Why Is America’s Health So Broken? - Calley Means

11 Oct 2024 (3 days ago)
Why Is America’s Health So Broken? - Calley Means

Why is Modern Health So Broken? (0s)

  • The fundamental incentive in the healthcare system is that every level, including insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies, makes more money when a child is sicker for longer periods of time (6s).
  • The Affordable Care Act set a 15% medical loss ratio for insurance companies, allowing them to raise premiums to maintain a 15% profit margin, which incentivizes higher costs and more people getting sick (30s).
  • Since the Affordable Care Act, premiums have doubled in the past 10 years, and healthcare costs have been the highest driver of inflation (59s).
  • Insurance executives have stated that it is obvious that incentivizing exercise and healthy eating is not a priority, as it goes against their financial interests (1m10s).
  • Pharmaceutical companies make 95% of their sales from chronic disease treatments, which are lifetime management drugs that provide recurring revenue (1m25s).
  • There has not been a new antibiotic strain invented in the past 30 years, as pharmaceutical companies focus on chronic disease management rather than cures (1m48s).
  • The pharmaceutical industry is not interested in addressing the root causes of exploding cancer rates among kids, which are attributed to environmental factors, food, and sedentary lifestyle (2m43s).
  • Cancer rates among kids are at an all-time high, and prescriptions of statins have doubled among high schoolers in just the past 5 years (2m35s).
  • Pharmaceutical companies do not want healthy, thriving children, as they are not profitable patients (3m10s).
  • Focusing on kids highlights the systemic issues in the healthcare system, as it takes away the argument of personal responsibility, and shows that the epidemic of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity among children is not just a matter of individual choice (3m28s).
  • The childhood obesity rate in the US is significantly higher than in other countries, such as Japan, where it is 3% (3m53s).
  • Using children as a "canary in the coal mine" highlights the systemic issues in the healthcare system and shows that personal responsibility is not the only factor at play (4m15s).

The Corrupt Hospital System (4m28s)

  • Insurance companies have incentives to increase the overall size of the healthcare market, as their profits are capped at a certain percentage, allowing them to grow their profits by increasing the entire market size (4m54s).
  • Pharmaceutical companies benefit more from chronically sick individuals, as they can sell more medications and treatments, making them more profitable than patients who are cured or treated early (5m10s).
  • Hospitals are the largest employers in the US, and the healthcare industry is the largest and fastest-growing industry in the country, with most employees working in hospitals (5m30s).
  • The fundamental incentive structure for hospitals is to increase interventions, such as surgeries and treatments, as administrators and executives are hired and fired based on the number of beds filled and interventions performed (5m41s).
  • The standard of care for chronic conditions, such as Crohn's disease, obesity, and depression, often involves lifetime management plans, including medications and continued care, which benefits pharmaceutical companies and hospitals (6m11s).
  • Chronically sick patients rack up pharmaceutical bills and hospital charges, creating a situation where hospitals and pharmaceutical companies benefit financially from patients' chronic conditions (6m42s).
  • Medical professionals, including doctors and surgeons, may have economic incentives to prescribe interventions, such as surgeries, even if they are ineffective, as they can earn more money from these procedures (7m28s).
  • The power dynamic in the medical system, combined with economic incentives, can lead doctors to prescribe intervention paths that may not be in the best interest of the patient (7m50s).

What’s the Motive for the Corruption? (7m57s)

  • The US healthcare system appears to be driven by profits rather than providing easy access to quality healthcare, with insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies prioritizing profits over people's well-being (7m59s).
  • Pharmaceutical companies are not focused on creating high-quality drugs to improve people's lives, but instead create sub-quality drugs that require dependency and are often prescribed for diseases that are only detected after they have progressed (8m23s).
  • Some medical professionals, including doctors and surgeons, are complicit in the system, prescribing unnecessary surgeries and medications, and not suggesting alternative solutions that might be better for patients (8m43s).
  • However, not all medical professionals are motivated by profits, and many doctors are amazing people who want to help their patients, but are often constrained by the system and economic incentives (9m54s).
  • The medical education system, including institutions like Stanford Med School, can saddle doctors with hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt, which can influence their decisions and priorities (10m17s).
  • A doctor, Casey, who is a president of a medical class and has done extensive research, realized that many of her patients were not getting better despite undergoing multiple surgeries, and began to question the underlying causes of their inflammation and comorbidities (10m40s).
  • Casey discovered that many of her patients had multiple comorbidities, including diabetes, heart issues, depression, and kidney issues, and that they were often seeing multiple specialists, but not receiving comprehensive care (11m1s).
  • The system's focus on profits and economic incentives can lead to a lack of skepticism and critical thinking, and it's essential to be skeptical of both conspiracy theories and the motivations of large industries, including the healthcare industry (9m35s).
  • A patient who underwent sinus surgery experienced migraines and inflammation, which the doctor suspected might be tied to food, but the attending surgeon reprimanded the doctor, saying nutrition was not their area of expertise (11m17s).
  • The former dean of Stanford Medical School, Philip Piso, lectured students that American patients are lazy, sedentary, and eat unhealthy foods, and it's the doctors' job to "clean up the mess" (11m49s).
  • This mindset is indoctrinated into doctors, leading them to focus on treating symptoms rather than addressing the root causes of health issues (12m1s).
  • The healthcare system incentivizes people to focus on treating symptoms rather than preventing illnesses, and every person in the system has "plausible deniability" (12m29s).
  • The NIH, FDA, and media are all influenced by the pharmaceutical industry, which can lead to a lack of discussion about the root causes of health issues (12m40s).
  • The pharmaceutical industry funds 75% of the FDA and 50% of the mainstream media, creating a conflict of interest (12m45s).
  • Americans are getting sicker, with 80% of the population being overweight or obese, and dying seven years earlier than the Japanese (13m22s).
  • The prevalence of obesity in the US has increased dramatically over the past 100 years, from being a rare condition to now being more than half of the population (13m37s).
  • The normalization of obesity has led to a situation where being thin is now seen as unusual, especially among children (13m47s).
  • The key to understanding the broken healthcare system is to explore who has "plausible deniability" and how the system incentivizes people to focus on treating symptoms rather than preventing illnesses (14m12s).
  • The American healthcare system has been co-opted by industries that prioritize profits over people's health, with a business model that relies on Americans being addicted, fearful, fat, sick, depressed, and infertile (14m49s).
  • The system lacks accountability, with no single entity responsible for the health of Americans, and instead shifts the blame to the American people (15m9s).
  • The medical system is not entirely to blame, as it does provide essential services like triple bypass surgeries, Endocrinology care, and Cardiology care for kids (16m10s).
  • However, the focus is on treating diseases rather than promoting health, with the construction of large pediatric centers and hospitals being hailed as progress without questioning why so many kids are getting sick (16m49s).
  • The emphasis is on research and development (R&D) to generate cash for industries once people get sick, rather than promoting health and preventing illnesses (17m32s).
  • This approach has desensitized institutions and policymakers, who have not realized that the healthcare system's primary goal should be to promote health, not just manage sickness (17m46s).
  • The food industry's role in making people sick and the healthcare industry's profit from it have created a "Devil's bargain" that has impacted all institutions, making it difficult to acknowledge the simple point that the healthcare system should prioritize health (17m52s).
  • There is a need for people to "clean up the mess" and address the root causes of health issues, rather than just treating the symptoms (16m7s).
  • The US healthcare system is incentivized for Americans to be sick, rather than promoting health, regardless of the system in place, whether it's Medicare for all or socialism (18m30s).
  • The problem with the healthcare system is not about policy details, but rather the underlying incentives that prioritize treating chronic conditions over promoting health (18m20s).
  • Doctors and medical professionals are often saving people in emergency situations, but the interventions and procedures they prescribe are not curing the underlying conditions, only cleaning up the mess (19m20s).
  • The healthcare system needs to be reoriented to promote health over the span of a year, rather than just treating acute conditions (19m48s).
  • A foundational nutrition supplement like AG1 can provide insurance for days when a balanced diet is not possible, due to stress, busyness, or tiredness (20m8s).
  • AG1 has improved its formula 52 times since 2010 in pursuit of making the highest quality functional nutrition supplement on the planet (20m26s).
  • AG1 offers a 90-day money-back guarantee, allowing customers to try the product risk-free, and also provides free vitamin D3 K2 and travel packs with the first subscription (20m46s).

