In this discussion, Dr. David Kessler, former commissioner of the FDA and renowned pediatrician, reveals alarming stats about America’s health crisis—with only 12% of the population deemed metabolically healthy. He breaks down the difference between fast and slow carbs and how processed foods fuel obesity and chronic diseases. Kessler emphasizes the need for clearer food labeling and a shift towards whole foods. He also introduces a practical 10-Day Reset system to help listeners tackle unhealthy eating habits and reclaim their health.
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Metabolic Health Crisis
Only 12% of Americans are metabolically healthy.
This means 88% don't meet guidelines for weight, blood glucose, lipids, and blood pressure.
insights INSIGHT
Confusing Food Guidelines
Dr. Hyman points out the old food pyramid recommended 6-11 servings of grains daily.
Dr. Kessler gives an example of a food label that appears healthy but belongs to a bagel (300 calories, 0 fat/sugar, 30% carbs).
insights INSIGHT
Fast Carbs vs. Slow Carbs
It's not as simple as complex vs. simple carbs.
The real distinction lies in fast vs. slow carbs, impacting metabolic health.
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In *The End of Overeating*, Dr. David A. Kessler delves into the science behind food addiction, highlighting how sugar, fat, and salt are used by the food industry to create irresistible products. He discusses the brain's reward system and conditioned hypereating, offering insights and practical strategies to combat overeating and obesity. The book provides a critical look at the food industry's marketing tactics and suggests ways to promote healthier eating habits.
Food Fix
Mark Hyman
In 'Food Fix', Dr. Mark Hyman delves into the systemic issues within the global food system, highlighting how corrupted food and agriculture policies driven by money and lobbying contribute to chronic diseases, climate change, poverty, violence, and educational achievement gaps. The book pairs the latest nutritional and environmental science with a critical examination of the food industry and its policies. It offers practical solutions for individuals, businesses, and policymakers to create a healthier world, society, and planet by focusing on regenerative organic agriculture, public health initiatives, and policy reforms.
A Question of Intent
A Great American Battle with a Deadly Industry
David A. Kessler
In 'A Question of Intent', David Kessler recounts the FDA's historic decision to challenge the tobacco industry by proving that tobacco companies intentionally designed their products to be addictive. The book explores the legal and scientific challenges faced by the FDA and highlights the impact of their investigation on public perception of the tobacco industry. Despite the Supreme Court ruling that the FDA lacked authority to regulate tobacco as nicotine delivery devices, Kessler's efforts significantly changed societal views on cigarettes.
Fast Carbs, Slow Carbs
David A. Kessler
In *Fast Carbs, Slow Carbs*, David A. Kessler discusses how the widespread consumption of processed carbohydrates has led to a public health crisis, including obesity and chronic diseases. He outlines a plan to reduce these health issues by focusing on slow carbs and healthier eating habits. The book highlights the metabolic consequences of consuming rapidly absorbed starches and provides practical advice for dietary changes.
Only about 12% of Americans are considered “metabolically healthy.” That means the other 88% of us aren’t meeting basic medical guidelines for things like blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, and other markers of metabolic health. Which percentage do you fall into? When it comes to answering that question, one common factor is how many fast carbs you’re consuming. These are the carbohydrates that have been processed—yes, that includes sugar—but it also means starches like refined flours and other processed grains. Whole wheat bread is indeed a fast carb.
This week on The Doctor’s Farmacy I sat down with Dr. David Kessler to break down the differences between fast and slow carbs, how they affect our health, how our diet became so inundated with fast carbs and what we can do to regain metabolic strength. Dr. Kessler served as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration under presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton. He is the author of A Question of Intent and The End of Overeating, a New York Times bestseller. He is a pediatrician and has been the dean of the medical schools at Yale and the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Kessler is a graduate of Amherst College, the University of Chicago Law School, and Harvard Medical School.
This episode is sponsored by AirDoctor and AquaTru. We need clean water and clean air not only to live but to create vibrant health and protect ourselves and loved ones from toxin exposure and disease. That’s why I’m teaming up with AquaTru and AirDoctor to offer you the AquaTru Water Purification System and AirDoctor Professional Air Purifier systems at a special price. Learn more at www.drhyman.com/filter.
Here are more of the details from our interview:
Why 87% of Americans are metabolically unhealthy (7:03)
What are fast carbs and how do processed carbohydrates affect us? (12:38)
The glycemic index of bread is higher than that of table sugar (18:41)
How processed carbs made from grains, corn, and wheat became the foundation of our diet (19:34)
The food industry’s resistance to clear ingredient lists and labels on food (23:20)
What are slow carbs? (26:02)
Why we should all be able to get behind the idea of limiting fast carbs (32:00)
Dr. Kessler’s own struggle with his weight, our tendency to turn to comfort foods in stressful time, and why it’s so difficult to break the vicious cycle that results from eating fast carb (33:29)
The need for additional reform to the government’s dietary guidelines and how regulation differs in its oversight of the food industry vs the tobacco industry (41:08)
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