The "Yes, And" in Healthcare (feat. Andrea Nakayama)

Our healthcare system treats us like it’s one size fits all, yet that’s not how true healing works, especially when it comes to chronic conditions. Today’s guest will help us understand how to fill the gap we experience with Western medicine, including the difference between signs vs. symptoms, and empowers our individualized healthcare. 

On this episode of Salad with a Side of Fries, host Jenn Trepeck welcomes Functional Medicine Nutritionist and educator Andrea Nakayama to explore why chronic conditions require more than just a diagnosis and a prescription. They unpack Andrea’s “three roots, many branches” model, revealing how digestion, inflammation, and genetics lie at the heart of chronic illness—and how nurturing the "soil" around them can lead to true healing. From nutrition habits to the importance of bio-individuality, this conversation empowers you to become an informed partner in your health care.

The Salad With a Side of Fries podcast is hosted by Jenn Trepeck, who discusses wellness and weight loss for real life, clearing up the myths, misinformation, bad science & marketing surrounding our nutrition knowledge and the food industry. Let’s dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (00:00) Intro: Our healthcare system is one size fits all
• (05:08) Andrea shares her motivation for her journey into functional nutrition, and a discussion of Western medicine
• (07:41) Should every person receive the same treatment for the same chronic condition
• (11:45) How to choose a guide in the health equation
• (16:40) Knowing the difference between your signs vs. symptoms
• (21:59) Andrea walks us through the “three roots and many branches” model
• (28:36) The roles digestion and inflammation play in our health
• (33:37) Tiers to nutrition mastery. Tier one is our non-negotiables
• (36:40) Don’t neglect your passion and purpose
• (38:48) Andrea’s non-negotiable trifecta: Sleep, poop, and blood sugar

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Chronic health conditions must be understood through a systems-based lens, not just symptom management. Every chronic issue has three core roots—genes, digestion, and inflammation. Healing begins by nurturing these “roots” and the surrounding “soil,” rather than chasing individual symptoms alone. Western medicine excels in acute care but often falls short in managing chronic conditions. Patients are frequently seen through the lens of their diagnosis rather than as whole individuals, resulting in treatments that overlook their unique health histories and personal needs.
• One of the most powerful tools patients can use is specific, emotion-free communication based on personal health tracking. By clearly distinguishing between signs (measurable indicators like fever or rash) and symptoms (subjective experiences like fatigue or pain) and offering detailed timelines of when and how issues arise, patients empower providers to better understand and address their unique health needs.
• Supporting foundational health can start with three simple, non-negotiable nutrition habits: include fat, fiber, and protein at every meal or snack to help stabilize blood sugar; eat the rainbow to boost fiber and phytonutrient intake while feeding your microbiome; and know your yes-no-maybe list to understand better how specific foods impact your body. Tracking what makes you feel great, what doesn’t, and what you’re unsure about builds awareness and equips you to have more productive, personalized conversations with your healthcare provider.

QUOTES:         

(07:41) “The first two gaps I encountered were that people are treated like their diagnosis. So, when you are in the medical system, you are your endometriosis, your fibroids, your breast cancer, your PMS. You are your symptom. The other gap was that every