May we introduce?
Prof. Dr. med. Markus Stoffel is a practicing specialist in internal medicine in Munich and at Tegernsee. He specializes in preventive medicine and is also active as medical advisor at some companies, including MoleQlar.
So, here and now, we'd like to take a look behind the scenes and find out what a doctor, armed with a stethoscope and a white coat, thinks about current developments in medicine, what role he plays in it, and what that means for us as patients. So take a moment to sit down on the fictional examination table in Prof. Dr. Stoffel's medical practice and relax – the answers to your burning questions won't be long in coming!
MoleQlar:
Prof. Stoffel, you are a physician with many years of professional experience in various fields of medicine. As a broadly trained and experienced internist with a specialty in nephrology, you specialize primarily in preventive medicine. Health and illness affect everyone. No one is exempt. Could you give us some insight into your thoughts on the importance of modern medicine? Have you noticed any changes in this regard during your time as a practicing physician?
Prof. Dr. Stoffel:
Several years have passed since my student days and the time of my first professional activity… (laughs)The biochemical processes of our body and the ever-increasing knowledge about them have fascinated me from an early age, as have genetics and the increasingly researched Epigenetics.
When I think of “modern medicine,” I also think of the very encouraging technical developments, such as high-resolution ultrasound images and metabolic-related examinations using functional magnetic resonance imaging.
The integration of complementary diagnostics and therapy into conventional medicine also plays a very important role. I am pleased to note that our patients are increasingly engaging proactively with health issues and are interested in new approaches and examination options, as well as in potential side effects.
And last but not least Digitalization, which is much discussed but still little implemented in practice, is making it much easier and faster to communicate with each other; even before the coronavirus pandemic, we offered online appointment bookings and video consultations, which were readily used.
MoleQlar:
You yourself describe how the high demands of everyday life, whether professional or personal, place an immense strain on people. This social pressure is particularly noticeable today and consumes a great deal of energy. Added to this are family histories of illness or other pre-existing conditions. What role does preventive medicine play in these social and health challenges? What part can we as humans play in helping us clients not to Patients become?
Prof. Dr.Stoffel:
It is very important to deal with the issue of health care on a personal level:
What can I do today to avoid being sick tomorrow?
We all know that it is always better to prevent diseases from occurring in the first place than to suffer from them and have to treat them later.
But thinking and acting preventively requires personal responsibility and initiative.
This includes, above all, a balanced lifestyle: healthy diet, plenty of Movement and sufficient Sleep (!) play a very important role. And you first have to know what each individual topic means. There is so much – overwhelming amount – of information on this and the biggest challenge is certainly to find out which correct or continuing is.
But early and thorough health checkups should also be part of the plan, as they can help identify relevant predisposing factors for disease and treat them in a timely manner.
MoleQlar:
Prevention is known to be a strategic concept in medicine. While curative medicine focuses on curing—often only alleviating or delaying—diseases, preventive medicine focuses on preventing and detecting diseases. Do you believe we should get to the root cause of health problems as early as possible, before physical and mental health problems force us to take action? How do you, as a doctor, practice this type of preventative medicine?
Prof. Dr. Stoffel:
You suggest exactly the right thing!
The earlier we recognize deficits, the sooner we can compensate for them and thus actively counteract the development of diseases.
Who wouldn't want to be free of physical ailments and mental suffering? In our practices, we first conduct a very thorough medical history, i.e., an individually focused conversation, to determine your health status quo. This is usually followed by imaging and diagnostic tests. With a targeted blood test, we then look "one level deeper" than the so comprehensive-sounding "size Blood counts—and also analyze minerals, vitamins, and trace elements. Any imbalances here can be corrected in a timely manner before disease develops.
