Latest news with #InstituteforFunctionalMedicine
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
He is 79 and thriving: Student of two-time Nobel laureate reveals 4 daily habits that could add years to your life
At 79, Jeffrey Bland isn't just a survivor of time—he's a torchbearer of a healthier, wiser way of living. Widely celebrated as the 'father of functional medicine ,' Bland has spent decades asking a deceptively simple but revolutionary question: Can healthcare shift its gaze from treating disease to preventing it altogether? It's a philosophy rooted in his time under the mentorship of two-time Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling, during his tenure at the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine in the 1980s. That foundational experience led to the co-founding of the Institute for Functional Medicine in 1991 with his wife, Susan, and later, the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute. Now, at nearly eight decades of life, Bland not only continues to shape the future of medicine—he lives its ideals every single day. Health Begins with Self-Worth For Bland, health isn't just physical—it begins in the mind. 'I think you need to start off each day believing that you're worthy of good health,' he told CNBC Make It in a feature highlighting his daily habits. This small but mighty shift in mindset is what he considers the foundation of longevity. 'To wake up and say you're grateful for another day—that sets the context for everything that follows.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Investigadora argentina revela hallazgos sobre el magnesio Salud Esencial Leer más Undo Jeffrey Bland, 79, known as the 'father of functional medicine,. An Hour a Day Keeps the Doctor Away Bland dedicates at least one hour daily to physical activity. Whether it's run-walking, aerobic exercises, or using the Pilates reformer with his wife, movement is non-negotiable. 'It doesn't have to be extreme,' he says, 'but it does need to be intentional.' He also advocates keeping a health journal—a simple but powerful tool to track what works best for your body. From meal choices to exercise routines and sleep patterns, monitoring personal trends can offer insight into sustaining energy and health over time. You Might Also Like: Longevity decoded: 70-year-old cardiologist reveals the one change that made him stronger than ever Eat the Rainbow, Literally One of Bland's strongest dietary principles is colour. Not in plating aesthetics—but in nutritional value . 'Colourful fruits and vegetables are rich in phytonutrients ,' he explains. These natural compounds, which give foods their vibrant hues, are linked to reduced risks of chronic illnesses including heart disease, cancer, and cognitive decline. From crimson strawberries to deep-green kale, Bland's meals are nature's palette, designed not just for satisfaction but for cellular health. Unwind with Intention Work never ends—but Bland believes how we close our days is crucial. He commits one hour before bedtime to 'meditating relaxation.' For him, that usually means recreational reading—preferably books about nature or adventure, far from the day's technical literature. 'I don't go to sleep thinking about that last email,' he says. Instead, he chooses mental stillness—a pause from constant cognitive load, and a signal to the body that it's time to rest and restore. You Might Also Like: Want to live longer? Forget expensive experiments; longevity doctor reveals simple secrets to a healthier, happier life Live Beyond Yourself Perhaps the most moving element of Bland's approach to health is his unwavering sense of purpose. Functional medicine, for him, is not just a profession—it's a calling. Whether through research, spirituality, or giving back, he stresses the importance of finding something that connects you to a greater cause. 'It's about recognising that you are part of a much broader system,' he says. 'Whatever you contribute is always going to be there.' In a world obsessed with shortcuts and biohacks, Jeffrey Bland offers a quieter, more profound path to well-being. It's not about chasing youth, but cultivating habits that honour the body, stimulate the mind, and feed the soul. And at 79, the student of a Nobel laureate proves that true health isn't achieved through gimmicks—but through gratitude, movement, nourishment, and a purpose that lives beyond the self.
