Longevity Revisited & Thought on GLP-1

 To My Patients, 

Emailed September 13, 2026

I Hope all is well - greetings from Colorado! 

We are visiting our children for the Rosh Hashanah holiday. Sandy and I take this opportunity to wish all our patients, friends, and family a healthy and peaceful New Year. We will be back from Colorado on September 16th. 

Summer is almost over. I hope you were able to take some time off and enjoy it. Our garden is still blooming. We had a bumper crop of tomatoes, cucumbers, and eggplants, although with the heat waves, their season seems to have been shorter than usual. 

A Few Office Notes: 
The office continues to be busy during our usual Tuesday and Thursday mornings. We remain available by telemedicine, particularly during after-work and early-evening hours. Please continue to call, email, or text when you need help. We will use telemedicine whenever clinically appropriate; some problems still require an old-fashioned, in-person examination. 

Please give us a call at 203-853-1919 if you need an appointment!

Longevity Revisited 
Returning to the subject of longevity, there is no shortage of products aggressively promoted in its name: a supplement, a test, a special diet, or a treatment promising to turn back the clock. Treat these claims with a grain of salt and ask before taking a questionable step. These products may have their own side effect and may interact with your current medication. Extending the biological limits of life remains the subject of intense research. For now, the more practical goal is to preserve health, function, and independence for as many years as possible. If future research allows us to push the limits even further, that will be a welcome bonus. 

Many of the "big ones" that shorten life develop gradually over years: excess weight, inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, diabetes, poor sleep, chronic stress, and delayed preventive care. Their effects are cumulative. 

Despite the progress, there is no magic pill for longevity. It still requires attention to the basics - and persistence. 

GLP-1 Medications: The Good - and the Caution 
Medications such as Wegovy/Ozempic and Zepbound/Mounjaro have changed the treatment of obesity (and this is only the beginning). For the right patient, they can produce meaningful weight loss that improves several health risks associated with excess weight, including blood sugar, blood pressure, fatty liver, joint strain, sleep apnea, and cardiovascular risk. They are important medical tools, not simply a weight-loss fad. 

They reduce appetite and increase the feeling of fullness; slowing of gastric emptying also contributes. Many patients say they think less about food, which can be particularly helpful for those who have struggled yo-yo dieting. 

And, as is often said, there is no free lunch. Side effects may occur. Nausea, reflux, constipation, diarrhea, and dehydration are amongst the more common ones. Gallbladder disease can occur, and pancreatitis is uncommon but potentially serious. 

More is not always better! Faster is not always healthier. Rapid weight loss can include loss of muscle as well as fat. This is particularly important in older adults, in whom loss of muscle - sarcopenia - can affect strength, balance, independence, and recovery from illness. Excessive weight loss may affect bone, nutrition, energy, and resilience during illness. One may reach a lower weight and still become weaker. 

I am concerned about the increasingly casual or purely cosmetic use of these medications, use the medication for its intended use; the goal should not simply be a lower number on the scale, but better overall health. The dose and target weight should be individualized to your needs. We are always open to discussing what is reasonable for you. 

The Gluten "Craze" 
Gluten-free products are now everywhere. Some people truly need them. Patients with celiac disease must avoid gluten because it triggers an immune reaction that damages the small intestine. Others may have a genuine non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Still others avoid gluten without being quite sure why. 

A gluten-free label doesn’t imply that the food is healthier. Some packaged gluten-free foods contain less fiber and may contain more sugar or fat than the foods they replace. Naturally gluten-free foods - vegetables, fruit, beans, eggs, fish, meat, rice, and potatoes - are often the simpler and healthier choices. 

If you think gluten is causing symptoms, talk to us before eliminating it from your diet. Testing for celiac disease is more accurate while you are still eating gluten. Once gluten has been removed for a while, the test results may be misleading. 

Your periodic physical exam and the Annual Wellness Evaluation is your gateway to wellness and longevity. 

Please give us a call at 203-853-1919 if you need an appointment!

Enjoy the rest of the summer. I look forward to seeing you soon. 

Stay well, 


Igal Staw, Ph.D., M.D.
www.drstaw.com
www.twitter.com/drstaw
Dr. Staw on Facebook 

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Internal Medicine * Pulmonary Medicine * Preventive Medicine * Health Risk Reduction 
2000 Post Road, Fairfield CT 06824 
(203) 853-1919