By Dr. Raveena Rihal, Zor Guided Health

As a physician passionate about helping people live longer, healthier lives, I’m excited to introduce you to a growing field called longevity medicine. This new approach is about more than just adding years to your life—it’s about improving the quality of those years. By using advanced tools and personalized care, we can detect health risks early, prevent disease before it starts, and help you create a customized plan for aging well.

What Is Longevity Medicine?

In traditional medicine, we often wait until symptoms appear before taking action. Longevity medicine flips that script. It’s proactive, personalized, and focused on prevention. We use the latest science and technology to better understand your health and make decisions that support long-term vitality—not just short-term treatment.

Longevity Medicine vs. Traditional Medicine

 
Chart comparing the differing features of traditional medicine vs longevity medicine.
 

Starting with a longevity medicine strategy as early as your 30s, 40s and midlife is ideal, but also valuable if you are older. It is never too early–or too late– to take evidence based steps that support a longer healthspan and a more active, vibrant life.

Detect health Risks Early—Before They Become Problems

Many serious health conditions develop silently, without noticeable symptoms. That’s why early detection is one of the cornerstones of longevity medicine. Here are a few of the tools we use, and the science behind why they matter:

VO₂ Max Testing – Your Fitness as a Vital Sign

VO₂ max measures how well your body uses oxygen during exercise. It’s considered one of the strongest predictors of how long—and how well—you’ll live. In fact, research published in JAMA found that people with higher cardiorespiratory fitness had significantly lower risks of heart disease and early death compared to those with lower fitness levels (Kodama et al., 2009). That’s why the American Heart Association now encourages doctors to treat fitness as a vital sign, just like blood pressure (Ross et al., 2016).

DEXA Scans – A Deeper Look at Fat, Muscle, and Bone

While many of us are familiar with BMI, it doesn’t tell the full story. A DEXA (Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scan gives a detailed breakdown of your body composition—how much lean muscle you have, where fat is stored (especially around your organs), and your bone density. Visceral fat, the kind stored deep in your abdomen, is especially harmful and linked to a higher risk of heart disease and diabetes (Després, 2012). DEXA is one of the most accurate ways to measure it (Kaul et al., 2012).

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) – Real-Time Blood Sugar Insights

You don’t need to be diabetic to benefit from understanding your blood sugar. A CGM tracks your glucose levels continuously throughout the day, showing how food, stress, and activity affect you. This can help detect early signs of insulin resistance—long before standard blood tests pick it up. Studies have shown CGMs can uncover patterns that help guide better lifestyle choices and prevent chronic disease (Heinemann, 2008), (Dunn et al., 2018).

Advanced Bloodwork – Deeper Lab Testing for Inflammation, Metabolism, and Heart Health

We look beyond the basic labs done at a routine physical:

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) measures low-grade inflammation, which can be an early sign of heart disease. Even if your cholesterol looks fine, a high hs-CRP can signal trouble ahead (Ridker, 2007).

Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is a better indicator than LDL cholesterol when it comes to understanding your risk for clogged arteries (Sniderman et al., 2023).

Fasting insulin can help us catch signs of metabolic imbalance long before blood sugar becomes abnormal (Reaven, 2011).

Heart Imaging – Seeing the Problem Before It’s Too Late

Advanced heart imaging—like coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring and Cleerly CT angiography—lets us see whether plaque is building up in your arteries. This provides far more clarity than just checking your cholesterol. Research shows that people with a high calcium score are at greater risk of heart events, even if they have no symptoms (Blaha et al., 2022).

Longevity Medicine + Longevity Fitness: Putting It All Together

These tools allow us to create a full, personalized picture of your health—before problems arise. Whether it’s improving your metabolic health, supporting strong bones and muscles, or preventing heart disease, longevity medicine empowers you to make smart, informed decisions that will serve you for decades. 

The partnership between your longevity medicine doctor and your DIAKADI personal trainer forms your ultimate Longevity Dream Team. By sharing relevant findings, your doctor can work directly with your trainer to refine your movement strategy and optimize your longevity fitness program—using cutting-edge tools to enhance your training, nutrition, and long-term wellness.

You don’t have to wait for something to go wrong. You can start optimizing your health now—and that’s what true prevention is all about.

Schedule A Complimentary
20 minute Longevity Consultation

To learn more about the details of Dr Raveena Rihal’s longevity focused programs and to schedule a free 20 minute consultation call with her, follow the link below.

Dr. Raveena Rihal from Zor Guided Health is a board-certified internal and lifestyle medicine physician specializing in longevity medicine. Her practice is dedicated to extending healthspan - your years of vitality - alongside lifespan, ensuring you not only live longer but thrive in the process.