#227 Functional Medicine Nutritionist Andrea Nakayama’s Tools for Longevity

Welcome back to another deeply insightful episode of the Nutrtion and Life podcast! Today, host Lisa sits down with Andrea Nakayama—a renowned functional medicine nutritionist and founder of the Functional Nutrition Alliance—to explore the transformative world of functional medicine, chronic health challenges, and the art of simplifying complex health decisions for empowered well-being.

In this episode, Andrea shares her inspiring journey from book publishing to becoming a leader in the functional nutrition space, spurred by deeply personal experiences. Together, Lisa and Andrea discuss the pitfalls of one-size-fits-all protocols, the true science of longevity, practical ways to manage inflammation and blood sugar, and why cultivating genuine human connection may be one of our most powerful medicines.

Grab your notebook for practical takeaways and get ready to rethink what it means to live—and age—with vitality, grace, and dignity. If you’re looking to streamline your health journey and find real-life tips to nourish both body and mind, this episode is a must-listen!

Timestamp Overview:

• [00:00] - Welcome & Andrea’s Introduction
• [01:03] - Andrea’s Journey into Functional Medicine
• [04:25] - The Gaps in Traditional Healthcare
• [06:38] - Defining Longevity: Aging with Vitality, Grace, and Dignity
• [09:26] - The Power of Prevention (Medicine 2.0 vs Medicine 3.0)
• [10:27] - Andrea’s “Three Roots, Many Branches” Model Explained
• [14:31] - The “Trifecta”: Sleep, Poop & Blood Sugar Balance
• [17:05] - Hormones, Detox, and Real Disease Prevention
• [21:26] - Understanding Hormonal Hierarchies & Bioidentical Therapies
• [24:01] - The Fundamental Importance of Sleep
• [27:40] - How Blood Sugar Balance Affects Whole-Body Health
• [31:01] - Fat, Fiber, Protein: The Simplified Approach to Every Meal
• [32:20] - Mistakes People Make with Blood Sugar Regulation
• [34:31] - The Importance of Personalization in Diet and Lifestyle
• [35:02] - Intuitive Eating, Food Freedom, and Tuning In
• [39:50] - Loneliness, Belonging, and The ‘Pharmacy Within’
• [44:44] - Deep Listening, Emotional Health & The Medicine of Belonging
• [45:38] - Closing Remarks and Where to Find Andrea

Connect with Andrea Nakayama:

• Instagram: @andreanakayama https://www.instagram.com/andreanakayama/
• Website: https://www.andreanakayama.com/

Episode Availability: Catch this episode with Andrea Nakayama on all major podcast platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or directly on our website!

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