Functional medicine exists to promote health by getting to the root cause of disease, and allopathic medicine does the exact opposite. It numbs symptoms, exacerbates stressors, and causes more destruction long-term.   Being an optimized individual is actually very simple once you get away from the allopathic system of medicine, and start being a true participator in your own health.   What are some of the biggest lies and scams in health that are actually making us less optimized? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Justin Marchegiani to talk about changing healthcare and medicine by getting away from the Band Aid approach.   If you’re a functional medicine clinician, you’re really a health detective, you’re trying to look at the root cause of why someone has a certain illness. -Dr. Justin Marchegiani   Three Things We Learned    The true role of functional medicineMany medications never address the root cause, they only numb them. Is there ever a case for an SSRI? How health insurance should actually workDoes insurance do anything but drive a wedge between doctors and the patient? Veganism: the scientific, evolutionary argument vs. the emotional argumentWhat are some of the major health challenges that come with eliminating meat and other animal products?   Guest Bio   Dr. Justin Marchegiani started off his career in the health field working in a surgical center as he prepared for medical school while at the University of Massachusetts. Working in the surgical field gave him a first-hand, up-close perspective into the health care system. He was able to see where it shined, especially in the area of treating acute injuries and trauma. He also saw its shortcomings, which are most evident in the areas of chronic disease like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity which are still a problem today! This experience shifted his focus from conventional medicine to a more holistic or natural approach to healing; where the underlying cause of his patient’s health issues are addressed and not just medicated and surgically removed.   Dr. Justin Marchegiani is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a degree in Kinesiology and Pre-medical studies. Dr. Justin has completed his Doctorate degree in Chiropractic from Life West University and is a licensed doctor of chiropractic in the state of Texas. He has completed postgraduate study in the area of clinical nutrition, rehabilitative exercise, and functional medicine so he can offer the most cutting-edge techniques to help address his patient’s growing health care needs. Dr. Justin works with a wide variety of patients all the way from athletes trying to increase performance and heal from injuries to the everyday person with chronic health challenges. Using a holistic approach, Dr. Justin addresses core underlying barriers to health which allows his patients to heal faster and feel better. For more information, head to https://justinhealth.com/.