Member of the Month: Lee Light, MD, ABAARM

March 5, 2018

A4M valued member Lee Light, MD, ABAARM shares insight from his professional experience in this Member of the Month feature. 

Dr. Lee Light received his BA at University of Illinois, completing postgraduate work, internship, and residency at University of South Florida. Dr. Light has worked at a private practice in Naples since 1975, specializing in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. Dr. Light states: “Over the years I’ve seen an ever increasing need to care for the growing senior population in the Naples area. With an intense desire to not just provide medical care for my patients, but also improve their quality of life, I founded the Naples Longevity Clinic in February 2000.”

Q1: Before joining A4M, what was your medical background?

Standard allopathic medical practice, began incorporating alternative therapies in 2000 with more emphasis on diet and exercise, preventive techniques and lifestyle changes. I wanted to help patients rather than prescribe medications. I saw some patients age more rapidly than others even in my own family and wanted to learn why. Was it genetic, environmental or both?

Q2: What anti-aging techniques have you incorporated into your practice? And how did you do so?

A holistic (whole body) program with the goal of improving body function is what I practice. Proper balancing of hormones, diet, exercise, vitamins and antioxidants allows us to achieve the optimum from our bodies. These techniques as well as newer cutting edge technologies will actually prevent disease. Each of us is genetically unique and therefore this requires a program that is customized to meet our individual needs. This program is a cooperative approach between the patient the the physician.

Q3: What are the benefits of practicing Anti-Aging Medicine: as a professional, and for your practice?

Our approach to health care is innovative. The watchword of Longevity medicine is prevention. Modern medicine is excellent at treating acute problems, but is generally inadequate in truly preventing the chronic conditions that are afflicting not just our parents, but ultimately most of us. I believe that there is a better way and this is the focus of the Naples Longevity Clinic.

My patients look and feel better, they are generally more appreciative of our efforts and become more proactive in their health. Our team looks at patients as partners in health care.

Q4: What are the changes you see in your patients?

Improved energy and sense of well being, mentally perform better, joint soreness has decreased, basically their zest for life has improved. Our goal is to improve quality and quantity of their years.

Q5: Why would you recommend Anti-Aging Medicine to your peers?

You will see a difference in your patients and regain the reason you became a doctor – helping people function better.

Q6: Where do you see the future of Anti-Aging Medicine 20 years from now?

Even more emphasis on Genomics and Biotech procedures and better understanding and promotion of primary preventive medicine. True wellness.

The Landscape of Brain Diseases & Disorders

February 19, 2018

The primary issue that consumes the majority of the burden of healthcare costs in the United States is chronic disease: specifically, as of late, brain diseases and disorders. While primary care providers have long faced the struggle of determining how to implement best practice care for patients diagnosed with chronic diseases, recent studies indicate that almost half of the entire U.S. population has at least one chronic health condition. Statistics designate these health care treatments costs to account for 86% of cumulative national healthcare spending, and the CDC reports that chronic conditions are the leading causes of death and disability in the country.

While recent headlines continuously account for the monetary implications of these disorders, they also impact the very fabric of our society, as these diseases are not confined to one group of people, a specific geographic area, or a certain type of lifestyle: disorders of the brain impact not only your patients, but people you encounter each day. Moreover, the social and financial costs of these diseases are severe.

Roughly 142 Americans die from opioid overdoses each day; 2016 saw 59,000 drug overdose deaths: the highest ever on record. The economic impacts are severe, exacting more than $740 billion in annual costs.

The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s is currently at 5 million; by 2050, this number could rise as high as 16 million—costing the nation as much as $1.1 trillion.

Cases and diagnoses of ADHD have been increasing dramatically in the past few years, with the CDC reporting that 11 percent of American children have the attention disorder. The economic expenses range between $143 to $266 billion each year.

More than 3.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder; the prevalence of autism in U.S. children increased by almost 120% from 2000 to 2010, making it the fastest-growing developmental disability. Autism services cost between $236 and $262 billion each year.