Biggest Current Issues in Healthcare (21m1s)

  • The biggest issues in healthcare are often framed as separate silos, such as heart disease, diabetes, or depression, but in reality, all chronic conditions are interconnected and branches of the same tree (21m19s).
  • The current medical system encourages specialization, with doctors choosing from 42 specialties and 82 sub-specialties, leading to a focus on narrow parts of the body, such as Lloyd Minor, the current dean of Stanford med school, who focused on a 2-millimeter part of the nose (22m15s).
  • This specialization can be profitable, but it also leads to a siloing of disease, with the average American seeing 18 specialists in their lifetime and often receiving fragmented care (22m42s).
  • 90% of medical costs and 9 out of 10 killers of Americans are preventable and often reversible lifestyle conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes (22m55s).
  • Diabetes is not a distinct condition, but rather an arbitrary point of blood sugar deregulation, which is highly tied to many forms of cancer, including breast and pancreatic cancer (23m21s).
  • Changing diet and lifestyle can prevent and reverse conditions like heart disease and diabetes, and also reduce the risk of Alzheimer's, which is now called type 3 diabetes (23m46s).
  • Alzheimer's is connected to blood sugar regulation and energy creation in the brain, and is not a siloed condition (23m59s).
  • Diabetes and pre-diabetes increase the risk of depression and suicide, and are connected to other conditions like kidney disease and upper respiratory infections (24m22s).
  • The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of metabolic biomarkers, with individuals who had normal ranges for HDL, triglycerides, blood sugar, blood pressure, and waistline having an almost 0% chance of dying from COVID-19, regardless of age (24m52s).

What is Chronic Disease? (25m6s)

  • Metabolic dysfunction is defined as a chronic disease that will not kill immediately, but rather a long-term condition that affects the body's metabolic processes (25m12s).
  • Chronic disease is something that will not kill right away, and it is estimated that 90-95% of medical spending is on acute and infectious disease management, which has contributed to the doubling of life expectancy in the past 100 years (26m20s).
  • The medical system is effective in treating acute and infectious conditions, such as infections, cardiac issues, and complicated childbirth, but it is less effective in managing chronic conditions (25m42s).
  • Chronic conditions, such as high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and obesity, are often treated with pharmaceutical interventions, such as statins, SSRIs, and ADHD medication (26m54s).
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued guidelines recommending aggressive interventions for overweight children, including medication, and this organization is 90% funded by the pharmaceutical industry (27m27s).
  • Chronic inflammation is the body's reaction to foreign invaders, but in many Americans, it is a chronic condition caused by ingesting things through food and the environment that the body is not evolutionarily made to handle (28m4s).
  • The body's reaction to these foreign substances can lead to chronic inflammation, which is a major contributor to chronic diseases (28m20s).
  • Dietary debates and the impact of certain foods, such as seed oils and food colorings, on human health are ongoing topics of discussion (28m43s).
  • Novo Nordisk, a Danish pharmaceutical company, is a major funder of the American Academy of Pediatrics and has a significant interest in the treatment of chronic conditions, such as obesity (27m39s).
  • The modern American diet contains chemicals and highly processed ingredients that did not exist 100 years ago, such as seed oils, which are a cheap and manufactured ingredient used in food due to their low cost, a decision influenced by descendants of John D. Rockefeller (29m10s).
  • Seed oils are a relatively new invention and have not been proven to be directly related to negative health outcomes, despite being a highly processed ingredient (29m26s).
  • Glyphosate, a herbicide sprayed on crops, has not been definitively proven to be bad for human health in the United States, although people who spray it are required to wear hazmat suits, and it is known to kill any organism it touches (29m44s).
  • The widespread use of glyphosate, seed oils, and highly processed grains in the American diet contributes to chronic inflammation and stress in the body (29m58s).
  • Refined sugar, highly processed grains, and seed oils are the three main components of halter process food, all of which are relatively new inventions and highly processed (30m17s).
  • These foods, along with environmental toxins, cause the body to react with chronic inflammation and stress (30m41s).
  • The purpose of many studies is often public relations rather than objective research, and the evidence available is often based on studies conducted by people with incentives to focus on specific areas (31m11s).
  • The pharmaceutical industry and media outlets, such as The Atlantic magazine, often influence the narrative around certain health topics, including the safety of glyphosate (31m42s).
  • The government, media, and regulatory agencies are influenced by the pharmaceutical industry, which owns 75% of the FDA and is the largest political donor, paying politicians more than the oil industry (32m28s).
  • The pharmaceutical industry's influence leads to the promotion of ultra-processed foods and the suppression of evidence-based research on nutrition, with 70% of the food consumed in the US being ultra-processed (33m11s).
  • Firing all nutrition researchers and advisors, cutting funding for nutrition research, and adopting a principle of reducing ultra-processed food consumption from 70% to 20% could "radically unleash human capital" and improve health in the US (33m8s).
  • Adopting the French approach to nutrition, which emphasizes whole foods, could be beneficial, as the French live 6 years longer than Americans (33m27s).
  • The industrial agriculture system in the US is depleting the nutrient content of foods, with tomatoes having 70% lower nutrient content than they did 50 years ago (34m4s).
  • The widespread consumption of ultra-processed foods and manufactured chemicals is contributing to health problems, and a fundamental reset is needed to prioritize whole foods as an "urgent medical imperative" (34m28s).
  • The problem of the broken health system is multifaceted and cannot be solved by addressing individual variables, but rather requires a holistic approach that addresses the root causes of the issue (34m35s).
  • Trying to individually address each problem is ineffective, as new issues arise while trying to solve existing ones, making a comprehensive approach necessary (34m52s).

