JRE #1037 – Chris Kresser

This podcast features Chris Kresser, a health detective specializing in investigative medicine and a Paleo diet and lifestyle enthusiast. Kresser discusses his new book “Unconventional Medicine”, offering a critical look at conventional medicine and its shortcomings in addressing chronic diseases. He advocates for a functional medicine approach that focuses on addressing the root causes of health problems, promoting personalized nutrition, and emphasizing the importance of diet, lifestyle, and gut health.

Here are some of the major topics explored in the podcast:

1. The Failings of Conventional Medicine

• Kresser argues that conventional medicine often focuses on symptom suppression rather than addressing the underlying causes of chronic diseases. He cites examples like statins for high cholesterol and blood pressure medication without investigating the root causes of these conditions.
• He criticizes the reliance on pharmaceuticals and the lack of emphasis on personalized nutrition and lifestyle interventions, highlighting the role of conflicts of interest and the influence of the pharmaceutical industry on medical practice.
• He also points to the growing epidemic of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and obesity, attributing them largely to diet and lifestyle factors. He warns that the current healthcare system is unsustainable and poses an existential threat to the country, with healthcare costs projected to consume the entire federal budget by 2040.
• Kresser emphasizes the importance of taking a proactive approach to health and preventing chronic diseases through lifestyle changes, rather than solely relying on medications.

2. The Power of Diet and Gut Health

• Kresser discusses the importance of dietary cholesterol and saturated fat, debunking the myth that they are harmful and emphasizing the need for personalized recommendations based on individual genetics and health status.
• He highlights the critical role of the gut microbiome in influencing health and behavior, explaining how disruptions in gut bacteria can contribute to chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, depression, and even autoimmune disorders.
• He recommends a diet rich in real, unprocessed foods, emphasizing the importance of fiber as fuel for beneficial gut bacteria. He suggests incorporating fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir into the diet to promote gut health.
• Kresser debunks the notion that gluten intolerance is a fad, citing research on non-celiac gluten sensitivity and its link to a wide range of health issues. He emphasizes that gluten intolerance can manifest beyond just digestive symptoms and that it can be triggered by a compromised immune system due to modern lifestyle factors.

3. The Impact of Lifestyle Factors

• Kresser emphasizes the role of sleep in regulating appetite, hormone production, and overall health. He cites research showing that sleep deprivation can lead to insulin resistance and weight gain.
• He discusses the importance of physical activity and the benefits of exercise for promoting overall health and well-being.
• Kresser addresses the impact of stress on health, acknowledging that chronic stress can contribute to a range of physical and mental health problems.
• He highlights the importance of addressing multiple lifestyle factors for achieving optimal health, emphasizing that a holistic approach is necessary for promoting lasting change.

4. Alternative Approaches to Health

• Kresser explores the benefits of intermittent fasting and the ketogenic diet, highlighting their potential for improving metabolic health and cognitive function. He discusses the mechanisms behind these approaches, including autophagy and ketone production.
• He also discusses the fasting-mimicking diet, a reduced-calorie diet that has shown promise for promoting stem cell regeneration and reversing disease.
• Kresser acknowledges the limitations of these approaches and emphasizes the need for personalized recommendations based on individual needs and health status.
• He advocates for a more individualized approach to health care that considers the whole person and incorporates lifestyle interventions alongside traditional medical treatments.

5. The Importance of Health Education

• Kresser emphasizes the need for increased health education and awareness, arguing that people should be empowered to make informed decisions about their health and take proactive steps to prevent chronic diseases.
• He highlights the importance of promoting evidence-based health practices and debunking common myths and misconceptions about nutrition and lifestyle.
• He calls for a shift in the healthcare system to prioritize prevention and reversal of chronic diseases, advocating for greater investment in functional medicine and lifestyle interventions.
• Kresser expresses optimism about the future of health care, highlighting the growing movement towards a more holistic and personalized approach to health and well-being.

6. Provocative and Controversial Topics

• The podcast delves into the controversial topic of dietary cholesterol, challenging conventional wisdom and advocating for a nuanced understanding of its role in health. Kresser discusses the potential benefits of dietary cholesterol and the lack of evidence to support the need for strict restrictions.
• The podcast explores the potential link between sugar and cancer, a topic that is still under investigation but has garnered increasing interest in the scientific community. Kresser highlights the research on the role of blood sugar in cancer development and the potential benefits of ketogenic diets in treating some cancers.
• The podcast touches on the controversial topic of fluoride in the water supply, raising concerns about its potential toxicity and effects on cognitive development. Kresser suggests that alternative methods for water purification can be used to ensure safety without the use of fluoride.
• The podcast delves into the issue of off-label drug prescriptions, highlighting the potential dangers of using drugs for purposes they were not originally studied or approved for. Kresser cites the example of Abilify, an antipsychotic drug that is widely prescribed off-label for depression, raising concerns about its safety and efficacy for this purpose.

7. Underlying Themes

• The podcast emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and questioning conventional wisdom, encouraging listeners to be active participants in their own health journey.
• It highlights the need for a more holistic and individualized approach to health care, promoting a focus on root causes and lifestyle interventions.
• The podcast underscores the power of personal responsibility and the ability to take control of one’s own health through informed choices and proactive actions.
• It suggests that the future of health care lies in a paradigm shift towards prevention and reversal of chronic diseases, emphasizing the importance of empowering individuals to make healthy choices and creating a more sustainable and supportive healthcare system.

5 Memorable Quotes:

• “The biggest challenge we face today is chronic disease. And conventional medicines failed to address it, so we need a new system.”
• “The average person who works all day and doesn’t have the time to do the research that you do or, you know, maybe isn’t informed about in all the various blogs and books and just doesn’t have time, goes to his primary care doctor and asks him questions, and he gets terrible information.”
• “We have accepted chronic disease as normal. Because it’s so common, but there’s a really important difference between common and normal.”
• “We have the knowledge and the technology to do this and it’s not it doesn’t take a long time. You can train a health coach in 6 months or a year. They don’t need to have 9 years of pre medical, you know, training and biological sciences and all this. They just need to be trained in behavior change.”
• “The real money in drugs is in selling them to healthy people.”