Have you ever wondered why it seems so difficult to be healthy in America? Have you experienced the frustration after presenting legitimate health concerns and unusual symptoms to your doctor only to be told that your labs look “normal” and therefore “you’re fine”? Have you ever wondered why it seems that your physician doesn’t seem equipped to help you discover or treat the root cause of the chronic health issues you’re experiencing? Have you ever felt like there must be another way of treating the body other than adding to your growing list of prescriptions?

Or maybe you’ve wondered why major brands include harmful food dyes, additives, and known carcinogens in their products in the U.S., while those same ingredients are banned in other countries? Perhaps you’ve traveled abroad and noticed that although you eat the same or even more “indulgent” foods in Europe, you feel healthier than you did on your strictest “diet” back home? Ever wondered why diets don’t work? Maybe you’ve noticed the rapidly increasing percentage of chronic disease in America?

If you’ve found yourself curious about any of these things, you’re not the only one.

Ignoring the mounting issues I witnessed within the healthcare and food systems became increasingly difficult as I dived deeper into my studies in Nutritional Sciences. These two systems are intricately connected and interlinked, as one affects the other, and both are broken and inefficient in their own ways.

From the inadequate nutrition education received by medical students to the limitations of the western biomedical model, it is clear that a change is needed. In this blog post, we will explore the flaws in the prevailing healthcare system and the broken state of the food industry, shedding light on the urgency for a paradigm shift towards holistic wellness.

Part 1: Dissecting the Western Biomedical Model

The western biomedical model, with its focus on symptom analysis, diagnosis, and pharmaceutical treatments, often fails to address the root causes of health issues. This approach, akin to an ambulance at the bottom of a cliff, excels in emergencies but lacks in preventive measures at the top of the cliff to avoid falls altogether. With medical practices overwhelmed by financial pressures, the emphasis on quantity over quality leads to limited time with patients. On average, primary care physicians spend a mere 13-24 minutes per patient, with most physicians seeing over 20 patients per day), resulting in limited time availability for each individual and hindering the provision of personalized care.

Not only this, but the curriculum taught by most medical schools does not give students an adequate knowledge of nutrition, one of the most fundamental determinants of our health. Unfortunately, most students receive less than 20 hours of nutrition education in four years of medical school. This leaves a significant deficit in their training, often leaving them ill-equipped to give proper nutrition information or treatment to patients. Even more concerning, many physicians do not understand the complex ways that food and nutrition influence preventable health conditions.

Part 2: The Broken Food System and Its Impact on Health

The alarming statistics speak for themselves — 6 in 10 Americans live with chronic diseases, highlighting the profound impact of our food system on public health. Influenced by lobbying, policies favor corporate interests, neglecting the well-being of individuals. Profit-driven practices like factory farming and monocropping degrade microorganism biodiversity, compromise soil quality, and diminish the nutrient content of our food. Furthermore, deceptive marketing tactics confuse consumers, while disease-causing additives, pesticides, and seed oils pervade our diets.

Unfortunately, one of the reasons that our food system is so broken is that corporate lobbying is extremely powerful in the U.S. To give just one example, we have evidence that the sugar industry funded skewed studies in the 1960s to downplay the potential role of excess sugar in heart disease and shift the blame to dietary fat and cholesterol, even though studies now reveal no association between saturated fat and heart disease. It’s also no secret that the USDA’s nutrition policy has changed dramatically over the years, and the famous 1977 “food pyramid” gave nutrition recommendations for excessive carbohydrate intake from bread, cereal, rice, and pasta (which we now know does not promote health).

The reality is that food manufacturers, producers, and special interest groups have a significant influence on dietary recommendations and marketing, which puts more pressure than ever on the consumer to research and understand what quality nutrition actually looks like in order to make healthy choices.

Part 3: Embracing a Holistic Approach

The word “holistic” is thrown around all the time these days, but what does it really mean?

HOLISTIC: characterized by the belief that the parts of something are interconnected and can be explained only by reference to the whole, OR: characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of an illness.

In our postmodern, post-enlightenment society, it makes sense that our medical system is structured the way it is. Ultimately, the western perspective segments the body into separate and individual organs, with very little understanding as to how they work together and affect each other in complex ways. We have different “-ologists” or specialists for every organ system — cardiologists, endocrinologists, gynecologists, gastroenterologists…

And this can be beneficial, as no individual can possibly have the ability to specialize in every aspect of the body, and professionals in different fields are absolutely important in healthcare. But the problem comes when these specialists are not communicating with each other or viewing the body as a whole unit. Reductionism, or viewing a complex system as simply the sum of its parts, is pervasive in the western biomedical model, and often misses key contributing factors of health that go unrecognized.

Solution: “The whole is more than the sum of its parts.” – Aristotle

To navigate through the complexities of healthcare and nutrition, we must embrace a holistic approach. Here’s what this could look like:

• Choose providers who give informed consent regarding how different medications may affect the body and any possible side effects.
• If your intuition tells you something’s not right, listen to it. Pursue root-cause based or integrative healthcare providers who can help you address health issues, not just treat symptoms.
• Advocate for yourself in the healthcare setting. So often people feel unheard and like their concerns aren’t being addressed. Your provider works for YOU — you can choose to fire them or get a second opinion.
• Ask for referrals and set up a team of specialists that are communicating with each other about your health concerns.
• If you don’t feel confident in your knowledge about health and nutrition, invest in education from a qualified professional. Your health is worth it!

Of course, one blog post cannot possibly address all the nuances involved in this conversation. Health insurance is a completely separate topic that is always interconnected with this conversation. And if you’re feeling frustrated and let down, you’re not alone. But I also encourage you to remember that the responsibility for your health rests in your hands. No doctor will care about your health more than you do. And I encourage you to do whatever you can to pursue healing and care for your vessel; it matters!

Finally, let us remember the beauty of a worldview in which science and faith converge. While scientific studies play a crucial role in our understanding of topics, it is essential to approach them with critical thinking, considering the broader understanding of the human body. By intertwining a Biblical worldview with scientific knowledge, we recognize the intelligent design behind creation and the interconnectedness of body, mind, and soul. This expanded perspective fosters curiosity, open-mindedness, and a belief that we are created for a purpose beyond just the physical realm.

In a world rife with healthcare and food system challenges, it is vital to acknowledge the flaws and pursue change for the better. By prioritizing personalized care, addressing root causes, and promoting a holistic understanding of health, we can embark on a transformative journey towards well-being.

Together, let us challenge the status quo, seek education and information, and empower ourselves to make informed choices for our health.

Want more specifics as to how you can take actionable steps to improve your health starting today? I wrote a blog post about that and you can read it here! Wishing you well in your journey, friend.