The Bio-Individuality Blueprint
Your journey to wellness & vitality doesn't come with a copy-paste button
Ever notice how your friend swears by that latest weight loss supplement, but your body just rolls its eyes? Or that trending productivity routine your colleagues are raving about does absolutely nothing for you? Or your sister’s new workout routine seems to have her shrinking, and you, not so much?
What’s up with this?
Well, let’s take a quick exploration into the kaleidoscope of what makes you, you (me, me) —biochemically speaking - where our body's instruction manual is as unique as our Netflix algorithm (or, if you prefer, our Amazon algorithm).
I was only vaguely familiar with the term, bio-individuality when introduced to it last year, so I decided to dive into the latest articles, podcasts, and videos to learn more about who was saying what, why, and to get a feel for the general consensus. And, looking for alternative views, I stumbled upon the video, The Bio-Individuality Myth.
My curiosity, clearly, wasn’t going to be satisfied with the latest blog/video/podcast on bio-individuality, it wanted details about the origin of this concept. So, I bought the book, Biochemical Individuality: The Basis for the Genetotrophic Concept (published in 1956, written by renowned biochemist, Roger J. Williams, Ph.D.), and got busy reading this page-turner, NOT.
(I promise not to get too sciency; not interested in my eyes glazing over either).
I read through the intro, first, and second chapter, skimmed through the next seven, and read chapter nine that focused on ‘Individuality in Nutrition.’ And, concluded that this IS an important read. So much so that it’s become the foundation on which my approach to health and wellness is built.
Dr. Williams observed that at the metabolic level, “we are all as unique as we are in our fingerprints.” He also “described anatomical and physiological variations among people and how they related to their individual responses to the environment.” I also learned that although he was the first to gain recognition for the term, one of the earliest works to discuss biochemical individuality was actually written in 1902 by Archibald E. Garrod, MD.
“There is no such thing as a truly ‘normal’ individual - meaning average. We are all biochemically unique and need to be dealt with as such.” - Jeffrey S. Banks, Ph.D.
“Biochemical relates to the chemical substances and reactions in living organisms, and these can change with environment and health, while genetics refer to the inherited DNA code, which determines how those biochemical processes are set up and regulated.” For a deeper dive, check out, Genetic Testing vs. Biochemical Testing: A Clear Guide to the Differences. Simply put, biochemistry is about the changing chemical activities in our bodies, whereas genetics is about the unchanging DNA blueprint that directs those activities.
This makes SO much sense. There is no such thing as the “average person,” we are all genetically biochemically unique. I’ve always been leery about nutrition and fitness studies prescribing what ‘we all’ should be eating, doing, etc. in very specific ways related to our health and wellbeing. I’m always curious about who they studied, why, when, where, how long, why the data keeps changing, and who’s sharing, promoting and conveniently positioned to benefit from these findings.
“Nutrition is for real people. Statistical humans are of little interest.” - Jeffrey S. Banks, Ph.D.
I’ve come to believe that because we are nature, much of what we need can be intuitively determined when we learn how to listen to our bodies. It requires exploration, experimentation, and a commitment to knowing our bodies well.
Our bodies do speak to us - they sound the alarm when there’s trouble, and purr like an engine when everything is functioning well. Whether it be excruciating pain to mild discomfort, we know when our bodies aren’t happy about what we put into our mouths, breathe in, inject, or apply to our skin.
It’s not just about bad genes. We’re not doomed because of our genetic makeup. Environment and nutrition play a critical role in determining outcomes. Understanding our unique nutritional needs and environmental requirements are part of our optimal health equation. This is great news!
It means that we become our own primary care doctors in partnership with medical practitioners. Not handing over the maintenance and upkeep of our miraculous bodies, the homes that house our radiant and boundless soul/spirit/divine consciousness/spiritual self (or your preferred term) to doctors. Partner with them, yes; give them free rein, nope.
If you want a longer, healthier, more vibrant life, it starts with really knowing yourself—body, mind, and spirit.
There are SO many details to unpack on this topic, but for now, the message is to commit to getting really curious about your own body. Pay attention to reactions, patterns, cycles, and those little aches and pains.
This means exploring and experimenting until you find what works for you. And yes, this goes beyond physical health. Your mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being are all part of your unique blueprint.
Think of yourself as the proud landlord of a state of the art home. Love it. Care for it. Maintain it. Get to know every shift, creak, and purr.
So, what’s the takeaway from this mini tour through the science (and art) of bio-individuality? It’s simple. It’s powerful.
YOU are the only YOU expert!
There’s no copy-paste solution to health, wellness, and vitality. Learn, listen to, and love YOUR body. Your journey is yours alone—messy, beautiful, and uniquely yours.
Embrace your bio-individuality. Stay curious. Be kind to yourself. Keep exploring. Keep experimenting.
May your journey to vitality be as unique, and extraordinary as you are!
What have you discovered about your own bio-individuality? I’d love to hear about your experiments, findings, surprises, alternative perspectives, and realizations —message me below or share in the comments!