Promoting Healthy Longevity with Functional Tests and IV Therapy from Toronto

In our private downtown clinic, we’re occasionally asked how to enhance longevity. It’s a valid question — after all, we want to see our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow up!

Healthy longevity has been legitimately studied by scientists. One example is research from Harvard University, which found that 50-year-old women who adhered to 4–5 beneficial lifestyle factors (i.e. balanced diet, weight management, etc.) were disease-free for about 34 years! On the other hand, women who didn’t follow healthy living ended up with age-related concerns in 24 years.

To delay or prevent chronic issues, tailored health strategies can foster longevity enhancements, helping to sustain cognitive function, muscle recovery, and energy levels. According to the functional medicine model, defining the root cause of poor health is based on different genes, environmental surroundings and lifestyle factors; thus, treating the root for one patient may not necessarily work for another patient due to different biology. For longevity health goals, a customized treatment plan may address your unique body — and this can be accessed at the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC).

Determining longevity needs

Our Toronto functional medicine team educates patients on the positive effects of lifestyle modifications, such as being attentive to nutrition, whole foods, exercise, and cutting down harmful substances (i.e. smoking). This is because healthy habits can significantly support your quality of life and longevity.

However, there’s a dense dietary intake of processed foods in the Western world, along with pollution and fast-paced living that prevents good sleep! In particular, scientists have implied that microwavable, chemical-ladened foods in North America can contribute to shortening lifespan. In a study from JAMA Internal Medicine, adults ages 45+ were assessed over time; nine years later, scientists discovered a correlation between eating ultra-processed foods and an increased risk for passing early.

As individuals, we have different genes, diets, chemical exposures, and such — so, how do you make lifestyle changes for your individuality? A functional healthcare provider can adapt treatments for assisting healthy longevity. At the TFMC, our naturopathic doctor takes a detailed approach to understand your needs and health concerns only. This involves quantifying your unique elements, such as nutrient deficiencies, cellular health, blood sugar levels, gastrointestinal health, and more, with functional testing.

Why consider functional lab tests

For healthy lifespan support, our clinic may modify therapies to tackle your shortcomings. We may explore your current health issues, while recommending measures to prevent or delay future conditions. Functional lab testing may provide us with additional insight on your health status.

Some conventional lab tests detect conditions only. On the other hand, functional tests can sense biomarkers, which may indicate the direction your health is heading. Functional tests help us scrutinize the state of your current health and the source of symptoms, such as brain fog and hormonal imbalances. Here are some examples of our lab services:

• Inflammatory panel: Excessive inflammation can potentially cause heart conditions, chronic fatigue, and some autoimmune conditions. This inflammatory panel is a blood test that quantifies biomarkers to scrutinize inflammatory effects. Understanding these levels helps us recommend or prescribe avenues for reduction or alleviation.
• Blood brain barrier permeability: This test may be advised if we suspect that symptoms are linked to environmental toxins or concussions. A blood sample is scrutinized to investigate your body’s blood-brain barrier; this helps us comprehend if neurodegenerative conditions are a concern for you.

Routine testing may be beneficial for monitoring a specific condition, and functional lab results can increase awareness to take action before further deterioration ensues. You may consider regular functional testing under these circumstances: when you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic condition, autoimmune diseases, digestive disorders (i.e. Crohn’s); or when you’re on a specific diet (i.e. due to food allergies, vegan, or carnivore diet practices).

Your TFMC lab results are used to tailor your treatment plan, especially for addressing the prevention/slowdown of age-related conditions. They guide us in customizing therapies for your current health condition, metabolism, weight, etc., and to prescribe doses of certain treatments, such as vitamin IV therapy.

Sustaining optimal health and longevity with supplements and intravenous drips

To support a long healthy life, we must consistently nourish the body with nutrients. As we age, nutrition must be adapted; this is because our absorption of nutrients naturally weakens with aging, making us susceptible to poor immune and muscle health, cellular damage, and memory issues. For instance, NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme made in the human body, but it naturally declines with age. This nutrient is imperative for weight management, brain and skin health, and its deficiency has been linked to age-related cognitive decline (i.e. Alzheimer’s). With that said, lacking nutrients as we grow old can potentially shrink our lifespan.

Oral supplementation may be taken as “insurance” for optimal nutrition. But if you’re having absorption issues, tablets and capsules may not offer sustenance. Here are some additional types of supplements to consider:

• Liposomal vitamins: These liquid supplements contain little “bubbles” that imitate human cells, which helps liposomal supplements move through the body quickly. These bubbles protect the vitamins from gastric fluids, so you end up absorbing close to a full dosage of nutrients. This is unlike regular tablets or capsules, which can lose their potency during the digestive process.
• Intravenous therapy: This is administered in our IV Lounge for supportive measures. When combined with oral supplements, healthy living, and other functional medicine treatments, IV drips may support healthy longevity. The treatment provides the body with a full absorption of nutrients, as the IV formula doesn’t affect the digestive tract. (Keep in mind, regular oral supplements may not be effective if you suffer from malabsorption.) An IV tube is inserted into your vein, connecting you to a nutrient-rich formula. Then, the formula is released into your vein and blood stream for immediate use.

