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Dr. Casey Means: 5 Early Warning Signs of Disease & What Your Body is REALLY Trying to Tell You

By iHeartPodcasts

On this episode of the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, Dr. Casey Means examines the shortcomings of modern healthcare in addressing early signs of metabolic dysfunction and the importance of self-monitoring for preventing chronic illnesses. She explores how our lifestyle choices around diet, sleep, and movement significantly impact metabolic health.

Means also introduces emerging technologies, such as continuous glucose monitors and direct-to-consumer lab tests, that empower individuals to gain deeper insights into their unique metabolic needs. Furthermore, the discussion touches on the role of policy changes—including restrictions on pharmaceutical advertising and removing added sugars from school lunches—in fostering a healthier environment for metabolic well-being.

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Dr. Casey Means: 5 Early Warning Signs of Disease & What Your Body is REALLY Trying to Tell You

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Dr. Casey Means: 5 Early Warning Signs of Disease & What Your Body is REALLY Trying to Tell You

1-Page Summary

Healthcare System Gaps and the Need for Self-Trust

Casey Means critiques the modern medical system's failure to address early signs of metabolic dysfunction, which contributes to chronic illnesses. She highlights the need for individuals to understand the healthcare system's economic incentives and take ownership of their health by monitoring symptoms as the body's communication.

Key Lifestyle Factors Impacting Metabolic Health

Diet

  • Reduce processed foods, sugar, refined grains, and industrial seed oils
  • Eat slowly and mindfully to improve metabolic markers

Sleep

  • Maintain consistent sleep timing to regulate circadian rhythms
  • Reduce social jet lag by minimizing differences in sleep times

Movement

  • Aim for 7,000+ steps/day to reduce chronic disease risk
  • Incorporate regular movement to aid glucose uptake

Emerging Technologies for Metabolic Insight

  • Continuous glucose monitors provide real-time data on metabolic responses
  • Direct-to-consumer lab tests assess comprehensive metabolic markers
  • Wearables track metrics like heart rate variability and sleep quality

Means emphasizes using these technologies to make informed lifestyle choices tailored to individual metabolic needs.

Policy Changes to Support Metabolic Health

Means and Jay Shetty advocate for:

  • Banning pharmaceutical ads to reduce biased health messaging
  • Prohibiting federal funding for departments receiving pharmaceutical money
  • Removing added sugars from the National School Lunch Program

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Metabolic dysfunction involves disruptions in the body's processes that affect how it converts food into energy. This dysfunction can lead to various chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Understanding and addressing metabolic issues early can help prevent the development of these long-term health conditions.
  • In the healthcare system, economic incentives can influence medical decisions and practices. For example, fee-for-service models may encourage more procedures or tests, potentially leading to overutilization. Understanding these incentives is crucial as they can impact the quality and cost of healthcare services. Patients and providers need to navigate these dynamics to ensure the best outcomes for individual health needs.
  • Circadian rhythms are the body's internal clock that regulates various biological processes over a 24-hour cycle, including sleep-wake patterns and hormone release. Social jet lag occurs when there is a misalignment between an individual's natural body clock and their social obligations, like work or social activities, leading to disruptions in sleep patterns and overall health. Maintaining consistent sleep timing helps synchronize circadian rhythms, promoting better sleep quality and overall well-being. Minimizing social jet lag involves reducing differences in sleep schedules between weekdays and weekends to support a more stable circadian rhythm.
  • Glucose uptake is the process by which cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream to use it for energy production. It is crucial for maintaining proper blood sugar levels and overall metabolic health. Metabolic markers are measurable indicators that provide insights into an individual's metabolic processes, such as blood sugar levels, insulin sensitivity, and lipid profiles. Monitoring these markers can help assess how well the body is functioning and identify potential health issues early on.
  • Heart rate variability (HRV) is the variation in time intervals between heartbeats. It is a measure of the autonomic nervous system's influence on the heart. HRV is used to assess overall health, stress levels, and fitness, with lower variability often indicating poorer health outcomes. Various methods, like ECG and wearable devices, are used to measure HRV accurately.
  • The policy changes mentioned involve advocating for banning pharmaceutical ads to reduce biased health messaging and prohibiting federal funding for departments that receive money from pharmaceutical companies. These changes aim to address potential conflicts of interest and ensure that healthcare decisions are based on unbiased information rather than influenced by pharmaceutical companies.

