Ever since we were young, we've been conditioned to think and talk about our mind and body in broad terms like "my stomach hurts", or "my knees ache", but when there is a breakdown in function, or signs of pain, inflammation, or illness, the best practice in functional wellness says you must go deeper to look at the cellular (or even energetic) level to find the root cause that will lead you down the path to healing.
Mind.Body symptoms, illness, and (dys)function is your body's way of telling you:
it is NOT getting what it needs on a cellular level.
Functional Nutritionists & Functional Medicine Practitioners zoom out to look at the holistic view of a person's lifestyle AND they zoom in to look at cellular function.
Body Systems >> Organs >> Tissues >> Specialized Cells >> Cell Components & Organelles
Our bodies are made up of Body Systems (e.g., digestive system, nervous system, cardiovascular system, etc.).
Each Body System is made up of many individual, but interconnected Organs (e.g., the digestive system organs are mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small & large intestines, and rectum).
Each Organ is made from different types of interconnected Tissues (e.g., muscle, epithelial (skin or surface), connective (fat, bone, cartilage), and nervous).
Each Tissue is made up of several types of Specialized Cells that have specific functions to serve within the tissue (e.g., releasing neurochemicals, producing antibodies, secreting fluids) and have their own minimum and tightly regulated requirements for optimal function.
Specialized Cells are made up of Cellular Components & Organelles (e.g., cell membrane (gatekeeper), nucleus (genetic code), mitochondria (energy production), etc.) which also have their own minimum and tightly regulated requirements for optimal function.
Profile of a Healthy Cell
Intact cell membrane made from different types of healthy fats & other structural components and receptors. (e.g., optimized by eating an optimal ratio of healthy fats)
Steady energy supply produced by mitochondria (organelle inside the cell) and a pool of antioxidants to neutralize free radicals produced in the process to prevent cell death. (e.g., optimized by an anti-oxidant-rich, plant-rich diet, avoidance of environmental toxins, and physical activity)
Vitamin and mineral co-factors for enzyme function responsible for the gazillions of chemical reactions happening in your body every second. (e.g., optimized by a nutrient-rich diet, a healthy gut lining and gut bacteria)
Available protein & cholesterol to make hormones, immune system signals, and other communication molecules that choreograph everything about how your body functions. (e.g., optimized by adequate daily protein intake and managing your stress levels)
Hydration & electrolytes for the shuttling of molecules and gradients of electrical potentials throughout the cells, cell membranes, and extracellular fluids. (e.g., optimized by a plant-rich diet, drinking water throughout the day, and limiting caffeine and alcohol)
Optimal pH balance of the cell's environment so enzymes can function optimally. (e.g., optimized by a plant-rich diet, balanced meals, kid