Your Body’s Structure: A Functional Medicine Guide
Learn how your body’s structural organization impacts health with functional medicine. Explore anatomy, physiology, and nutrition at Out of the Woods Nutrition.
Hey there, wellness warriors! I’m [Your Name], a functional medicine nutritionist at Out of the Woods Nutrition, and I’m thrilled to guide you through the incredible blueprint of your body. Understanding your body’s structural organization through functional medicine is key to feeling your best, especially if you’re managing chronic health conditions. Let’s explore anatomy, physiology, and the six levels that make you, well, you!
What Are Anatomy and Physiology?
Anatomy is the study of your body’s structure—think organs, tissues, and even the tiny cells and molecules that form them. It’s like mapping out the parts of a beautifully complex machine, from the macroscopic (your heart) to the microscopic (its cells).
Physiology dives into what those parts do and how they do it. It’s the action behind the structure—how your heart pumps blood or your stomach digests food. In functional medicine, we use anatomy and physiology to understand how your body functions and how to support it with nutrition.
The Six Levels of Structural Organization
Your body is built through six interconnected levels, each relying on the one before. Let’s break them down.
1. Chemical Level: The Raw Materials
The chemical level is where it all begins, with atoms and molecules essential for life. Major elements like oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen form the bulk of your body. Lesser elements, like calcium (for bones) and magnesium (for enzymes), and trace elements, like zinc and iodine, are vital in small amounts.
Atoms combine to form molecules, like water or glucose, which are the building blocks for cells. In functional medicine, we emphasize nutrient-rich foods to provide these chemical elements for optimal health.
2. Cellular Level: Tiny but Mighty
Your body has trillions of cells, each shaped for its role. Red blood cells are flattened spheres for smooth blood flow, while neurons are long and branching for signal transmission. A cell’s structure supports its function, and healthy cells are the foundation of functional nutrition health.
3. Tissue Level: Cells Team Up
Cells group into tissues—layers of similar cells with a shared purpose. Tissues vary based on cell type and connections. For example, gut lining is one cell thick, while skin is multilayered for protection. DNA guides cells to form the right tissues, ensuring they perform their roles.
4. Organ Level: Structure Meets Function
Tissues combine to form organs, like your heart, lungs, or stomach. Each has a distinct shape and function—your heart pumps blood, your lungs breathe, your stomach digests. If an organ’s tissues are damaged, its function suffers, which is why we focus on cellular health in functional medicine.
5. Organ System Level: A Team Effort
Organs with related functions form organ systems. The digestive system, including the stomach, gallbladder, and intestines, breaks down food and absorbs nutrients. If one organ struggles, it impacts the system and beyond—like low oxygen from compromised lungs affecting all cells.
6. Organism Level: The Whole You
Finally, we reach the organism—you! All organ systems work together, communicating via the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. Your digestive system fuels every process with nutrients, highlighting the interconnectedness at the heart of functional medicine.
Why This Matters for Your Health
Understanding your body’s structural organization through functional medicine shows how everything is connected. Nutrient deficiencies can impair cells, which affects tissues, organs, and systems, leading to symptoms like fatigue or digestive issues. By nourishing your body with the right foods, we can rebuild health from the chemical level up.
How to Support Cellular Health with Nutrition
Here are practical tips to support your body’s structure and function:
Eat Nutrient-Dense Foods: Focus on colorful vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats to provide chemical building blocks.
Stay Hydrated: Water supports cellular function and tissue health.
Prioritize Minerals: Foods like leafy greens and nuts provide magnesium and zinc.
Reduce Toxins: Limit processed foods to protect cells and tissues.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
How does functional medicine use anatomy?
We assess how structural issues, like damaged tissues, impact function and address root causes with nutrition.
Can nutrition improve organ health?
Yes! Nutrient-rich diets support cellular health, which strengthens tissues and organs.
Take the Next Step
Ready to support your body’s structural organization with functional medicine?
Join my newsletter for more tips. Let’s get you out of the woods and back to vibrant health!
With love and nourishment,
Stephanie
Out of the Woods Nutrition
Green Goddess Salad
In just a few simple steps, you can have a nutritious and photo worthy meal!
You have to try the Green Goddess Salad!
