In this episode, Dr. Anthony Chaffee interviews pain specialist Dr. Gurpreet Padda about pain management and the health implications of a carnivore-based diet. Dr. Padda begins by discussing the corporatization of medicine in the U.S., which he argues led to a focus on medications as treatments, especially narcotics, rather than addressing underlying causes of pain. He critiques the pharmaceutical industry’s influence on medical guidelines, which he feels pushes drugs as the primary solution, particularly narcotics, which have driven issues of dependence and addiction. Dr. Padda believes that pain is not an illness but a symptom that signals underlying health problems, and his focus is on finding and treating these root causes rather than masking symptoms with medications.
Dr. Padda explains his approach to pain management, which involves a combination of lifestyle changes and selective medical interventions. He finds that many chronic pain patients suffer from severe metabolic inflammation, largely due to lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, and high stress. In his clinic, he prioritizes comprehensive patient histories to understand each individual’s unique background and social determinants of health. This holistic intake process, which includes metabolic assessments and neighborhood safety discussions, aims to identify environmental and lifestyle factors that contribute to chronic inflammation and pain.
Central to Dr. Padda’s approach is the idea that human biology favors a carnivore or animal-based diet, which he believes can reduce metabolic inflammation. He highlights the importance of saturated fats and proteins, pointing out that humans evolved as apex predators with a physiology designed to process animal-based foods. Dr. Padda cautions against excessive plant matter intake, which he suggests may lead to digestive discomfort and inflammation. Through dietary changes, Dr. Padda seeks to stabilize patients’ metabolic health, a foundational step that he believes can alleviate chronic pain and improve overall health.
Dr. Padda also delves into the broader challenges of practicing this lifestyle-centered approach within the current medical system, which he argues prioritizes profit over patient outcomes. He describes how many of his peers are resistant to his methods due to the pressure to perform revenue-generating procedures. However, over time, he has noticed a shift as more physicians acknowledge the failures of conventional, medication-heavy pain management, especially following COVID-19, which highlighted metabolic illness as a risk factor. Dr. Padda has been able to show through his own patient outcomes that lifestyle interventions can yield significant improvements, which has slowly begun to influence his field.
Finally, Dr. Padda touches on the challenges posed by industry-driven science and regulation, which often obscure lifestyle-based solutions. He describes the revolving door between regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical companies, which can lead to policies that favor profits over patients’ best interests. Dr. Padda argues that physicians need to guide patients back to health by empowering them with accurate information, using evidence-based lifestyle modifications, and being cautious of over-reliance on medications and devices. This episode emphasizes a return to patient-centered medicine, advocating for a deeper understanding of how diet and lifestyle changes can effectively manage chronic pain and improve long-term health outcomes.