Counterarguments

  • While self-monitoring and ownership of health are important, not all individuals have the education or resources to effectively interpret and act on health data without professional guidance.
  • The healthcare system, despite its flaws, does provide life-saving interventions and treatments that are not achievable through self-care and lifestyle changes alone.
  • Diet recommendations can be overly simplistic and may not account for individual variability, cultural differences, or socioeconomic factors that influence food choices.
  • Consistent sleep timing may not be feasible for everyone, especially those with shift work, parenting responsibilities, or other life circumstances that disrupt regular sleep patterns.
  • The recommendation of 7,000+ steps/day may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those with mobility issues, chronic pain, or other health conditions.
  • Emerging technologies for metabolic insight can be expensive and may not be accessible to all socioeconomic groups, potentially widening health disparities.
  • Wearables and continuous monitoring devices can lead to an over-reliance on technology and an obsession with health metrics, which can sometimes result in anxiety or counterproductive health behaviors.
  • Policy changes such as banning pharmaceutical ads could limit the ability of patients to become aware of new treatments, and the role of advertising in informed consent and patient awareness is complex.
  • Prohibiting federal funding for departments receiving pharmaceutical money could hinder research and development of new medications that could benefit public health.
  • Removing added sugars from the National School Lunch Program is a positive step, but it may not address the broader issue of food quality and nutrition education in schools.

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Dr. Casey Means: 5 Early Warning Signs of Disease & What Your Body is REALLY Trying to Tell You

Issues with the current healthcare system and the need for empowerment and self-trust

Casey Means and Shetty address the glaring gaps in the current healthcare system, especially when it comes to chronic health issues, and underscore the necessity of personal empowerment and self-trust in health management.

The healthcare system is failing at addressing chronic health issues

Casey Means critiques the modern American medical system for not operating on the paradigm that most chronic symptoms and diseases can be traced back to metabolic dysfunction. She indicates that the healthcare system often fails to notice early warning signs of metabolic diseases, including chronic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress, which contribute greatly to chronic health issues.

The United States is experiencing a rampant chronic illness epidemic across all age demographics. Despite over $4 trillion spent annually on healthcare, the population's health continues to decline, as seen in increased rates of chronic conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.

Means shares her personal narrative, questioning why her mother, despite being on medication and deemed healthy by reputed institutions, was suddenly diagnosed with cancer. She criticizes the healthcare system for managing symptoms rather than addressing root causes and highlights a "devil's bargain" between the healthcare system and ultra-processed food industries, which she believes perpetuates chronic illnesses.

Individuals need to take ownership of their health

Mean suggests that daily lifestyle choices can lead to a healthier self if they align with the body’s cellular needs, including food quality, sunlight exposure, and physical movement. She also emphasizes the need for individuals to acknowledge the healthcare system's economic incentives that prefer treating symptoms rather than curing diseases.

She calls for an approach to healthcare that measures quality by healing and proper body function, not just medication adherence. This awareness of the underlying economic realities of healthcare is crucial for people to take control of their health and possibly even educate their doctors.

Symptoms should be seen as a gift and an opportunity to understand the body's needs

Means views chronic symptoms as a form of communication from the body, urging people to consider them as indications of the body's needs. She suggests seeing every symptom as an opportunity to understand the body better and to address underly ...

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Issues with the current healthcare system and the need for empowerment and self-trust

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Metabolic dysfunction as a root cause of chronic symptoms and diseases: Metabolic dysfunction involves disruptions in the body's processes that convert food into energy, impacting various bodily functions. When these metabolic processes are impaired, it can lead to a range of health issues, including chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Understanding and addressing metabolic dysfunction is crucial as it can underlie the development and progression of many chronic symptoms and diseases. By focusing on improving metabolic health, individuals can potentially prevent or manage chronic conditions more effectively.
  • The term "devil's bargain between the healthcare system and ultra-processed food industries" suggests a problematic relationship where the healthcare system may indirectly support or perpetuate the consumption of unhealthy ultra-processed foods. This could occur through various means such as lack of emphasis on preventive care, limited nutritional education for patients, or financial ties between healthcare providers and food industry stakeholders. The implication is that this relationship may contribute to the rise of chronic illnesses by not addressing the root causes related to poor dietary choices and lifestyle habits.
  • In the current healthcare system, economic incentives often prioritize treating symptoms with medications rather than focusing on curing diseases. This approach can lead to ongoing treatment and medication use, which can be more profitable for healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies. As a result, there may be less emphasis on addressing the root causes of illnesses and promoting long-term health solutions. This dynamic can sometimes create a cycle where managing symptoms becomes more financially beneficial than investing in preven ...

