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Fact check: What is Dr. Casey Means' expertise in the field of health and wellness?

Checked on August 16, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Dr. Casey Means is a Stanford-trained physician who has established herself as a prominent figure in metabolic health and wellness [1] [2]. She currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Levels Health, a biotech company that provides real-time continuous glucose monitoring to help individuals optimize their health [3] [4].

Her expertise centers on several key areas:

  • Metabolic health and functional medicine - focusing on preventing chronic diseases through lifestyle interventions [3] [2]
  • Nutrition and lifestyle medicine - understanding root causes of metabolic dysfunction [3]
  • Preventative medicine and health optimization - transitioning from traditional surgery practice to preventative approaches [4]

Dr. Means has authored a book titled "Good Energy" that focuses on measuring and boosting metabolic health [3]. She maintains a strong online presence as a wellness influencer and has been featured in various media outlets [5]. Most significantly, she has been nominated to serve as the United States Surgeon General [6] [1] [2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question fails to capture the significant controversy surrounding Dr. Means' nomination and approach to health. While Stanford School of Medicine recognizes her as a distinguished graduate with clinical performance and leadership qualities [1], there is substantial criticism from the medical establishment.

Experts have raised serious concerns about her views on health and science, describing them as "pseudoscientific and misleading" [6]. This represents a major divide in the medical community regarding her qualifications and approach to health and wellness.

The analyses reveal that Dr. Means transitioned from traditional surgical practice to focus on preventative medicine and health optimization [4], which may explain why her approaches differ from conventional medical practice. Her role at Levels Health, a commercial biotech company, also adds a business dimension to her health advocacy that wasn't mentioned in the original question.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself is neutral and doesn't contain misinformation, but it lacks crucial context about the polarized reception of Dr. Means' work in the medical community. By asking only about her "expertise," the question doesn't acknowledge that her expertise is actively disputed by medical professionals who view her approaches as problematic [6].

The question also doesn't reveal that she has a commercial interest through her role at Levels Health, which could influence her health recommendations and create potential conflicts of interest when promoting continuous glucose monitoring and metabolic health approaches [3] [4].

Additionally, the framing suggests seeking validation of expertise without acknowledging that her nomination for Surgeon General has been criticized specifically because experts question whether her approach represents sound medical science [6]. This omission could lead to an incomplete understanding of her standing within the broader medical community.

Want to dive deeper?
What is Dr. Casey Means' educational background in medicine and health?
How does Dr. Casey Means' work at Levels Health impact the field of metabolic health?
What are Dr. Casey Means' views on the importance of continuous glucose monitoring for health and wellness?