Re-assessing how we approach healthcare
I have some reservations about the messages in Outlive. Not because I think the book is bad. Quite the opposite. I think the book is amazing. I love how it describes the modern medical system. But I just wonder if it sends the right message to the right people.
Attia’s description of the modern medical system
Attia's description of the weaknesses in our current medical system is excellent. He explains that, the way the system works currently, we are all walking towards a (health) cliff because we wait until something goes wrong before we investigate and deal with it. In other works we are all walking towards a cliff and only stopping walking once we realise we are right at the edge. He calls this approach Medicine 2.0.
Attia then describes another 'fictional' medical system where we monitor our health over the years and address issues, even if they are seemingly minor, as they arise. In this system we investigate and address problems when they arise and well before we reach the edge of the cliff. Attia calls this approach Medicine 3.0.
This is an excellent analogy. Common sense is that we should all keep well away from cliff edges. Cliff edges are dangerous! So why do we all do it when it comes to health? Why are we happy to let health issues build for decades until it's 'too late'? Obviously there are answers but Attia summarises the idea beautifully.
Attia's book then goes on to discuss specific areas of health that people can address, focussing on diet, exercise, mental health. Attia is clear that he cannot prescribe a diet and lifestyle for every one and that that is something they must do themselves. He then gives tools for people to adapt their health risks.
The content is excellent, although some have said it is 'a bit heavy' and technical.
Is his message the right for everyone?
Attia's chapter on exercise is probably the chapter that will have the most impact on most people. It is an excellent wake-up call when it describes what you should be doing age 40 if you want to be able to carry your shopping when you are 90 years!
However the chapter on exercise is so prescriptive that I worry it will be implemented by A-type personalities similar to Attia who are prone to over-doing things.
Attia is clearly quite an A-Type personality. In the past he was into marathon swimming in a big way; now he is into health in a big way. And the way he approaches problems is extra-ordinarily prescriptive. Just read the chapter on exercise: 10mins of this, 2hours of that, reaching VO2 max of x for y minutes. It’s pretty intense.
My worry is that the people who are most likely to listen to his very prescriptive approach are likely to be A-type people like him who don't need to exercise more.
A-type personalities need to listen to their bodies: using myself as an example
After reading his book I increased my already busy exercise schedule to include lots of 'intense' exercise. I then found that my regular menstrual cycle became irregular. That was a strong signal from my body that things weren't right. When I dropped the crazy exercise regime back to my normal levels of exercise, lo and behold, my cycle returned to normal. Of course there could be many other explanations and this is an n=1 experiment, but I think there is learning in it.
Plus I have seen issues for clients too - also A-type personalities! One lady couldn't seem to lose weight and dropping the intense exercise fixed the problem (raised cortisol / insulin) and another had to stop exercising altogether due to injury.
A-type personalities often do better by stepping-back and taking the time to listen to their bodies. This is what they are not great at doing. They are more likely to listen to a prescriptive regime given by someone else than to realise they feel tired and to take the day off.
Health and wellness is individual: prescriptions and protocols don't work
Humans are different and we can't approach any diet or lifestyle change without listening to our body. It may sound hippy but your body does tell you when you are short of a specific nutrient. There are incredible old studies on 6 month of babies that show this. There is a whole movement called 'Intuitive Eating'. Health must be addressed in a personalised way.
If you don't know how to do this yourself it is important to get help from a professional. The health and wellness industry is littered with people trying to make money from selling 'stuff' that won't necessarily improve your health.
The lesson learned
I have no doubt there are LOTS of people who have benefited from some of Peter Attia's messages. And I think the book is excellent. But I do worry that the A-type personalities who are likely to have taken his message on are the people who don't necessarily need it or who may in fact be 'harmed' by it. I would love to hear your thoughts.
Comments