236 Bamboozled by "Evidence": Go Beyond Guidelines, Read the Studies and Question Dogma with Dr. Joseph Jacko

Are we being bamboozled by “evidence”?  In episode 236 of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Joseph Jacko explains how pharmaceutic and other corporate funding skews what we are told, why absolute risk matters more than splashy headline statistics, and how a deeper understanding of hormones and our metabolism, the microbiome –brain connection, and regenerative tools can help you build real health and extend your healthspan,—not just live with and manage disease. We pull back the curtain on how corporate interests and publication bias can distort medical “evidence,” why relative risk often misleads patients and clinicians, and what it really takes to build health rather than simply manage disease. We cover functional and regenerative approaches, hormone optimization, the gut microbiome, the limits of mega-studies vs “N of 1,” and why the basics—eat, move, think, connect are still winning strategies. We also touch on hot-button topics from COVID-era data framing to statins, dementia risk signals, and why dancing may be gold for the brain.  

Dr. Joe Jacko is a physician specializing in internal medicine, sports and regenerative medicine, preventive medicine, and longevity science.  He earned his BA in Biology from Wittenberg University and his MD from The Ohio State University College of Medicine, followed by an Internal Medicine Residency at Mount Carmel Medical Center and a Sports Medicine Fellowship at the Hughston Orthopaedic Clinic.

Time Line: 

 00:00 – 04:00 — Why “live younger, longer” matters 
Dr. Jacko’s pivot from guideline-driven sick care to pursuing optimal function and prevention. 
Setting the stage: curiosity, critical thinking, and personal responsibility in health. 

04:00 – 12:00 — Systems, incentives, and the evidence we see 
How funding, training, and time pressure shape medical guidelines and clinical habits. 
Practical tip: don’t outsource thinking—ask what the recommendation is optimized for. 

12:00 – 20:00 — Risk stats & research reality checks 
Relative vs absolute risk, publication bias, and why splashy headlines often mislead. 
Nutrition mega-studies, recall bias, and learning to read beyond the abstract. 

20:00 – 28:00 — The longevity stack: basics that win 
Protein-forward nutrition; strength, cardio, balance/flexibility; connection and joy. 
Regenerative options and movement medicine for bones, brain, and metabolic health. 

28:00 – 35:00 — Meds, hormones, and the gut–brain axis 
Considering downstream effects (e.g., pathway blocking) and personalizing hormone care. 
Microbiome testing, pH context, and using “N of 1” data to tailor interventions. 

35:00 – 40:00 — Action steps & closing takeaways 
Five habits: stay curious, verify sources, seek second opinions, and think in absolutes. 

Learn about Dr. Joseph Jacko and the book: Bamboozled, Duped and Hoodwinked: Keys to
Escaping the Tricks, Deceptions, and Half-Truths of the Medical Industry

 JackoMD180.com

Contact Dr. Gillian Lockitch at [e-mail]

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