The conventional understanding of diet and health is being challenged by figures like Calley Means, who advocates for a fundamental shift in how we approach well-being. Means, along with his sister Dr. Casey Means, are co-authors of "Good Energy, the surprising connection between metabolism and limitless health", which emphasizes the connection between metabolic health and overall well-being. Their approach calls into question the existing healthcare and food systems, advocating for a return to basic principles of diet, exercise, and environmental awareness.
The Problem with the Current System
Means argues that the current healthcare system is incentivized to manage chronic diseases rather than prevent or cure them. This economic reality, according to Means, creates a system where the largest industry in the country profits from people being sick, depressed, and infertile. He points out that nine out of ten leading causes of death in America are preventable lifestyle conditions, and 95% of all medical spending is on preventable chronic conditions.
This perspective extends to the food industry, where Means suggests major food companies are intertwined with medical associations. He alleges that these companies engage in practices that prioritize profit over public health, contributing to the rise in chronic diseases. In America, childhood obesity rates are significantly higher than in countries like Japan, pointing to systemic issues within the American food system.
Understanding Metabolic Health
The book "Good Energy" delves into the underpinnings of metabolic health, emphasizing the importance of diet, environmental toxins, sleep, and exercise. These elements form the foundation of a healthy lifestyle, yet Means argues that our medical system often overlooks or overcomplicates these basics. Chronic diseases are interrelated, but this simplicity is ignored because it is more profitable to keep people sick and manage their conditions.
Metabolic dysfunction is at the core of many health issues. A study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology revealed that only a small percentage of Americans are metabolically healthy, with the vast majority exhibiting at least one biomarker indicating metabolic dysfunction. This dysfunction affects how our bodies and cells generate energy, impacting overall health.
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Mitochondria, the powerhouses of our cells, are central to the concept of good energy. When mitochondria function well, cells are well-powered, leading to healthy organs and overall well-being. However, the modern environment, with its processed foods, poor sleep patterns, and sedentary lifestyles, places these vital components under siege.
The Role of Food and Environmental Factors
Means is particularly critical of the modern American diet, which contains chemicals and highly processed ingredients that were not present a century ago. Seed oils, cheap and manufactured ingredients, are used extensively due to their low cost, a decision influenced by corporate interests. He also highlights the differences in food ingredients between the US and Europe, noting that the US often uses artificial dyes and other additives that have been phased out in other developed countries.
Environmental factors also play a significant role in health. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in food have been linked to earlier puberty in children. The individual's experience of developing gut health issues after moving to the US, despite maintaining a similar diet, suggests that American food ingredients are a key factor in these health problems.
The Ozempic Debate
Means raises concerns about the use of drugs like Ozempic, especially in children. He notes that the American Academy of Pediatrics, allegedly a fully funded subsidiary of pharma, has suggested it as a first-line defense for obese or overweight 12-year-olds. Means argues that Ozempic, a lifetime drug, has demonstrably high side effects, with a significant percentage of users discontinuing it due to severe nausea and vomiting. He questions whether the obesity crisis is due to an Ozempic deficiency or the result of poisoning the American population.
The Importance of Individual Action
Despite the systemic problems, Means emphasizes the importance of individual action. He encourages people to understand their basic metabolic biomarkers, such as fasting glucose, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and blood pressure. He suggests that by focusing on unprocessed, whole foods, individuals can transform their biomarkers in just six weeks. He also recommends walking at least 7,000 to 10,000 steps a day, integrating movement into daily life.
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Means encourages people to trust themselves by understanding their basic biomarkers and interpreting their symptoms. People can know if they are moving in the right direction or not. He advocates for a return to common sense, emphasizing the importance of quality whole food and regular movement.
Truemed and Financial Incentives
Calley Means' company, TrueMed, aims to address the financial barriers to health by allowing people to use their health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to purchase wellness products and gym memberships. By providing a letter of medical necessity, TrueMed enables individuals to invest in preventative care, aligning financial incentives with health outcomes.
A Call for Systemic Change
Means advocates for systemic changes to address the root causes of chronic disease. He wants food to be considered medicine and tobacco subsidies to be redirected toward fruits and vegetables. He also calls for an end to direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising.
The Meanses' Mission
Calley and Casey Means are striving to build a "Make America Healthy Again" identity. In their public appearances, they argue that health care, government, and science have become polluted with perverse financial incentives. They advocate for removing sugary drinks from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and for prioritizing diet and exercise in treatment recommendations.
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