Activities that promote neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to change and adapt by forming and reorganizing neural connections, are at the forefront of dementia prevention and intervention. Regular exercise is widely known to stimulate neuroplasticity and may play a protective role against dementia, but what is less known is that dancing offers unique benefits.1,2,3 In the… Read more »
At the end of every busy season, I intentionally weave mindfulness back into my life. Usually, this takes the form of a retreat. This summer, my landing spot was the Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Marin County. Located in the scenic San Geronimo village of Woodacre, the center is built on the traditional land of… Read more »
Healthcare is changing. Across the globe, patients are becoming more proactive about their health and well-being, seeking approaches that do more than simply diagnose and treat disease. Increasingly, people want to understand the cause of illness rather than simply manage symptoms, what role their lifestyle may play in their health and how to prevent future… Read more »
I have always wanted to try a fast as the ultimate reset. But I just couldn’t swallow the thought of living on water alone. I love food and am no fun when hangry. Recently, I was introduced to the Fasting Mimicking Diet. At a conference earlier this year, the conversation turned to night sweats, a… Read more »
The future of Coachella is brighter because of the passion, leadership and service of the Coachella Valley High School Public Service Academy (PSA) students who partnered with Blue Zones Project Coachella. Together, these remarkable students contributed nearly 2,000 volunteer hours and participated in more than 25 community events, bringing health, wellness and connection to residents… Read more »
When most people think about their well-being, they think about doctors, gyms or diets. But what if one of the most powerful influences on our health and happiness is actually our favorite coffee shop, neighborhood restaurant, bookstore, salon, nonprofit or other local business? That idea sits at the heart of the work Blue Zones is… Read more »
Most of us try to make healthy choices. We eat the foods that we are told are good for us. We choose whole grains. We eat fish for protein and omega-3s. We avoid processed foods. We believe we are doing the right thing for our bodies. But sometimes, even healthy choices can carry hidden risks.… Read more »
Five years ago, family physician and functional medicine advocate Mark Hyman, MD, published Food Fix: How to Save Our Health, Our Economy, Our Communities, and Our Planet. That was a fairly positive book, loaded with solid recommendations for improving our food industry to promote healthier Americans and healthier people around the world. Although it received… Read more »
If you know me personally or follow me on social media, you know that Parkinson’s disease has had a personal impact on my life. In 2006, my beloved stepfather, John Yonushonis, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the young age of 58. His symptoms were so severe that he was forced to prematurely retire. Potentially the… Read more »
The environments we move through each day—where we live, work, eat and connect—play a powerful role in shaping our health. At Blue Zones Project (BZP), this idea is captured through the Life Radius model, which recognizes that well-being is influenced by the spaces within our daily reach. Lasting change happens when those spaces are intentionally… Read more »
Have you ever wondered why you react the way you do, and still find yourself reacting anyway? You know the pattern. You’ve reflected on it. You can explain it clearly. And yet, in the moment, your body tightens, your thoughts race, or everything goes quiet before you can intervene. This isn’t a lack of insight;… Read more »
Throughout history, many physicians have emphasized the importance of energy and frequencies in healing. In his book, The Body Electric, Nobel-nominated researcher Robert O. Becker, MD, states that “healing is fundamentally an electrical and energetic process at the cellular level.” Harvard-trained integrative pioneer Andrew Weil, MD, co-authored the book Self-Healing with Energy Medicine. These theories… Read more »
In an era where health care often focuses on treating illness after it appears, a growing movement seeks a more proactive path. People are looking for ways to understand their body’s unique language, to spot imbalances before they become problems, and to guide their journey toward sustained vitality. This is where an ancient practice, revolutionized… Read more »
Hormone health is a major pillar of functional medicine. Without healthy hormones, your overall health will be compromised. Let’s take a look at hormones that should be monitored and how each contributes to overall well-being. The thyroid runs our overall “motor” and autoimmune hypothyroidism (Hashimoto’s) is the most common of all autoimmune diseases. I have… Read more »
Daily discussions about artificial intelligence seem to paint an image of both friend and foe. Given its tremendous power to reshape our world, it is important to understand this tool and its place within an overarching strategy for health and wellness. Artificial intelligence (AI), and the large language models (LLMs) such as Claude, Chat GPT… Read more »
Peptides have exploded onto the wellness sphere, spearheaded by the use of GLP1 medications for diabetes and obesity. These drugs made over $40 BILLION in 2024! However, peptide therapy dates back to 1921, with the development of the first peptide, synthetic insulin. Over the years, therapeutic peptides have been developed for a range of conditions,… Read more »
As I witness my patients in the last decades of life, I observe that weakening immunity is a major factor for health decline in advanced age seniors. How do we maintain a healthy immune system? In addition to a healthy diet, an active lifestyle, and a diverse gut microbiome, exposure to viruses and vaccines is… Read more »
As we all sit down to draft our New Year’s resolutions, let us be mindful that our health is our greatest asset. As you dream of a prosperous 2026, full of adventure and personal growth, remember that these will be made possible on the foundation of good health. Too often, we take our health for… Read more »
Your digestive system is like a food-processing machine. After all, it is responsible for breaking down your meals, absorbing nutrients and eliminating waste. It’s home to trillions of microorganisms; it contains its own nervous system and communicates directly with your immune system, metabolism and your brain. That’s why it is so important to look after… Read more »
When it comes to health, many underestimate the “power of the plate.” However, scientific evidence on food’s ability to hinder or heal continues to grow and is now referred to as the Food as Medicine Movement. Today, that movement is larger than ever. For 15 years, Desert Health has published articles about the effects of… Read more »