Dr. Casey Means delivered a striking and impassioned critique of the American healthcare system, spotlighting its alarming disregard for addressing the root causes of metabolic dysfunction – a key driver of chronic disease and suffering in the U.S.
Despite the immense costs to public health and the economy, she noted that neither healthcare institutions nor government agencies have taken meaningful steps to confront this crisis.
Dr. Means shared her personal experience, revealing that during her time at Stanford Medical School, she learned virtually nothing about the tens of thousands of scientific studies that illuminate the root causes of America’s deteriorating health.
She expressed disbelief that critical information on how environmental factors – such as diet, toxins, and lifestyle – are driving health decline is missing from medical education.
One of the most shocking statistics she shared was that for each additional serving of ultra-processed food consumed, the risk of early mortality rises by 18%.
This is particularly troubling given that 67% of the food American children eat is ultra-processed.
Dr. Means lamented that she took zero nutrition courses in medical school and was not taught about the damaging effects of processed foods – 82% of independently funded studies show harm, while 93% of industry-sponsored studies do not, revealing a stark contrast influenced by conflicts of interest.
She pointed out that 95% of the experts involved in creating the recent USDA food guidelines had significant ties to the food industry, compromising the integrity of the recommendations meant to guide public health.
Moreover, Dr. Means highlighted that over a billion pounds of synthetic pesticides are sprayed on U.S. crops each year, many originating from China and Germany.
These chemicals, present in nearly all U.S. farmland, are linked to a litany of health problems, including autism, ADHD, hormone disruption, thyroid disease, infertility, cancer, and more – all contributing to metabolic dysfunction.
Dr. Means also raised the issue of microplastics, which have infiltrated our food, water, and even the air we breathe. She cited recent research showing that approximately 0.5% of the brain’s weight is now made up of plastic – a staggering revelation about the extent of environmental contamination.
Additionally, she pointed out that over 80,000 toxins have been introduced into our environment by industry, many of which are banned in Europe due to their harmful eIects on gene expression, gut microbiome composition, and hormone regulation.
She also discussed the pervasive presence of heavy metals like aluminum and lead in food, baby formula, personal care products, soil, and even mandated medications such as vaccines.
These metals are neurotoxic and inflammatory, further contributing to chronic disease and cognitive impairment. In terms of lifestyle factors, Dr. Means highlighted the alarming statistic that the average American walks only 3,500 steps per day, despite evidence that simply walking 7,000 steps daily can slash the risk of Alzheimer’s dementia tied to diabetes, cancer, and obesity by 40 to 60 percent.
She also addressed the critical issue of sleep deprivation, noting that just five nights of insuIicient sleep can induce pre-diabetes.
Despite the clear link between sleep and health, she received no formal education on sleep science during her medical training. Dr. Means also brought attention to the fact that medical error and medications are the third leading cause of death in the United States – a statistic that should prompt serious reflection and reform.
She criticized how doctors are trained to view the body as a collection of separate parts, learning how to prescribe drugs, perform surgeries, and bill patients, rather than addressing the interconnectedness of the body and the root causes of disease. She emphasized that this is not just a physical health crisis, but a spiritual one as well.
“We are choosing death over life,” she said, arguing that we have lost our respect for nature and the miracle of life itself.
She warned that our separation from nature and the belief that we can poison our environment without consequences is leading us down a dangerous path.
Dr. Means concluded with a powerful call to action, urging for a return to courage, common sense, and a renewed sense of awe for the “miraculousness” of life.
She advocated for unified eIorts to address the root causes of metabolic dysfunction through smart policy and strong leadership, which she believes could rapidly restore health to Americans, saving millions of lives and trillions of dollars in healthcare costs each year.
Her message was clear: the path forward requires all hands-on deck, with a shared commitment to valuing life and nature over profits and short-term gains.