Health

AgeRejuvenation: Your Partner in the Pursuit of Ageless Living

Published

1 year ago

July 4, 2024

In the age-old quest for longevity and vitality, physicians are now beginning to attack the signs of aging from multiple fronts. “At AgeRejuvenation Functional Medical Clinic, we offer cutting-edge treatments and strategies to promote cellular repair and mitigate DNA damage,” says Brett Markowitz, the clinic’s CEO and founder. “We also offer guidance on the lifestyle changes that will enable you to maintain your health, function, and appearance.”

Understanding the two types of aging

Two classifications distinguish aging and its impact on the human body. The first, primary aging, refers to the natural and inevitable changes that occur over time, regardless of external factors or lifestyle choices.

Secondary aging, on the other hand, refers to the aging processes that occur due to lifestyle choices and environmental factors. Unlike primary aging, secondary aging is not inevitable, can vary significantly among individuals, and is influenced by factors such as diet, exercise, exposure to toxins, stress, and the development of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis.

“Our personalized plans for each patient combat both primary and secondary aging,” notes Markowitz. “This requires an integrative and proactive approach. By combining regular physical activity, a balanced diet, good sleep hygiene, stress management, and social involvement with healthcare’s preventative measures, you can now influence the pace of your own aging process. Primary aging factors are less within our control, but the synergy of these strategies buffers their impact. And secondary aging can be significantly slowed with lifestyle and environmental changes.”

AgeRejuvenation Functional Medical Clinic recommends certain practices to slow the effects of primary aging, such as regular exercise to maintain muscle mass, reduce the risk of age-related diseases, and improve cognitive functions.

“A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains provides essential nutrients that protect against cellular damage and combat oxidative stress,” Markowitz says. “Additionally, consistent, quality sleep supports cellular repair processes, regulates metabolism, and reduces inflammation to mitigate the effects of aging.”

As Markowitz explains, relaxation practices can help combat chronic stress, which can accelerate cellular aging by shortening the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes called telomeres. Using sunscreen and protective clothing also reduces the aging effects brought on by UV radiation.

Unlike primary aging, the rate of secondary aging is influenced significantly by lifestyle choices. For example, quitting smoking and moderating alcohol intake can significantly reduce the risk of developing diseases that speed up the aging process.

“Certain nutritional supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, resveratrol, and Coenzyme Q10, have been proposed to support cellular health,” says Markowitz. “Mental exercises like reading, puzzles, and games challenge the mind, which can help preserve cognitive function and may even delay the onset of conditions like dementia.”

Markowitz goes on to explain that a robust social network with family, friends, and community reduces stress and decreases the risk of conditions that promote secondary aging. Furthermore, air purifiers, water filters, and choosing to live in less polluted areas can minimize exposure to pollution and environmental toxins that contribute to non-genetic aging.

“Advances in genetic testing can offer deeper insights into one’s susceptibility to age-related diseases,” Markowitz notes. “The results of these tests allow clinics like ours to tailor health strategies to prevent or delay their onset.”

Hormone optimization holds the key to vitality

The broad field of anti-aging treatments incorporates everything from topical skincare products to sophisticated genetic interventions. In this rapidly evolving field, hormone optimization has become a cornerstone of personalized anti-aging strategies since hormones act as the body’s chemical messengers and regulate virtually every major system, from metabolism to mood.

“As people age, these hormones can become unbalanced, leading to a myriad of health issues,” says Markowitz. “Hormone optimization seeks to restore hormonal balance, improve overall well-being, and slow the aging process.”

Unlike synthetic hormones used in traditional hormone replacement therapies, bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to those produced by the human body, offering a more natural solution to restoring hormonal balance. This can be particularly transformative for battling menopause and andropause symptoms.

“As people age, many recognize the need for thyroid function optimization,” Markowitz says. “Our thyroid gland influences metabolism, energy levels, and body weight, so it’s no wonder that we contribute to a sense of vitality and well-being when we optimize its function.”

Markowitz also finds that many people find renewed vigor through testosterone and estrogen balancing. “For men and women alike, maintaining the right balance of testosterone and estrogen is crucial for health because these hormones impact everything from bone density to libido,” he says.

The synergy between anti-aging treatments, hormone optimization, and a healthy lifestyle

The intersection of targeted anti-aging treatments, hormone optimization, and lifestyle adjustments represents a synergistic approach to aging gracefully. Hormone optimization and a healthy lifestyle enhance the effectiveness of anti-aging treatments by ensuring the body is in its best possible state for repair and regeneration. For instance, balanced hormones can improve skin elasticity, making cosmetic treatments more effective.

Combining these strategies allows for a holistic approach to aging and an increasing degree of personalization. Clinics like AgeRejuvenation tailor treatments to each individual’s unique hormonal profile and aging concerns, resulting in targeted and effective interventions.

“The pursuit of ageless living is a multifaceted journey that intertwines cutting-edge scientific discoveries with tried-and-true lifestyle practices,” Markowitz concludes. “The path to longevity and vitality is as much about embracing a holistic lifestyle as it is embracing the newest anti-aging treatments. These advancements can add years to your life, but more importantly, they can add life to your years, enabling you to age gracefully and with dignity.”

