Living Functional Medicine
The saying 'you are what you eat' rings true, as diet profoundly impacts well-being. My understanding of this began early, witnessing the toll diabetes took on my family. My maternal grandmother died from complications of an unhealing burn wound due to poorly controlled diabetes. My mother, diagnosed at 40, also relied on insulin and multiple medications. Their struggles with countless injections and health challenges made me realize that intervention at earlier age was the key to healthy longevity.
The old saying still stands, prevention is better than cure.
Determined to avoid their fate and inspire others to follow my lead, I want to be the pillar of change because seeing is believing. Over two decades ago, I took control, prioritizing the right diet and exercise to prove that while I couldn’t change my DNA (nature), I could transform my lifestyle (nurture). Choosing low-carb, low-GI foods and regular physical activity became my shield against diabetes. I don’t just advise patients to avoid detrimental foods, I live by this principle.
And I was right! Had I not acted, I might be diabetic today.
This personal mission sparked my fascination with disease prevention, leading me to functional medicine and validating my belief that diseases can be prevented or delayed through intentional choices. It’s not easy, but the effort is priceless.
Now, more people are following in my footsteps. My focus has since deepened into longevity medicine, exploring how to extend a disease-free life. I envision playing and competing in sports, living independently, and embracing happiness well into my later years, co-exist with the nature.
Our daily choices on what we eat and how we move define our health’s trajectory. By choosing prevention, I’ve rewritten my chapter, proving that while genetics set the stage, lifestyle writes the script. I want to inspire many out there to start intervening now before it’s too late.
— Dr Andes, Co-Founder & Group Medical Director