America’s Challenges Vs Europe’s (35m0s)

  • America's health is uniquely broken compared to other countries, with factors such as food, drugs, and environmental toxins contributing to the issue (35m0s).
  • The components of metabolic health are multifactorial, but food is a crucial aspect, as the body is essentially "3D printed" from the food consumed (35m25s).
  • America has a higher percentage of ultraprocessed food consumption, with 70% of kids consuming such foods, compared to Europe and Japan (35m40s).
  • Ultraprocessed food is considered an "addiction instrument" created by the cigarette industry, which was the largest food producer in the 1990s (36m0s).
  • In the 1980s, Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds, two of the 10 most valuable companies in the world, began strategically buying food companies as the cigarette industry declined (36m15s).
  • The cigarette companies made the largest M&A deals in the 1980s, with R.J. Reynolds buying Nabisco and Philip Morris buying Kraft and US Foods (36m53s).
  • Many well-known brands have disaggregated from US Foods, which was owned by Philip Morris, and are now part of larger conglomerates (37m11s).
  • The cigarette industry shifted their scientists from the cigarette department to the food department, tasking them with making food more addictive (37m56s).
  • The goal of the scientists was not to harm people but to create palatable, affordable, and enjoyable food, which ultimately contributed to the addictive nature of ultraprocessed foods (38m16s).
  • The food pyramid, introduced in 1992, was a document that recommended a diet with carbohydrates and processed food at its base, and was considered one of the deadliest documents in American history (38m46s).
  • The creation of the food pyramid was influenced by the sugar research Council, which was funded by the cigarette industry, and they created research at Harvard that downplayed the negative effects of sugar (39m18s).
  • The sugar research Council was the chief donor to the Harvard nutrition school, and the chief nutritionist at Harvard created reports in the 1980s stating that sugar doesn't cause obesity and is a key part of a child's energy balance (39m40s).
  • The foundational research for the food pyramid was based on reports from Harvard that were funded by the sugar research Council, which has been described as a "human centipede" of influence (40m5s).
  • The food industry and other organizations have used this research to promote their products and influence dietary guidelines, which has had a significant impact on American culture and eating habits (40m20s).
  • The promotion of ultra-processed foods and sugar has been driven by both top-down influences, such as lobbying and advertising, and bottom-up cultural factors, such as education and societal norms (40m52s).
  • The dietary guidelines promoted by the food pyramid have had a significant impact on American eating habits, with the consumption of carbs as a percentage of the diet increasing by 20% in the 10 years following its introduction (41m46s).
  • It is argued that American culture is defined by its policies, and that the promotion of ultra-processed foods and sugar has been driven by a combination of these policies and cultural factors (41m27s).
  • America's health in the 1970s and 1980s is recalled as being relatively better, with Americans appearing healthier and more physically fit, possibly due to the prevalence of smoking which left less time for eating (41m54s).
  • The culture at that time seemed to contribute to lower rates of cancer, as indicated by the Surgeon General report, although it is emphasized that smoking is not being endorsed as a positive factor (42m17s).
  • Despite the Surgeon General report's aim to reduce cancer through anti-smoking efforts, cancer rates in the United States have actually increased, with an 8X per capita increase, indicating a significant problem with the country's health (42m32s).
  • The diet of lower-income families is mentioned as a relevant factor in understanding America's broken health system, but the specific details of this point are not elaborated upon in the provided text (42m40s).

The General Diet of Low-Income Households (42m41s)

  • The US has a policy that affects poor people, particularly in the systems that feed and medicate them, which are co-opted by various interests (42m45s).
  • 15% of Americans are on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), also known as food stamps, which is the main source of nutrition for lower-income people (43m1s).
  • 10% of SNAP benefits go towards purchasing soda, despite it having no nutritional value, and the US Treasury sends around $1 billion a year to soda companies from Food Stamps (43m15s).
  • The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a card-based system that helps lower-income folks buy food, but it's only valid at certain stores for specific inventory dictated by the USDA nutrition guidelines (44m16s).
  • The USDA nutrition guidelines are set by a committee of 20 outside experts, 19 of whom are paid by food and/or pharmaceutical companies, which can lead to biased recommendations (44m50s).
  • The current nutrition guidelines suggest that up to 10% of a 2-year-old's diet can be added sugar, and that a child's diet can be 93% ultra-processed food and still be considered healthy (45m8s).
  • As a result, 70% of food stamps go towards ultra-processed food, and healthy options like grass-fed steak from companies like Sweetgreen are not available on food stamps, while fast food from McDonald's is (45m48s).
  • The system has "wild rules" that prioritize calorie density and ease of use over nutritional value, making it difficult for lower-income families to make healthy choices (46m8s).
  • A busy mom may not have time to prepare meals from scratch, such as peeling sweet potatoes, and may opt for quicker, ultra-processed options like hot pockets (46m25s).
  • Ultra-processed foods, like soda, have no satiety and are considered empty calories, providing no nutritional value (46m39s).
  • The cheap calorie argument for ultra-processed foods does not hold up when considering the overall cost of consuming more calories from these sources (48m10s).
  • Ultra-processed foods are designed to be highly palatable and to hijack the body's biology, making it difficult to regulate consumption (47m32s).
  • These foods are often subsidized for lower-income Americans, which can lead to negative health consequences (47m27s).
  • There is no obesity or diabetes epidemic among wild animals, suggesting that humans are meant to regulate their food intake naturally (47m44s).
  • Ultra-processed foods are deliberately designed to be addictive, using techniques developed by tobacco scientists (48m1s).
  • Subsidizing ultra-processed foods for kids can lead to health problems, including issues with their cells and microbiome (48m43s).
  • The evidence-based community may be missing the point by focusing on calorie counts rather than the overall health effects of ultra-processed foods (48m51s).
  • There is increasing evidence that cheap, hyper-processed foods are causing health issues, including problems with the microbiome (48m56s).
  • The use of herbicides and pesticides on food can also have negative health effects, particularly on the microbiome (49m12s).
  • The US allows 10,000 chemicals in food, compared to 400 in Europe, where manufacturers must prove harm before using a chemical (49m41s).
  • The assumption of guilt or innocence plays a significant role in the context of supplements, where trust is crucial, and many brands claim to be top-quality but few can prove it (49m53s).
  • Momentus is a brand that stands out for its NSF certification, indicating the highest quality tested supplements on the planet, with rigorous third-party testing to ensure that the label accurately reflects the product's contents (50m19s).
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  • One of the products offered by Momentus is Tonat Ali, a natural supplement that can help improve testosterone levels, as evidenced by its effectiveness in increasing the speaker's testosterone from too low to usably high (50m33s).
  • Momentus ships internationally and offers a free 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing customers to try products risk-free (50m44s).
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How American Ingredients Impact the Gut (51m10s)

