Practicing Medicine 3.0: My Personalized and Proactive Approach to Longevity Medicine
As a physician deeply inspired by Dr. Peter Attia and his groundbreaking work in longevity medicine and a physician deeply humbled by witnessing thousands of humans during the last decade of life as a retired hospitalist, I’ve chosen to embrace a proactive, preventative, and highly personalized approach to healthcare. My medical practice is built on optimizing Healthspan and extending not just Lifespan. What’s the difference? Lifespan refers to— the length of life — and Healthspan — the quality of life during those years. I am fascinated by the evolving paradigms of Medicine 3.0, where we shift from reactive disease management to proactive health optimization, a model that aligns seamlessly with the technological advancements of Tech 3.0.
Redefining Medicine: From Reactive to Preventative
Traditional medicine, often called Medicine 2.0, primarily focuses on diagnosing and treating disease after it appears. Whilewe have saved countless lives, it’s interesting when viewed through the lens of longevity and quality of life. Medicine 3.0, on the other hand, is about using technology, advanced diagnostic tools, and lifestyle interventions to prevent disease and enhance vitality. There are tough questions that arise in both Medicine 2.0 and 3.0 that evidence does not have the answers to like “how often do i need this test?” or “why did this happen?” or “did they get the right tissue sample during the biopsy?” AND yes — there is a balance and a fine between information providing anxiety and fear-mongering that is crippling and being proactive and preventative to your health. I believe I am a great boundary setter for my patients. My patients trust themselves first and foremost and they trust and choose me to be 50/50 partners for their health.
My passion lies in trust and transparency with Health and WellBeing. Ideally we are identifying potential risks long before they manifest as chronic clinical conditions. It’s an approach that’s not for everyone, as it demands a significant commitment to regular testing, lifestyle changes, and a willingness to invest in long-term health and hearing when too much is too much. But for those who want to take control of their future, it offers incredible opportunities to live better, longer lives.
The Tools of Precision Medicine
In my practice, I recommend several advanced tests and assessments to provide a comprehensive picture of a patient’s health. Here are some of the tools I use:
Annual and Specialized Blood Tests
Lipoprotein(a) (LP(a)) Test: This one-time test determines a person’s genetic risk for cardiovascular disease.
ApoB Levels: A more precise measure of heart disease risk than traditional LDL cholesterol levels.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test with Insulin Measurements: A sensitive test for detecting pre-diabetes, more effective than hemoglobin A1c.
Complete Blood Count (CBC): To check hemoglobin, white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet levels.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): To assess liver and kidney function, glucose levels, and electrolytes.
ApoE Genotype Testing: A one-time test to evaluate genetic risk for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Additional Markers: Homocysteine, high-sensitivity CRP, oxidized LDL, oxidized lipids, fibrinogen, and estradiol levels.
Imaging and Diagnostics
Liver Ultrasound: To assess for fatty liver disease, a common and preventable condition.
Coronary Calcium Scan: To detect early signs of heart disease.
DEXA Scans: Annual assessments to monitor bone density and muscle mass.
Full-Body MRI: For comprehensive imaging and early detection of abnormalities.
Fitness and Functionality Assessments
One of the most meaningful surveys I learned about with Dr. Peter Attia’s practice at Early Medical is learning someones Centenarian Decathlon checklist. This checklist is a series of questions — a personalized framework — that patients read and check through, to decide what they want to achieve in their last decade of life. We all know we don’t want to be incapacitated or dependent but when we get really specific on what “freedom” or “I want to be healthy” means, the more specific the better it gets! For instance, do you wish to lift a 30-pound child, continue ballroom dancing, or place a suitcase in the overhead bin of an airplane? These goals inform a highly tailored health plan. It is fascinating and highly correlateable to defining what financial freedom means to you.
We also assess functional fitness through:
Core stability exercises. Get up and go exercise.
Grip strength testing.
Concentric and eccentric loading exercises.
Yoga and dynamic neuromuscular stabilization.
These assessments ensure that patients not only live long lives but maintain strength, flexibility, and independence well into their later years.
A Foundation in Lifestyle Medicine
Testing alone is not enough; the foundation of my practice is lifestyle optimization, rooted in the five pillars of well-being:
Sleep: The cornerstone of health, influencing everything from recovery to cognitive performance.
Exercise: The most powerful longevity drug, incorporating strength training, cardio, and mobility work.
Nutrition: A personalized approach, focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods tailored to the individual.
Social Connection: Fostering meaningful relationships for mental and emotional health.
Mental Health and Stress Management: Building resilience through mindfulness, therapy, and stress reduction strategies.
The Value of Prevention
As a longevity-focused physician, I believe in addressing potential issues before they become full-blown diseases. For example, detecting pre-diabetes with advanced testing allows for intervention years before a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes would occur under traditional methods. Similarly, identifying cardiovascular risk through ApoB or LP(a) testing empowers patients to make proactive changes to mitigate their risk significantly tailored to them rather than vague guidelines.
Inspired by Peter Attia and Medicine 3.0
Much of my approach is inspired by Dr. Peter Attia’s book, Outlive, which delivers such a revolutionary change to Medicine. I’m constantly updating my methods based on the latest evidence and guidelines. By combining advanced diagnostics, personalized care, and lifestyle modifications, I hope to empower my patients to live longer, healthier lives full of vitality and purpose.
If you’re ready to embrace a proactive approach to your health, let’s work together to build your path to longevity. Schedule a free 15 min consultation to determine if we are a fit. Your future self will thank you.
