The Primal Shift 81: The Truth About Our Broken Health System
We're told that our healthcare system exists to keep us healthy, but what if it was never designed for that? In this episode, we trace the roots of modern medicine and nutrition to uncover how profit-driven interests shaped the way we approach health today — and why so many people are chronically sick despite significant medical advancements.
It all started in the early 20th century, when John D. Rockefeller used his influence to centralize medical education, steering it away from nutrition and holistic care and toward a pharmaceutical-first approach. His reforms, built on the Flexner Report, ensured that doctors would be trained to treat symptoms with drugs rather than address root causes.
Later, Ancel Keys' flawed research further distorted our understanding of health, vilifying saturated fats while paving the way for highly processed, industrial seed oils — ingredients that still dominate today's ultra-processed food landscape.
The food industry took this even further in the 1980s when major tobacco companies pivoted to food production, using their expertise in addiction to engineer products designed for overconsumption. The result? The population got hooked on cheap, nutrient-devoid foods while chronic disease skyrocketed.
Meanwhile, the medical system thrives on managing disease, not preventing it — because prevention doesn't generate revenue.
So where does that leave us? It means that reclaiming our health requires stepping outside the system. That starts with rejecting ultra-processed foods, prioritizing whole, nutrient-dense meals, and challenging the mainstream narratives about diet and disease. It also means seeking out medical professionals who focus on prevention and lifestyle interventions rather than prescriptions alone.
The system isn't going to change itself. But by making informed choices, we can take control of our own health.
Learn more:
How America's food and healthcare systems were compromised: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iOeWcYF6X4
Flexner report: http://archive.carnegiefoundation.org/publications/pdfs/elibrary/Carnegie_Flexner_Report.pdf
High fructose corn syrup induces metabolic dysregulation and altered dopamine signaling in the absence of obesity: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5747444/#:~:text=Conclusion,34%2C54%2C66%5D.
Influence of food industry funding: https://thesmhp.org/ada-and-processed-food-industry/
Ultra-processed diets cause excess calorie intake and weight gain: an inpatient randomized controlled trial of Ad Libitum food intake: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31105044/
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In this episode:
00:00 - Intro
01:45 - How Rockefeller reshaped healthcare
03:20 - Ancel Keys and the cholesterol myth
04:10 - How seed oils replaced real fats
04:40 - Big Tobacco's pivot to food addiction
05:05 - High fructose corn syrup and metabolic disease
05:50 - The real cost of a broken healthcare system
06:15 - How doctors are trained to treat symptoms, not causes
06:50 - The shocking rise of obesity, diabetes, and autism
07:50 - Why change won't come from the government
08:26 - The steps to reclaim your health
10:10 - Final thoughts
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Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mkummer82
[Medical Disclaimer]
The information shared on this video is for educational purposes only, is not a substitute for the advice of medical doctors or registered dietitians (which I am not) and should not be used to prevent, diagnose, or treat any condition. Consult with a physician before starting a fitness regimen, adding supplements to your diet, or making other changes that may affect your medications, treatment plan, or overall health.
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I earn affiliate commissions from some of the brands and products I review on this channel. While that doesn't change my editorial integrity, it helps make this channel happen. If you'd like to support me, please use my affiliate links or discount code.
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