Longevity medicine provides a preventive approach to aging gracefully and focuses on reducing risk factors for chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and cognitive decline/neurologic illness. A good longevity focus includes supporting heart health, strong bones, and a sharp mind.
The greatest threat right now to aging is not cancer or heart disease, but Alzheimer’s Disease. It is estimated that 1 in 3 women will suffer and die due to Alzheimer’s Disease. There are currently 6 million people diagnosed with this disease and is estimated to increase by 200% by the year 2030.
This is a personal interest as my mother could not remember me the last 2 years of her life due to Alzheimer’s Disease. Her life seemed to be a nightmare.
Often by the time of diagnosis, Alzheimer’s Disease began developing an average of 20 years prior, proving the significance of longevity medicine.
Aging is related to the mitochondria, or the powerhouse of the cell. We inherit our mitochondria from our mothers, meaning that you can inherit any genetic problems or conditions associated with the mitochondria. However, many medical providers do not even test for these inherited gene issues. Mitochondrial dysfunction can also be caused by poor diet, environmental exposure, and certain diseases or medical conditions. Longevity medicine relies on excellent mitochondrial strength, which can be achieved with supplements, a healthy diet, exercise, stress management, peptides, detoxing, IV therapy, and avoidance of practices that may damage or reduce mitochondrial function. When treating and preventing Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia, I focus on the 5 major causes: genetics and lifestyle factors, diet, sleep, exercise, and environmental exposures.
Longevity medicine also focuses on supporting a healthy lifespan with the use of hormone therapy. I proudly accept and acknowledge the nickname I have been given by many patients and colleagues as the “Hormone Queen” or the “Hormone Whisperer”. I customize all hormone therapies specific to the patient. My treatments may include herbs, homeopathics, and bio-identical hormone replacement.
Being a DES daughter, I had many health challenges throughout my life and hormones along with healthy aging were important to me both personally and as a medical provider. After being exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning and toxic mold exposure, I was challenged to run a medical practice and become one of the only primary care naturopathic doctors in our area. I completed all this while being a single mother to a young child and could not have accomplished all that I have without the balance and support of hormone pathways.
My reputation of specializing in adrenal fatigue, thyroid and hormone issues drew patients in from all around the country. In 2007, while practicing in the Mt Hope Plaza, I was interviewed by Hugh Down’s team and Susan Somers’ team about my practice in bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and the Human Growth Hormone (HGH). I later became a referral physician for Susan Somers’ books Breakthrough, Eight Steps to Wellness, and Knocked Out.
This encouraged me to continue my education and practice as my naturopathic primary care practice had transformed into a nationally recognized anti-aging practice. I have since begun focusing my training on Endocrinology by taking courses through the International Society of Endocrinology and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M).