In a recent episode of “A Healthy Point of View,” podcast hosted by Sam Tejada, president and founder of Liquivida®, discussed the ever-changing world of medicine with Dr. Charles Guglin, aka Dr. Chuck.
Dr. Chuck, a retired general surgeon with over three decades of experience, talked about shifts in medical practice from traditional surgery to functional medicine and the importance of nutrition, supplementation, and individualized patient care.
Uncovering the Real Health Crisis: Nutrient Deficiency and Insulin Resistance | Dr. Chuck | Ep. 13
A Storied Career in General Surgery
Dr. Chuck began his medical training in 1982, finishing his surgical residency in 1989. He performed a variety of procedures while working as a general surgeon: trauma and surgery, oncology, and emergency interventions. As Dr. Chuck thought back to his early days, he pointed out the vast scope of general surgery that there was once upon a time, including gynecological oncology vascular surgeries. Subspecialization has narrowed the scope of procedures performed by general surgeons over time, resulting in a more specialized but challenging practice.
The Shift to Functional Medicine
After years of intense surgical practice, Dr. Chuck began to practice functional medicine to address patient health more globally and holistically. This led in part to the understanding of the limitations in the more traditional allopathic medicine system that more often deals with symptom management in the form of pharmaceuticals rather than dealing with underlying health issues.
Dr. Chuck emphasized the importance of vitamins and minerals in health, an idea usually not taught in most conventional medical fields. Modern methods of food production are stripping nutrients from the so-called natural foods that are grown for consumption, so we need supplementation to maintain optimal health. Even though some health professionals would diminish the value or necessity of nutrients and minerals, Dr. Chuck countered it is critical and validated by science.
Challenges and Resistance in Traditional Medicine
The biggest obstacle Dr. Chuck encountered in his work was pushback from within the conventional medical establishment. A lot of doctors are tied by past standards of care and big pharma, unable to embrace new solutions such as functional medicine. Dr. Chuck invokes an extremely algorithmic view of modern-day medical practice, where the fix always seems to come in the form of some kind of pill instead of taking the necessary time to treat the patient on holistic individual care plans.
Educating and Integrating New Practices
Though he sees clear resistance against him and functional medicine, Dr. Chuck, for his part, is not having any of it and continues to educate both patients and doctors, alike of the virtues of functional medicine. His practice, which operates on a cash basis as most alternative treatments are not covered by insurance, emphasizes individualized attention and the use of supplements and therapies backed by evidence.
The story of Dr. Chuck reminds us how important it is to be receptive to new medical information and strategies. He challenges providers to think outside the box and treat patients according to their unique individual needs. Despite the slow shift in medicine, as more studies support the effectiveness of functional medicine practices, Dr. Chuck anticipates the medical community will answer the call, promoting a more integrated approach to healthcare around the world.