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.

Building a Meaningful Healthspan

Longevity isn’t just about adding years—it’s about making sure those years are full, healthy, and meaningful. At Marin Family Medicine, we focus on helping you adapt wisely to the natural changes of aging so you can thrive in every stage of life.

  • Bone Health & Falls: Strong bones and steady balance prevent injuries. We use tools like DEXA scans and recommend exercise, supplements, or medications when needed.

  • Hormonal Shifts: Changes in estrogen, testosterone, and other hormones can affect energy, sleep, mood, and sexual health. For some, hormone therapy may help after a careful discussion of risks and benefits.

  • Sexual Health: Intimacy remains an important part of wellness, and we provide space to talk about changes and options for support.

  • Movement as Medicine: Regular activity preserves strength, balance, and independence—one of the most powerful tools for healthy aging.

  • Emotional Well-Being: Joy, purpose, and socials connection matter. We address stress, loneliness, and mood as part of whole-person care.

  • Medication Safety: More prescriptions can mean more side effects. We regularly review medications to simplify your regimen and keep you safe.

Healthy aging is about preserving independence, vitality, and quality of life so that your years are not only longer but also richer.

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. 

Learn about joining our practice
Previous
Previous

How DPC Saves Money and Improves Your Family’s Health

Next
Next

The Limits of One-Size-Fits-All Medicine (and Why Direct Primary Care is Different)