How Much Do Doctors Actually Know About Nutrition? You Won’t Like the Answer.
“The mission of medicine is to protect, defend, and advance the human condition. That mission cannot be fulfilled if diet is neglected.”
Dr. Michael Greger, M.D., FACLM
Another boring annual physical exam last month.
We both like it that way, my doc and I. He and I have been doing this thing for nearly 25 years.
That’s a lot of digital exams. Neither of us enjoys those. At least, I don’t think he does. His facial expression doesn’t change during the probe.
The session wrap is usually something like: “Everything looks good. Keep doing what you are doing.”
Thing is, he doesn’t really know what I’m doing.
Across 2 1/2 decades, he’s never initiated a conversation about diet or exercise.
With no disrespect intended, my doc is 25 pounds overweight, walking on two replaced knees in his mid-60s.
I’m 79, only slightly overweight with two mildly arthritic but fully functional knees, despite 17 years of 5X/week pick-up basketball and five years of running before that.
I understand why neither of those topics would be initiated by him proactively.
Y’see, that would suggest prevention.
Prevention doesn’t line up with his training, nor does it fit the business model of the profitable “not-for-profit” health system he recently joined.
Offer preventive advice? Then I might stop showing up. That’s a problem with a staff payroll and two pontoon boats on Lake Powell to support.
The history of our medical system isn’t helping us in the 21st century
There’s no mystery here. He grew up in a medical system that grew up fixing things over the last 110 years – a job they did quite well. The problem is that the methodology didn’t change and it all turned into a huge, expensive drug and surgery dispensary we erroneously call a healthcare system.
Want advice on prevention? Don’t expect it from a healthcare and pharma system that would collapse if we all got self-care savvy. Or from a government that, well – can you spell “clueless?”
We’re on our own!
Here’s an example:
As Doc was typing some final notes into his electronic medical record, he did comment on my lowered LDL and total cholesterol, commenting rhetorically that it was a good thing.
I seized the opportunity to comment that I had been working to swing my diet more and more away from meat and dairy and more to a plant-based diet.
Thinking that it might spawn a discussion, it just drew out this comment: “I like my meat. I don’t think much about that.”
I rest my case.
I really do love the guy. We have great conversations. It’s easy to light him up with a topic like politics, climate change, state of the country – virtually anything outside of healthcare. And he’s a smart guy with a broad awareness outside of healthcare.
I’ll stay with him as long as he practices. But his role is that of a partner in my self-care, not the arbiter. I understand the shortfall of his expertise because of the system in which he grew up and chooses to remain in.
I’ll get what I need in the diet and exercise realm elsewhere.
To that end – – –
I’ve long been a fan – as I suspect some of you are – of Dr. Michael Greger, M.D., a general practitioner, clinical nutritionist, and founder of the popular Nutrition Facts website.
He released a 5-minute video recently that I want to share with you that takes this topic of nutritional training within the medical profession deeper. I hope it will further elevate your understanding of this shortfall and inspire you to consider the importance of taking control of this component of your health.
Our diet is the #1 cause of early death in our country. Our healthcare and pharma system is doing little to change that but is profiting mightily from it. It’s time we took control.
Click the picture and enjoy the link:
I love Michael Greger! I have read all his books. I do his Daily Dozen every day! I am 5’2 and weigh 110. I exercise every day. I have had thyroid disease my whole life, first hyperthyroidism, then as I got older Hashinoto thyroiditis. Following Dr Greger has helped me stay healthy!
Gary, you nailed it! You succinctly identified the core stumbling block that prevents healthcare transformation – Money.
Prevention – and especially nutrition – does not line up with healthcare’s business model ~ ‘If it don’t make money, then it costs money’. All life style improvement initiatives have high price tags and wobbly outcomes. They are staff and time intensive, and the outcome measurements are not slick and precise. There you have it.
And Greger’s video caps off your article, illustrating how medical education – being the money machine in healthcare – really does skip over those life style things that could prevent people from needing all those high cost interventions. WOW.
Brilliant piece Gary as a k-12 educator it is not our economic system to blame but the gross lack of health and nutrition education from k-12 public schools up to our university level that has led our country to this morass. Even today health and nutrition are not required in our k-12 schools those classes are offered as electives. Seems our country adores athletes for taking care of their bodies at peak physical performance, yet most Americans would never follow any of the dietary and lifestyle restrictions of athletes. I am not saying we need to live like athletes but understand how your body works to avoid debilitating diseases and an untimely death.
It is in point of fact a nice and useful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
Dear makeagingwork.com admin, You always provide helpful information.
Hello makeagingwork.com administrator, Thanks for the comprehensive post!
Hi makeagingwork.com owner, Thanks for the well-written and informative post!
Hello makeagingwork.com webmaster, You always provide helpful diagrams and illustrations.
Please let me know if you’re looking for a author for your site. You have some really good articles and I feel I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some articles for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please blast me an e-mail if interested. Cheers!
Dear makeagingwork.com webmaster, Your posts are always well-referenced and credible.
To the makeagingwork.com webmaster, Good to see your posts!
To the makeagingwork.com webmaster, Your posts are always well-supported by facts and figures.
To the makeagingwork.com owner, Your posts are always well-structured and logical.
Dear makeagingwork.com administrator, Your posts are always well researched and well written.
To the makeagingwork.com owner, Thanks for the well written post!
Hello makeagingwork.com owner, You always provide in-depth analysis and understanding.
Hi makeagingwork.com owner, You always provide useful links and resources.
Dear makeagingwork.com owner, Thanks for the well written post!
Dear makeagingwork.com webmaster, Thanks for the well-written and informative post!
Hello makeagingwork.com webmaster, Your posts are always a great source of information.