Let's dive into Chapter 7, where we explore why personalization is the future of health and wellbeing.
Chapter 7: A Personalized Approach
Here's a truth that might surprise you: Your body contains about 37.2 trillion cells (Bianconi et al., 2013), and each one is uniquely you. So why do we keep trying to follow one-size-fits-all approaches to health?
Think about it: Would you wear someone else's prescription glasses? Of course not. Yet we often adopt other people's diets, exercise routines, and wellness practices without considering if they're right for us.
As Dr. Jeffrey Bland, the father of functional medicine, puts it, "The medicine of the future is personalized and precise" (Bland, 2015). He's right, but I'd argue the future is already here.
Let's break this down:
Your Unique Blueprint
Your body is an incredible symphony of:
- Genes (but not just genes)
- Microbiome (100 trillion microorganisms)
- Environmental influences
- Lifestyle choices
- Emotional experiences
As Dr. David Perlmutter notes, "We are not victims of our genes. We are masters of our genetic destiny through the choices we make" (Perlmutter, 2015).
The Microbiome Revolution
Here's something mind-blowing: You're more microbe than human. For every human cell, you have about 10 microorganisms living in and on you (Knight, 2015). As Dr. Martin Blaser explains, "These microbes aren't just along for the ride. They're driving" (Blaser, 2014).
But here's the key: Your microbiome is as unique as your fingerprint. What works for someone else might not work for you because your internal ecosystem is different.
The Environment Effect
As Bruce Lipton's groundbreaking research shows, "The environment, not genes, determines the vast majority of our traits" (Lipton, 2005). This includes:
- Physical environment
- Social environment
- Emotional environment
- Chemical environment
- Electromagnetic environment
Your Personal Medicine Cabinet
This is where the 12 Medicines of SelfCare become powerful. They're not rigid prescriptions but flexible frameworks that you can personalize. As Arianna Huffington writes, "We need to accept that we are not machines and cannot operate like them" (Huffington, 2014).
So how do you create your personalized approach?
1. Start with Awareness
- Listen to your body
- Track your responses
- Notice patterns
- Honor your intuition
2. Experiment Wisely
- Make one change at a time
- Document your results
- Be patient
- Stay curious
3. Create Your Formula
- Combine what works
- Adjust as needed
- Stay flexible
- Trust the process
As Dr. Rachel Carlton Abrams reminds us, "Your body is speaking to you all the time. Learning to hear and respond to its messages is the key to lasting health" (Abrams, 2016).
Here's the thing: You're not just a collection of symptoms to be fixed. You're a complex, dynamic system with incredible intelligence. As Dr. Deepak Chopra says, "Every cell in your body is eavesdropping on your thoughts" (Chopra, 2018).
The future of health is:
- Personalized
- Predictive
- Preventive
- Participatory
Dr. P. Michael Stone calls this "P4 Medicine" (Stone, 2014), and it's revolutionizing how we think about health.
Remember: You are unique. Your path to health should be too. The 12 Medicines of SelfCare provide a framework, but you get to decide how to apply them in your life.
As you move forward, ask yourself:
- What makes me feel truly vital?
- What depletes my energy?
- What practices resonate with my body?
- What changes feel sustainable?
Your answers will guide you toward your personal formula for optimal health.
References:
Abrams, R. C. (2016). BodyWise: Discovering Your Body's Intelligence for Lifelong Health and Healing. Rodale Books.
Bianconi, E., et al. (2013). An estimation of the number of cells in the human body. Annals of Human Biology.
Bland, J. (2015). The Disease Delusion: Conquering the Causes of Chronic Illness. Harper Wave.
Blaser, M. (2014). Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antibiotics Is Fueling Our Modern Plagues. Henry Holt.
Chopra, D. (2018). The Healing Self. Harmony.
Huffington, A. (2014). Thrive. Harmony Books.
Knight, R. (2015). Follow Your Gut: The Enormous Impact of Tiny Microbes. Simon & Schuster.
Lipton, B. (2005). The Biology of Belief. Mountain of Love Productions.
Perlmutter, D. (2015). Brain Maker. Little, Brown Spark.
Stone, P. M. (2014). What Every Doctor Should Know About Personalized Medicine. Institute for Functional Medicine.
