How One Man's Life Changed Healthcare

In the 1980s, a scientist worked with a two-time Nobel laureate. This scientist was Jeffrey Bland. He was part of the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine. They were trying to figure out how vitamins and other nutrients could help people stay healthy and avoid diseases. The work at the institute made a big impression on Bland. So, in 1990, he started his own institute in Seattle with his wife, Susan. This new institute was all about finding the root causes of diseases. It was not just about giving a name to an illness and treating it. It was about understanding why it happened in the first place. Bland and his team had a big question. They wanted to know if healthcare could focus more on keeping people healthy instead of just treating them when they get sick. This idea has been Bland's main focus for over 30 years. It led him to start the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute. He is the founder and president of this institute. Bland shared some of his lessons from his research and life experiences. He turned 79 during the week of an interview. He is often called the "father of functional medicine. " He said that at his age, he has learned a lot about his body. He knows what is good for him and what is not. So, he has some rules to follow. Bland's journey shows how one person's work can change the way we think about health. He started with a simple question and turned it into a lifelong mission. He has inspired many people in the field of healthcare. His work has made a big difference in how we understand and treat diseases.