According to President Trump’s nominee for surgeon general, Dr. Casey Means, almost every American has some form of metabolic dysfunction.
Dr. Means, a Stanford School of Medicine graduate and former functional medicine practitioner, began her Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday to become the nation’s top doctor, where she emphasized the need for a shift from a reactive sick care system to a proactive healthcare system.
However, her unconventional views on health, including skepticism towards conventional medicine and pharmaceuticals, have garnered criticism from the medical community. Some of her opinions, such as those on raw milk, birth control, and vaccine safety, have sparked controversy.
Dr. Means believes that many common health issues, from cancer to mental illness, stem from lifestyle and dietary choices that lead to chronic illnesses. She co-authored a book with her brother, titled “Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health,” where she argues that mitochondrial dysfunction is the root cause of most metabolic conditions and chronic illnesses.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction Explained
According to Dr. Means, mitochondrial dysfunction, or “underpowered cells,” is responsible for the majority of chronic diseases in the population. She attributes the low percentage of Americans with optimal metabolic health to this dysfunction.
She believes that our modern environment, characterized by poor diet, lack of sleep, exposure to toxins, and high stress levels, contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction, which in turn leads to various health issues.
Research and Recommendations
Some studies support Dr. Means’ theories, such as the link between disruptions to circadian rhythm and metabolic diseases. She recommends a holistic approach to improving metabolic health, including regular exposure to natural light and monitoring biomarkers like blood glucose levels and cholesterol.
Her solution involves getting biomarkers checked by a doctor and switching to a diet of whole, unprocessed foods for a period of six weeks.
It is recommended to incorporate more whole foods into your diet and focus on reducing processed foods as much as possible to improve your overall health.
Additionally, aim to take at least 7,000 steps per day or take short walks every 45 minutes for six weeks to promote movement and physical activity.
After following these guidelines, check your biomarkers again to track any improvements in your health.
While the effectiveness of these steps in transforming mitochondrial efficacy in just six weeks may be up for debate, the importance of consuming whole foods and staying active daily cannot be denied.
Although there are criticisms about Means promoting a “silver bullet” mentality with claims that most health problems stem from cellular energy production, her emphasis on healthy lifestyle habits is valuable. She is also the founder of Levels, a company that provides at-home glucose monitoring.
Recent scrutiny of Means during her confirmation hearing has reignited concerns in the medical community about her past criticisms of healthcare professionals and her advocacy for self-managed healthcare.
In a recent interview with NPR, Means stood by her belief that individuals can trust themselves to make informed healthcare decisions without relying solely on health influencers or doctors.