CNBC
2 days ago
- Health
- CNBC
I'm 79 years old and the ‘father of functional medicine': Here's my daily routine for a healthy life
Jeffrey Bland, 79, is considered the "father of functional medicine." He's devoted most of his lifetime to studying the origins of diseases to focus on prevention in healthcare. The main question Bland's research looks to answer is this one: "Could we move to a form of healthcare where we're spending more time worrying about and focusing on how to keep a person from being sick than just treating the sick downstream?" In 1991, he launched the Institute for Functional Medicine with his wife, Susan, to build off of the research he did under two-time Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling at the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine in the 1980s. He later launched the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute, of which he is the founder and president. Bland turned 79 earlier this year and still practices a lot of what he's learned is helpful for living a long, healthy life. Here's what he does every day to stay in good health. Bland begins with his mindset. "I think you need to start off each day believing that you're worthy of good health," he says. "For me, the first thing is to wake up every morning and just say how grateful you are to be there, to have another day and to do the best job you can and be healthy through your activities," he says. "That sets the context for everything that follows." Every day, Bland does something that's good for his body. "I try to get at least an hour of some kind of physical activity," he says. "It could be run-walking, it could be some kind of aerobics. My wife [and I] have a reformer at home for Pilates." Bland also suggests keeping a health journal. Track your eating habits, goals you've set to improve your overall health and how you're spending the hour a day you're designating for physical activity. Through monitoring your daily behaviors, you can determine which foods, exercises, sleep habits and more tend to make you feel your best. When it comes to his diet, Bland says he focuses on adding more color to his meals. Colorful fruits and vegetables, like strawberries and kale, have phytonutrients that give the foods their distinct colors and tastes, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Eating plant foods that have phytonutrients can decrease your chances of developing chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and cancer, the Harvard blog reports. Flavonoids have also been associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline. Bland schedules at least an hour each day for "meditating relaxation" before bed. "For me, it's recreational reading. My job forces me to do a lot of technical reading," he says. When he reads for fun, Bland particularly enjoys books about nature and adventure. "I don't go to sleep thinking about that last email or that last article or that last thing I was writing," he says. Bland's work in functional medicine gives him a sense of purpose that extends beyond just himself, he says. He's learned that whether its work, spirituality or philanthropy, having a purpose that positively impacts many, and connects him with others, is necessary for him to feel fulfilled in life. It's important to have "something that takes you out of the focus on yourself to the fact that you are part of this much broader system that is going to be here after you," he says. Contributing to his legacy daily fuels him: "Whatever you contribute is always going to be there."
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Who is Casey Means? Donald Trump's new pick for US surgeon general
Trained at Stanford University (undergraduate and medical school) and held research roles at NIH, NYU, OHSU and Stanford. Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer at Levels, a health tech firm focused on metabolic fitness. Author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Good Energy: The Surprising Connection between Metabolism and Limitless Health. Associate Editor of the International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention. Promotes functional medicine and is affiliated with the Institute for Functional Medicine. and is affiliated with the Institute for Functional Medicine. Advocates for reduced consumption of processed foods and believes most chronic illnesses are caused by lifestyle and dietary choices. While she distances herself from anti-vaccine rhetoric, she supports revisiting vaccine safety regulations and increasing legal accountability for drugmakers. Describes herself as a regenerative gardener and outdoor enthusiast, with a personal mission to promote consciousness, health and planetary well-being. President Donald Trump has nominated Dr Casey Means , a former surgeon-turned-wellness entrepreneur, to be the next US Surgeon General, replacing his initial pick, Dr Janette Nesheiwat. In a statement on social media, Trump praised Means as having 'impeccable MAHA credentials,' referring to the administration's 'Make America Healthy Again' agenda. He called her 'absolutely outstanding,' claiming she could become one of the finest Surgeon Generals in US Means, who has no previous government experience, is closely aligned with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., having advised his short-lived 2024 presidential campaign alongside her brother Calley Means. Both siblings have become influential figures in Trump's broader health agenda, regularly appearing on platforms alongside conservative voices like Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan. Calley Means is now a White House previous nominee, Dr Nesheiwat, was withdrawn from Senate consideration following reports about her credentials and an ongoing malpractice case. She had also faced public criticism from Trump allies, including activist Laura Loomer. With doubts around her confirmation, the White House quietly pulled her Means is known for her criticism of the traditional healthcare system and pharmaceutical industry. Her mission, as described on her website, is to reverse preventable diseases and empower individuals to take control of their own health.
