Biochemical Individuality

The groundbreaking proclamation of Dr. Roger Williams

 

Dr. Roger Williams wrote a lot about this. He was nearly killed by an unexpected individual reaction to a common drug in surgery; this changed his life and led to study of biochemical individuality. His work is a call to current paradigm practitioners to consider each patient and learn how their individual body responds to stresses, and not just lump people together in statistically average groups and risk having them die because they were slightly but importantly different than the group.

 

This scientist had the keen insight that was needed to show that people have a range of responses in life, and that not all people react the same to chemicals and other inputs into their life. The reviews below celebrate the reprinting of his excellent book "Biochemical Individuality".  In my understanding, he was observing the effects of the complex interactions of physiology and energy in the body that is a key part of the Expanded Paradigm necessary to understand how to assess and treat health problems, and attain optimum wellness.

 

Biochemical Individuality

by Roger J. Williams

[Overview by Dr. Jeff Bland | Amazon.com Reviews]

Editorial Reviews
The publisher, Keats Publishing , February 15, 1999
Your nutritional needs linked to your unique body chemistry.
Forty years ago Dr. Roger Williams, a University of Texas biochemist, published this groundbreaking work, which is only now coming to be accepted and understood by the medical community. Until now, generalized dietary recommendations like the RDAs were the norm. This timeless classic links our biological diversity with individual nutritional needs and shows you how to determine and meet those needs for optimal well-being.

Biochemical Individuality, review February 28, 2001
Reviewer: from Yuma, AZ
Biochemical Individuality was first published by Dr. Roger J. Williams in 1956. It has just been reissued with a new introduction by Jeffrey S. Bland, Ph.D. Dr. Bland explains that Dr. Williams was the first to recognize all humans differ biochemically from others. He says that Dr. Williams was also the first to recognize that "nutritional status can influence the expression of genetic characteristics."

Dr. Williams conducted his own studies, as well as drawing on the work of others, to show that each of us is different. One chapter describes differences in anatomy, outlining how even such vital organs as hearts and stomachs vary in size, shape, and physical location from person to person.

The chapter on pharmacology explains how, even though the chemistry of each is known, drugs effect people in different ways, due to differences in body chemistry. That's why what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another.

Dr. Williams says that "while the same physical mechanisms and the same metabolic processes are operating in all human bodies, the structures are sufficiently diverse [that] the sum total of all the reactions taking place in one individual's body may be very different from those taking place in the body of another individual of the same age, sex, and body size."

His observations led Dr. Williams to theorize that each individual also had unique nutritional needs, and that determining and meeting those needs would help combat disease.

Although written in academic language, Biochemical Individuality is of interest all readers who recognize "there is no such thing as a truly 'normal' individual" and that people have "unique biochemical profiles based upon their own genetic structure, nutrition, and environment."

A Nutrition Classic That Everyone Should Read, review March 19, 1999
Reviewer:  from Boulder, CO
This is one of the most important books written in the history of nutrition. A must for everyone who wants to appreciate how one diet, one supplement regime, and one food pyramid do not fit all. We all have greatly differing needs, and Dr. Williams documents all of this eloquently and convincingly. This book should be read by everyone who cares about their health. It will make them realize that only when they understand their individual nutrition needs and meet them can they have optimal health. Thank you, Keats, for reprinting this timeless book!.