Today, I am blessed to have here with me, a Functional Medicine and Wellness practitioner, Dr. Casey Means. Dr. Casey’s mission is to use scientific knowledge as a tool to maximize the human experience for herself and her patients. Life is precious, and Dr. Casey believes that science can help us all experience better, happier, and healthier lives, if we choose to implement scientific knowledge in an effective way. Originally from Washington, DC, Dr. Casey headed west for college, and graduated with Honors from Stanford University with a degree in Human Biology, with a concentration in the Cellular and Genetic Basis of Disease. She completed her medical degree at Stanford School of Medicine, and subsequently trained to be a Head & Neck Surgeon at OHSU before transition to Functional Medicine.  Dr. Casey’s training with the Institute for Functional Medicine allows her to help you stay healthy and heal from within. We will look deeply into your unique health story and biology to identify the root causes of your health concerns. ​Dr. Casey has spent thousands of hours in the operating room and hospital, and have seen almost everything that can go wrong in personal health. Her functional medicine approach offers safe, effective, and natural interventions that address the root cause of disease. In this episode, Dr. Casey speaks about her pivot from Head & Neck Surgeon to Functional Medicine. We dive deep into glucose monitoring and the best ways to utilize a CGM. Dr. Casey speaks about the effects that stress can have on our glucose levels and what our optimal glucose levels should be. Tune in as Dr. Casey explains how Levels will help you maximize your metabolic health so you can live a longer, fuller, healthier life. Keto Kamp Podcast listeners special: Skip the 26,000 person waitlist and access Levels for $399. : https://levels.link/ketokamp.  // E P I S O D E   S P ON S O R S  PureForm Omega Plant Based Oils (Best Alternative to Fish Oil): http://www.purelifescience.com Use ben4 for $4.00 off. http://www.Kettleandfire.com/ketokamp and use KETOKAMP at checkout to save 15% on your entire order. ☕️ Purity Coffee: http//:www.ketokampcoffee.com, use ketokamp at checkout for 10% off // T I M E S T A M P S [01:00] About Dr. Casey Casey Means, MD, is a Functional Medicine and Wellness practitioner in Portland, OR. She graduated from Stanford Medical School and did four years of additional training in ENT/Otolaryngology and subsequently trained with the Institute for Functional Medicine. She is a whole-foods plant-based diet advocate, which she promotes on her Instagram account, @drcaseyskitchen. Casey is passionate about helping patients identify the root causes of their ailments, and creating intervention plans with her patients that primarily focus on nutritional and lifestyle approaches. [14:30] Making The Pivot To Functional Medicine It was an easy decision for Dr. Casey to pivot to functional medicine. Casey’s purpose is to help the most people that she possibly can. Ultimately, Dr. Casey realized she could merge her functional medicine insight into digital tools and potentially help millions. [19:25] About Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) tracks glucose levels throughout the day and night and can alert you if your levels go too high or low. This technology has been around for over a decade. Insulin resistance and metabolic diseases start decades before the actual diagnosis and result from repeated and regular insults to your metabolic system. No two people respond to carbs the same; that’s why a CGM is useful. [31:05] The Effects of Cortisol On Glucose Our perception of stress effects our glucose levels. Stress will raise your glucose. It’s good to be aware of your stress levels throughout the day. It’s difficult to know whether or not we are stressed. You cannot hide the stress from your body even if your brain doesn’t think you are stressed. If you’re getting a glucose surge, then