HEALTH COLUMN: The Power of Whole-Person Care: A Surgeon’s Story

I love finding kindred spirits in the holistic work that I do. One of those is health influencer Dr. Casey Means, a physician whom I applaud and learn from. Nine years into her career as a Harvard-trained head and neck surgeon, she put her scalpel on her supervisor’s desk and walked away from traditional medicine.

She tells the story about that defining moment – operating on a patient for the third time and noticing that the patient had a host of other serious issues – obesity and diabetes to name a few. One of the top medical schools in the country had never taught her to consider the whole patient. “There was a huge problem in how we were taught to practice medicine – by profiting off patients getting sick. We were never trained to help them thrive,” she said.

Her points are valid. Patients in America are getting sicker. Our health is getting worse every year. As a nation we are spending two times more on health care than any other country in the world, yet our life expectancy is decreasing. Is this the result of a healthcare system that manages symptoms rather than addressing root causes of disease? Is it from maximizing profit over patient well-being?

As a former ICU nurse, I could relate to Means’ heartbreak. Her questions as to why Americans are getting sicker every year and why 50% of American children are dealing with a chronic health issue have fueled her mission to reverse the epidemic of preventable chronic disease. She has done numerous podcasts, newsletters, and now is a published author with her #1 New York Times best-seller book, “Good Energy.”

Dr Means’ work, reflected in this book, focuses on metabolic health, or how we generate and store energy in the body. Means teaches that glucose (blood sugar) is the primary precursor for energy in the body, but it must be tightly regulated for metabolism to work effectively. By consistently making choices that keep glucose levels in a stable, healthy range, by minimizing “swings” or big changes, metabolic health can be improved.

“Good energy” is the essential fuel that powers every cell in our body. She explains that when our metabolism is functioning well, we have abundant energy, feel great, and are less susceptible to disease. Conversely, when our metabolism is compromised, we experience low energy, fatigue, and a host of health problems.

As a country our metabolic health is poor. Many of the health problems we face today, from chronic diseases to mental health issues, can be traced back to metabolic problems. Alarmingly, 88% of Americans display some metabolic dysfunction, which underlies chronic disease.

Means’ advice to improve metabolic function is both powerful and proven:

Eat whole, unprocessed foods: Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

Move often: Exercise helps to improve insulin sensitivity and boost energy levels.

Get quality sleep: Sufficient sleep is crucial for optimal metabolic function and overall health.

Manage stress: Chronic stress can negatively impact our metabolism; employ strategies for stress reduction, such as meditation and mindfulness.

One final point she makes that resonated with me after spending several years in the pharmaceutical industry – Big Pharma has a significant role in the demise of healthcare, including their funding of western medical education. Pharmaceutical companies often prioritize profit over patient health. They often promote drugs for profit, even with limited benefits and harmful side effects.

It is refreshing to see a surgeon emphasize the importance of natural approaches to health and encourage readers to be critical consumers of healthcare information. By staying curious about holistic approaches to health and embracing new knowledge about metabolic health from brave doctors like Casey Means, we can unlock our full potential and experience a more vibrant, energetic life together.

Lisa is a holistic nurse coach who grew up in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. She has spent the past 38 years in multiple facets of fitness and wellness helping others with personal transformation through movement, nutrition, and mindset training. She holds a BSN from Oral Roberts University and an MBA from Indiana University. You can reach Lisa at www.LisaBellHenson.com or [email protected].