Starting her career as a family doctor, Dr. Maureen Sweeney quickly realized the impact lifestyle has on healthy aging. She has since run her practice based on the acronym DESSERT which focuses on age management from the inside out.
The framework designed by Dr. Sweeney and used at LiveYoung Medical for age and wellness management can be summarized in DESSERT.
Diet
Exercise
Supplements
Stress and Sleep Management
Early Detection
Restoring
Treating
Although you may be disappointed that list didn’t read more along the lines of Donut, Eclair, Strudel and so on, you may be pleasantly surprised to know DESSERT is all about balance—the odd donut is not frowned upon.
With the DESSERT framework, Dr. Sweeney and the LiveYoung Medical team can develop an individualized wellness strategy. Although age management is a significant part of our programs, people under 50 can also utilize DESSERT to be proactive in their wellness.
Diet
You are what you eat. Fuel your body. You may have heard these phrases many times over but they still stand true. As you age, your diet continues to be vital in your overall health. Modifying your diet to suit your body’s changes is vital in maintaining good health and reducing the risk of chronic disease. Whether you’re 30 or 70, this is an area of DESSERT that we can continue to work on.
Exercise
Diet can only take you so far—we also require exercise to keep us healthy from the inside out. At LiveYoung Medical, we offer a Weight Loss and Maintenance program to help keep our patients on track to achieve their goals. This area of DESSERT focuses on weight management, blood sugar, blood pressure and cardiovascular health.
Sleep and Stress
Both these life factors have a significant impact on your overall health and have been shown to have direct links to your life expectancy. Stress and sleep tend to create a vicious cycle. Those with a stressful lifestyle tend to have poor sleeping patterns. When your body isn’t recovering through sleep properly, it is unable to heal itself from the stress of your daily life.
Supplements
Even with the first three elements of DESSERT completely managed, supplements can help fill any gaps. From minerals to probiotics, Dr. Sweeney and the LiveYoung Medical team can help determine the best supplement plan for your specific needs and wellness goals.
Early Detection
Early detection of disease can improve the prognosis allowing you to explore all your options, including natural strategies.
Restoring
As hormones play a significant role in age-related changes, restoring hormone balance is one of the most effective ways to combat premature aging. With over 18 years of experience with bio-identical hormones (naturally derived substitutes), Dr. Sweeney will help you slow age-related changes and achieve your health goals.
Treating
The final element to help finish off your DESSERT, like a cherry on top of a sundae, is aesthetic medicine. Aesthetic medicine can help you look as great as you feel. Diminish the appearance of aging with LiveYoung Medical’s many cosmetic treatments. Whether it be injectable treatments, such as Botox ® and Juvederm™ or the latest laser skin rejuvenation treatment, Dr. Sweeney will work with you to ensure you receive the natural, youthful results you desire.
Finding Your DESSERT
Everyone’s experience with our favourite acronym will differ, but luckily there is a little piece of DESSERT for everyone and who doesn’t love DESSERT. If you would like to find out more about our Age Management program on our website, click here. If this seems like a great fit for you please contact the office today so we can answer any questions you may have and help you get booked for your first appointment!
