The Withdrawal of Dr. Vivek Murthy’s Nominee and the Rise of “Functional Medicine” Skepticism
The recent withdrawal of Dr. Renee Marie Steingold’s nomination for U.S. surgeon General has ignited a debate about the qualifications and ideologies shaping public health leadership. While the White House offered no specific reason for the decision, it follows intense scrutiny surrounding Steingold’s background and promotion of “functional medicine” - a controversial approach increasingly popular among a health-conscious demographic. This event underscores a growing tension between conventional medical practices and alternative health philosophies, and raises critical questions about the future of public health messaging in the United States.
A Controversial Nomination
Dr. Steingold, a graduate of Stanford Medical School who left her residency without completing it and currently lacks an active medical license or board certification, gained prominence through her company, Levels, which focuses on continuous glucose monitoring for individuals without diagnosed metabolic conditions. This, coupled with her co-authored 2024 book, Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health, propelled her into the spotlight - and ultimately, into the crosshairs of the medical establishment.
The book advocates for a restrictive lifestyle, advising readers to avoid a surprisingly broad range of everyday items, including processed foods, seed oils, fragrances, certain household products, fluoride, bananas (when eaten alone), receipt paper, and even birth control pills. A particularly contentious chapter, “Trust Yourself, Not Your Doctor,” fueled concerns about the potential for undermining public trust in established medical advice.
Public Reaction and Expert Criticism
the nomination immediately drew fire from public health advocates and medical professionals. Public Citizen, a government watchdog organization, released a statement applauding the withdrawal, criticizing the Trump administration’s (and continuing) practice of utilizing “Special Government Employee” designations to bypass standard financial openness and anti-corruption measures. Thay argued that Steingold’s appointment exemplified this problematic trend.
More significantly,the medical community voiced strong objections to Steingold’s qualifications and the principles underpinning “functional medicine.” Defend Public Health (DPH), a network of health experts, issued a statement labeling her promotion of the practice as “quackery.” Dr. Oni Blackstock, an HIV expert and former assistant commissioner at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, emphasized the critical need for a Surgeon General who can provide “credible advice based on solid science and real data,” rather than someone focused on “selling expensive, unproven tests and treatments.”
Understanding “Functional Medicine” and its Appeal
“Functional medicine” is an evolving approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease, rather than simply treating symptoms.It emphasizes a holistic view of the patient,considering factors like genetics,lifestyle,and habitat. While proponents argue it offers a more personalized and preventative approach to healthcare, critics contend it lacks rigorous scientific validation and frequently enough relies on expensive, unproven diagnostic tests and treatments.
Recent data from a 2023 survey by the National Center for complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) shows a growing interest in integrative health approaches, with 38% of adults in the U.S. having used them in the past year. Though, the same survey highlights a significant gap in understanding regarding the efficacy and safety of these practices. This underscores the need for clear, evidence-based information about alternative health modalities. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/research/statistics
The Role of Influencers and the MAHA Movement
Steingold and her business partner, Calley Means (also a co-founder of Levels and now CIO for the Department of the Treasury, with reported ties to efforts to dismantle the IRS), cultivated a following within the “MAHA” (Metabolic, Ancestral, Holistic, and Anti-inflammatory) movement. This online community, frequently enough characterized by a distrust of conventional medicine and a focus on biohacking and self-optimization, has gained considerable traction in recent years.
The New Yorker’s reporting on Means’ involvement with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency further complicates the narrative, raising questions about the potential influence of tech billionaires on public health policy. https://archive.ph/VgV3h#selection-517.736-517.770
Implications for Public Health
The Steingold nomination and subsequent withdrawal serve as a cautionary tale. They highlight the
