We know aging is inevitable, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re destined for decrepitude.  There are numerous lifestyle factors that can support longevity and contribute to maintaining mental, social, and physical well-being.

Dr. Bob Rountree recently joined me for a live Q&A-style webinar hosted by CrossFit Health with a focus on the science behind healthy aging, and I’m sharing that content here.

Dr. Rountree is widely regarded as an expert in functional medicine and is one of the original core members of the Institute for Functional Medicine faculty.   At his Boulder-based wellness center, he practices integrative medicine, blending traditional family medicine, nutrition, medical herbology, and mind-body therapy. 

You can join me live for next month’s webinar featuring Dr. Gabrielle Lyon on December 9 at 6 PM Eastern.  Keep an eye out on CrossFit.com for registration details.

Related Episodes:

Ep 202 - Environmental Toxins and Your Health with Jackie Bowen + Oliver Amdrup

Ep 112 - Eating for Longevity with Dr. Valter Longo

To learn more about CrossFit Health and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit health.crossfit.com.

If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice.  I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Spending just 15-20 minutes in nature 3 times per week can contribute to a host of physical and psychological benefits, including:

• An increase in natural killer cells which support the immune system, prevent cancer, and speed recovery

Longer exposures are important as well.  Full-day immersions create benefits that can last up to 30 days!

Try these tips to start incorporating nature into your regular routine:

• Detach from your devices daily.

To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit care.crossfit.com.

If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday.

Nina Hersher is CEO of The Digital Wellness Institute and co-founder of the Digital Wellness Collective, a global trade association of digital wellness experts and organizations collaborating to enhance human relationships through the intentional use and development of technology.

She holds a specialized Masters of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis in Norms of Connectivity and Reconceptualizing Human Development in the 21st Century, and holds additional credentials as an Oasis in the Overwhelm facilitator, Teen Outreach Program facilitator, and meditation teacher.

She is passionate about sharing best practices for consuming and integrating technology into our lives in a way that protects our mental health in a fast-paced world.

In this episode, Nina shares best practices for digital flourishing, including ways to set up your environment to minimize distractions, tools you can use to protect your physical health, and her tips for setting boundaries around social media.

You can connect with Nina via Instagram @digitalwellbeing.  You can learn more about her work at DigitalWellnessInsitute.com, and you can assess your own digital flourishing habits here.

Resources:

Ep 139 - ​​Stress: The Elephant in the Room with Dr. George Slavich

If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday.

Chronic inflammation: It's a term we hear all the time, but just what is it, and what causes it?  Check out these tips from Mike Mallin, MD, to figure out whether you're experiencing chronic inflammation.

And if you are, here are some tactics you can use to address it:

- Make sure you're getting recovery and not over-exercising.

-Focus on improving sleep quality and quantity.

-Consume a healthy diet consisting of a variety of whole, well-sourced foods.

To learn more about CrossFit Health and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit health.crossfit.com.

If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday.

Healthcare practitioners discuss the applications of using genomics to improve health and performance.  Panelists Dr. Matt Dawson and Dr. Mike Mallin provide background on the science behind genomics and precision care, describe how this cutting-edge form of medicine can inform lifestyle choices, and explain why genomics is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to optimizing health.

The panel was part of a series of conversations hosted by CrossFit Health at the 2021 CrossFit Games.

You can connect with the featured panelists via Instagram:

Julie Foucher, MD - Family Physician @juliefoucher

Matt Dawson, MD - CrossFit Precision Care @wildhealthmd

Mike Mallin, MD - CrossFit Precision Care @mikemallin

Ep 217 - Revolutionizing Healthcare: CrossFit Precision Care

If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday.

What is precision medicine? In short, it's a data-driven approach to healthcare that recognizes we're all unique and a one-size-fits-all approach to care doesn't work for everyone.

Mike Mallin, MD, explains how precision medicine providers take your genetics, epigenetics, biomarkers, and unique risk factors into account as they develop a comprehensive plan designed to help you achieve your overall health goals.

To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient, visit care.crossfit.com. 

If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday.

Lucy Mailing is a microbiome researcher, educator, and passionate scholar of integrative, evidence-based gut health.

She received her Bachelor’s in Biology from Kalamazoo College and her PhD in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois. Lucy has authored several peer-reviewed journal articles related to the microbiome and health and was named an Emerging Leader in Nutritional Sciences by the American Society for Nutrition in 2017.

On her website, lucymailing.com, Lucy shares content dedicated to integrative, evidence-based articles about the microbiome, gut and skin health, and nutrition science. She is a nationally recognized speaker on gut health and one of the most trusted experts in the integrative health space.

I have been following Lucy’s research for years, and I was excited to sit down with her to discuss how the microbiome impacts virtually every aspect of our health.  We talk about factors that impact the gut lining, methods we can use to screen for intestinal permeability and gut dysbiosis, and actions we can take to support our microbiome.

You can connect with Dr. Mailing via Instagram @lucymailingphd

Ep 189 - Chris Kresser on HPA Axis Dysfunction and the Stress Response

If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday.

"The idea that CrossFit is dangerous is actually not supported in the scientific literature," says Amy West, MD. Her number-one tip for avoiding injury: "Check your ego at the door." Other suggested strategies include seeking out supervision to make sure you're moving properly, knowing your own limits, and paying attention to recovery.

Healthcare practitioners, cancer advocates and a cancer survivor discuss the applications of CrossFit for individuals diagnosed with cancer.  They share their personal connection to cancer, the impact of exercise on cancer prevention and treatment, and ideas on how we can build a bridge between fitness providers and healthcare to better support cancer survivors.  The panel was part of a series of conversations hosted by CrossFit Health at the 2021 CrossFit Games.

You can connect with the featured panelists via Instagram:

Julie Foucher, MD - Family Physician @juliefoucher

Fran Whitfeld -  Trainer with Stage IV Breast Cancer @franwhitfield

Allison Betof Warner, MD - Exercise Oncologist @jockmeetsnerd

Zionna Hanson - Barbells for Boobs Founder @zionna

Scott Britton - Battle Cancer Founder @battle.cancer

Ep 203 - Using CrossFit to Battle Cancer with Scott Britton

If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday.

Wearable devices can measure the variability between the beats of your heart and can indicate how relaxed you are-- "an objective measure of how chill you are," says Mike Mallin, MD. The more variability the better.  

Dr. Mallin and I discuss our top 5 tips to increase heart rate variability.

1. Sleep- a regular bedtime & at least an 8-hour sleep opportunity every night

To learn more about CrossFit Health and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient, visit health.crossfit.com. 

If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday.