October 1, 2024 • 3hr 13min

#2208 - Brigham Buhler

The Joe Rogan Experience

Brigham Buhler is the founder of Ways2Well, a functional and regenerative care clinic, and a cofounder of ReviveRx, a pharmacy focusing on health, wellness, and restorative medicine. He recently testified before the U.S. Senate about chronic disease, nutrition, and healthcare issues in America. In this episode, Buhler discusses his Senate testimony, the state of healthcare and chronic disease in the U.S., problems with the food and pharmaceutical industries, and potential solutions to improve American health.

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Key Takeaways

Brigham Buhler recently testified before the U.S. Senate about chronic disease, nutrition, and healthcare issues in America
There is a crisis of chronic disease in the U.S., with 1.7-1.9 million people dying annually from chronic diseases - more than all U.S. war deaths combined
The food and healthcare industries often prioritize profits over health, leading to unhealthy food additives, overuse of medications, and a lack of focus on prevention
Artificial intelligence and technology could help make healthcare more personalized, proactive and cost-effective if implemented properly
Exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle changes can have profound impacts on health, but the medical system is not set up to emphasize these approaches
There are powerful financial interests that resist changes to the status quo in food and healthcare, making reform challenging
The "Make America Healthy Again" movement aims to refocus on prevention and addressing root causes of chronic disease

Introduction

Brigham Buhler is the founder of Ways2Well, a functional and regenerative care clinic, and a cofounder of ReviveRx, a pharmacy focusing on health, wellness, and restorative medicine. He recently testified before the U.S. Senate about chronic disease, nutrition, and healthcare issues in America. In this episode, Buhler discusses his Senate testimony, the state of healthcare and chronic disease in the U.S., problems with the food and pharmaceutical industries, and potential solutions to improve American health.

Topics Discussed

Senate Testimony on Chronic Disease (0:02)

Buhler was invited to testify before the Senate as part of a bipartisan group to discuss the chronic disease crisis in America
The goal was to create a nonpartisan group to take a fresh approach to addressing chronic disease
Over 2000 people attended the hearing, showing strong public interest in the topic
"Close to anywhere between 1.7 to 1.9 million people are dying a year of chronic disease. We talk a lot about war. Since the dawn of this country, roughly estimated between 1.3 to 1.5 million people total have died in war. American lives. So in a year, we're losing more people to chronic disease than all the wars combined, and we're not talking about it."

Problems with the Food Industry (18:23)

There are over 10,000 chemicals and petrochemicals allowed in U.S. food products today, compared to only 700 in the 1950s
Many food additives and preservatives used in the U.S. are banned in other countries
Food companies often sell healthier versions of products in other countries while selling more processed versions in the U.S.
Added sugars are prevalent in many foods, even those perceived as healthy like bread
The food industry uses addictive ingredients and marketing tactics to drive sales

Issues in the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Industries (37:04)

The healthcare system is focused on treating symptoms rather than addressing root causes of disease
Pharmaceutical companies have undue influence over medical research and policy
Insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers create perverse incentives in healthcare
There is a lack of focus on prevention and lifestyle interventions in medical education and practice
"Food science is what happens between the ground and the mouth. Nutrition is what happens between the mouth and the cell. Metabolic health is what happens inside the cell...but all of the chronic diseases we are suffering from today...are all inside the cell because they are all mitochondrial dysfunction and there is no medication that gets to the mitochondria."

Potential Solutions and the "Make America Healthy Again" Movement (1:19:50)

Focus on diet, lifestyle, and nutrition as preventative measures
Implement more comprehensive health screenings and personalized medicine approaches
Use artificial intelligence and technology to make healthcare more proactive and cost-effective
Reform food policies to reduce harmful additives and promote healthier options
Change medical education to emphasize nutrition and lifestyle interventions
The "Make America Healthy Again" movement aims to refocus on prevention and root causes of disease

Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (1:21:26)

AI could help analyze health data more comprehensively and quickly than human doctors
Potential to integrate data from wearables, genetic testing, and medical history for personalized health insights
Could make healthcare more accessible and cost-effective
Concerns about privacy and proper implementation need to be addressed

The Importance of Exercise and Lifestyle (2:41:24)

Regular exercise and physical activity have profound health benefits
Even simple activities like walking can significantly reduce disease risk
Strength training is particularly important for older adults to prevent falls and maintain independence
Exercise and healthy lifestyle choices can often be as or more effective than medications for many conditions

Challenges to Reforming the System (2:58:55)

Powerful financial interests resist changes to the status quo
Ideological divisions can prevent bipartisan support for health initiatives
The current system incentivizes treating symptoms rather than preventing disease
Changing ingrained habits and beliefs about health and medicine is difficult

Conclusion

Brigham Buhler's testimony before the Senate and his discussion on this podcast highlight the urgent need to address the chronic disease crisis in America. By focusing on prevention, nutrition, and lifestyle interventions, while also leveraging technology and reforming the food and healthcare industries, there is potential to dramatically improve health outcomes. The "Make America Healthy Again" movement represents a promising bipartisan approach to tackling these complex issues. However, powerful financial interests and ingrained habits present significant challenges to reform. Ultimately, empowering individuals with knowledge and tools to take control of their health, while also implementing systemic changes, will be crucial for creating a healthier future for Americans.