Slow Medicine + Modern Science: Our Approach to Longevity
At Marin Family Medicine, we want you to live healthier, longer lives. That means moving beyond a purely reactionary approach (fixing problems only once they’ve already started) and focusing instead on prevention, longevity, and wellness.
We believe longevity is not about chasing fads or quick fixes. It’s about combining the best of modern science with the timeless values of old-school medicine: a doctor who knows your name, answers your call, and takes the time to understand your life. In our Direct Primary Care (DPC) model, we’re able to do both.
Evidence-Based Foundations
We start by focusing on the things that science has consistently proven make a difference in your lifespan and healthspan:
Heart health: blood pressure tracking, cholesterol + advanced lipid testing when appropriate (apoB, lipoprotein a), and lifestyle factors like diet and exercise.
Metabolic health: diabetes screening, liver health checks, and nutrition patterns that actually fit your life, like Mediterranean or DASH diets.
Cancer prevention: making sure you’re up-to-date on screenings that save lives—colonoscopies, mammograms, Pap tests, and low-dose CT scans when appropriate.
Vaccines and infectious disease screening: protection against illnesses like shingles, hepatitis C, RSV and seasonal flu.
These aren’t just checkboxes. They’re the tools that help catch problems early, prevent disease before it starts, and give you peace of mind.
Exploring What’s Emerging
Medicine is always moving forward, and many of our patients are curious about new options. We see it as our job to help you navigate them wisely. Some of the newer technologies we may discuss include:
Multi-cancer early detection blood tests (like Galleri): promising, but not yet FDA-approved, so we review risks and benefits carefully.
Coronary calcium scans: a one-time CT that can reveal hidden heart disease risk.
DEXA body composition scans: not just for bone health, but also for measuring muscle and fat distribution.
Genetic and polygenic testing: emerging tests that help identify inherited risks for heart disease, cancer, dementia and other conditions so we can plan ahead.
We don’t recommend every new test for every patient. Instead, we talk it through together, balancing curiosity with caution so you can make the choice that’s right for you.
The Human Side of Longevity
Of course, living longer isn’t only about labs and scans. It’s also about the habits and daily rhythms that shape your life. We also discuss:
Making nourishing food choices that feel doable.
Building movement into your day in ways you actually enjoy.
Prioritizing quality sleep and stress management.
Staying connected with people and communities that matter to you.
Longevity means more than adding years—it’s about making sure those years are full, healthy, and meaningful.
Why Direct Primary Care Makes This Possible
Longevity medicine requires time: time to listen, to explain, and to weigh options together. In a traditional insurance-driven practice, visits are short and rushed. In DPC, your membership means you have direct access to us—by phone, text, or in person—and we keep our patient panels small so we actually have time for you.
This model lets us blend slow medicine—the kind where your doctor knows you well—with personalized prevention, using the best of today’s science (and tomorrow’s) to help you live a longer, healthier life.
At Marin Family Medicine, longevity isn’t a luxury service. It’s part of the thoughtful, evidence-based care that every patient deserves.
We’re proud to serve our community with care that is both evidence-based and deeply personal. Marin Family Medicine is accepting new patients now—we invite you to become part of our practice.