A Crisis of Chronic Illness
Senator Ron Johnson and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently hosted a roundtable discussing the state of health in America. This crucial event went largely unreported by mainstream media, which may not be surprising given that 47% of their revenue comes from companies profiting off human illness.
In 2022, the U.S. spent a staggering $4.5 trillion on healthcare—an average of $13,000 per person. Despite this enormous expenditure, the country is facing a chronic illness epidemic. Two-thirds of adults and children suffer from chronic health issues, a stark contrast to 50 years ago when only 1% of children had chronic diseases. Today, this figure is as high as 60%. The U.S. has the highest rate of chronic illness in the world, which reflects a severe collapse of metabolic and immune health.
This is not just a healthcare crisis; it’s a conflict of interest. Our regulatory agencies, such as the FDA and CDC, are now largely funded by the food and pharmaceutical industries they are supposed to regulate. Seventy-five percent of FDA funding comes from pharmaceutical companies, and 80% of NIH grants are awarded to individuals with conflicts of interest. These agencies are no longer guardians of public health—they are advancing the commercial interests of the very industries that profit from a sick population.
The U.S. healthcare system incentivizes illness rather than wellness. One of the most valuable "assets" in the country is a sick child. Hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and medical institutions make more money with each intervention. Healthcare premiums have doubled since the introduction of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), making it the #1 driver of inflation in the U.S.
Yet, this increase in healthcare spending hasn’t translated into better outcomes. While Americans spend four times more on healthcare than Italians, they live, on average, seven years less. All of Europe has a life expectancy six years longer than the U.S. The contrast is stark, especially given that we lead the world in COVID-19 deaths—accounting for 17% of global deaths despite having only 4.2% of the world’s population. According to the CDC, those who died from COVID had an average of 3.8 chronic conditions, highlighting the deep-rooted chronic disease crisis in America.
The Role of Metabolic Health and the Microbiome
At the heart of this chronic illness epidemic lies metabolic health—a key indicator of how well our bodies process and use nutrients like glucose and fat. When metabolic health is compromised, it leads to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions that plague millions of Americans today.
The microbiome plays a critical role in regulating metabolic health. The trillions of bacteria living in our gut help break down food, extract nutrients, and maintain a healthy energy balance. A balanced microbiome supports insulin sensitivity, reduces inflammation, and aids in fat metabolism. However, modern diets—rich in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats—disrupt the microbiome, leading to a state of dysbiosis. This imbalance contributes to increased fat storage, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation, further driving the obesity and diabetes epidemics.
An unbalanced microbiome can impair nutrient absorption, weaken the immune system, and trigger a host of metabolic disorders. This dysfunction is evident in the rising rates of obesity and diabetes. Just 120 years ago, obesity was rare—people who were obese were often showcased in circuses as oddities. Today, 74% of adults and 50% of children are either overweight or obese, and 1 in 3 children are prediabetic or diabetic.
Diabetes is not just a blood sugar issue—it’s a mitochondrial dysfunction. It’s even driving up Alzheimer’s rates, with some experts referring to Alzheimer’s as "Type 3 Diabetes." The costs of managing diabetes and related complications now exceed the U.S. military budget annually. And shockingly, 77% of young Americans are too unhealthy to even qualify for military service due to poor chronic illness.
The Impact of Ultra-Processed Foods and Environmental Toxins
Much of this metabolic dysfunction can be traced back to the ultra-processed foods that dominate American diets. Seventy percent of the food consumed by children is ultra-processed, loaded with chemicals and additives designed to be addictive. These foods were engineered by scientists—many of whom previously worked for cigarette companies—and contain unpronounceable ingredients created in labs, not kitchens.
Humans are not biologically adapted to consume these modern chemical-laden products, which didn’t exist prior to the 1970s and 80s. The U.S. now allows over 10,000 additives in food products, while Europe permits only 400. These chemicals are systematically poisoning us for profit, and the consequences are visible in skyrocketing obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.
Environmental toxins also play a significant role. Toxic chemicals in our food, air, drugs, and everyday products disrupt our hormones, mimic estrogen, and impair the microbiome. Our children are growing up in what is essentially a "toxic soup." Early puberty rates (10-13 years old) are now six years younger than they were in the early 1900s. Estrogen-driven cancers, like breast cancer, are rising sharply—now affecting 1 in 8 women.
Using Fasting and the Ketogenic Diet to Heal Metabolic Health
The good news is that metabolic health can be restored, and one of the most effective approaches involves fasting and a ketogenic diet. Both methods promote healing by reducing inflammation, balancing blood sugar, and supporting mitochondrial function.
Fasting: A Metabolic Reset
Fasting is a powerful tool for improving metabolic health. During fasting, the body enters a state called autophagy, where damaged cells and proteins are broken down and recycled. This process reduces inflammation, enhances insulin sensitivity, and promotes fat loss. Fasting also helps regulate blood sugar levels, repair mitochondria, and improve cognitive function.
Intermittent fasting (IF), where individuals alternate between periods of eating and fasting, has been shown to regulate blood sugar, reduce body fat, and improve overall metabolic markers. Fasting also gives the gut a chance to rest and promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria, helping to rebalance the microbiome.
The Ketogenic Diet: Fueling the Body with Fat
The ketogenic diet, which emphasizes high fat, moderate protein, and very low carbohydrates, forces the body into ketosis. In this state, the body burns fat for fuel instead of glucose, leading to better energy metabolism and reduced fat storage. The keto diet improves insulin sensitivity, lowers blood sugar levels, and promotes weight loss—all while supporting the microbiome by reducing inflammation and fostering beneficial gut bacteria.
Ketones, produced in ketosis, are a more efficient energy source than glucose. They help repair damaged cells, reduce oxidative stress, and enhance cognitive function. The combination of fasting and a ketogenic diet offers a powerful solution for reversing the metabolic damage caused by poor diet and lifestyle habits.
A Path to Health: Reforming the System and Ourselves
The current healthcare system in the U.S. is broken, focusing on managing illness rather than preventing it. Regulatory agencies are failing to protect public health, choosing instead to serve the interests of large pharmaceutical and food corporations. But healing can begin at the individual level.
Fasting and the ketogenic diet offer effective, science-backed ways to restore metabolic health and balance the microbiome. These interventions help the body heal naturally by reducing inflammation, supporting mitochondrial health, and improving insulin sensitivity. Combined with efforts to clean up our food supply and environment, we can begin to reverse the chronic disease epidemic and create a healthier future for ourselves and our children.
Adopt a Fasting Lifestyle Webinar
To help guide you on this journey, I’m hosting a webinar on adopting a fasting lifestyle. In this webinar, you’ll learn how to incorporate fasting into your daily routine, optimize your metabolic health, and experience the benefits of autophagy and ketosis firsthand. Whether you're a beginner or someone looking to refine your fasting practice, this webinar will provide the tools and strategies needed to make fasting a sustainable, life-changing habit. Join us to take control of your health and unlock the power of fasting for healing, weight loss, and longevity.
