FuWelcome naturopathic physician Dr. Joshua Levitt to The Whole View! Stacy and Dr. Levitt tackle myths about natural medicine, discuss how natural and conventional medicine can and do work together, and why we should be life-long learners about our own bodies.
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Key Takeaways
Introductions
- Dr. Levitt’s unique approach was informed by an education that includes a degree in physiology from UCLA, a doctorate in naturopathic medicine from Bastyr University, formal residency training in integrative medicine in Seattle, and over 15 years of direct clinical experience with thousands of patients.
- In practice, Dr. Levitt draws upon the science of both conventional and natural medicine and combines the two into a “best of both worlds” treatment strategy. He employs a unique blend of nutritional therapy, herbal medicine, and physical medicine to treat a wide range of common and complex medical problems.
- At his private practice in Connecticut, he is also a clinical preceptor for the Yale School of Medicine.
- He is the author of several popular books, as well as educational articles and videos, all from his commitment to bringing information and products to help you achieve your health and wellness goals.
Framework
- Dr. Levitt believes that natural medicine in it’s true form is the medicine of the people and should not be exclusive; though this down-to-earth practice has become the purview of influencers and biohackers. Natural medicine is often conflated with “Health and Wellness”, which has become a kind of Instagram version of reality, often aimed at optimizing performance, longevity, and prevention. Dr. Levitt says in his real-world clinical practice, it’s very rare for someone to come in and say “hey doc, I’m doing awesome, and I want you to help me be more awesome”, it’s often motivated by pain and lack of answers elsewhere.
- Furthermore, it’s important to have a lens of avoiding “healthism”, the idea that if something’s not right it’s your fault; also, that you health defines your worth.
Busting Natural Medical Myths
- Dr. Levitt shares his approach to medicine. using “low-force” interventions first (like diet, nutrients, etc) and then moving up the ladder of the hierarchy of theraputics to more risky interventions like medication and surgery. If we keep it step-wise, he says he doesn’t see any reason pharmaceutical interventional or even surgical interventions shouldn’t be part of the algorithm. So there are times when someone should think of that medicine as a blessing, not a curse, and certainly not a failure. Where we go wrong in conventional medicine is we go to the top rungs so quickly.
- Dr. Levitt also gives tips for someone taking pharmaceuticals. Dr. Levitt says that often drug, nutrient, and herb interactions are all “bad”, but they can be synergistic, as nutrients can be depleted be depleted by pharmaceuticals. He suggests what to look into if you are currently taking antibiotics, statins, oral contraceptives, SSRIs and proton-pump inhibitors
- Regarding cholesterol, Dr. Levitt says we hyperfocus on numbers and not a general risk-factor profile for heart disease. One of the most important things to consider is what individuals are willing and able to do to improve general cardiovascular health, like improving stress, sleep, movement, mindfulness.
- Good news! There is no evidence that knuckle-cracking increases risk of arthritis or that you shouldn’t swim after you eat.
Next Steps
- We can all be our own doctors by educating ourselves – learning more about how your body works, nutrients, etc!
- Creating boundaries extends beyond just people and relationships. Consider boundaries with toxins, food/nutrition, physical activities, etc.
- Find awe (of your own body, family, nature, technology, etc)! Low levels of inflammation most strongly correlate with positive emotions. Negative emotions like anger, frustration, and jealously have been correlated with more negative health outcome
Studies, References & Products
- Author Bernie Segel
- Medicare Spending on Brand-name Combination Medications vs Their Generic Constituents, JAMA
- NBC News: Why scientists say experiencing awe can help you live your best life
- Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and aesthetic emotion, Cognition and Emotion
- Cleveland Clinic: Why You Should No Longer Worry About Cholesterol in Food
- RealEverything.com: Is Biotin Good or Bad for You and Does Biotin Affect Thyroid?
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Note: Stacy and her guests are not medical professionals. This podcast is for general educational purposes and NOT intended to diagnose, advise, or treat any physical or mental illness. We always recommend you consult a licensed service provider.