Ingredients:
💚 1/4 cup parsley, leaves, chopped
💚 1/4 cup basil, leaves, chopped
💚 1 scallion, chopped
💚 1 clove garlic, chopped
💚 1 lemon, juiced
💚 1/4 cup olive oil
💚 1/4 cup cashews, raw
💚 1/4 cup water
💚 salt, to taste
💚 pepper, to taste
📝 Directions:
✅ Roughly chop herbs, scallion, and garlic
✅ Juice lemon
✅ Add all ingredients to a blender and process until creamy adding more water as needed to thin to desired consistency.
✅ Season with salt and pepper to taste.
If you're looking for more recipes to change up your meals this summer, sign up for my meal plans under the get help tab.
Chickpea Peanut and Spinach Curry
We’ve reached Week 3 of our "Build and Bake Meals" series!
Today, we're spicing things up with a delicious baked curry. This dish is filling and packed with flavors that'll make your taste buds dance. 💃🏻
Today's Meal: Baked Chickpea, Peanut, and Spinach Curry
Enjoy the comforting blend of chickpeas and sweet potatoes in a creamy peanut butter and coconut milk sauce, all with a kick of curry spice. It’s a perfect meal for a chilly evening.
Check out this quick video that demonstrates how to prepare this recipe 👩🍳.
Serves: 4
🥣 Ingredients:
1/2 cup onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp ginger, minced
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 cups spinach, chopped
1 cup coconut milk, canned
2 Tbs peanut butter, smooth
2 Tbs vegetable oil
2 Tbs curry powder
1/2 tsp salt
15 oz diced tomatoes
15 oz chickpeas, drained
1/4 cup water
👩🍳 Let's Cook:
Prepare: Preheat the oven to 375° F. Get your veggies ready and whisk the coconut milk with peanut butter.
Cook Veggies: Mix oil and curry powder in a roasting pan. Add onion, garlic, ginger, and sweet potatoes. Stir to coat and bake for about 15 minutes until the sweet potatoes soften.
Build: Take the pan out, add tomatoes, chickpeas, water, and the coconut milk mixture. Mix well and bake for another 15 minutes.
Finish Off: Remove from the oven, stir in the spinach, and let it sit until the spinach wilts.
Serve: Season with salt and pepper to taste and enjoy this hearty curry.
👍 Why This Meal Is Great:
High in Protein and Fiber: Chickpeas are a great source of protein and fiber, which are excellent for digestion and keeping you full longer.
Rich in Nutrients: Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins A and C, which are great for your immune system.
Healthy Fats: Coconut milk and peanut butter add a creamy texture and provide healthy fats that are good for your heart.
Flavorful and Spicy: The mix of curry powder, ginger, and garlic gives this dish warmth and spice.
That wraps up our three week series of easy, baked dinners. We hope you’ve enjoyed these recipes and they’ve added some new favorites to your meal rotation!
Baked Cod with Fennel and Tomato Sauce
Dear [Recipient's Name],
It’s Day 2 of our "Build and Bake Meals" series! Tonight, we're making a simple and tasty baked cod dish. This meal is full of flavor and easy to put together, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Today's Meal: Baked Cod with Fennel and Tomato Sauce
This dish pairs the mild taste of cod with sweet fennel and a rich tomato sauce. It's a healthy meal that looks and tastes great.
Check out this quick video that demonstrates how to prepare this recipe 👩🍳.
Serves: 4
🥣 Ingredients:
2 1/4 lbs cod filets
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 fennel bulbs, thinly sliced
1 onion, sliced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cups tomato sauce
1 cup spinach, chopped
1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
👩🍳 Let's Cook:
Prepare: Season the cod with salt and pepper. Slice the fennel and onion, chop the spinach.
Cook Veggies: Mix onion and fennel with olive oil and bake at 350°F until soft, about 10-15 minutes.
Build: Stir in tomato sauce, spinach, olives, and crushed red pepper if using. Place the cod in the sauce.
Bake Again: Put everything back in the oven for 15 minutes or until the cod flakes easily with a fork.
Enjoy: Serve your flavorful fish and veggies hot.
👍Why This Meal Is Great:
Good for Your Heart: Cod is low in fat but high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for heart health.
Helps Digestion: Fennel can help the digestive system and adds a light licorice flavor.
Nutrient-Rich: Spinach is loaded with iron and vitamins for your overall health.
Full of Flavor: Olives and tomato sauce add a delicious Mediterranean touch.
Check back tomorrow for another quick and delicious recipe. Enjoy your meal tonight!
P.S.: Show off your dinner! Post your photos on Social Media with #BuildAndBakeMeals.