The modern medical system is broken

The modern medical system, shaped by a combination of pharmaceutical dominance and corporate interests, often neglects the very foundation of health: food and lifestyle. Many traditional approaches to medicine focus on symptom management rather than prevention or holistic care. Unfortunately, this leaves critical gaps in patient treatment and overall health outcomes.

One of the main issues is the heavy reliance on prescription drugs, often viewed as the primary solution to most health conditions. While medications can be essential in many cases, they don’t create health — they manage symptoms. The real question remains: do these drugs address the root cause of health problems, or simply alter a few numbers on a chart? It’s important to note that many doctors don’t follow this pharmaceutical-centric approach by choice. The system behind them — including Big Pharma and the processed food industry — plays a significant role in shaping treatment protocols.

Another problem with modern medicine is over-specialisation. Doctors often focus narrowly on specific areas of the body: ears, nose, and throat; the digestive system; the endocrine system; or the brain. While this kind of expertise has its place, it can result in a fragmented understanding of the human body. Many of these areas are interconnected, and treating one without considering the others can be limiting. The body functions as a whole, and true healing requires a broad, integrative view.

One glaring omission in traditional medical education is the lack of focus on nutrition and its profound impact on health. In most medical schools, doctors receive less than 20 hours of training in nutrition, leaving them underprepared to address the food-related causes of diseases. Biochemistry textbooks used in medical training often lack information on essential nutrients, reinforcing this gap in understanding. Despite this, doctors may still offer strong opinions on nutrition — often without a robust foundation in the subject.

Several widespread medical recommendations are now being questioned. One such myth is the notion that the gallbladder is an expendable organ. The gallbladder stores bile salts, which are crucial for fat digestion. Without it, patients may struggle to properly absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins. Taking bile salts with meals can mitigate this issue for those who’ve had their gallbladders removed.

Statins, widely prescribed to manage cholesterol, are another area of concern. These drugs can come with significant side effects, including muscle damage, an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, and liver damage. Cholesterol, often demonised, is a necessary substance produced by the body. It plays a key role in hormone production, cell membrane formation, and even stress management. Instead of blocking cholesterol production, it may be more effective to address the underlying dietary and lifestyle causes of high cholesterol.

Sodium is often blamed for hypertension, but this too is an oversimplification. While some people are sensitive to salt, increasing potassium intake can help balance sodium levels and support healthy blood pressure. Potassium-rich foods can soften arteries and ease hypertension, offering a more nuanced approach to managing high blood pressure.

Vitamin D recommendations also fall short. While doctors may prescribe a minimal daily dose of vitamin D, much higher amounts are often needed to raise blood levels effectively. In fact, spending 40 minutes in the sun can naturally provide more than 20,000 IU of vitamin D — far exceeding the typical prescription dose. The fear of vitamin D toxicity is largely unfounded, particularly when the vitamin is obtained through sunlight exposure.

The vilification of red meat and saturated fats is another topic where conventional wisdom is being challenged. Grass-fed red meat is rich in essential nutrients like B vitamins, zinc, selenium, and iron. It also contains creatine, which supports energy production, and carnitine, which aids in fat metabolism. Processed foods, often lumped together with red meat in health warnings, are the real culprits behind many chronic conditions. Seed oils, which make up a significant portion of the modern diet, are particularly harmful, contributing to inflammation and other health issues.

Weight loss is often treated as a simple solution to a range of health problems, from high cholesterol to hypertension. However, weight gain is typically a symptom, not the root cause. Insulin resistance, driven by a diet high in refined carbohydrates, sugars, and unhealthy fats, is the true underlying issue for many people. The focus should be on improving metabolic health, which in turn will lead to natural weight loss. Instead of focusing on losing weight to get healthy, the priority should be to get healthy first.

Plant-based diets are often promoted as a cleaner, healthier alternative to animal products. However, many plant-based meat substitutes are highly processed, containing ingredients like soy protein isolates and maltodextrin. Grass-fed, organic, free-range meats and eggs are far more nutrient-dense and less processed.

Finally, diabetes management often includes misguided advice on hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), suggesting that patients should keep candy or glucose pills on hand to counteract drops in blood sugar caused by medication. A more logical approach would be to reduce the carbohydrate intake that spikes insulin and leads to blood sugar crashes, rather than treating symptoms with more sugar.

The current medical system has significant flaws in its approach to chronic disease, often overlooking the power of nutrition and lifestyle changes. A holistic, patient-centred approach that addresses the root causes of health problems is the future of medicine. Instead of treating symptoms, it’s time to focus on true health creation through diet, exercise, and a deeper understanding of how the body works as a whole.