MoleQlar:
In modern medicine, specialists distinguish between lifespan and healthspan. While lifespan is self-explanatory, it reflects the total number of years we live, healthspan refers to how many of those years we spend healthy, free, and free from disease. This philosophy is known as "Longevity“ subsumed with the following goal: extending the time we live healthy lives. In your opinion, is there an important step in preventive medicine where the focus is not on treating the disease, but rather on maintaining and promoting health? What advice do you give your patients in this regard?
Prof. Dr. Stoffel:
In order to maintain the health span as long as possible, it is important to know the risks that lead to the most common diseases in our society - namely diseases of the cardiovascular system, the brain (dementia and Alzheimer's disease) and the development of cancer - and to eliminate them as far as possible.
A conscious, healthy lifestyle and regular “Check-ups“ can help achieve this goal.
Of course, every illness is determined by individual factors. Therefore, in our practice, we focus on measurable risks that can ideally also be treated. Let me take the almost omnipresent stress as an example – your stress hormones are measurable, and it is possible to analyze which times of day they are most pronounced. You can successfully counteract your stress through essential substances such as amino acids and, for example, conscious breathing.
MoleQlar:
An epigenetic test like the Molecular Profile Test MoleQlar analyzes a person’s biological age using a saliva sample. This epigenetic age can be compared to the chronological age vary and thus allows conclusions to be drawn about a person's lifestyle. Do you envision such an epigenetic test finding a place in future preventive medicine? Have you already performed such a test yourself or recommended it to your patients?
Prof. Dr. Stoffel:
Yes, I've already conducted this test myself, and I can still remember how excited I was about the results! I can reveal that I was very pleased that the methods I practiced seemed to be working for me as well...
I have recommended the epigenetic age test to many of my patients, who appreciate how easy it is to perform and who have also been eagerly awaiting their results.
Some then contacted us based on the results to plan possible improvement measures.
On the one hand, we have genetics, which we inherit and which is essentially unchangeable (comparable to the entire hard drive of a computer). On the other hand, there is epigenetics, with the realization (analogous to the hard drive sector that is read) that we can positively influence our genes through our lifestyle.
The exciting thing about the epigenetic concept is that it involves biochemical changes (often in the form of so-called methyl groups) that allow the "hard drive" (=genetics) to be read in different areas. This means that the activation or deactivation of genes is the relevant, epigenetically measurable factor.
Ideally, targeted improvement of risks over a period of 1-2 years and thus a positive influence on biological age is possible.
MoleQlar:
As already mentioned, the biological age lower or, in some cases, even higher than normal age. Various lifestyle factors such as unhealthy eating, no or insufficient exercise, or the wrong exercise, smoking, alcohol, and negative stress can contribute to this. In addition to these modifiable risk factors, there are dozens of circumstances that are difficult to change and modify. What would you recommend to your patients if an epigenetic age test reveals a much higher age than their chronological age? Are there any protective factors in addition to the risk factors?
Prof. Dr. Stoffel:
This requires detailed detective work. Of course, we are far from being able to influence all of the risks that could potentially be improved.
But – and this is the good news – we have many opportunities to live more consciously and healthily, and through proactive health care we can contribute to increasing our health span.
Protective factors definitely include a "healthy diet," the right amount of exercise, restful, regenerative sleep, heart rate-regulating breathing, and balancing micronutrient deficiencies in the blood. I'm stating this quite simply, but I can give you a scientifically valid definition and recommendation for action in each of these areas.
MoleQlar:
Dr. Stoffel, thank you very much for the informative and fascinating interview. We can all learn a lot from it for our health and our lives! One final question to conclude: Which MoleQlar product would you most like to have for personal use?
Prof. Dr. Stoffel:
Preferably a substance that influences the mitochondrial energy production of the cell, enabling us to achieve clinically and laboratory-based improvements in the "cell power plants." Disturbances in this central element of metabolism are not only common, but also strongly influence our longevity. They are currently gaining more attention through topics such as "Long COVID“. We know these “Fatigue symptoms“ but for much longer.
Perhaps you, dear reader, could also write a little longevity wish list so that you can also do something good for your health!
