensure my treatment plan was specific to me. I was really impressed with his dedication to patient care when we reached a point where my progress seemed to stall and even back-slide. At this point Dr. Stagliano took the time to consult with some of the other practitioners he networks with and returned with a unique treatment option that got us back on track within less than a month! If you are looking for a Functional Medicine doctor that is extremely knowledgeable and easy to communicate with, I would highly recommend talking to Dr. Stagliano. read more

Although my exposure to Dr. Rich was limited to a 5-minute long conversation, I was positively impressed by his kindness and understanding, as well as his knowledge. He knew he had nothing to gain from it, because I am using another naturopathic practitioner in the UK, he was very patient and kindly offered incredibly helpful advise. read more

In January, 2012, when I first saw Dr. Stagliano, I weighed 205 pounds, and my body fat was 34.5% Dr. Stagliano put me on a special diet. In six months, I had dropped to just under 20% body fat. My pant size had dropped from a 44 to size 34, all without losing any lean muscle mass. The Type 2 Diabetes which I had for 22 years is gone! I can breathe better, and my panic attacks have ceased to be a problem. In September I walked both ways across the Golden Gate Bridge 14 times. My friends are commenting on how well I'm looking, and my own mother didn't even recognize me since it had been almost a year since I last saw her. In my experience, modern medicine is all about healing the symptoms - and not the disease. The symptoms are like a fire alarm, and the disease is like the fire. So modern medicine concentrates on turning off the fire alarm, but the fire is still burning. But the functional medicine that Dr. Stagliano practices concentrates on healing the disease - and lets the symptoms take care of themselves. I have had to put in a lot of work, but Dr. Stagliano has provided the guidance that has enabled me to get real results. I am 66 years old, but I feel that I have a new lease on life. I recommend consulting with Dr. Stagliano to anyone who cares about their quality of life and wants to improve their health. read more

I have no words to describe how immensely grateful I am to Dr. Rich. He gave me my life back and thanks to him, I am now able to live and enjoy life as it should be! My story is a long one but I'll try to make it short. I've had gastrointestinal problems for as long as I can remember -and that's more than 30 years. Throughout the years I've seen dozens of doctors- from gastroenterologists, to naturopaths to allergists and psychiatrists, you name it. No one was able to help me and in the past 5 years my problems became so bad that I was feeling extremely ill practically every day of my life. After visiting some of the best doctors in the West Coast and after having some of the most horrible "exams" and procedures done to me with no relief, I've had enough. I lost "faith" completely on medicine and realized that if I wanted to feel better, I was going to have to find a solution myself. I read dozens of books made research online and realize that one of the missing links had to be my nutrition -although Doctors said otherwise. After trying several "diets", I finally found one that gave me a little bit of relief, but I realized that if I really wanted to feel better and normal, I would need someone to help me. That's when I randomly found Dr. Rich online- it really was a miracle. Although it took several months for me to really start feeling better, Dr. Rich was always there to patiently explain things to me as well as to offer support. Not only does he have the best bedside manner I have ever encountered, but he is extremely knowledgeable and compassionate. If you ever find yourself looking for a solution to a health problem, do not hesitate to contact Dr. Rich, you will not be disappointed. Thank you so much Dr. Rich! I'll be forever grateful to you. read more

I was struggling with some serious digestive issues when a friend recommended Dr. Rich. At our first appointment, Dr. Rich listened attentively and to my present situation and past history and helped me understand what might be happening in my whole body. Through a comprehensive stool test, blood testing, and stress management, he helped set me on the right course. After a couple sessions, I had a game plan for how to feel better. There are few doctors who focus on stress and its effects on the body in such a comprehensive way, and Dr. Rich offers practical ways to deal with stress as well as affirmation regarding how it can affect the entire body/mind/spirit. I continue to be on my way to better and better health. read more

I've been seeing Dr. Rich for over 3 years, and to say he's changed my life is an understatement. As a full-time working mother who couldn't lose weight after my second child and was experiencing a whole range of other issues, I went to see Rich after my OB-GYN and my PCP prescribed hormones and recommended rest, respectively (the former option wasn't preferable given my family medical history, and the latter option simply wasn't possible with 2 young children and a full-time job). Rich honed in on various aspects of my health, did some testing to verify his suspicions, and put me on a healthful regimen of supplements and other things to address my underlying condition. He also provided reasonable (and doable) exercises and sleep suggestions, working with me over time to integrate everything into a busy life. Within a year, I lost 30 pounds, all of my symptoms disappeared, and I felt better than I had in years. I learned a tremendous amount about health and nutrition - and how inter-connected the two are - and have been able to apply my knowledge and experiences to my family and their health and nutrition, as well. It's a shame there aren't more practitioners like Rich! For anyone looking for answers to health and wellness questions and issues that Western Medicine can't provide, and for anyone hoping to work with someone on the cutting-edge of functional medicine, who is also dedicated and a great motivator, Rich is your guy. read more

Dr. Rich changed my life! He was able to figure out and solve my digestive issues that other gastroenteroligists could not. I was referred by a friend/patient of his, and have paid it forward by referring others who all got relief. Things changed after I recently had a baby, so I visited him for the second time. My insurance didn't cover any of it, but the relief is priceless and worth every penny!!! I'll go back again in another 2 years if need be :) read more

After years of struggling to find a doctor who I can work with to optimize my health and wellness, I am so happy to have found Dr Rich right here in SF. Standard physical exams were just not working for me, as I have become very focused on being proactive and wanted a more comprehensive approach to my health. It's awesome to now have someone of his caliber to work with. I would encourage anyone looking to achieve ultra wellness in their own life to give Dr Rich a call. read more

I've struggled with the highs and lows of thyroid disorder for years. It's been a journey and a lesson in listening to the deepest parts of who I am in order to seek out those who have a different approach to healing. Dr. Rich has been a true miracle in this way! I came to him having already given up inflammatory foods like gluten and cow dairy. Dr. Rich has taken me to the next level, which is exactly what I wanted when I walked through his door. Today, my TSH, T3, T4 are within normal range. My thyroid antibody numbers are decreasing and I feel great! The Doctor put me on Nature Thyroid and has me dedicated to a paleo diet. I can also talk to him about visualization and the power of the mind over our health. Dr. Rich is informative, intelligent, and deeply caring. I now have a Doctor who knows that food heals if we give our bodies what they need. Medicine should not be about writing a prescription and sending a patient on their way. Disease starts at the root. Dr. Rich has helped me get back to the root of the cause and I'm much healthier for it. I'm living fit -- and I love it. YES!!! Thank you! read more