First Longevity and Preventive Medicine Symposium sets precedents

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, May, 2002 by Sunny Willmington

January 18-20, 2002, MedQuest Pharmacy presented its first Longevity and Preventive Medicine Symposium (CME Accredited) at the Wyndham Buttes Resort in Tempe, Arizona. The show used scientific medical research, literature and documentation to teach and confer about preventive, anti-aging medicine.

The acclaimed speakers were true leaders in their fields; they educated and stimulated the audience with informative, dynamic lectures. The atmosphere throughout the conference was one of excitement and enthusiasm as attendees listened intently and interacted with lecturers during frequent Q&A sessions. Jaqui Bray - Founder of MedQuest Pharmacy - was thrilled to have double the anticipated participants, and plans on having one Longevity and Preventive Medicine Symposium each year, possibly two in different locations.

The lecturers of the January convention consisted of Ron Rothenberg, MD, Neal Rouzier, MD, Barry Sears, PhD and Stephen T. Sinatra, MD. The lecturing Doctors made themselves very accessible to the attendees, which helped the learning process for participating physicians. Dr. Rothenberg - Clinical Professor of Preventive and Family Medicine at USD and founder of California HealthSpan Institute - was one of the first physicians to be board certified in anti-aging medicine and is highly skilled in this field. Dr. Rothenberg lectured on the concept of "Health Span vs Lifespan," Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy, Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Controversies in Anti-Aging Medicine. Dr. Rothenberg is a frequent faculty member at various anti-aging conventions and commented that he will continue to be involved in ongoing conferences (please visit www.eHealthSpan.com for information on 2002 shows).

Dr. Rothenberg explained that a key component to the specialty of Anti-Aging is the application of the evidence of the Neuroendocrine Theory. Dr. Rothenberg described this theory. ". . . a major cause of degeneration - mental and physical aging - is the decline of hormone levels. We have the technology now to measure hormone levels and carefully replace them." Dr. Sears - author of the best selling 'Zone' series of books and President of Sears Labs - commented on what he calls "'hormonal modulation' which is to reduce those hormones that increase as we age, or increase those hormones that decrease as we age - (and this) becomes the key to longevity, but more importantly - wellness." The application of hormone replacement therapy, its benefits and side effects, were covered in detail by the faculty.

Dr. Rouzier, member of UCLA clinical faculty and director of The Preventive Medicine Clinics of the Desert, specializes in natural hormone balancing and replacement for women. Dr. Rouzier spoke on Thyroid Replacement Therapy, Estrogen and Progesterone Replacement, DHEA and Pregnenolone Replacement Therapy and Melatonin Replacement Therapy. Dr. Rouzier was outspoken in his support of natural hormone replacement as opposed to synthetic. During his first lecture, Thyroid Replacement Therapy, Dr. Rouzier presented an exhaustive series of studies and research in support of his use of natural thyroid medication (namely, Westhroid[TM]). In the very beginning of this talk Dr. Rouzier asked audience members what they prescribe for hypothyroidism - all said synthetic. By the end of this rousing lecture, doctors were clearly excited about the safety and efficacy of natural thyroid medication.

Dr. Sinatra - Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and author of The CoEnzyme Q10 Phenomenon among other books - gave three lectures on Preventive Cardiology in which he discussed the successful combination of conventional and antiaging medicines to treat patients. Dr. Sinatra commented that "this conference is not about 'is alternative medicine better than complementary medicine or conventional medicine?'- It's really just 'what is the best medicine (and) how can you best serve your patient?" Dr. Sinatra spoke with authority on the role of nutrition and neutraceuticals in preventive cardiology evaluation - covering a wide range of beneficial supplementations and lifestyle choices for a healthy heart. Dr. Sinatra focused one lecture particularly on women's heart health issues - expanding on his book Heart Sense for Women.

Dr. Sears gave two inspiring lectures based on his 'Zone' plan - Anti-Aging Zone Nutrition and The Zone Diet: How to Educate Patients (and Yourself). Dr. Sears, akin to his other faculty members, achieved his aim to "put the idea back in the mind of the physician that the patient is part of the solution... (and) maintaining wellness as opposed to basically treating disease." Dr. Sears talked about food as a drug, Paleolithic nutrition, aging and calorie restriction among other areas. Dr. Sears spoke of the healthful properties contained in fish oil and talked extensively on this essential supplement. Dr. Sears was delighted to present his data at the show and was very warmly received by the audience.