These diagnoses are multifaceted, nuanced, and complex. In addition to a myriad of doctor’s visits, medical jargon, and an abundance of information, patients and their caretakers must quickly learn to navigate the healthcare system in order to identify the necessary and available services and treatments. These processes require time and resources, committed motivation, and a wealth of support. In order to facilitate education surrounding brain diseases and disorders, the A4M/MMI 26th Annual Spring Congress, taking place at The Diplomat Beach Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Florida from April 13-14, will focus on brain diseases and disorders: the most current and cutting-edge topics in the landscape of modern medicine.

Keynote speakers include Dr. Daniel Amen, Dr. Rudolph Tanzi, Raun K. Kaufman, and Dr. Brennan Spiegel. Renowned double-board certified psychiatrist, educator, international lecturer, and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Amen is widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost experts on the application of brain imaging science to clinical practice; his nationwide clinics have the world’s largest database of functional brain scans relating to human behavior, totaling 73,000 scans on patients from 90 countries.

Dr. Rudolph Tanzi serves as the Vice-Chair of Neurology and Director of the Genetics and Aging Research at Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Joseph P. and Rose F. Kennedy Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School. Co-discoverer of three of the first Alzheimer’s disease genes, Dr. Tanzi has identified several other genes through his direction of the Alzheimer’s Genome Project—receiving the highest awards in his field, including TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Raun Kaufman is the author of the book Autism Breakthrough: The Groundbreaking Method That Has Helped Families All Over the World. As a young boy, Kaufman was diagnosed with severe autism. His parents developed the Son-Rise Program, which ultimately enabled Kaufman to recover from his autism with no residual traces. Kaufman currently serves as Director of Global Education for the Autism Treatment Center of America, and holds a degree in Biomedical Ethics from Brown University.

Dr. Brennan Spiegel is the Director of Health Services Research for Cedars-Sinai Health System and Professor of Medicine and Public Health at UCLA, where he teaches digital health science, health analytics and health economics.

At A4M/MMI, we believe that peer-to-peer connections, in conjunction with the latest clinical education, can spur social change—ultimately transforming care and enhancing patient outcomes. Just as spring represents rebirth and rejuvenation, A4M/MMI’s Spring Congress will focus on the concept of ‘brain awakening:’ renewing your understanding of the complex world of the mind, and finding collaborative solutions together. As Leonardo da Vinci aptly stated: “Learning never exhausts the mind.”

Link Between Ultra-Processed Foods & Cancer

February 15, 2018

While ultra-processed foods are not known for their health qualities, new research published Wednesday in the BMJ further confirms the health risks involved in processed products.

Researchers discovered that people who consume more ultra-processed foods–including those with unrecognizable and unpronounceable words on the list of ingredients–demonstrate a higher risk of cancer. While most food is processed to some degree, ultra-processed foods are typically packed with higher calories, increased amounts of sodium, and an abundance of sugar.

Data and findings have long indicated that people who live on ultra-processed food tend to be more obese and overweight, with more cardiovascular problems and difficulties concerning diabetes. Studies have also found a correlation between consumption of processed meat and colorectal cancer.

Researchers located this new cancer link through an analysis of 24-hour dietary records of nearly 105,000 adults in the NutriNet-Sante cohort, a general population group in France. The individuals recorded what they ate from a list of 3,300 food items, which were then categorized by how processed they were–using a system called NOVA.

The scientists found that a 10% increase in the proportion of ultra-processed foods in the diet was associated with a significant increase of greater than 10% in terms of risks for overall cancer and breast cancer. The published study states: “Ultra-processed fats and sauces, sugary products and drinks were associated with an increased risk of overall cancer. Ultra-processed sugary products were associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.”

People who consumed more ultra-processed food also tended to smoke more and exercise less than the others, yet the study’s authors controlled these factors and still found the elevated cancer risk. “It was quite surprising, the strength of the results. They were really strongly associated, and we did many sensitive analysis and adjusted the findings for many co-factors, and still, the results here were quite concerning,” study co-author Mathilde Touvier said.

Unfortunately, ultra-processed occupy a growing part of the globe’s diet. A 2016 study found that 60% of the calories in an average American’s diet come from these types of foods, while a 2017 study confirmed that they make up 50% of the Canadian and U.K. diets. While more of the developing world is starting to eat this way, the authors advise a balanced and diversified diet as one of the most critically important public health priorities.

A balanced and diversified diet should be considered one of the most important public health priorities, the authors advise, by eating real, whole foods and trying to limit ultra-processed items.