Lecture on Functional Medicine and Longevity

Introduction

• Speaker introduces Adam, a friend and functional medicine practitioner.
• Adam's specialties include:
  • Acute and chronic disease management
  • Autoimmune issues
  • Longevity
  • Hormone imbalance and management
  • Weight loss management
  • Supportive cancer care and cognitive decline prevention
• Adam's background:
  • Naturopathic medical doctor from Bastyr University
  • Affiliations with several naturopathic associations

Functional Medicine vs. Traditional Medicine

• Functional Medicine Approach:

  • Looks at the body as a complex, interconnected system
  • Aims to prevent future issues and optimize health
  • Focuses on personalized treatment plans
  • Deep dives into patient's history and genetics

• Benefits of Functional Medicine:

  • Prevention and optimization over reaction
  • Personalized care based on genetics and detailed lab tests
  • Focus on optimal health rather than just normal ranges

Key Lab Tests in Functional Medicine

• Blood Sugar Tests:

  • Fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c
  • Insulin levels for a comprehensive understanding

• Hormone Evaluation:

  • Women: Estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone
  • Men: Total and free testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin

• Heart Health Tests:

  • Lipid panels: Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides
  • Additional tests: Apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein A1

• Inflammatory Markers:

  • High sensitivity C-reactive protein (HSCRP)
  • Homocysteine

Longevity and Health Span

• Physical Retirement Plan:

  • Investments in muscle and bone density, cardiovascular strength

• Importance of Sleep:

  • Sleep quality impacts inflammation and cholesterol levels
  • Strategies to improve sleep:
    • 12-3-2-1 strategy for caffeine, work, meals, and water
    • Importance of a cool and dark sleeping environment

• Community and Connection:

  • Significant for longevity as seen in Blue Zones
  • Impacts stress and hormonal regulation

Diet and Nutrition

• Common Diet Advice:

  • Avoid trans fats and processed foods
  • Eat every color of the rainbow daily for antioxidant benefits
  • Maintain adequate fiber intake
  • Manage sugar intake
  • Protein intake tailored to age and activity level

• Supplementation Considerations:

  • Food first approach
  • Consider environmental toxin exposure
  • Personalized based on lab results

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

• Discussion on HRT:
  • Current research shows minimal cancer risk increase
  • Benefits for cardiovascular health must be weighed
  • Importance of personalized evaluation (genetic testing and family history)

Questions and Answers

• Supplement Quality:

  • Importance of stability testing and core biopsies
  • Recommendations for independent testing agencies

• Protein Intake:

  • Relationship to muscle mass, kidney function, and longevity

• Finding a Suitable Diet:

  • Consideration of genetics and personal response to food

Conclusion

• Encouragement to seek personalized medical advice and testing
• Emphasis on the integration of lifestyle, diet, and personalized medicine for optimal health outcomes.