We’re living in a reductionist health paradigm: Foods are labeled, categorized, and polarized as “good” and “bad”, “healthy” and “unhealthy”. And this 2-dimensional way of thinking is creating big problems!
Folks are being programmed by propaganda to believe that perhaps the next trending diet, herb, glamorous supplement, or fancy program might just be the “magic bullet” solution they’ve been waiting for.
But the reality is that each of us is a unique individual with distinct needs, preferences, lifestyle habits, constitutional energetics, personal experiences, beliefs, values, and of course our own genetic makeup. So something that worked really well for your BFF, your coach, or your neighbor may or may not work for you!
Many holistic health practitioners can agree that nutrition, health, and fitness aren’t “black and white”. There’s no such thing as a universal one-size-fits-all approach! The majority of the answers you seek exist in the gray area – the middle pillar.
It rings true that “one man’s meat is another man’s poison,” and most of the time, you’ll hear qualified health professionals say something along the lines of “it depends” when you ask if a food, diet, or supplement is good or bad.
This concept of individuality, particularly in the context of health and nutrition, is known as “bio-individuality.”
In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the meaning of bio-individuality and explore its implications for optimizing your chances of success on your holistic healing journey!
Table of Contents
What is bio-individuality?
Bio-individuality is the understanding that each person has unique nutritional and lifestyle requirements. It recognizes that what works for one individual may not necessarily work for another.
This concept acknowledges the incredible diversity within our human population, including factors such as genetics, environment, culture, and personal experiences, which influence our health and well-being.
When you understand bio-individuality, you’ll be able to better grasp and appreciate the importance of personalization and customization on all fronts.
In my functional nutrition practice, I embrace bio-individuality as the guiding principle. It empowers my clients to step away from rigid rules and generic plans, and instead, discover the unique combination of nutrition, lifestyle choices, and self-care practices that align with their individual needs.
Implications for nutrition
When it comes to nutrition, bio-individuality recognizes that no single diet or eating plan suits everyone. What works for your friend or a celebrity you admire might not yield the same results for you.
Factors such as food sensitivities, allergies, intolerances, metabolic rate, genetics, constitutional energetics, preferences, and nutrient requirements vary greatly from person to person.
Bio-individuality explains why trying to replicate what someone else did to achieve a desired result won’t likely give you the same outcome (in most cases) – or their protocols may not feel realistic, feasible, and sustainable for you.
Adopting a bio-individual approach to nutrition involves mindful experimentation and self-discovery. It encourages you to become attuned to your body’s signals, such as energy levels, digestion, and mood, and make adjustments accordingly.
For example, some individuals may thrive on a higher fat and protein intake, while others might do better with a more plant-based approach.
The key is to take aligned action (based on recommendations from a qualified health professional, as needed) to uncover what works best for your unique body and dietary needs.
Functional nutrition lab testing
As a functional dietitian and holistic nutritionist, in my private practice and group programs, I often run functional nutrition tests.
These cutting-edge lab tests help my clients get a more comprehensive understanding of what’s actually going on in THEIR bodies – so we can co-create an exceptionally customized treatment plan to meet them where they’re at.
Uncovering you root causes
A holistic and bio-individual nutrition approach must address your root causes of whatever surface-level symptoms you’re trying to resolve.
This type of treatment plan will vary from one person to another, because no two people have all the same root-causes (which need to be addressed in order to truly resolve a long-standing health issue).
Health issues are COMPLEX and multidimensional! And they don’t just happen for no reason (regardless of what you’ve been told!).
Everything has an origin – aka a “root cause” – if not multiple root causes.
Some examples of root-causes that we look into and address in my functional nutrition practice include, but aren’t limited to:
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- Dysbiosis
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Hormonal imbalance
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
- Leaky gut syndrome
- Genetic mutations (such as MTHFR variants and/or congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency/”CSID”, to name a few!)
…and lots more.
Food logging and intuitive eating
I also teach my clients to turn inward and engage in more subjective practices such as listening to their bodies, paying attention to their unique responses to interventions, and making informed choices accordingly – since everything is feedback.
Exercise and bio-individuality
In the realm of exercise and movement, bio-individuality recognizes that we all have varying preferences, physical capabilities, and fitness goals.
While a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program might work wonders for one person, it could be too strenuous or unenjoyable for another.
(I personally feel great when I do lower-impact workouts like barre and pilates, while my sister prefers high-intensity cardio and is an avid runner!)
Exercise should never be a chore or a source of dread. With bio-individuality, you can prioritize activities that ignite your passion and align with your physical capabilities.
Whether you’re a dance enthusiast, a yoga lover, or a strength-training aficionado, your goal should be to create a sustainable fitness routine that not only helps you achieve your goals but also brings you joy and satisfaction. No more forcing yourself through workouts that drain your motivation!
Instead, you can celebrate the beauty of finding movement that nourishes both your body and your soul. (Enter: exercise energetics!)
Exercise energetics
This is a concept I’ve coined based on the core principles of Ayurveda and clinical herbalism, and something I often teach my clients about!
Exercise should bring more balance into your life. It should not amplify existing imbalances.
For example, people who find themselves feeling very busy, scattered and overwhelmed day-to-day should consider choosing slower and more grounding workouts like walking outside or a yoga class. (Running would be more likely to amplify the feelings of chaos and overwhelm!)
On the other hand, people who have a very stable, static 9-5 job sitting at a desk all day could benefit from a higher-intensity workout like running, cycling, or HIIT to help get the energy moving and flowing throughout their system.
Bottom line: Listening to your body and finding activities that you genuinely enjoy are the ingredients to the “secret sauce” of exercise energetics!
Bio-individuality and emotional well-being
Bio-individuality isn’t limited to just diet and exercise; it extends to emotional well-being as well.
Each of us has different stressors, coping mechanisms, and emotional needs. (Stuff that triggers or helps ME may not have the same effects on you, and vice versa!)
Taking a bio-individual approach to emotional well-being involves exploring and trying out various techniques such as meditation, mindfulness, therapy, or creative outlets to find what resonates with you personally.
For example, I absolutely love Jikiden Reiki and Emotional Freedom Technique for my own stress management – but I’m not very good at keeping a consistent meditation practice!
Many others thrive on meditation.
No modality is “right” or “wrong” or “better” than another – it’s all about your own experiences.
Sometimes the best way to figure out which techniques are going to be most helpful for you is to TRY a bunch of them, and see how it goes!
Remember, you’re in the driver’s seat. YOU get to decide for yourself, and carve your own unique path.
Final thoughts
In a world bombarded with generic advice and quick fixes, bio-individuality is your guiding light toward optimal health.
It’s a refreshing perspective and an invitation to embrace your uniqueness, honor your body’s wisdom, and embark on a journey of self-discovery.
By adopting a bio-individual approach to nutrition, exercise, and emotional well-being, we can embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, leading to a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Remember, you are one-of-a-kind, and your health journey should reflect that. Embrace your bio-individuality and unlock your full potential!
As a passionate advocate for personalized nutrition, I’m here to support you every step of the way. Together, we’ll unlock the secrets of your bio-individuality, helping you thrive in a way that’s true to your authentic self.
Remember, your path to optimal health is as unique as you are! You do you, my friend.
Next steps
If this resonates and you’re seeking expert guidance to help you crack your unique health code and connect the dots on your holistic healing journey, I’d love to chat!
Apply HERE for a complementary connect call with me.
If your health/nutrition goals seem to align with how I can help, someone from my team will reach out to you via email with a link to book a 15-minute meet & greet call with yours truly, so we can discuss next steps!
XO – Jenna