Counterarguments

  • The healthcare system does address early warning signs of metabolic diseases, but there may be systemic issues in effectively communicating and acting upon these signs.
  • High healthcare spending does not necessarily correlate with better outcomes, but this can be due to a variety of complex factors beyond the healthcare system's control, such as social determinants of health.
  • While there may be a focus on symptom management, this is often due to the complexity of chronic diseases and the current limitations of medical knowledge and treatments.
  • Economic incentives are a factor in healthcare, but many healthcare providers are motivated by patient care and work to provide the best treatment possible within the constraints of the system.
  • Lifestyle choices are important, but genetic predispositions and environmental factors can also play a significant role in an individual's health.
  • Symptoms are indeed signals from the body, but not all symptoms can be ...

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Dr. Casey Means: 5 Early Warning Signs of Disease & What Your Body is REALLY Trying to Tell You

Lifestyle factors that impact metabolic health

Understanding the various lifestyle factors that impact metabolic health is essential for maintaining overall well-being. Diet, sleep, and physical activity play a crucial role in sustaining metabolic function.

Diet plays a crucial role in metabolic function

Diet is a significant influence on metabolic health. Means highlights that an overwhelming proportion of American calories, about 70%, come from ultra-processed industrialized food, which negatively impacts cellular function. She stresses the need for nutritious, unprocessed food that is organic and free from pesticides.

Reducing intake of processed chaotics, refined sugars, and industrial seed oils is key

She warns against what she refers to as the "unholy trinity of foods" that are detrimental to cellular health—sugar, refined grains, and industrial seed oils. The worst advice she’s heard is "all good things in moderation," arguing that substances like refined sugar and synthetic toxins should not be consumed at all. This emphasizes the importance of reducing the intake of these harmful substances to improve metabolic health.

Eating slowly and mindfully can significantly improve metabolic markers

Research shows that the speed at which we eat can impact our metabolic health. Those who eat the slowest are four times less likely to develop metabolic syndrome compared to their faster-eating counterparts. This underlines the value of mindful eating habits.

Adequate, consistent sleep is essential for metabolic regulation

Americans are getting significantly less sleep now than they did a century ago. Consistency in sleep quality, quantity, and timing is a crucial pillar of health that impacts metabolic function.

Social jet lag, the difference in sleep timing between workdays and weekends, can double the risk of metabolic issues

Social jet lag, the difference in sleep timing between workdays and weekends, can double the risk of metabolic disorders. Means advocates for sleep consistency to ensure that metabolic genes, pathways, and hormones follow their 24-hour cycle efficiently. Reducing social jet lag is essential to prevent an increased risk of metabolic issues.

Maintaining a regular sleep schedule is important for circadian rhythm entrainment

Means further emphasizes the importance of a consistent sleep pattern to align the body's internal clock with the external environment. Consistent sleep and wake times contribute to regulated circadian rhythms and support proper metabolic functions.

Regular, low-in ...

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Lifestyle factors that impact metabolic health

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Ultra-processed industrialized food typically contains high levels of additives, preservatives, and refined ingredients that can disrupt cellular function. These foods often lack essential nutrients and fiber, leading to imbalances in metabolism and potential long-term health issues. Regular consumption of such foods has been linked to increased inflammation, oxidative stress, and a higher risk of chronic diseases. Opting for whole, unprocessed foods can help support cellular health and overall metabolic function.
  • The "unholy trinity of foods" consists of sugar, refined grains, and industrial seed oils. These are considered detrimental to cellular health and metabolic function due to their negative impact on the body when consumed in excess. Avoiding or minimizing intake of these substances is crucial for maintaining metabolic health and overall well-being.
  • Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions including abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol. It increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance, prediabetes, and metabolic syndrome are interconnected conditions with shared features. The syndrome's exact cause is still under research, and its diagnosis may impact treatment approaches and cardiovascular risk assessment.
  • Social jet lag is a term used to describe the misalignment between an individual's biological clock and their social schedule, particularly seen in differences in sleep patterns between workdays and weekends. This discrepancy can disrupt the body's internal clock, leading to potential health issues related to metabolism and overall well-being. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is crucial to minimize social jet lag and support optimal metabolic function. It is important to prioritize regular sleep patterns to ensure that the body's natural rhythms are in sync with daily activities.
  • Circadian rhythm entrainment is the process of aligning the body's internal clock with external cues like light and temperature to regulate biological processes effectively. It ensures that essential functions occur at optimal times for overall health and well-being. This alignment is crucial for maintaining a balanced sleep-wake cycle and supporting proper metabolic functions. External cues, known as zeitgebers, help s ...