Health

The Scientist as Storyteller: How Steven Quay Makes Complex Medicine Relatable

Published

1 month ago

July 23, 2025

Michelle Langton

Scientific discovery often struggles to reach the people it is meant to serve. The distance between research and public understanding can be vast. For most scientists, publishing in peer-reviewed journals is the endpoint. For Dr. Steven Quay, it is only the beginning. His career has been defined not just by what he has discovered, but by how he communicates it.

Scientific trust today faces growing skepticism and misinformation spreads faster than facts, Quay has embraced a rare role. He is both a scientist and a storyteller. His ability to bridge the technical and the human is what makes his voice resonate across disciplines, institutions, and communities.

Writing as a Lens into the Human Side of Science

One of the clearest examples of Quay’s narrative instinct lies in his writing. He has authored three major books, each rooted in a different part of his life and expertise. Together, they show how a medical researcher can also be an accessible public thinker.

In Stay Safe: A Physician’s Guide to Survive Coronavirus, published June 5, 2020, during the first days of the pandemic, Quay offered plainspoken, evidence-based guidance on protecting oneself and one’s family. It was not framed as a political statement or a policy directive. It was personal and grounded in the daily realities people faced. He wrote it not just as a scientist, but as someone who wanted to help others navigate a frightening time with clarity and calm.

His second book, The Origin of the Virus, tackled a more complex and controversial subject: the question of how SARS-CoV-2 emerged. Rather than speculate, Quay walked readers through the scientific evidence with the kind of transparency that is often lacking in public discourse. The tone was methodical, never alarmist. What set the book apart was its balance, engaging to a lay reader, yet rigorous enough to be taken seriously by professionals.

Then there is A Ride Through Northville, a deeply personal departure from the world of virology and oncology. Here, Quay revisits his childhood in Michigan, capturing the streets, friendships, and quiet moments that shaped him long before he entered a lab. The structure of the book mimics the experience of riding a bike through town, evoking memory not as a chronology, but as a sensory journey. For a scientist whose career has involved high-stakes research and global debates, this book offers a rare window into the reflective, grounded person behind the work.

Speaking Clearly Without Speaking Down

Quay’s communication skill is not limited to the written word. He has also become a frequent guest on health-focused podcasts and a speaker at public science forums. His TEDx talk on breast cancer prevention is one of the most viewed videos on the subject, and for good reason. He does not rely on drama or abstract theory. Instead, he explains mammographic density, hormonal risk, and clinical trial design in a way that makes the science both comprehensible and actionable.

In interviews, Quay has a habit of slowing things down. He avoids jargon unless he defines it. He is comfortable saying, “We don’t know yet,” which, in the realm of public science, is a kind of honesty that builds trust. He often discusses Atossa Therapeutics’ trials in plain terms, describing how experimental drugs like (Z)-endoxifen might help certain patients respond better to treatment. He emphasizes that these are ongoing studies, not marketing pitches, which sets him apart from many biotech executives.

Educating the Public Without Oversimplifying

One of the challenges of public-facing science is resisting the urge to oversimplify. Many well-intentioned scientists flatten complexity to fit the constraints of social media or mainstream news. Quay does not follow that path. He explains mechanisms and hypotheses with nuance, trusting that readers and listeners are capable of understanding more than they are often given credit for.

His social media presence reflects the same philosophy. He shares articles and research updates, but rarely with alarm or bravado. When he comments on current medical debates, he tends to lead with evidence rather than opinion. That steady tone has earned him a following that spans across ideological and professional divides.

During the pandemic, this approach stood out. While others chased headlines, Quay focused on distilling evolving guidance into practical advice. He acknowledged the limits of current knowledge, updated his views as new data emerged, and emphasized science as an iterative process. His voice became one that many people turned to not for certainty, but for clarity.

A Scientist’s Responsibility Beyond the Lab

Quay has often said that science does not exist in isolation. It is part of society. That belief informs why he writes, speaks, and engages in public discourse as actively as he does. He sees the scientist’s role not just as a producer of knowledge, but as a custodian of its meaning.

He has testified before the U.S. Congress and advised the State Department, not as a politician but as a physician-scientist committed to accuracy. In each case, his contribution has been grounded in data but shaped by a recognition of the human implications of policy and research.

This is especially evident in his work on breast cancer. By advocating for better screening tools and more personalized treatments, Quay speaks not only to clinicians and investors but to women facing real fears about their health. He explains the science behind mammographic density and hormonal modulation not just with charts, but with stories about what those risks mean in someone’s life.

Storytelling as a Form of Service

What makes Quay’s communication style compelling is that it never feels performative. He is not branding himself or building a media empire. He is doing what he believes scientists should do: make their work useful.

In every form of his storytelling, from the deeply personal to the technically specific, there is a throughline of responsibility. He understands that science touches people’s lives in ways that go far beyond the lab. For him, that means speaking clearly, writing honestly, and never underestimating the audience.