  • The last eight months have been the worst for the individual's health, with a big chunk of it being gut health-related, including issues such as SIBO, H. pylori overgrowth, candida, roundworm, liver fluke, and CBO, which then turns into chronic inflammation. (51m13s)
  • Friends who moved from Mexico to the US and started relationships with Americans developed gut health issues, including SIBO and H. pylori overgrowth, within two years. (51m26s)
  • The individual believes they are a good case study for the impact of American ingredients on gut health, as they never had digestive issues in the UK but started experiencing problems after moving to the US, despite having a similar diet. (52m10s)
  • The individual's diet in the US has the same composition as their diet in the UK, but with new constituent parts, leading them to believe that the ingredients in American food are the cause of their gut health issues. (52m31s)
  • The individual notes that women who travel to Europe often experience changes in their bodies, such as reduced breast size, due to the lower levels of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in European food. (53m8s)
  • In the US, kids are hitting puberty earlier than in Europe, with the average age of puberty for women in the US decreasing over the past generation, which is attributed to the high levels of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in American food. (53m21s)
  • The individual cites Vani Hari, also known as Food Babe, who has created powerful graphics highlighting the differences in ingredients between US and European food products, including the use of artificial dyes in US products. (53m49s)
  • Kellogg's Fruit Loops, for example, are made with different ingredients in the US and Canada, with the US version containing petroleum-based artificial dyes that are phased out in other developed countries. (54m7s)
  • The individual believes that the differences in ingredients between US and European food products are a key factor in the health problems experienced by Americans, and that looking at the broader picture of food production and ingredients is necessary to understand the issue. (55m2s)

Can We Trust Our Water & Air? (55m11s)

  • The Environmental Working Group (EWG) database allows users to enter their exact address and view the toxins present in their water supply, highlighting the government's incompetence in managing water quality (55m11s).
  • A significant portion of the US population is being poisoned by toxic food and water, which is a major contributor to the country's healthcare issues and economic problems (56m1s).
  • The fact that low-income individuals struggle to afford healthy food is not a result of the free market, but rather a failure of public policy, which prioritizes profits over people's health (56m11s).
  • The US spends $4.5 trillion on healthcare, but addressing the root cause of health issues by providing clean water and toxin-free food would be a more cost-effective solution (56m22s).
  • The number one driver of problems in the US is the poisoning of its population, which is causing devastating effects on human capital and the economy (56m50s).
  • The existing healthcare system is not addressing the urgent medical necessity of providing clean water and toxin-free food, and instead views dietary interventions as fringe issues (57m2s).
  • Environmental toxins in the air, such as mold and air pollution, are also significant contributors to the country's health problems, particularly in the construction of new buildings (57m25s).
  • The widespread use of exposed timber in building construction, which can lead to mold growth, is a major concern, and the impact of airborne environmental toxins is a significant aspect of the overall health crisis (58m1s).
  • Modern society has created a "toxic stew" that is harming people's health, and it is essential to acknowledge the health benefits of living in harmony with nature and addressing the environmental toxins present in the air, water, and food (58m18s).
  • The degradation of soil quality due to monocropping and disrespect for crop cycles has resulted in soil being 70% less nutrient-dense, further exacerbating the health crisis (58m40s).
  • The environment is being poisoned due to the materials used in building, farming practices, and air pollution, making it unsustainable, and this issue needs to be addressed as part of the healthcare budget (58m45s).
  • The $4.5 trillion spent on healthcare could be used to ameliorate the negative effects of modern society, rather than just focusing on overregulation or a nanny state (59m12s).
  • There is a need for scientific reports from the NIH and FDA on the reasons behind the poisoning of the environment and its effects on human health, rather than just researching pharmaceutical cures (59m33s).
  • The NIH currently allocates 90% of its funding to researching pharmaceutical cures, while neglecting government research on issues such as mold, toxins in building supplies, and personal care products (59m45s).
  • Mold is still considered pseudoscience, despite its known effects on human health, and more research is needed to understand its impact (59m56s).
  • The NIH has been co-opted, and there is a need to steer federal research grants away from R&D for marginal cures and towards deep research on the root causes of illness (1h0m31s).
  • One of the first policy changes that could be made is to prioritize research on the root causes of illness, rather than just accepting the problem and trying to find cures (1h0m43s).
  • Conflicts of interest need to be removed from research, and reports from trusted sources are needed to inform policy decisions (1h1m6s).
  • The root causes of illness include food, sedentary lifestyle, and toxins in the air and water, with 70% of Americans being ineligible to join the military due to their sedentary lifestyle (1h1m18s).

