The transformation of American medicine in the early 20th century was profoundly influenced by a few powerful figures, including John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie. In 1910, these industrial giants hired Abraham Flexner to conduct an analysis of the state of medical education in the U.S., which led to the infamous Flexner Report. The report, funded by the Carnegie Foundation, drastically shifted medical education away from traditional and holistic healing practices toward a more pharmaceutical and surgical-focused system, known as allopathic medicine. This change had far-reaching consequences, leading to the decline of natural medicine and establishing a medical model that largely ignored nutrition and lifestyle factors in favor of drugs, radiation, and surgery as primary treatments.
Image of John D. Rockefeller and Andrew CarnegieThe decision to label natural and holistic practices as “quackery” was not based solely on scientific evaluation, but rather on financial interests. Rockefeller, who had significant investments in the burgeoning pharmaceutical industry, and Carnegie, who sought to streamline and standardize industries including healthcare, saw an opportunity to reshape medicine into a more profitable enterprise. The Flexner Report recommended closing hundreds of medical schools that didn’t conform to the new allopathic model. As a result, schools that taught homeopathy, naturopathy, and other natural healing modalities were shuttered, and medical education became heavily focused on symptom management through drugs and surgery.
The Deepening Divide: Natural Medicine vs. Allopathy
Before the Flexner Report, medical practices in the United States were diverse. Many doctors utilized botanical medicines, homeopathic remedies, and holistic methods that had been passed down for centuries. These practices were based on the idea of supporting the body’s natural healing processes, focusing on nutrition, herbs, and lifestyle adjustments to promote health. However, with the rise of industrial interests in the early 1900s, the focus of medicine began to shift from prevention and holistic care to a more interventionist approach centered around pharmaceutical solutions.
This transformation did not occur without resistance. Many traditional practitioners and patients alike believed in the efficacy of natural methods, but the power and influence of Rockefeller and Carnegie’s medical establishment were too great. As the Flexner Report recommended, many schools were either closed or forced to adopt the new curriculum, leaving little room for anything outside the allopathic framework.
The financial motivations behind this shift cannot be overstated. Rockefeller’s investment in the emerging pharmaceutical industry meant that a system based on the prescription of synthetic drugs would be immensely profitable. Carnegie’s desire for a standardized approach to medicine aligned perfectly with the idea of creating a one-size-fits-all model based on pharmaceutical interventions. Together, they reshaped the landscape of healthcare into a profit-driven system that persists to this day.
The Consequences: A System Focused on Symptoms, Not Causes
Fast forward to today, and the legacy of the Flexner Report is still evident in the U.S. healthcare system, particularly in the glaring absence of nutrition education in medical schools. Despite overwhelming evidence that diet is one of the most significant factors in preventing and reversing chronic diseases, medical students receive little to no formal education in this area. A 2014 report by a group of prominent physicians revealed that “nutrition receives little attention in medical practice,” and this deficiency is largely due to the minimal focus on nutrition in medical training. According to the report, medical students receive fewer than 20 hours of nutrition education over their entire four years of study, and much of that training has limited clinical relevance.
One of the most significant drawbacks of this approach is that it often ignores the foundational role of nutrition in health. Diet-related chronic diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity are the leading causes of death in the United States, yet medical professionals receive little to no training in nutrition and lifestyle interventions. This leads to a cycle where patients are treated with medications to manage their conditions rather than being empowered to make dietary and lifestyle changes that could reverse or prevent disease altogether.
A more holistic approach—one that includes an emphasis on real food, individualized nutrition, movement, and overall lifestyle—has the potential to break this cycle. By shifting focus to root causes and proactive health measures, we could drastically reduce the burden of chronic disease and improve the quality of life for millions. Unfortunately, this isn’t the norm in mainstream medicine today, as quick fixes and pharmaceutical interventions often overshadow the preventative power of proper nutrition and holistic health strategies.
The Decline of Nutrition Education in Medical Schools
The lack of nutrition education in medical schools is not a new issue, but it has worsened over time. Thirty years ago, 37% of medical schools offered at least one course on nutrition. According to a more recent national survey, that number has dropped to just 27%. And it doesn’t get better after students graduate. Most practicing physicians have little to no training in nutrition, and continuing education on the topic is often limited unless they seek it out on their own.