To promote or sustain anti-aging effects for longevity, consider exploring the nutrients in the table below. (Note: These nutrients are available at the TFMC as custom-made intravenous infusion drips.):

Nutrient

How it supports healthy longevity

Glutathione

A natural anti-inflammatory that supports immune function; a known antioxidant that can help fight free radicals. (Free radicals may contribute to age-related decline on physical and mental levels.)

B Complex

Low amounts of B vitamins are linked to poor cellular function and weakened immune health, potentially instigating unhealthy aging; B complex supplements may support brain function, methylation, DNA repair, and collagen production.

NAD

(Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)

This coenzyme naturally declines in the body; studies have suggested that low amounts may lead to mind and body aging. Replenishing with NAD and/or its precursors can support cellular function and energy metabolism.

Zinc

Studies suggest that zinc may potentially prevent/treat health issues linked to zinc deficiency. An article from Age reported that “Zinc supplementation may remodel the immune alterations in elderly leading to healthy ageing.”

IV therapy treatments and oral supplements — including standard and liposomal vitamins — should not be implemented as stand-alone treatments for aging gracefully. These must be combined with a healthy diet, exercise, and other health interventions (i.e. naturopathic medicine) for supporting healthy longevity. Please book your initial consultation at the TFMC to learn about our personalized approach to wellness.

About our functional medicine clinic and IV Lounge

A personalized service of health care can sustain beneficial effects for your wellness needs. At the TFMC, we customize treatments for your unique biology, helping us to potentially tackle malabsorption issues, nutrient deficiencies, chronic inflammation, hormonal issues, food sensitivities, and more. Our previous blog post on how functional medicine in Toronto may help manage chronic constipation may be worth a read.

We set aside ample time to discuss your health concerns and to understand your lifestyle, environmental, and medical history/genetics. As we are an integrative medicine practice, our clinic adapts numerous health strategies for your condition, using modalities such as Western and naturopathic medicines, acupuncture, holistic nutrition, and more.

Our IV Lounge is situated inside our clinic, and each drip is custom-made using functional medicine principles. Ingredients and dosages are prescribed specifically for you; IV drips are freshly blended on a daily basis on-site. We also design drips for specific health goals, such as those related to athletic recovery, cognitive enhancements, and general wellness (i.e. anti-aging IV drip, post-exercise amino acid drip). Along with IV therapy, injection therapies for vitamin D, B12, and glutathione deficiencies can be prescribed.

If you have any questions during your IV session, you’re always invited to speak up! Each IV session is closely monitored by our team, which includes a naturopathic doctor, nurse practitioners and registered nurses.

Healthy longevity may begin from the inside-out — IV therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre is now available. Reach out to us now to request your initial visit.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media.

References

Campbell JM. Supplementation with NAD+ and Its Precursors to Prevent Cognitive Decline across Disease Contexts. Nutrients. 2022 Aug 7;14(15):3231. doi: 10.3390/nu14153231. PMID: 35956406; PMCID: PMC9370773.

Carr, A. C., & Zawari, M. (2023). Does Aging Have an Impact on Vitamin C Status and Requirements? A Scoping Review of Comparative Studies of Aging and Institutionalisation. Nutrients, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15040915

“Eating more ultra-processed foods may shorten life span” from Harvard Health Publishing, published May 1, 2019, viewed on May 18, 2024.

“Healthy Longevity” from the Harvard T.H. Chan of Public Health, The Nutrition Source, reviewed December 2022, viewed on May 17, 2024.

Mocchegiani, E., Romeo, J., Malavolta, M., Costarelli, L., Giacconi, R., Diaz, E., & Marcos, A. (2013). Zinc: Dietary intake and impact of supplementation on immune function in elderly. Age, 35(3), 839–860. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-011-9377-3

National Academy of Medicine; Commission for a Global Roadmap for Healthy Longevity. Global Roadmap for Healthy Longevity. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2022 Jun 3. 2, Vision for Healthy Longevity in 2050. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK587286/

Pizzorno J. Glutathione! Integr Med (Encinitas). 2014 Feb;13(1):8–12. PMID: 26770075; PMCID: PMC4684116.

Tsugane, S. (2021). Why has Japan become the world’s most long-lived country: Insights from a food and nutrition perspective. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 75(6), 921–928. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-020-0677-5

Wang J, Chen C, Zhou J, Ye L, Li Y, Xu L, Xu Z, Li X, Wei Y, Liu J, Lv Y, Shi X. Healthy lifestyle in late-life, longevity genes, and life expectancy among older adults: a 20-year, population-based, prospective cohort study. Lancet Healthy Longev. 2023 Oct;4(10):e535-e543. doi: 10.1016/S2666–7568(23)00140-X. Erratum in: Lancet Healthy Longev. 2023 Dec;4(12):e664. PMID: 37804845.

Woudstra T, Thomson AB. Nutrient absorption and intestinal adaptation with ageing. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2002 Feb;16(1):1–15. doi: 10.1053/bega.2001.0262. PMID: 11977925.

Original article “Toronto Functional Medicine Centre” first appeared in the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website.