By Santorio, Inspired by Dr. Joseph Pizzorno (PMC11737222)
Explore how Dr. Joseph Pizzorno’s call for a true health care revolution aligns with Santorio’s mission to address chronic disease through functional medicine and AI-driven, preventive wellness.
Are We Treating Disease or Building Health?
What if the U.S. health system wasn’t actually designed to build health—but to manage disease?
That’s the question posed in Dr. Joseph Pizzorno’s “Open Letter to President Trump” (PMC11737222), where he argues for a complete redesign of our healthcare philosophy—from reactive disease treatment to proactive health creation.
At Santorio, we echo this vision. Our mission is to deliver proactive, personalized care by combining functional medicine with AI-powered data science—empowering individuals to understand the root causes of disease, not just treat symptoms.
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)—like DDT/DDE and dioxins—are perfect examples. Though banned decades ago, these chemicals still linger in 70–90% of the population, silently raising risks for diabetes, cancer, and neurological disorders. We believe that identifying and mitigating such threats is a core part of what real health care should be.
Spotlight on Dr. Joseph Pizzorno
Dr. Joseph Pizzorno is a pioneer of naturopathic and functional medicine, and the founding president of Bastyr University. Through decades of research and advocacy, he has led the movement to reframe chronic disease—not as inevitable, but as avoidable through personalized, environmental, and biochemical insights.
His research provides the scientific foundation for Santorio’s models, helping us translate complex toxicology and metabolic data into user-friendly, personalized recommendations for optimal wellness.
Key Insights from the Research
This paper calls out a core flaw in today’s system: it waits for people to get sick. Instead, we should be measuring and addressing the real drivers of disease—many of which are invisible to conventional care.
1. Persistent Pollutants, Persistent Problems
Despite bans, DDT/DDE and dioxins are still detectable in 70–90% of the population, with:
- A 20% increased diabetes risk associated with DDT/DDE exposure.
- A 1.5x increase in cancer risk linked to dioxins.
- Strong links to hormone disruption, obesity, and cognitive decline.
These pollutants enter the body primarily via the food chain—particularly through non-organic animal fats and plastic exposure.
2. Functional Lab Testing Reveals the Impact
Markers like GGTP and 8-OHdG are effective in measuring damage caused by POPs. Even if they fall within “normal” ranges, subtle elevations in GGTP are associated with a 12-fold increase in diabetes risk—suggesting early liver and mitochondrial stress.
3. True Prevention Starts with the Environment
The paper argues that we cannot improve public health without reducing environmental toxin exposure—through education, regulation, and personal action. But until systemic change happens, individual strategies are vital.
Santorio’s Approach: Applying Functional Intelligence to Everyday Health
At Santorio, we’re building the tools to detect these hidden risks early—and provide personalized, data-backed ways to intervene.
1. Toxic Load Evaluation
Using data on your environment, food intake, and medical history, Santorio’s AI evaluates exposure risks to POPs like DDT, dioxins, and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
2. Functional Lab Interpretation
Santorio reads labs like GGTP, ALT, and 8-OHdG not in isolation—but in context, identifying patterns that indicate toxic burden, oxidative stress, or compromised detox capacity.
3. Personalized Intervention Plans
We convert this insight into tailored plans that may include:
- Switching to organic or low-toxin foods
- Filtering water to reduce heavy metal intake
- Adding key supplements like NAC and glutathione precursors
- Enhancing natural detoxification through fiber, hydration, and sweating
4. Ongoing Monitoring & Optimization
Your body changes—and so should your plan. Santorio provides a dynamic dashboard to track progress, adjust interventions, and maintain long-term wellness.
5 Ways to Start Building Health Instead of Treating Disease
These simple, evidence-based strategies can dramatically reduce your exposure to persistent toxins:
- Choose Organic Animal Products When Possible
POPs bioaccumulate in fat. Choosing grass-fed or organic animal products can reduce exposure to long-lived pollutants like dioxins and DDT/DDE. - Invest in a Quality Water Filter
Many pollutants enter the body through tap water. Reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters help reduce POP and heavy metal load. - Check Your GGTP and 8-OHdG Levels
These labs reveal early signs of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction—even when you feel fine. - Support Your Liver with NAC and Fiber
These help enhance phase I and II detox pathways, promoting safe toxin excretion. - Minimize Plastic Use
Dioxins and other POPs leach from plastics. Store food in glass or stainless steel containers and avoid heating food in plastic.
The Takeaway: Real Health Care Starts With Prevention—Not Just Pills
Dr. Pizzorno’s open letter is more than a policy proposal—it’s a blueprint for rethinking what health care truly means. And it’s deeply aligned with Santorio’s mission to empower individuals with knowledge, tools, and AI-driven insights that can transform their lives.
It’s time to move from treating illness to cultivating wellness. The invisible molecules matter—and with the right guidance, we can take back control.
Take Your First Step Toward True Health
- Discover Your Toxin Load with Santorio’s AI Assessment
- Explore Personalized Detox & Prevention Plans
- Learn How Our Platform Supports Root-Cause Healing