Study Says We’re Exercising Too Much (1h1m35s)

  • Recent reports and publications have provided misleading information about health, such as exercising too much being dangerous, farming in one's backyard being hazardous, and exercise being an example of white supremacy (1h1m35s).
  • Government guidance has also advised against elderly Americans exercising too much, despite frailty of muscles being a significant cause of death (1h2m7s).
  • The healthcare industry's incentives are partly to blame, as a profitable patient is one who ingests environmental toxins, uses poor hormone-disrupting personal care products, eats ultra-processed food, and is sedentary (1h2m54s).
  • A sedentary lifestyle is a powerful dynamic that can lead to a more tortured life with chronic diseases, and the medical system has not emphasized the importance of exercise in disease prevention and reversal (1h3m20s).
  • The medical system's incentives are not aligned with promoting exercise, and insurance companies may not actually pay for gym memberships or exercise programs, despite offering exercise incentives (1h4m10s).
  • The healthcare system's lack of emphasis on exercise is not due to evil intentions, but rather a result of the system's incentives and priorities (1h4m21s).
  • Companies like trumed, founded by Justin Meers, aim to promote clinically accurate information about the importance of lifestyle choices, including exercise, in preventing chronic diseases (1h4m35s).
  • Doctors often fail to emphasize the importance of lifestyle changes, such as exercise, in preventing chronic diseases, and instead focus on treating symptoms rather than addressing the root causes of illness (1h4m51s).
  • A recommended exercise regimen includes 180 minutes of exercise per week with some strength training, which can be covered by insurance with a letter of medical necessity from a doctor (1h5m8s).
  • People generally listen to doctors and follow their advice, as seen in the high vaccination rates and the decline in smoking rates after warnings from the Surgeon General (1h5m31s).
  • Exercise is often seen as a fringe activity, but it is a crucial aspect of health, and emphasizing its importance through clinical guidelines and repetition from reputable sources like Harvard Med School, the NIH, and the FDA could encourage more people to prioritize it (1h5m44s).
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  • Dr. Mark Hyman, the chief medical officer at Function, has been instrumental in changing perspectives on healthcare, and Function's lab tests, which would normally cost thousands of dollars, are available for $500, with a limited number of spots available each Monday for Modern Wisdom listeners (1h6m32s).

Calley’s Thoughts on Ozempic (1h7m2s)

  • The United States is experiencing an epidemic of childhood obesity, with 50% of 12-year-olds being overweight or obese, which is unprecedented and not solely due to an individual's lack of self-control (1h7m25s).
  • This obesity epidemic is linked to a broader societal issue, contributing to a mental health crisis among children, with 40% of high schoolers qualifying as having a mental health disorder (1h7m48s).
  • The current year, 2024, has seen the highest rate of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, autoimmune conditions, cancer, and kidney disease among kids and adults (1h7m59s).
  • The solution to this problem requires reversing the metabolically destructive environment for adults and kids by addressing toxins, food, and other factors, rather than just treating the symptoms with medication (1h8m24s).
  • There has never been a chronic disease pharmaceutical treatment in American history that has lowered rates of the chronic disease it is trying to treat, with examples including statins leading to more heart disease and metformin leading to more diabetes (1h8m44s).
  • The American Diabetes Association has been criticized for not definitively linking sugar consumption to diabetes and for advising that taking diabetes medication allows individuals to eat whatever they want (1h9m17s).
  • The widespread use of medication as a sole solution to health problems is seen as a moral hazard, as it can create a false sense of security and lead to a lack of lifestyle changes (1h9m5s).
  • The current approach to health, which focuses on treating individual conditions with medication rather than addressing the underlying causes, has been a failure (1h10m29s).
  • The example of Ozempic (OIC) is cited as a case study of the problems with this approach, as it is often prescribed without accompanying lifestyle interventions and is seen as a "magic cure" (1h10m7s).
  • A bill has been introduced to cover Obesity Injectables (OIC) on Medicare, which would cost $1,600 per American per month, and would make 80% of Medicare patients eligible for OIC, potentially opening up a floodgate for widespread use (1h11m7s).
  • If the bill passes, it would likely lead to OIC being covered by Medicaid as well, and there are already efforts to push it for use in six-year-olds, despite the American Academy of Pediatrics only recommending it for 12-year-olds (1h12m2s).
  • The use of OIC raises questions about whether it is the correct societal intervention for obesity, as it causes gut dysfunction and has significant side effects, including vomiting and gastrointestinal issues (1h12m33s).
  • The drug has been approved for kids based on a 64-week study, despite being a lifetime injection with potential long-term comorbidities and side effects (1h13m35s).
  • OIC has the most pronounced side effects of any mass drug ever approved in American history, with over 50% of people having to stop using it due to side effects, and a blackbox warning for thyroid cancer (1h13m48s).
  • The FDA's approval of OIC and other similar drugs, such as zeppe tide and retribute tide, raises concerns about the influence of pharmaceutical companies on the regulatory process (1h14m6s).
  • A Denmark-based company is projected to make 90% of its profits from the United States by selling a drug that is not the standard of care in Europe, and is 10 times less expensive in Europe, indicating a rigged system in the US (1h14m30s).
  • The company has become the most valuable in Europe, surpassing fashion giant LVMH, by assuming $1,600 per month from American taxpayers for a shot that is not necessary for the average American (1h14m49s).
  • The high cost of healthcare in the US is partly due to the government subsidizing ultra-processed foods that contribute to obesity and other health problems (1h15m9s).
  • A potential solution to the healthcare crisis is to focus on metabolic interventions, such as reducing calorie consumption, to address the huge problem of obesity and overweight in the US (1h16m10s).
  • The cost of a proposed treatment, AIC, is $1,600 per person per month, which is a huge burden on the US taxpayer and could be better spent on addressing the root causes of health problems (1h16m40s).
  • The high price of AIC is not justified by its production cost, which is estimated to be around $3, and is instead driven by a rigged system that allows pharmaceutical companies to charge exorbitant prices (1h17m18s).
  • The US, as the largest buyer of drugs in the world, has the power to negotiate prices and should not pay 10 times more than other countries, such as Germany or Scandinavian nations, for the same drugs (1h17m42s).
  • Implementing price controls, such as capping prices at the level paid by other developed countries, could help reduce the financial burden of healthcare on the US taxpayer (1h17m50s).
  • The American health system is broken, and the issue is complex, requiring a multifaceted approach to solve, with the problem being deeply ingrained in the system and its incentives (1h18m16s).
  • Changing biomarkers can be done quickly through an elimination diet or being curious about food, and this approach can be applied to obese children, helping them pursue a life of curiosity about their food and putting whole food in their bodies (1h18m32s).
  • The food system plays a significant role in the health crisis, and educating people about the importance of whole food and its healing power can be a crucial step in addressing the issue (1h18m52s).
  • However, changing the system is challenging due to the conceptual inertia and momentum of doctors who have been indoctrinated for a long time, making it difficult to alter their expectations and behaviors (1h19m18s).
  • The health crisis is an existential issue, and if left unaddressed, it may lead to mass societal collapse, food crises, destabilization, and infertility, with the US potentially becoming bankrupt due to the high cost of managing chronic diseases (1h19m39s).
  • The infertility rate is increasing by 1% per year, and the US is becoming less competitive, with 40% of its GDP expected to be spent on managing chronic diseases in the next 10-15 years (1h19m56s).
  • Hot and cold therapy, such as using a sauna and cold plunge, can be beneficial for overall health, providing more energy, better sleep, and faster recovery (1h20m15s).
  • Plunge offers a range of cold plunge options, including a new evolved collection, designed to fit different lifestyles, spaces, and goals, with a 30-day return policy (1h20m31s).
  • A discount of $150 is available for Plunge products using the code mw150 at checkout (1h20m56s).

