Function Health provides comprehensive lab testing with over 160 biomarkers, which would typically cost $15,000, for a $365 annual membership. This business model makes high-end, data-driven preventative care accessible to a much broader audience beyond the wealthy who can afford traditional concierge doctors.
Medical lab test ranges define 'normal' by the average of the current population. In a society where 75% are overweight, this standard is not optimal. This creates a false sense of security, as being 'normal' might still mean being on a trajectory toward chronic disease.
Despite being a cheap and powerful early indicator of metabolic dysfunction, insulin levels are rarely checked by physicians. High insulin can signal a health crisis long before blood sugar levels rise, yet the medical system overlooks it, focusing on late-stage indicators like A1C.
A Harvard study revealed that large language models like ChatGPT are not only as or more accurate than doctors in diagnoses but are also preferred by patients for their bedside manner. This suggests AI can fill a crucial empathy and communication gap in modern healthcare.
Doctors are trained to use the minimum amount of testing necessary to confirm a presumed diagnosis, not to gather extensive data for preventative health. This ingrained mindset creates resistance to new data-driven models like whole-body MRIs and comprehensive biomarker panels, which they view as generating unnecessary anxiety.
While effective for weight loss, GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic can cause significant muscle loss. If a patient stops taking the drug and regains weight, it often returns as fat, resulting in a worse metabolic state known as 'skinny fat' (thin on the outside, fat on the inside).
Beyond movement, muscle is the most critical organ for healthy aging because it functions as a 'metabolic sink,' absorbing glucose from the bloodstream. Maintaining muscle through strength training is essential for regulating metabolism, preventing inflammation, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and dementia.
Emerging fields like nutritional and metabolic psychiatry are establishing a strong link between diet and mental health. One study showed replacing processed food with real food in a juvenile detention center reduced violent crime by 97% and suicide by 100%, suggesting diet is a root cause often ignored in favor of medication.
Contrary to popular belief, sugary foods like ice cream can have a less severe impact on blood glucose than starchy carbohydrates like cereal. The fat and protein in ice cream slow the absorption of sugar, preventing the rapid spike caused by processed starches, highlighting the importance of balanced macronutrients.