Non-members can read this story for free on my website, and I have also published a version for my readers on Medium.
Dear Subscribers, I trust this story finds you in good health.
I want to share a recent experience with my blood test results, which seemed perfectly fine to me but caused my new GP to overreact, jumping to conclusions far too quickly. This story has lessons for patients and healthcare professionals to prevent unnecessary stress and focus on healing rather than red tape. I also added an interactive and educational video, which you may listen to and share with your friends to spread holistic health approaches to society.
A few weeks ago, I visited my local clinic for my annual tests. My usual doctor was on leave, so I had a new GP — an older, friendly gentleman. As he looked over my results, he paused, eyes wide with concern. I feared the worst. Was it cancer, said my primitive brain? But I remained silent thanks to a few deep breaths.
“Your LDL is too high,” he said, a mix of shock and urgency in his voice. My relief turned to confusion. I have always had higher LDL in the last 20 years, especially after fixing my metabolic issues like pre-diabetes and abdominal obesity, thanks to my healing keto-carnivore diet. I asked what was so alarming as the healthy body knows how much LDL it needs to produce as it is essential for many metabolic, endocrine, and immune needs.
“We need to start you on cholesterol-lowering medication immediately. Listen, mate, you’re at high risk, and as your GP, it’s my responsibility,” he pressed.
“Do you mean statins?” I asked, very familiar with the topic from my studies. He looked surprised, “Yes, have you taken them before?”
I explained, “I’ve studied their effects on the brain, but I have never needed them and will not need them unless my trusted cardiologist prescribes them for me. My HDL is high, my inflammation markers are low, my fat percentage is under 12%, and my body is highly insulin-sensitive. Besides, my HbA1c is great, my coronary calcium is low, and more importantly, my LPIR score is excellent. Why the rush?”
He snapped, eyes blazing, ‘What the heck is LPIR?! Never heard of it!’ His voice rose to a near shout, frustration evident. ‘It doesn’t matter, mate! Your LDL is through the roof, and you need statin — that’s all the cardiologists care about! We don’t go by obscure metrics. We GPs follow the rules, mate!’
His insistence felt more like a command than advice as if the guidelines were gospel and there was no room for nuance. Fortunately, I was familiar with the struggles of GPs, so I showed my empathy and compassion to him.
“Thank you for your honest opinion, sir. With all due respect, not all cardiologists think that way,” I responded calmly. His skepticism was evident. He asked, “How do you know? Name one.”
I hesitated, reluctant to expose my trusted cardiologists in Australia to the spotlight. But after a brief pause, I decided to name a public figure, the renowned Dr. Aseem Malhotra from the UK.
As soon as the name left my lips, I could see the reaction building in his eyes. It was as if I had triggered something deep.
‘Dr. Aseem Malhotra?!’ he scoffed, disbelief creeping into his voice as if the mere mention of this figure shifted the entire mood in the room.
This heightens the tension surrounding the mention of Dr. Malhotra, making it feel more consequential. His response was instant: “That snake oil salesman?” He said, “That snake oil seller is anti-vax and anti-statin, as mentioned in the press including BMJ.”
Interestingly, it reminded me of a 2022 defaming story on Medium by possibly a fake account calling this good doctor a snake oil salesman, and I wondered why Medium did not remove the story, as the platform does not allow defamation.
I was taken aback, but I managed to steady my voice. “Dr. Malhotra is a highly educated, caring, holistic, and respected cardiologist,’ I said, my tone calm yet firm as I fought to maintain civility amidst the brewing storm of disbelief.
“He’s not anti-statin, and he is certainly not anti-vaccine. He prescribes statins when needed, and he is vaccinated. He lost his NHS job because the press took his views out of context.”
My GP didn’t believe me. So, I offered to send him evidence, which he accepted and said let’s see. I followed up with two video links viewed and enjoyed by millions on YouTube.
There are many videos about his case, with transparent interviews conducted by famous YouTubers, but I only sent him two not to overwhelm him. Here are the links:
2 — Big Pharma Exposed — The doctor who got banned for speaking out — Dr Aseem Malhotra Tells All
I also suggested he check out his best-selling book as digital, audio, or paperback, titled A Statin-Free Life: A Revolutionary Life Plan for Tackling Heart Disease — Without the Use of Statins
A week later, he emailed me. His tone had shifted dramatically. “G’day Mate, I watched the videos and listened to his book on Audible. I was wrong. Thank you for sharing them — it’s opened my eyes to the pressures we, GPs, face from pharmaceutical companies. You helped me to enhance my knowledge, so I am grateful. Hope to see you again in the clinic.”
His humility was refreshing. Unfortunately, many doctors are forced into rigid practices due to outdated guidelines, leaving little room for progress. In my youth, I was misled by well-meaning but outdated advice, which left me prediabetic. I took responsibility, researched, and improved my health.
As this new doctor was humble and eager to learn, I shared my stories about fasting and ketosis, which he also thought would cause me muscle loss, and that a keto diet might lead to cardiovascular diseases in the long term. I link them here and will let you know about his response to these stories after he finds time to read them.
Remarkable Health Benefits of Long-Term Fasting
Perfect Storm in a Teacup: Can Intermittent Fasting Increase Heart Disease Risk by 91%?
Biochemistry of Ketosis Simplified with Nuanced Perspectives and Personal Experiences
β-Hydroxybutyrate: 2 Vital Role of Ketogenesis in the Brain for Dementia Prevention / Treatment
A New Clinical Trial Found a Low-Carb Diet Better Than the Dash.
Like me, countless others have suffered from misdiagnosis or overmedication, often due to an over-reliance on pharmaceutical-driven guidelines. Drug-induced mortality is now among the top causes of death.
Some patients, like one reader (Coach Daniel @SanaTerraFarm) of my recent story on medical innovation, have entirely lost faith in the system. They commented, “I’m a victim of the medical industry. I don’t believe a word coming out of a doctor's mouth anymore.”
These reactions from the public are heartbreaking because most doctors enter the profession to help people, but the system stifles them.
Doctors like consulting cardiologist Aseem Malhotra, who challenge the status quo, are ostracized, and others fear losing their jobs if they speak up. This needs to change. Our health must come before profit.
We must confront the insidious gaslighting within the healthcare system, as it poses a grave threat to both the physical and mental well-being of patients.
Millions endure the torment of emotional bullying at the hands of those sworn to heal. I, too, have been a victim of this distressing reality, which makes me acutely aware of its profound impact. We cannot remain silent; we must advocate for change.
Why Gaslighting Matters in the Healthcare Sector & How to Deal with It Effectively
From awareness to action: Confronting gaslighting in medicine, empowering patients, and empathizing with providersmedium.com
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
I am here to help, so reach out when you need support. You may take a quick taste of some of my informative stories in this collection. If you wish, you may subscribe to my Health and Wellness newsletter to benefit from my decades of research in health, science, and technology experience.
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