Why Personalized Medicine Is the Future of Health (and How It Can Change Yours)
- Shideh Chinichian
- Aug 23
- 2 min read
The Problem With One-Size-Fits-All Health Advice
If you’ve ever felt whiplash from health headlines, you’re not alone. One week it’s “Intermittent fasting is the answer to everything,” the next it’s “Fasting can harm women’s hormones.” Or maybe you’ve seen friends thrive on keto while you felt worse, or you tried a supplement that was “life-changing” for someone else… but did nothing for you.
Here’s the truth: your health isn’t one-size-fits-all. And following blanket advice can waste time, money, and sometimes even make things worse.
What Personalized Medicine Actually Means
Personalized medicine isn’t about chasing the latest trend. It’s about looking at you—your biology, your story, your environment—and building a health plan that fits.
As a physician trained in family medicine and functional medicine, I look at:
Genetics & history: Do you have risk factors for cancer, autoimmune conditions, or metabolic disease?
Labs & biomarkers: Blood sugar, inflammation markers, hormones, nutrient levels.
Lifestyle capacity: What you’re realistically able to do in your current season of life.
Mind-body connection: Stress, sleep, relationships, joy—because these drive biochemistry as much as nutrition.
It’s medicine that asks: “What’s going on in your body, and what actually works for you?”
Why It Matters for Longevity & Cancer Survivorship
For anyone interested in living longer, or for cancer survivors trying to thrive after treatment, personalization is non-negotiable.
Nutrition: Anti-inflammatory eating looks different for everyone. Some people do better with more plants and legumes, others need higher protein to protect muscle mass. Research shows that diets rich in fiber, antioxidants, and clean protein reduce inflammation and support immune health.
Exercise: Strength training is critical for longevity, but the “right” type, frequency, and load depend on your age, hormones, and goals.
Sleep: Skimping on sleep raises inflammation and impairs glucose metabolism—but not everyone needs the same bedtime routine.
Supplements: Collagen, magnesium, or omega-3s can be helpful—but only if you need them, and only when third-party tested for purity.
This is where a functional, personalized approach changes the game.
A Real-Life Example
Two patients come to me with the same complaint: fatigue.
For one, the root cause was iron deficiency after years of heavy cycles.
For the other, the culprit was chronic stress and late-night work leading to poor sleep quality.
Same symptom, two completely different solutions. That’s personalization in action.
3 Steps to Personalize Your Health Starting Today
Track how you feel: Journal your energy, sleep, digestion, and mood for a week. Patterns often reveal more than lab numbers.
Ask better questions: Next time you see a doctor, ask “Could this be personalized?” or “What’s my unique risk here?”
Start small, with intention: Add one anti-inflammatory meal, protect your sleep tonight, or take 10 minutes for joy.
Remember: it’s not about perfection. It’s about finding what works for you.
The Bottom Line
Trends will always come and go—but your body deserves more than trial and error. Personalized medicine empowers you to make decisions based on your biology, your life, and your goals.
✨ Because when health is tailored, it actually sticks.