Most of us want to live longer lives. But even more important than the number of years lived is the number of years lived in good health. Improving this metric, which is called your healthspan, is at the core of what we do at Oasis Vein & Vitality.
Dr. Steven Mehta and our team offer longevity medicine, a form of personalized, preventive care with the goal of optimizing your health, preventing chronic disease and slowing the aging process, inside and out. In this post, we’ll be discussing how our approach works and who can benefit from it.
What is Longevity?
In an article published in the Science of Aging Knowledge Environment, researchers stated that “longevity is the ability to live a long life beyond the species-specific average age of death.” However, the definition doesn’t account for how those extra years are lived. Are they spent in and out of the hospital while suffering from a degenerative disease or chasing after grandkids and pursuing hobbies?
That’s where the concept of a healthspan comes into play. In the United States, the average lifespan is currently 77.5 years and, according to the World Health Organization, the number of years people can expect to live in good health is 66.1.
As you can see from these numbers, a person’s healthspan is often shorter than their lifespan. At Oasis Vein & Vitality, we attempt to close the gap so patients can live high-quality lives longer.
How Does Longevity Medicine Work?
Longevity medicine takes a proactive, preventive approach to aging and disease. Instead of treating symptoms, it seeks to address the root causes of conditions.
At Oasis Vein & Vitality, Dr. Mehta starts the process with an in-depth consultation and bloodwork. He orders extensive lab testing to identify biomarkers like inflammation, cellular deterioration, and nutritional and hormonal deficiencies. This tells him how you’re aging now and how you will age in the future.
He uses the findings from your labwork and consultation to get the full picture of your health. He then provides the precise interventions necessary to restore balance on the cellular level. This may help to prevent chronic disease or reverse disease processes.
What Types of Treatments are Involved?
So how exactly can you optimize your physical health and longevity? The beauty of our precision medicine approach is that recommendations and interventions are tailored specifically to your unique biological needs. Options may include:
Hormone Optimization
For many, treatment starts with hormone optimization. Hormones (i.e., thyroid, testosterone, progesterone, estrogen, etc.) impact every system in the body. Keeping hormone levels in a youthful state is one of the most important things you can do to slow the aging process and maintain excellent function.
Dr. Mehta offers bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for men and women. These hormones mimic the ones your body produces, so they provide relief and balance without the same risk associated with synthetic hormones.
Patients often find that bioidentical hormone treatment reduces fatigue, supports mental clarity, improves sleep and libido, boosts metabolism and preserves lean muscle mass.
Weight Loss
Maintaining a healthy body weight is a powerful way to reduce your risk of many chronic diseases. Dr. Mehta offers a weight loss program to help patients achieve sustainable results.
If this is part of your treatment plan, you’ll receive personalized nutritional coaching and regular oversight. Depending on your needs, your program may or may not include prescription GLP-1 medication, such as Semaglutide, or targeted supplementation to improve insulin resistance and control appetite.
Cardiovascular Guidance
Cardiovascular and metabolic health influence longevity as well. Dr. Mehta relies on his background as a double board-certified cardiologist to offer cardiovascular guidance.
The program includes a personalized plan to control cardiometabolic risk factors (high blood pressure, insulin resistance, high cholesterol) to reduce your risk of developing or worsening heart disease.
Epigenetic Testing and Coaching
Epigenetics looks at how lifestyle and environment alter gene expression. Basically it boils down to the fact that you can’t change your DNA but you can change your habits and surroundings to influence whether certain genes are activated or suppressed.
If you opt for epigenetic testing, the lab will analyze your genetic makeup and markers linked to aging and disease. Through coaching, Dr. Mehta will then help you turn specific gene expressions on or off to ward off diseases you’re predisposed to, slow aging and enhance your overall health.
The focus will depend on your genetics, however, it could include sleep optimization, exercise and diet recommendations, hormone optimization, supplements, stress management and more.
Peptide Therapy
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that bind to cell receptors, triggering an array of biological responses, from collagen production to muscle growth.
Peptide therapy allows Dr. Mehta to target specific receptors, improving the corresponding body functions. Different peptides can be used for:
- Immune system support
- Hair restoration
- Skin rejuvenation
- Muscle building
- Hormonal balance
- Metabolic support
- Cognitive enhancement
- Accelerated healing
- Joint and muscle pain relief
- Chronic disease management
- Cognitive enhancement
Targeted Supplements
Over-the-counter supplements have their uses but they are often a one-dose-fits-all solution. Unfortunately, they’re also not regulated by the FDA so there can be purity, safety and efficacy concerns.
Your personalized treatment plan at Oasis Vein & Vitality may include medical-grade supplements. Whether Dr. Mehta recommends a supplement to control blood sugar, augment hormones or address a nutritional deficiency, it will be based on your labwork and tailored to your needs.
What Age Should I Start?
You’re never too young or too old to optimize your health and longevity. Middle age is a turning point for many and starting a longevity program in your 40s and 50s can influence how you age in the second half of life.
That said, beginning in your 30s maximizes the benefits and may help you avoid many chronic diseases altogether while starting in your 60s or 70s can improve your health and slow the rate of decline.
What are the Benefits of Longevity Medicine?
Aside from potentially helping you live longer, longevity medicine may also:
- Extend the number of years lived free of serious disease and disability
- Prevent chronic disease
- Reverse disease processes that have already occurred
- Optimize your cognitive and physical performance
- Slow age-related decline
- Boost energy levels
- Enhance sexual health
- Help you look more youthful
- Improve your overall wellness and vitality
The Bottom Line
While we can’t stop aging completely, we can provide precise, data-driven interventions to slow the rate of decline and prevent chronic disease. Longevity medicine offers a tailored approach to extending the number of years lived in good health and vitality.
Ready to Optimize Your Longevity, Health and Wellness?
Oasis Vein & Vitality is a leader in longevity medicine in Scottsdale and Prescott, AZ. If you’re interested in exploring healthier aging, schedule an assessment with Dr. Mehta today.
