Emailed 2/6/2025
To My Patients,
Hope all is well.
The famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter. I suppose we'll be seeing more animal footprints in our backyard, and ski lovers will be happy.
Colorado is expecting more cold weather, and we'll be visiting the crew for a few days this month.
Please note that the office will be closed on Thursday, February 13th. As usual, Janine and I will be available to take messages while we're away. Dr. Sarfraz will be covering in case of any urgent needs.
When there's a little free time, there are always puzzles, Sudoku, exercise, tennis, and time with friends. Sandy's favorites are the 1,000-piece puzzles. One we recently finished was a patchwork of squares, each containing a meaningful saying. Feel free to take a look at the photos.
A special kudos to our son Michael for completing the Disney marathon last month-repeating the feat he accomplished exactly 20 years ago!
Congratulations to our son Jeffrey on his new position as Chief Information and Innovation Officer at Firefighters First Credit Union.
The office has been busy, with a steadily increasing demand for online telemedicine visits. While many cases still require in-person visits, a growing number of medical concerns-especially in general office medicine and its specialties, including mine-can now be effectively addressed online.
Several factors are driving this trend:
Telemedicine is becoming more efficient and useful-and this is just the beginning.
A Message to Insurance Providers & Policymakers: Pay attention and address the health needs of our people!
Longevity: Living Longer, Living Healthier
Longevity is on most of our minds-the goal is to live as long as possible while maintaining optimal health.
Global life expectancy has increased dramatically due to advances in sanitation, nutrition, and healthcare access (though the U.S. lags behind in many ways-perhaps a topic for another letter).
However, there is a genetic limit to aging, with the longest known human lifespan recorded at 122 years. Perhaps the Jewish blessing, "May you live to 120," originates from this natural limitation.
As physicians, our role is to help extend life to its fullest genetic potential. I take this responsibility seriously. The motto "We help you live a longer, healthier life" has been with me since the founding of the old Health Extenders facility.
The Future of Longevity Research
A vast amount of research is now focused on breaking the genetic barrier to longevity.
There is no universal longevity prescription - every individual has unique genetics and medical conditions. Longevity strategies must be personalized.
We're here to answer your questions.
Igal Staw, Ph.D., M.D.
www.drstaw.com
Dr. Staw on Facebook
Hope all is well.
The famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter. I suppose we'll be seeing more animal footprints in our backyard, and ski lovers will be happy.
Colorado is expecting more cold weather, and we'll be visiting the crew for a few days this month.
Please note that the office will be closed on Thursday, February 13th. As usual, Janine and I will be available to take messages while we're away. Dr. Sarfraz will be covering in case of any urgent needs.
Please give us a call at 203-853-1919 if you need an appointment!
When there's a little free time, there are always puzzles, Sudoku, exercise, tennis, and time with friends. Sandy's favorites are the 1,000-piece puzzles. One we recently finished was a patchwork of squares, each containing a meaningful saying. Feel free to take a look at the photos.
 |  |
A special kudos to our son Michael for completing the Disney marathon last month-repeating the feat he accomplished exactly 20 years ago!
Congratulations to our son Jeffrey on his new position as Chief Information and Innovation Officer at Firefighters First Credit Union.
The office has been busy, with a steadily increasing demand for online telemedicine visits. While many cases still require in-person visits, a growing number of medical concerns-especially in general office medicine and its specialties, including mine-can now be effectively addressed online.
Several factors are driving this trend:
- Convenience - No travel time, minimal (if any) waiting time, and reduced exposure to waiting room environments.
- Chronic Disease Management - Telemedicine allows for easier check-ins for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and asthma, which require frequent monitoring.
- Advancements in Home Monitoring - The increasing availability of home test kits (e.g., COVID, influenza A, strep throat, urinary tract infections) and monitoring devices like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), pulse oximeters, continuous oxygen monitors, and smartwatches that track sleep patterns.
Telemedicine is becoming more efficient and useful-and this is just the beginning.
A Message to Insurance Providers & Policymakers: Pay attention and address the health needs of our people!
Longevity: Living Longer, Living Healthier
Longevity is on most of our minds-the goal is to live as long as possible while maintaining optimal health.
Global life expectancy has increased dramatically due to advances in sanitation, nutrition, and healthcare access (though the U.S. lags behind in many ways-perhaps a topic for another letter).
However, there is a genetic limit to aging, with the longest known human lifespan recorded at 122 years. Perhaps the Jewish blessing, "May you live to 120," originates from this natural limitation.
As physicians, our role is to help extend life to its fullest genetic potential. I take this responsibility seriously. The motto "We help you live a longer, healthier life" has been with me since the founding of the old Health Extenders facility.
The Future of Longevity Research
A vast amount of research is now focused on breaking the genetic barrier to longevity.
- Some studies advocate dietary changes such as caloric restriction or intermittent fasting.
- Others explore removing "zombie cells"-cells that have stopped dividing but continue releasing inflammatory substances.
- Another area of focus is telomere extension. Telomeres are protective caps on the ends of our chromosomes, and when they degrade, cells lose function and die.
There is no universal longevity prescription - every individual has unique genetics and medical conditions. Longevity strategies must be personalized.
Please give us a call at 203-853-1919 if you need an appointment!
We're here to answer your questions.
Igal Staw, Ph.D., M.D.
www.drstaw.com
Dr. Staw on Facebook
