The Evolution of Medicine with Dr. Akash Goel
Akash Goel, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and a clinical assistant professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City.
He practices integrative internal medicine and gastroenterology with a focus on nutrition, metabolic health, mindfulness, evidence-based screenings, and exercise science.
Dr. Goel is published in peer-reviewed journals on gastroenterology and nutrition, and his work has appeared in networks and publications such as CNN, The New York Times, Time magazine, the Financial Times, and the BBC.
The Evolving Role of Nutrition and Lifestyle in Medicine
During his medical school days, less than 2% of the curriculum focused on nutrition—about 20 hours across four years. Despite early evidence from pioneers like Dr. Dean Ornish, whose plant-based diet showed significant health benefits, nutrition was largely overlooked.
Today, with most disease burdens linked to poor diet, medical education is slowly catching up. Cardiology and other specialties now include more training on diet and lifestyle, recognizing the strong evidence supporting certain diets.
However, systemic issues remain—short doctor visits often lead to quick prescriptions rather than addressing root causes through lifestyle changes. Despite these challenges, it’s clear that food, exercise, and lifestyle are the most effective medicine for long-term health.
The Future of Longevity: What Will Last and What Won’t
While the longevity movement is currently led by expensive, high-end services, he believes that its benefits will eventually become more accessible—much like Tesla’s evolution from luxury to mainstream.
There’s also been a notable shift in the space, from focusing on “lifespan" to “healthspan”. That being said, a lot of work still needs to be done to validate many “cutting-edge” longevity practices, like peptide therapies, that still lack solid scientific validation. This is why It’s so critical for clinicians to prioritize integrity and ensure their treatments are backed by evidence. Ultimately, the key is to adopt practices that truly improve daily life, rather than those driven by hype and unsupported by science.
The Future of Tech and AI in Medicine
While there’s been a lot of hype as it relates to AI and healthcare, Dr. Goel believes that the potential is truly there to revolutionize many aspects of healthcare, including how we approach cancer treatment and diagnostics.
The unfortunate reality is that despite decades of technological advancement, cancer-related mortality rates haven’t improved significantly. But with the emergence of AI-driven predictive analytics and advanced diagnostics like liquid biopsies, we’re on the brink of major breakthroughs in cancer care. There’s also exciting developments in therapeutics, such as mRNA technology, gene therapy, and CAR-T cell therapy, which are starting to make a real difference.
Breaking the Cycle: Rethinking Our Approach to Medication
Last but not least, everyone’s favorite topic, the rise of GLP-1 medications. While there are cases where there may be a genuine need for GLP-1’s, there risk is that it becomes the default option to address chronic conditions like obesity and diabetes, when there are many other solutions available. “We’re making ourselves sick by the food we eat and then taking more medications to treat it,” Dr. Goel remarks.
But breaking this cycle of over reliance on pharmaceuticals is possible, and it begins with a shift in mindset. What that looks like is a healthcare model that prioritizes prevention and addresses the root causes of illness. This approach is not only more sustainable but also more humane, focusing on enhancing the quality of life rather than merely extending it.
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What is one piece of health advice that is not commonly practiced but should be?
One piece of health advice that isn’t commonly practiced but should be is incorporating mind-body techniques like diaphragmatic breathing for vagal nerve stimulation.
We’re just beginning to understand how practices like Pranayam can help balance the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems, potentially easing GI distress, somatic pain, and other medical conditions. As we learn more, these techniques could become a key part of managing various health issues.
What is something health-related you've changed your mind about in recent years?
I used to be skeptical of observational data, but in a large study of Finnish men showed that frequent sauna use (4-7 sessions per week) led to a 40-60% reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality, fatal cardiovascular disease, stroke, and Alzheimer’s.
After learning about this, I’ve become a regular sauna user, often going with my friend Nemo Librizzi. In American culture, men don’t usually spend time together this way, but I believe we should.
What is your best piece of advice for new founders in the health and wellness space?
Too often, we focus on financial value and get swayed by trendy market opportunities.
My advice is to stay scientifically driven and prioritize integrity in defining your path.
Dedicate your efforts to creating measurable health impacts and improving quality of life—it’s far more rewarding than chasing the latest consumer trend. As Steve Jobs famously said, “Do you really want to keep selling sugar water your whole life? Why don’t you come with me and change the world.”
If you want to follow Dr. Akash Goel’s work and insights, you can connect with him on social media:
• LinkedIn: Akash Goel
• X: @akashgoel
• Instagram: @akashgoel85
