In my recent speech delivered before Senator Ron Johnson, Mr. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and distinguished guests, I explored the pressing need for a paradigm shift in how we view and treat chronic diseases, including mental health disorders. Drawing on years of research and clinical experience, I highlighted the connection between metabolic dysfunction and the rise of chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, and mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and even neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD and autism.
Contrary to the conventional medical focus on treating symptoms, I emphasized the need to address the root causes of these conditions. Metabolism—far more than just the process of burning calories—is a complex series of chemical reactions responsible for converting food into energy and the building blocks necessary for cellular health. When metabolism becomes dysfunctional, it has widespread effects on both physical and mental health.
I spoke on the growing body of research linking poor diet, environmental toxins, and ultra-processed foods to metabolic dysfunction. For example, a study of nearly 300,000 people found that those who consume ultra-processed foods daily are three times more likely to struggle with mental health issues. Meanwhile, the rates of autism and ADHD have skyrocketed over the past two decades, closely correlating with parental metabolic conditions like obesity and diabetes.
Our current food system, regulatory policies, and medical education are not adequately addressing these root causes. I raised concerns over how the FDA continues to allow new chemicals into our food supply without proper testing, leaving the public vulnerable to potential long-term health consequences. Additionally, I pointed out that despite clear evidence of the impact of nutrition on health, nutrition research remains severely underfunded, capturing less than 5% of the NIH budget.
But this is more than just a critique—it’s a call to action. I urged policymakers and health agencies to fund research into the root causes of mental and metabolic disorders, particularly the effects of diet, environmental toxins, and chemicals. By addressing metabolic dysfunction, we have the potential to prevent and treat not just physical diseases, but also severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder—something I’ve witnessed firsthand in my own clinical work through the use of metabolic therapies like the ketogenic diet.
We stand at a critical crossroads. We can continue to manage symptoms as our chronic disease epidemic worsens, or we can chart a new path that focuses on prevention, early intervention, and addressing the root causes of disease. The time to act is now—for the sake of our health, our children, and our future.
Attached is the recording of my full speech, where I expand on these topics and provide deeper insight into the science behind metabolic dysfunction and its profound impact on our physical and mental well-being.