Counterarguments

  • While reducing intake of processed foods, refined sugars, and industrial seed oils may be beneficial, some argue that moderation and balance are key, and that completely eliminating certain food groups can be unrealistic and lead to an unhealthy relationship with food.
  • The concept of "eating slowly and mindfully" may not be practical for everyone, especially those with busy schedules or certain cultural eating practices that involve faster eating.
  • The recommendation for consistent sleep may not take into account individuals with shift work or other obligations that prevent regular sleep patterns, and alternative strategies may be necessary for these populations.
  • The idea that social jet lag can double the risk of metabolic issues may not consider individual variability in adaptability to changes in sleep patterns.
  • While walking 7,000+ steps per day is beneficial, it may not be fe ...

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Dr. Casey Means: 5 Early Warning Signs of Disease & What Your Body is REALLY Trying to Tell You

The role of new technologies in understanding and improving metabolic health

In discussions with Casey Means and Jay Shetty, new technologies are highlighted as breakthrough tools that can greatly enhance our understanding of individual metabolic health and empower us to make informed lifestyle choices.

Continuous glucose monitors provide real-time insight into how the body responds to different foods

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are becoming a revolutionary tool for individuals to gain real-time insights into how their bodies react to different foods. Casey Means, co-founder of Levels Health, emphasizes the importance of access to CGMs, which can demonstrate the impact of not just diet, but also lifestyle factors like sleep, on key metabolic biomarkers. She illustrates how using a glucose monitor revealed that walking post-meal could help preempt glucose spikes. This knowledge empowers individuals to make dietary and lifestyle adjustments that support metabolic health.

This enables individuals to make informed dietary choices to optimize their metabolic function

Access to CGMs through companies like Levels Health is transforming the way people understand their metabolism in reaction to their diet. The devices offer continual feedback, serving as a tool to guide individuals towards healthier eating habits by showing immediate data on metabolic responses to specific foods.

Direct-to-consumer lab testing allows for comprehensive assessment of metabolic markers

Casey Means discusses the emergence of direct-to-consumer lab testing as a valuable resource for individuals to assess a comprehensive array of metabolic markers. This approach equips people with a detailed view of their metabolic health without necessarily needing a doctor’s permission. Jay Shetty shares his experience with a company that allows the testing of over 200 biomarkers for under $500 a year, providing a detailed snapshot of the body’s internal state. Such functional health tests can reveal conditions such as chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Understanding these markers can empower people to address underlying issues rather than just treating symptoms

Armed with knowledge from these tests, individuals can understand and address underlying health issues beyond just treating symptoms. Functional medicine interpretations included with these tests help decipher the results, a stark contrast to traditional medical practice which often focuses on prescribed medication over empowering individuals with actionable lifestyle c ...

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The role of new technologies in understanding and improving metabolic health

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are wearable devices that track glucose levels continuously throughout the day. They provide real-time data on how the body responds to different foods and activities, offering insights into individual metabolic responses. CGMs help individuals understand how their diet and lifestyle choices impact their blood sugar levels, enabling them to make informed decisions to optimize their metabolic health. By monitoring glucose trends, CGMs empower users to make timely adjustments to their habits for better metabolic function.
  • Direct-to-consumer lab testing for metabolic markers involves individuals being able to order and access laboratory tests directly without the need for a healthcare provider's prescription. These tests can provide insights into various metabolic markers like cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, hormone levels, and inflammation markers. By offering a comprehensive view of one's metabolic health, these tests empower individuals to take a proactive approach to managing their well-being. This approach can help individuals identify potential health issues early on and make informed decisions about their lifestyle and health management.
  • Functional health tests are comprehensive assessments that go beyond traditional lab tests, focusing on a wide range of biomarkers related to overall health and wellness. These tests provide insights into various aspects of metabolic function, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial health. The interpretation of these tests often involves a functional medicine approach, which looks at the body as a whole system and aims to address underlying imbalances rat ...

