Longevity is a very hot topic right now, but the word has its limitations. While longevity is a common quest, what most are really after is the ability to live well, for a long time, not just a long life. Some of New York’s top experts in the field gathered at The Ned Nomad the other night to discuss what longevity means to them, and the lifestyle hacks you can adopt to boost your own longevity and health.
The panel was moderated by Chris Picerni, Founder of Coast, a next generation longevity and recovery supplement supporting cellular repair and optimization through a powerful blend of NAD+, antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, electrolytes.
The panel featured Dr. Poonam Desai, a leader in the health industry working with high-profile clients worldwide and founder of a longevity center, a TEDx speaker, social media educator, consultant, and a mom. Her expertise spans precision medicine, functional medicine, anti-aging and longevity, fitness, nutrition, and health optimization.
The next panelist, Dr. Neil Paulvin is an innovative physician in the study of Functional Medicine, Integrative Sports Medicine, Regenerative medicine, Osteopathic Manipulation and Craniosacral Therapy. He works with patients to not only treat but find the root cause of autoimmune issues, thyroid and hormone imbalances, digestive and gut disorders and a number of inflammatory based conditions.
Last but not least, we heard from Dr. Gerry Curatola. With over four decades of experience as a clinician, educator, researcher, and humanitarian, Dr. Gerry Curatola is a renowned figure in biologic medicine and dentistry. Graduating from Colgate University and NYU College of Dentistry, he now shapes the future of dental professionals as an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor at NYU.Dr. Curatola expanded his knowledge through Harvard Medical School's program in complementary and alternative medicine. He's also on the Medical Advisory Board at the Bioregulatory Medical Institute (BRMI).
Key Takeaways
The Importance of Testing and Personalization
Recognizing that there is no one size fits all when it comes to longevity is key. Each panelist stressed the importance of testing to be able to personalize the right approach to optimal health.
Dr. Paulvin recommended the following tests to give a full picture of your baseline:
- Hemoglobin A1c
- Fasting insulin
- Complete metabolic panel
- Hormone panel
- Thyroid
- Cholesterol and heart biomarkers
- CRP for inflammation
- DEXA Scan (a scan to measure bone density)
Dr. Desai gave us a specific example and talked us through how her knowledge of her individual gene expression helped her optimize her day to day. For example, she knows she metabolizes coffee slowly, so she limits her caffeine intake to the morning to ensure it is not disrupting her sleep.
The Mouth / Body Connection
Stressing the idea that the mouth is a “gateway and a mirror” for our health, Dr. Curatola added the importance of the CB Dental Cone Beam scan as a testing tool which shows detailed images of the bone and is performed to evaluate diseases of the jaw, dentition, bony structures of the face, nasal cavity and sinuses. It can also detect cavitations in the bone, which is often a harbor for bacteria and source of inflammation. If left untreated, cavitations can lead to systemic health issues, such as autoimmune disease and chronic health conditions severely impacting quality of life and longevity. So, we learnt that a healthy mouth is a very important factor in overall longevity.
Gut Health & Fiber
Dr. Desai talked us through the importance of diversity in our diets, the key of whole foods and vegetables and the fact that fiber is often overlooked with the hyper focus of getting enough protein. Aim for 30 different veggies each week, your gut microbiome will thank you for the diversity you are feeding it.
With regards to protein, Dr. Desai suggested a rule of thumb of 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight. She stressed that this will vary for each individual according to their personalized health situation and goals. For those with a primarily plant-based diet, lentils and other legumes are a good source of protein.
Brain Health
Dr. Paulvin talked about brain health, and how to improve yours via exercise and sleep. Dr. Desai added that exercise is not only structured time in the gym - also take ‘exercise snacks’ throughout the day. Don’t sit for too long because for physical and mental health we need to be moving more. Dr. Paulvin further suggested hyperbaric therapy for brain health as it has been shown to support brain and cognitive function.
For supplements to support brain health, Dr. Paulvin suggested Plasmalogens, Creatine and CoQ10.
Dr. Curatola filled us in on the link between brain health and dental health. Periodontal disease has been linked to an elevated risk of stroke and cognitive decline. Studies also show that bacteria in the mouth can travel to the brain and become a factor in the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
Tips for Longevity
While all the panelists agree that a personalized course of treatment is ideal, they offered some tips that everyone can incorporate for their longevity.
- Sleep is critical. Try to go to bed and wake up each day around the same time, ideally without an alarm clock.
- Exercise consistently and move everyday.
- Practice good oral hygiene with a non-toxic toothpaste as the gums are a leading area of inflammation in the body.
- Eat 30 varieties of vegetables every week.
- Consider a longevity physical to create a customized plan.
Our panelists all live and practice in New York.
Learn more about them here:
Moderator Chris Picerni is the founder of COAST Health. Learn more here >>>