Los Angeles Times
01-04-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
The 3-Day Hormone Reset Diet: Balancing Your Health Naturally with Food and Lifestyle Changes
There's no denying that modern life messes with our hormones. From stress to processed food to poor sleep, we're constantly navigating internal chaos that leaves us tired, bloated, moody — and often wondering, What happened to my energy? Good news: there's a way to get back in sync. And it doesn't involve expensive detox kits, hormone injections, or giving up coffee. The secret lies in simple, thoughtful shifts in how you eat, sleep, move, and hydrate. Enter the 3-Day Hormone Reset Diet, a gentle, whole-food-based plan designed to help your body recalibrate using science-backed strategies that nourish from the inside out. Hormones are the chemical messengers that regulate your metabolism, mood, energy, and more. When they're off, even just slightly, it can impact everything from sleep quality to skin health to how easily you lose (or gain) weight. Factors like poor nutrition, stress, and inconsistent sleep can throw your hormones out of balance. Eating enough protein, engaging in regular movement, and reducing sugar and refined carb intake are foundational to hormonal health. Hormones are deeply tied to what you eat and how you live. The Institute for Functional Medicine highlights that nutrition influences hormone signaling, including insulin sensitivity and thyroid function — two key areas often affected by modern diet and lifestyle. Think of your food choices as gentle levers for your internal balance. This plan, designed by Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe, co-founder and CEO of Pendulum Therapeutics, isn't about deprivation. It's about adding in vibrant, fiber-rich foods and practicing small, sustainable habits that bring your system back into alignment. Breakfast: Avocado-berry smoothie (hello, healthy fats + antioxidants) Lunch: Colorful veggie salad with olive oil & lemon dressing Dinner: Roasted veggie and quinoa bowl Lifestyle focus: Early bedtime (aim for 8 hours of restful sleep) Why it works: Avocados and olive oil contain the kind of fats your hormones love. Bright berries and greens pack antioxidants to help lower inflammation and stabilize blood sugar, key for cortisol control. Breakfast: Overnight chia pudding with fresh berries Lunch: Leafy green wrap with hummus & veggies (fiber-rich and gut-friendly) Dinner: Stir-fry with kale, broccoli, and tofu in avocado oil Lifestyle focus: Gentle yoga or a mindful 20-minute walk Why it works: Cruciferous veggies like kale and broccoli support estrogen metabolism. Chia seeds deliver omega-3s, which help regulate inflammation and hormone production. Plus, movement boosts endorphins and serotonin, a mood-balancing win. Breakfast: Mixed berries with coconut yogurt (probiotics + antioxidants) Lunch: Lentil soup topped with pumpkin seeds (fiber + minerals) Dinner: Veggie curry with coconut milk and cauliflower rice Lifestyle focus: Hydration—herbal teas, lemon water, and plenty of H₂O Why it works: Coconut yogurt offers gut-healing probiotics. Fiber from lentils and seeds fuels beneficial gut bacteria. A happy gut means better hormone signaling, per the National Institutes of Health. Healthy fats (like avocado, olive oil, and nuts) are essential for making steroid hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Fats are also said to help regulate hunger hormones like leptin and ghrelin. Antioxidant-rich produce like berries, leafy greens, and root vegetables reduce oxidative stress, which disrupts hormone production. Eating the rainbow is more than a cute concept, it's a science-backed strategy for hormone harmony. 'From coloring your plate to minimizing ultra-processed foods... hydration and sleep are obvious but powerful ones,' says Dr. Cutcliffe. 'Fiber really is the closest thing we have to a superpower right now.' Cortisol (the stress hormone) throws off insulin and estrogen when elevated long-term. Prioritizing 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night is one of the most hormone-healing moves you can make. A gentle overnight fast (12–14 hours) helps rebalance insulin sensitivity and supports cellular repair. This type of intermittent fasting gives your gut (and your hormones) a much-needed break. Prebiotic fibers (found in artichokes, garlic, flaxseeds, and leafy greens) feed your gut microbiota, key players in metabolizing estrogen, thyroid hormones, and cortisol. 'A diet high in fiber and polyphenols will ensure a diverse gut microbiome that is metabolically healthy,' Dr. Cutcliffe explains. Exercise helps reduce cortisol and increases feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. A brisk daily walk or slow flow yoga session isn't just good for your body, it's medicine for your mood. Refined carbs and added sugars create spikes in insulin and inflammation, which disrupt hormone signaling. The Institute for Functional Medicine confirms that ultra-processed foods negatively influence estrogen, insulin, and thyroid hormones. Your body uses water to flush out excess hormones and toxins. It also supports metabolic pathways and keeps your lymphatic system moving. Herbal teas, lemon water, and hydrating foods like cucumber and watermelon all help. If you're hoping for a single superfood or supplement to fix everything, take a deep breath because the truth is more empowering than that. 'I wish I had a golden ticket to give you that would unlock everything immediately,' says Dr. Cutcliffe. 'But there are various fairly established methods that can help... and fiber is a big one. So many Americans aren't getting enough of it in their diet.' You don't need a 30-day cleanse or a hormone panel to start supporting your body. You just need to begin — by adding more fiber, swapping in good fats, prioritizing sleep, and giving your body a break from the chemical chaos of ultra-processed foods. Your hormones aren't broken; they're just responding to your environment. And the beauty of this plan is that it works with your body, not against it. By adding in the right foods, making time for rest, moving your body gently, and drinking water like it's your new favorite accessory, you can support balance from within.