The Infertility Industry (1h21m15s)

  • The healthcare industry is facing a crisis, with the infertility crisis being a byproduct of overall declining health, and if left unchecked, it could lead to the downfall of the American experiment (1h21m20s).
  • The current system is unsustainable and short-term focused, prioritizing profits over long-term health, similar to industrial agriculture which may be beneficial in the short term but ultimately destroys the soil (1h22m4s).
  • The root cause of many health issues, including infertility, is the loss of sight of natural cycles and the prioritization of short-term profits over long-term health (1h22m6s).
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the leading cause of infertility, and most women of childbearing age are dealing with it, but traditional OBGYNs often prescribe hormone pills and IVF without addressing the underlying metabolic issues (1h22m26s).
  • PCOS is a warning sign of insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction, and addressing these underlying issues through diet and lifestyle changes can increase fertility and reverse symptoms (1h23m11s).
  • In Denmark, IVF is encouraged, but only after educating women about the metabolic ties to PCOS and providing government-subsidized keto diets, which have been shown to be effective in reversing symptoms and increasing fertility (1h23m27s).
  • Fertility issues can be an opportunity for women to address underlying metabolic dysfunction and start a path towards better health, rather than just treating the symptoms with hormone pills and invasive surgeries (1h24m24s).
  • Metabolic dysfunction can be a sign of underlying issues, such as insulin resistance, and addressing these issues can help prevent further health problems (1h24m31s).
  • The importance of understanding the root causes of health issues, such as PCOS, and addressing them through diet and lifestyle changes, rather than just treating the symptoms, is crucial for overall health and fertility (1h24m40s).
  • The current approach to treating certain health conditions, such as PCOS, is often flawed and focused on prescribing hormone pills rather than addressing the underlying causes (1h24m43s).
  • Many doctors, including those from prestigious institutions like Harvard Medical School, may not fully understand the conditions they are treating and instead rely on procedures like IVF (1h25m7s).
  • The regulatory bodies that oversee healthcare in the US are often influenced by commercial interests and may be "bought off" by pharmaceutical companies (1h25m21s).
  • The FDA is 75% funded by the pharmaceutical industry, and its advisory committees often consist of outside experts with conflicts of interest (1h26m16s).
  • The FDA's funding structure creates a conflict of interest, as the agency's growth and influence are tied to the growth of the pharmaceutical industry it regulates (1h28m4s).
  • The revolving door between the FDA and the pharmaceutical industry can also lead to conflicts of interest and influence the agency's decisions (1h28m19s).
  • The opioid crisis is a prime example of how the influence of pharmaceutical companies can lead to flawed policy decisions, such as the 2011 report downplaying addiction concerns and leading to an increase in opioid prescriptions (1h27m25s).
  • The majority of opioid overdoses can be traced back to legal prescriptions, highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach to pain management (1h27m41s).
  • Despite these challenges, there is hope for change, as many doctors are motivated by a desire to help their patients and are open to new approaches (1h26m2s).
  • The FDA is funded by pharmaceutical companies, and its advisory committees often consist of individuals who receive funding from these companies, creating a conflict of interest (1h28m21s).
  • To address this issue, simple steps can be taken, such as not having the FDA funded by pharmaceutical companies and disaggregating the food and drug regulatory bodies (1h28m27s).
  • In the United States, the food regulatory body is paid for by the pharmaceutical industry, which profits from people getting sick from food, unlike in European countries where the food regulatory body is separate (1h28m40s).
  • Executive orders can be implemented to address these issues and promote change, such as ensuring the FDA follows the science and has correct standard of care guidelines (1h28m54s).
  • Research has shown that certain health conditions, such as PCOS, are tied to insulin resistance and food, and that dietary interventions may be effective in treating conditions like diabetes (1h29m2s).
  • A company called Trumed is working on addressing these issues and promoting dietary interventions as a first step in treating certain health conditions (1h29m13s).

What is Truemed? (1h29m17s)

  • When receiving a prescription for a chronic disease medication, patients can ask their doctor for a letter of medical necessity, which can include information on how food and exercise can help reverse conditions such as PCOS, depression, and high cholesterol (1h29m31s).
  • This letter can be used to pay for items such as gym memberships, sleep products, and supplements using HSA or FSA dollars (1h30m7s).
  • Trumed is an issue advocacy organization that helps patients use their HSA or FSA dollars for clinically accurate interventions, such as sleep products from companies like Eight Sleep (1h30m24s).
  • Many entrepreneurs are working on frontline medicine, creating products that can help prevent or reverse chronic conditions, but the $4.5 trillion healthcare industry is still focused on pills (1h30m52s).
  • The definition of medicine is not limited to synthetic pills, but rather what a doctor deems appropriate for the cure, mitigation, or prevention of a condition (1h31m6s).
  • Trumed uses clinical guidelines and research to connect patients with root cause items, such as supplements and sleep products, based on their condition (1h31m13s).
  • The company aims to change the policy solution by getting clinical guidelines right, understanding that conditions like heart disease are not just a matter of a single deficiency, but rather a complex issue that requires a holistic approach (1h32m21s).
  • Changing clinical guidelines can be a bipartisan effort, and opening up programs to flexibility can allow patients to take control of their health journey without being lectured on what to eat or do (1h32m53s).
  • The US healthcare system is broken, with $4.5 trillion spent on it, and the money could be better utilized for holistic and blood testing approaches, making it cheaper (1h33m5s).
  • In the UK, people typically visit a GP practice and see whoever is available, unlike in the US where people often have a personal doctor (1h33m26s).
  • Without medical insurance, individuals have to pay high prices for medication, such as $350 per tablet for an antiparasitic, which is rare for people to pay cash for (1h33m50s).
  • The government issues coupons to Americans to reduce the cost of certain medications, but Medicare and Medicaid, the biggest spenders on drugs, are not allowed to use these coupons due to laws influenced by pharmaceutical lobbyists (1h34m41s).
  • As a result, the US taxpayer has to pay the full price for medications, while individuals paying out of pocket can use coupons to get a discounted price (1h35m14s).
  • The system is rigged, with pharmaceutical companies having a significant influence on laws and prices, making it difficult for individuals and the government to afford medications (1h35m25s).

