Embracing Your Uniqueness

You are unique.

I would like to introduce this piece in the same way that I approach large corporate audiences at my speaking engagements...

“Ladies and Gentlemen, please stand up and for just ten seconds, have a good look around the room at your fellow colleagues. What you will notice is that each and every one of you is different. In fact, not just different, but completely unique!

There will never ever be someone like you again on this earth and that’s a pretty cool fact. So, firstly, let’s give ourselves a round of applause to celebrate that uniqueness.

Secondly, I would like you to imagine a little scenario with this uniqueness in mind. Let’s imagine that the 200 or so of us here today decide to go on the same diet as part of an ‘employee health kick’. We all agree to adhere to the diet for 12 weeks. What results would we expect to see at the end of the 12-week period?

Some of you may do really well on the particular dietary approach. In fact, you might lose a good chunk of weight. Others may lose just a few pounds and a few of you may be unsuccessful at losing any weight at all using this approach. This is a classic example of human uniqueness and can be applied to every other aspect of our health, whether this is diet, exercise, stress, sleep etc”

The point I am trying to get across in the first few minutes of my corporate speech is that:

“Your uniqueness means that you cannot compare yourself to someone else. Your results will not be the same.”

Judging and comparing yourself against others may cause more stress than you need.

If a person is diagnosed with a disease/condition, let’s say Type 2 Diabetes, the reason why they have arrived at that diagnosis and the way we will treat them will be completely individual. Some will do well on conventional treatment, others less well. That’s not because the treatment strategy (diet, exercise and/or medication) doesn’t work, it just may not be the correct fit for that particular person. This is the world of uniqueness and finding out what is the best fit for you is not easy. Luckily though, it is becoming easier.

We are moving into a world where an increasing amount of data allows scientists to create a health plan that fits more like a glove than ever. We are getting closer to understanding genetics and being able to apply that information to individual treatment strategies. This collection of personalised data and the ability to play out and refine strategies over time has been part of my practice for many years. 

Technology is better and cheaper when it comes to testing an individual’s genes and determining how these genes are affecting us. We can use a variety of tests which look at metabolism, specific biomarkers and even the bacteria present in our bodies (both good and bad), known as the microbiome. It’s becoming increasingly clear that we share an important relationship with our microbiome and in summary, if we look after it, it looks after us.

One such example of new testing/technology is looking to see whether we have a healthy balance of bacteria in our mouths. It is becoming routine practice for my patients to have their mouths swabbed every six months to check the bacterial balance. Some of us have a genetic susceptibility to poor gums and periodontal disease and a genetic predisposition to pathogenic bacteria in the mouth. I am one of these people! 

Poor gum health, bleeding gums and the pockets they create around the teeth increase our risk of bacteria getting inside the body. Once inside they can cause a whole host of disease risks (cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic and brain issues). Keeping your gums healthy and free of these bacteria may be as important as exercising and a healthy diet for reducing your risk of Alzheimer’s and a heart attack. It is all individualised!

There is a new world out there that is allowing the individual to get more personalised with pretty much everything that relates to health. We are in an age where everything can be tested and implemented.

In a world that has been so manufactured away from what is natural and healthy for us, carrying out the basics such as not overeating, eating predominantly plant foods, taking enough exercise, sleeping well and reducing stress is still key to improving health and are things that we can all do. The fact that we now have some of the tools to fine tune this advice for a more individualised approach means that as time progresses we will all find it easier to unlock the health programme that is unique to us.

If you would like to find out more about functional medicine, optimal ageing and how I can help you, click here to enquire today.