Symbiosis
Posted by Andrea Nakayama
Perched atop a shelf in my office is the hefty “compact” Oxford English Dictionary that my late husband bought me for Christmas many moons ago. In thinking about the word “symbiosis” I hoisted the tome off its perch, grabbed the domed magnifying glass that just barely allows me to make out the tiny print, and looked up the true meaning of the word that I use to explain the unique place where “food meets physiology.”
Generally, the term symbiosis means to “live together” and “in association with one another.”
From a biological perspective, symbiosis refers to the “interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both.”
Symbiosis and the understanding of these interactions—between the outside and inside worlds—is the fourth pillar in my Practitioner Mastery Paradigm. The Paradigm was born through my teaching in Functional Nutrition Lab, as I gained a deeper understanding of the myriad aspects needed for practitioners to have true success in practice.
While we may think that one more skill or this next bit of information will catapult our ability to practice with excellence, it’s truly a synthesis of different techniques, expertise and proficiencies that add up to both clinical and professional advances.
I’ve studied these.
I’ve taken them apart and dissected them.
I’ve looked at them from every angle so that I can teach more coaches and clinicians to become true masters in the field of functional nutrition.
I’m committed to doing so because I want to see less patients suffer and more practitioners prosper.
The 8 pillars of the Practitioner Mastery Paradigm include:
- empathy
- leadership
- nutrition skills
- symbiosis
- anatomy & physiology
- problem solving
- intuition
- mastery
One trap I see many practitioners fall into is thinking that understanding dietary theories is enough to help them help others get well. Similarly, a mere comprehension of biochemistry, no matter how deep and detailed, will not translate to clinical benefits.
Instead, symbiosis is the answer.
Symbiosis is where bioindividuality comes into play. It’s where we recognize how food meets the patient’s unique physiology. Our job is to understand our client’s unique body, and match the particular foods that will act as medicine for that individual. When we grasp the interplay, we can initiate both healing and harmony.
That’s symbiosis.
[bctt tweet=”#Symbiosis is where we recognize how food meets the patient’s unique physiology. ” username=”AndreaNakayama”]
EXPERIENCE A FREE TRAINING SERIES WITH ANDREA NAKAYAMA TO HELP YOU
Begin practicing functionally today!
MORE TO EXPLORE
You Might Also Like
Paleo Banana Snickerdoodles
If you’ve been following the Paleo diet trend, you’ve probably come across recipes that incorporate bananas into various baked goods. Recently, I decided to conduct a little experiment and research to determine whether bananas, which are often viewed skeptically due to their perceived high sugar content, are worth the hype. First, let’s look at their […]
Read MoreThe Functional Nutrition Guide to Fats and Oils
Welcome to our comprehensive guide to fats and oils! This guide aims to provide you with valuable insights into the different types of fats and oils available, their sources, and how to make informed decisions about incorporating them into your diet. Fats and oils are more than just macronutrients; they are essential for overall health […]
Read MoreProtein: The Functional Nutrition Benefits of Nature’s Building Blocks
Protein: A fundamental element in Functional Nutrition As a key part of the Functional Nutrition Alliance’s Fat, Fiber, Protein principle for health and healing, protein deserves our attention and investigation. Protein is one of the essential macronutrients required by the human body to function properly. It’s composed of smaller units called amino acids, which are […]
Read MoreFiber: The Health & Healing Benefits of Complex Carbohydrates
Fiber fundamentals in Functional Nutrition Let’s talk about fiber! While fiber is not a macronutrient like Fat or Protein (the other two components of our core Fat/Fiber/Protein principle for health and healing), it is critical for full body systems health and balance. In fact, it’s a key factor supporting our Non-Negotiable Trifecta of Sleep, Poop, […]
Read More