President Trump & RFK Jr’s Partnership (1h35m33s)

  • A mission to help kids has been ongoing since the loss of a family member, with efforts to put good energy out there through writing a book and connecting with various individuals and groups, including Democrats and the Trump campaign, to help all sides however possible (1h35m55s).
  • A deep spiritual calling was felt after the first assassination attempt on President Trump, prompting a call to RFK to discuss unity, and a connection was made between RFK and Tucker Carlson to talk about unity and potential fast change (1h36m31s).
  • Conversations with RFK and others have shown a genuine concern for the well-being of kids in the United States, with discussions focusing on the issues of obesity and diabetes, and a desire to make a positive impact as a legacy item (1h37m6s).
  • Meetings have been held with various individuals, including Nancy Pelosi, to discuss the issues affecting kids, and it has been found that many of these individuals are human beings who care and do not want kids to be devastated in the United States (1h37m17s).
  • A huge problem is identified as the staffers behind the members of Congress who are making policy and working on getting a job at their next boss, often in the pharmaceutical or insurance industry, which can lead to policies that benefit these industries rather than the people (1h37m31s).
  • A meeting with the person who introduced the OIC Bill revealed that they had been paid millions of dollars by the pharmaceutical industry and were unaware of the implications of the bill, including its potential to harm kids and cost taxpayers a lot of money (1h37m54s).
  • The idea of using $1600 to provide food instead of funding a lifetime drug was met with surprise, indicating that some individuals may not be aware of alternative solutions to the issues affecting kids (1h38m24s).
  • President Trump has staked his political life on taking out corruption, and RFK has articulated that the issues affecting health are a prime example of this corruption (1h38m50s).
  • There is an opportunity for bold bipartisan action to address the issues with the American healthcare system, as both the left and right sides of the political spectrum are dissatisfied with the current state of healthcare. (1h39m14s)
  • The left side of the political spectrum is more open to holistic approaches to healthcare and is skeptical of pharmaceutical companies, which presents an opportunity for bipartisan cooperation. (1h39m6s)
  • Strong executive leadership is required to address the corruption in the healthcare industry, as members of Congress need "air cover" from the president to take action against pharmaceutical companies. (1h39m34s)
  • The current system allows corruption to thrive, as seen in the bill that allowed the FDA to be funded by pharmaceutical companies, which was passed without high-level awareness. (1h39m57s)
  • A president who focuses on the issue of healthcare corruption can provide the necessary leadership to bring about change, as they can veto bills that favor pharmaceutical companies and provide cover for members of Congress to take action. (1h40m10s)
  • The upcoming election presents an existential moment for addressing the broken incentives in the healthcare industry, and strong executive leadership is necessary to bring about change. (1h40m38s)
  • The lack of action to address the corruption in the healthcare industry will have severe consequences if not addressed, although the specific consequences are not specified. (1h40m50s)

The Next 50 Years (1h40m51s)

  • The current trajectory of the farming system is unsustainable, with 30 to 40 crop cycles left before the soil becomes dust, and the country is headed towards a destabilizing societal event due to rising healthcare costs and declining health (1h40m52s).
  • The US has a high percentage of overweight or obese individuals, with 80% of the population falling into this category, and 66% of adults having some form of pre-diabetes or diabetes (1h41m14s).
  • The country's healthcare system is unsustainable, with the US spending four times more per capita on healthcare than Japan, which has a higher life expectancy (1h41m49s).
  • A food crisis is a concern due to the hacking of natural cycles of agriculture and the environment, and destabilizing events such as infertility, which is skyrocketing, are also a worry (1h41m55s).
  • The country's competitiveness is at risk due to the growing health crisis, with human capital being affected, and the largest and fastest-growing industry profiting from people being sick, which is seen as an existential threat (1h42m18s).
  • The two most pressing issues facing the country are preventing nuclear war and addressing the health crisis, which includes rising rates of sickness, infertility, and depression (1h42m54s).
  • Some experts, such as Elon Musk and Mark Andre, believe that radical innovation in pharmaceutical solutions, including new cancer vaccines and personalized therapeutics, could potentially outrun the trends of declining metabolic health (1h43m14s).
  • However, there is currently no data to support the idea that these innovations can kickstart better lifelong habits, and the argument is that the country is at an age of tremendous personalized pharmaceutical innovation that will extend longevity and outsmart chronic disease (1h43m57s).

Similarities With the Climate Debate (1h44m26s)

  • There is a degree of similarity between aggressive proponents of the climate debate and some talking points, mainly that it's a big problem that needs to be addressed with urgency and importance, and possibly with technological interventions (1h44m28s).
  • Some potential interventions for climate change include pumping substances into the atmosphere to reflect light and reduce greenhouse gases, as well as utilizing AI for various purposes (1h44m54s).
  • The climate industrial complex is compared to the pharmaceutical industrial complex, with some individuals, such as Bill Gates, advocating for both government-funded AI bots to censor anti-vaccine information and climate change mitigation methods (1h45m32s).
  • Bill Gates recently stated that government-funded AI bots should immediately remove any anti-vaccine information from the internet, as critical information about vaccines or pharmaceutical products can create "brain viruses" for people questioning things (1h45m46s).
  • The only similarity between the climate debate and the health issue is the notion that it's a big problem that needs to be addressed soon, possibly with technological solutions (1h46m23s).
  • The health issue resonates with people on a personal level, as many are experiencing or witnessing chronic conditions in themselves, their children, or their parents, and there's a sense that something is not right (1h46m41s).
  • The goal is to paint a picture of the incentives that can lead to a path of empowerment and questioning, and to take matters into one's own hands to address chronic conditions (1h46m55s).
  • The health issue is related to the environmental debate, as the degradation of air, water, and soil is connected to human health, and a bold health and environment agenda could be framed through a selfish lens of not damaging oneself (1h47m21s).
  • The current system is not a free market, but rather one that has been co-opted by short-term interests and corporate capture, and a new approach is needed (1h47m30s).
  • The ultimate goal of the climate movement is to create a world where humans can flourish in balance with nature, but currently, humans are not flourishing due to various issues such as addiction, poor diet, and high rates of disease and death (1h47m47s).
  • The current state of human health is interconnected with other issues, and addressing it requires a holistic approach that considers the world as a system of abundance rather than scarcity (1h48m34s).
  • The over-reliance on technology to solve health problems is misguided, and instead, technology should be used to help humans understand and work with natural cycles and the environment (1h48m52s).
  • The use of hormone-disrupting pills and other interventions that disrupt natural cycles is an example of how humans have "hacked" their bodies and the environment, leading to negative consequences (1h49m7s).
  • Regenerative farming is an example of a more natural and sustainable approach to agriculture that can produce more crops per acre and benefit the environment, but it requires investment in technology to reduce labor costs (1h49m33s).
  • A blend of new technology and existing natural balance is needed to create a better system for farmers, the environment, and human health (1h50m21s).
  • The current healthcare system is unsustainable due to increasing costs and declining health outcomes, and a new approach is needed that focuses on prevention and natural health rather than just treating disease with drugs (1h50m40s).
  • The current health space still sees innovation as putting a new packaging on existing products or improving user experience for medical records, without addressing the underlying incentives of the system (1h51m0s).
  • This approach is seen as putting a better wrapper on a broken system, rather than fundamentally changing it, and it is necessary to ask if every healthcare idea disrupts or props up the current incentives (1h51m17s).
  • The current system is unsustainable, and it is necessary to invest in technologies that respect the environment, air, water, and food, in order to survive as a country in the next 10-15 years (1h51m28s).
  • This includes respecting farming practices more, demedicalizing chronic conditions, and addressing the root causes of health issues rather than just treating the symptoms (1h51m45s).
  • The use of technology, such as robots, could dramatically change the curve of labor for regenerative farming and help shift everyone towards more sustainable practices (1h51m59s).
  • Policies are needed to address corruption in scientific guidelines, which would have downstream impacts, and to open up healthcare flexibility (1h52m10s).
  • A staggered, prioritized plan of true policy change is required, which would involve deep conversations with farmers and the agriculture community about how to unwind broken incentives and move towards a more regenerative future (1h52m21s).
  • The goal is to get away from ultra-processed food and towards a more regenerative future, which would require a deep and important conversation with the agriculture community (1h52m35s).