This systemic failure leaves doctors ill-equipped to counsel patients on how to prevent and reverse chronic diseases through dietary changes. Instead, they are more likely to prescribe medications to manage symptoms, often leading to a cascade of drug treatments that never address the underlying issue—poor nutrition. The lack of emphasis on nutrition in medical education perpetuates a system that benefits pharmaceutical companies at the expense of patient health.
Why Nutrition Matters More Than Ever
In today’s fast-paced world, nutrition is more critical than ever. Chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity are skyrocketing, yet these are largely preventable conditions rooted in poor diet and lifestyle choices. While modern medicine can offer life-saving treatments, it often ignores a crucial piece of the health puzzle—nutrition.
The Problem with Our Food System
The state of the American food system is deeply troubling. We are surrounded by highly processed, chemically-laden foods that are far from what our ancestors ate. Big Food companies pump their products full of artificial flavors, preservatives, pesticides, and dyes—many of which have been linked to various health issues, from hormonal imbalances to cancer. These products may be cheap and convenient, but they come with hidden costs to our health.
The connection between Big Food and Big Pharma also cannot be ignored. Large food corporations benefit from creating products that contribute to chronic health conditions, while pharmaceutical companies profit from selling medications that treat the symptoms of these conditions. It’s a vicious cycle that leaves individuals sick and dependent on medications rather than addressing the root causes of their ailments—diet and lifestyle.
When you realize that both industries are driven by profits rather than health, it becomes clear why preventative care, especially through nutrition, is rarely prioritized. Processed and ultra-processed foods, loaded with refined sugars, trans fats, and harmful chemicals, are marketed to us constantly, while real, nutrient-dense foods remain sidelined.
Pesticides, Chemicals, and Dyes: What’s Really in Your Food?
The problem doesn’t stop at ultra-processed foods. Even many fruits and vegetables, which are often assumed to be healthy, are sprayed with pesticides and chemicals that can wreak havoc on the human body. Glyphosate, for example, is a widely used pesticide linked to various health problems, including endocrine disruption, digestive issues, and even cancer.
Furthermore, artificial food dyes are rampant in the American food supply, despite being banned in many other countries due to health concerns. These dyes have been associated with hyperactivity in children and may increase the risk of cancer and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Additives like high-fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils further fuel inflammation and metabolic diseases, leading to a health crisis that spans generations.
When we consider that much of our food is tainted with chemicals, pesticides, and artificial ingredients, it becomes clear why chronic disease is so prevalent. Our bodies aren’t meant to process these foreign substances. Instead, they thrive on real, organic whole foods—foods that come from the earth, not a factory.
Individualized Nutrition: There Is No One-Size-Fits-All
Nutrition is deeply personal, and what works for one person may not work for another. We all come from different regions of the world, where our ancestors ate specific diets based on their environment. This is why some people thrive on diets rich in animal fats and proteins, while others may do better with a higher intake of plant-based foods. The idea that one type of diet is best for all humans is misleading—individuals have unique nutritional needs, shaped by genetics, lifestyle, and even food allergies or intolerances.
The key is to focus on real food—foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. Whether it’s red meat for protein, eggs, raw dairy, fruits, or vegetables, these nutrient-dense foods provide the essential building blocks for optimal health. Highly processed foods, on the other hand, often strip away these nutrients and add toxic chemicals that burden the body.
The Future of Health: Prioritizing Nutrition and Real Food
Now more than ever, it’s essential to prioritize real, organic whole foods as the foundation of our health. As individuals become more aware of the dangers lurking in the modern food system—whether it’s pesticides, dyes, or the shady connection between Big Food and Big Pharma—there’s a growing movement towards holistic, food-based solutions. Eating nutrient-dense foods, tailored to your unique needs, provides the body with the tools it needs to heal and thrive.
If we are to reclaim our health, it must start with what we put on our plates. Whether it’s incorporating more organic fruits and vegetables, grass-fed red meat, or raw dairy into your diet, the focus should always be on eating real, unprocessed food. It’s time to move beyond the failed model of treating symptoms and return to the basics: nourishing our bodies with the kind of nutrition that supports long-term, vibrant health.
Kyle Smith
Kyle Smith is a seasoned writer and certified CHEK and BG Coaching/Kion Holistic Health Coach. His passion for health began in childhood, driven by his involvement in motocross racing and martial arts. Now, Kyle consults with brands and individuals, helping them think critically about how lifestyle choices impact mental clarity and energy. His goal is to inspire others to reclaim the vitality needed to pursue their dreams, both in life and business.
