by admin | Jan 30, 2024 | health |
How much of longevity is attributable to genetic factors, and how much to family history, biomarkers, lifestyle or environment? What are the modifiable risk factors – diet, stress, exercise, medication, human connection, smoking, alcohol, the environment…? How do we define “biological age?” Do we look at changes in metabolism…vulnerability to infection…immunologic status? How does the physician’s perspective on aging compare with the perspective of the patient? Come and hear experts discuss: Cognition and the Brain: Gayatri Devi, MD, MS, FACP, FAAN, is Director, Park Avenue Neurology; Clinical Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry, Zucker School of Medicine/Northwell Health; and Attending Physician, Lenox Hill Hospital. Body Changes – Dermatology: Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH, is a board-certified dermatologic surgeon at New York’s Laser & Skin Surgery Center, a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and a member of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery. Loneliness, Anxiety, Depression, Frailty: Alan Manevitz, MD, is a clinical associate professor at Payne Whitney-Weill Cornell Medical Center and attending psychiatrist at New York Presbyterian and Lenox Hill Hospitals; he also teaches at the Weill-Cornell Medical School. Endocrine Factors and Longevity: Sofiya Milman, MD, is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Divisions of Endocrinology and Geriatrics at Albert Einstein Medical College, and is the Director of Human Longevity Studies at Einstein’s Institute for Aging Research. She is an attending physician in Endocrinology at Montefiore Hospital. Cardiac Risks, New Views on Lipids, the Upsurge in Atrial Fibrillation: Varinder Singh, MD, is Senior Vice President, Cardiology, Northwell Health (Western Region); Paul and Diane Guenther Chair in Cardiology, Lenox Hill Hospital; and Assistant Professor of Cardiology, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. MODERATOR: Steven Mandel, MD – Clinical Professor of Neurology, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. The...
by admin | Jan 2, 2024 | health |
I hope you were able to enjoy the holidays and spend quality time with loved ones and friends. This edition of the Newsletter is focused on how we can have a more creative and satisfying 2024 and in the process, make the world a better place. I was inspired to focus on this topic while listening to Barbra Streisand’s new memoir, “My Name is Barbra.”(1) The audiobook, read by the author in her honeyed voice, is an epic 48 hours long, while the hardcover book spans 992 pages! Listening to Barbra, I feel like I have experienced a Masterclass in excellence, creativity, artistic and intellectual curiosity, perseverance, social activism, relationships, dealing with challenges, and truth. Furthermore, I am energized by her qualities of purpose, passion, vision, courage, integrity, love, and vulnerability. In addition to the extraordinariness of Barbra Streisand, I also learned a great deal about two other remarkable human beings this year, the late Leonard Bernstein and the late J. Robert Oppenheimer, via the movies, “Maestro“ and Oppenheimer.” Bernstein and Oppenheimer share many of the positive attributes I describe for Streisand. To have a finer 2024, how can we embody the characteristics of these three virtuosos to feel fulfilled and also make the world a better place? Here are Some Ideas: 1. Passion and Dedication–by committing to our passions, we can feel actualized and the fruits of our work can contribute to societal progress. 2. Artistic and Intellectual Excellence–by striving for excellence not perfection, we know we have done our best, and the results of our labor may enhance society.: If you are feeling very stressed, and you...
by admin | Nov 21, 2023 | health |
During the past several weeks we have witnessed ongoing violence and tragedy in the Middle East. Since that time both antisemitic and anti-Muslim hate crimes have greatly increased. I have been stressed by this turn of events, feeling the effects in my mind and body. I have spoken with friends, family, patients, and colleagues who are stressed about the conflict, hate, and violence in the world. This has caused tension among people with differing political and religious views. I have been thinking how we can process and buffer the stress so it doesn’t make us sick. How does one ground, calm, and soothe oneself in the face of fear and uncertainty? Here are Helpful Tips that may mitigate the harmful effects of fear and stress on our minds and bodies: 1. Mindset: Try and maintain a positive Mindset in the face of negativity. Do someone a good turn. Connect with friends, families, and communities for social support. 2. In the Moment Stress Relief: If you are feeling very stressed, and you are having physical symptoms such as chest pain, head pressure, or other worrisome symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. If all ok, then try this “4-7-8” Mindful Breathing technique popularized by Dr. Andrew Weil, to calm yourself down. 3. Self-Care with the Don’t Mess with Stress™ Core 4: a. Diet – Limit or avoid processed foods including sugar which can inflame your body. Eating sugar may also increase anxiety.(1) Eat a Mediterranean Diet to also decrease inflammation. (2) Make sure you drink enough water. b. Meditate or Do Yoga daily – Cultivate a daily practice to build resilience and...
by admin | Oct 5, 2023 | health |
I hope you are enjoying autumn. Fall, the transition season from summer to winter, and warm to cold weather, is a time when people tend to get sick with respiratory viruses. One explanation for this is that cooler temperatures have been found to weaken the immune response in the nasal mucosa.(1) This coupled with the increased volume of respiratory viruses such as Influenza (Flu), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and Covid-19, increase the chances of a person getting sick. To help prevent us from catching these viruses it is important to keep your nasal passages moist and warm, when possible. Drinking hot clear fluids and using a humidifier or vaporizer can help. Avoid rubbing your nose and eyes. Here are some actions you can take to strengthen your overall immunity: Follow my Don’t Mess with Stress™ protocol to fortify your resistance and resilience. 1. Diet: Eat Anti-inflammatory, nutrient dense whole foods—especially with natural vitamin C(2), a strong antioxidant–eat citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, strawberries, papaya, kiwi, and cruciferous vegetables.(3) Check out this list of foods high in vitamin C from the Cleveland Clinic.(3) a. Hydration—keep your throat moist—drink boiled hot water (let it cool down a little) and add some lemon and honey. Honey is soothing and has been shown to have anti-microbial characteristics.(4) 2. Meditation, Yoga, Breathing—Try and minimize the effects of stress. Having a persistent stress response can wreak havoc with one’s immune system.(5) Having a daily practice of meditation, yoga, and/or breathing can calm your body and help your immune system function better.(6) When in doubt, do pursed lip breathing—see how here. https://www.stress.org/how-proper-breathing-can-reduce-stress(7) 3. Walk, Move,...
by admin | Sep 1, 2023 | health, Newsletter |
I hope you have had a great summer! As its end is approaching, I have been thinking about how to savor the remaining days. Summer can be a time to slow down and reflect. It offers us a chance to literally smell the flowers. It gives us an opportunity to be more present with ourselves and others, as well as experience the beautiful things in our lives and environments. Cultivating this present-focused mindfulness enables us to get the most out of life and enhance our health and well-being.(1) (Look at this great, simple reference about mindfulness) Check out these ideas to celebrate the end of summer: 1. Take a walk in nature. Stroll through a park and notice the trees, plants, and flowers. Please see my prior Newsletter about Forest Bathing to learn about the health benefits of being in nature. 2. Go to the beach and feel your toes in the sand. Breathe in the delicious clean air. 3. Have a family picnic. 4. Go to a Farmer’s Market. Try a locally grown fruit or vegetable you have never eaten before. Have a look at handmade arts and crafts. Have fun! —————————————— Dr. Jill’s New Online Course, “Don’t Mess with Stress™ I am so excited to tell you that I will be offering my first LIVE online Don’t Mess with Stress™ Course, a 6-part course based on my best-selling book* of the same name. You will discover how to manage your stress and optimize your health, and have fun in the process! If you are having trouble dealing with stress, and also wish to feel healthier and happier,...