Counterarguments

  • Continuous glucose monitors may not provide a complete picture of metabolic health, as they only measure glucose levels and not other important biomarkers like insulin, ketones, or inflammatory markers.
  • The interpretation of data from CGMs can be complex and may require professional guidance to avoid misinterpretation or overreaction to normal fluctuations in glucose levels.
  • Direct-to-consumer lab testing, while accessible, may lead to the mismanagement of health issues if individuals misinterpret the results without proper medical guidance.
  • There is a risk of overtesting with direct-to-consumer lab tests, which could lead to unnecessary anxiety or the pursuit of unwarranted medical interventions.
  • Wearable devices may not always be accurate, and discrepancies in data can lead to confusion or incorrect assumptions about one's health.
  • Over-reliance on wearable technology for health metrics might lead to an obsession with numbers rather than focusing on holistic well-being and how one feels.
  • The cost of these technologies can be prohibitive for some ...

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Dr. Casey Means: 5 Early Warning Signs of Disease & What Your Body is REALLY Trying to Tell You

Policy changes needed to address systemic issues that contribute to poor metabolic health

In light of the crisis of poor metabolic health, experts like Casey Means and Jay Shetty are advocating for policy changes to address systemic contributors to this growing problem.

Banning pharmaceutical advertisements on news outlets would reduce biased health information

Casey Means advocates for an executive order to ban pharmaceutical advertisements on television, aiming to diminish the influence these companies have on the public's health information. She points out that a significant portion of advertising revenue for mainstream media comes from the pharmaceutical industry, which results in biased content that discourages public health empowerment and fosters dependence on pharmaceutical interventions. Shetty echoes this concern, noting the contrast between the advertised benefits of pharmaceuticals and their severe side effects. He questions the impact of removing such ads, particularly on the economy and GDP.

The current system benefits from keeping people confused and dependent on pharmaceutical interventions

Means argues that the confusion generated around health and nutrition benefits the system by creating dependency on pharmaceutical solutions. This confusion is said to be intentionally cultivated, and pharmaceutical advertisements play a vital role in sustaining it.

Eliminating federal funding for academic departments that accept pharmaceutical industry money would reduce conflicts of interest

Casey Means suggests a policy where departments receiving federal funding should be prohibited from accepting money from pharmaceutical companies to prevent conflicts of interest. She highlights the significant influence that pharmaceutical funding can have on academic research and the loyalties and objectives of researchers. By eliminating the possibility of dual funding, taxpayer interests would become a priority, ensuring that research and health guidelines are free from pharmaceutical industry bias ...

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Policy changes needed to address systemic issues that contribute to poor metabolic health

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Poor metabolic health refers to a condition where the body has difficulty managing energy from food, leading to issues like obesity, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar levels. This can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The crisis of poor metabolic health is a significant public health concern globally due to its widespread prevalence and impact on individuals' well-being and healthcare systems. Addressing this crisis involves promoting healthier lifestyles, improving access to nutritious foods, and implementing policies to combat factors contributing to metabolic issues.
  • Pharmaceutical advertisements on news outlets can influence public health information by potentially biasing the content towards promoting pharmaceutical interventions, which may not always be the most beneficial or necessary approach for individuals' health. These ads can create a narrative that emphasizes medication over lifestyle changes or alternative treatments, shaping public perceptions and choices regarding healthcare. The financial ties between pharmaceutical companies and media outlets can impact the type of health information that is presented to the public, potentially prioritizing profit-driven agendas over unbiased health education. Banning such advertisements could help mitigate these influences and encourage a more balanced and evidence-based approach to health communication.
  • Conflicts of interest in academic research due to pharmaceutical funding occur when financial support from drug companies may influence the outcomes or conclusions of studies, potentially skewing results in favor of the sponsor's interests. This influence can impact the objectivity and integrity of research findings, leading to biased interpretations or recommendations. Transparency about funding sources is crucial to assess the credibility and potential biases in research studies. Regulations and policies are necessary to manage and disclose these conflicts to maintain the trust and reliability of scientific research.
  • Added sugars in children's diets can contribute to poor metabolic health by increasi ...

Counterarguments

  • Banning pharmaceutical advertisements might limit the ability of patients to become aware of new treatments and could infringe on the free speech rights of companies.
  • Pharmaceutical companies argue that advertising can lead to increased awareness of medical conditions and encourage patients to seek medical advice, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
  • The relationship between pharmaceutical companies and the media or academic institutions can be managed with transparency and strict conflict-of-interest policies, rather than outright bans.
  • Academic freedom and the pursuit of diverse funding sources are important for innovation and progress in medical research; a ban on pharmaceutical funding could limit these.
  • Removing added sugars from the National School Lunch Program could face challenges in implementation, such as increased costs or reduced palatability that might lead to decreased participation in the p ...

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