Where Should People Go for Health Information? (1h52m42s)

  • Most health information is not entirely accurate, and even evidence-based or scientific information can be influenced by incentives that may not represent what people should know (1h52m44s).
  • A book by Mark Hyman, who has been addressing these issues for 20 years, was given to the speaker's sister, a doctor at Stanford Medical School, which led her to read more books by authors like Rob Lustig and others (1h53m14s).
  • The speaker's sister became radicalized by the information and left the medical system in 2017, and she gave the speaker some of the books she had read, which the speaker initially rejected but later started reading (1h53m35s).
  • The speaker also started listening to podcasts, including Joe Rogan's, which they initially thought was spreading misinformation but found to be discussing topics like health and wellness (1h53m48s).
  • Independent media, including podcasts, is considered one of the biggest society-shifting events in history, allowing people to access information that is not controlled by corporations (1h54m13s).
  • The shift away from corporate-controlled information sources is seen as a significant development, and podcasts are playing a massive role in this shift (1h54m38s).
  • Mainstream media has been criticized for not covering topics like childhood diabetes, obesity, and pharmaceutical corruption, but these topics are widely discussed on independent media (1h55m0s).
  • The book "Outlive" by Peter Attia was a top-selling book in recent years, indicating that people are desperate for information on metabolic health (1h55m12s).
  • The speaker's sister's interview with Tucker Carlson was seen as eye-opening, and Carlson is now evangelizing the idea of metabolic health (1h55m25s).
  • Once people become aware of the issues with the current healthcare system, it can be difficult to "unsee" and is driving Americans to seek out alternative sources of information (1h55m32s).
  • Reading books and listening to podcasts have been life-changing for the speaker, and they recommend seeking out accessible and impactful books on the topic (1h55m56s).
  • The author's background is unique, having worked in industries that contributed to health issues, but was heavily influenced by books such as "Food Fix" by Mark Hyman, "Hacking of the American Mind" and "Metabolical" by Robert Lustig, which discuss systemic health issues and metabolic health (1h56m20s).
  • The author has also been influenced by Marty Makary's book "The Price We Pay", which unpacks the healthcare system, and Sarah Gottfried's work on hormones (1h56m45s).
  • Public intellectuals such as Andy Huberman and Chris Palmer, a Harvard psychiatrist, have also made significant contributions to the discussion on health, with Palmer's research focusing on the impact of food and environmental toxins on mental health (1h57m12s).
  • The author's book aims to make health information accessible to a wider audience, using storytelling to connect with readers and encourage them to make positive changes in their lives (1h58m50s).
  • The target audience for the book is individuals who are already interested in health and wellness, but may struggle to convince their friends and family to make changes, and the book has been successful in helping people to have these conversations (1h57m45s).
  • The book has been well-received, reaching number one on Amazon and helping people to make significant changes in their health and wellbeing (1h58m14s).
  • The author believes that making health information accessible and engaging is crucial, and that public intellectuals such as Dr. Lustig and others have done brave work in sharing their knowledge and changing millions of lives (1h59m14s).
  • The main issue with America's health is not about the nuances of diet or exercise, but rather the lack of basic healthy habits among the general population, with many people not eating whole foods or engaging in regular exercise (1h59m40s).
  • The focus should be on incentivizing simple, healthy behaviors through public policy and clinical guidelines, rather than debating the specifics of diet and exercise (2h0m2s).
  • The majority of people are not engaging in healthy behaviors, with many still smoking, consuming excessive alcohol, and not exercising regularly (2h0m34s).
  • A significant portion of the population is not drinking at all, while the top 10% of drinkers consume a disproportionate amount of alcohol, with 24 million adults consuming an average of 74 drinks per week (2h0m55s).
  • The alcohol industry is propped up by "drink power users," and a similar model could be applied to food, allowing for individual choice but also acknowledging the harm caused by certain substances (2h1m16s).
  • The food industry has become too far removed from healthy, whole foods, with many products containing toxic and addictive chemicals, and regulatory agents encouraging these practices (2h1m54s).
  • The issue is not about banning certain foods or ingredients, but rather about acknowledging the harm caused by these substances and promoting healthier options (2h2m2s).
  • Personal anecdotes and experiences can serve as a "split test" for the impact of different environments and habits on health, highlighting the importance of individual agency and choice (2h2m17s).

Where to Find Calley (2h2m40s)

  • Calley Means is active on social media, where efforts are being made to build a community that advocates for various issues and encourages people to write to members of Congress (2h2m41s).
  • A community, referred to as a "tribe," is being built to discuss important issues, regardless of the outcome of upcoming elections (2h2m52s).
  • The website tred.com is mentioned as a resource, and it is recommended that every person contribute to their Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) (2h2m55s).
  • It is suggested that individuals demand a letter of medical necessity from their doctor for root cause items, and true Med can assist with this process (2h2m59s).
  • The episode is concluded with an appreciation for the audience's time, and a mention of an upcoming episode with Dr. Andrew Huberman, who will discuss health, fitness, and wellness (2h3m7s).

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