Latest news with #PoonamDesai
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
No supplements needed: Longevity doctor shares the one daily nutrient that could add years to your life
In a world obsessed with miracle supplements and costly wellness fads, longevity doctor Dr. Poonam Desai is keeping things surprisingly simple—starting with what's on her plate. With over two decades of experience as an ER physician and now a full-time longevity medicine specialist, Dr. Desai has become an evangelist for the often-overlooked hero of health: fiber. Her secret to a long and vibrant life? 'Every single day I try to get at least 30 to 40 grams of fiber in my diet,' Desai tells CNBC Make It . That number might raise eyebrows, considering the average American only manages a meager 10 to 15 grams daily, according to Harvard Health Publishing. But for Desai, fiber isn't just a dietary checkbox—it's a daily ritual for disease prevention , gut health , and aging with strength. The Longevity Diet: Fiber First, Always For Desai, who also holds a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree, nutrition is a foundation of both personal and professional life. Since 2017, she's practiced longevity medicine, a growing field focused on extending not just lifespan but 'healthspan'—the number of years we live in good health. And in her mission to help patients live longer, better lives, she insists on walking the talk herself. 'I want to optimize everything I'm doing,' she says, and her daily fiber load is one of her most reliable tools. So, how does she do it? Her day often starts with a fiber-packed hydration hack: a tablespoon of chia seeds stirred into 30 ounces of water. Not only is it great for gut health and satiety, but it's also a simple ritual anyone can adopt—no exotic superfoods required. You Might Also Like: Stanford longevity expert reverses his age by 10 years with one radical lifestyle shift Fruits, Veggies, and the Power of Plants Every day, Desai prepares what she describes as 'a huge bowl' of fruits—apples, oranges, kiwi, berries, blueberries, strawberries—carefully selected for both taste and fiber content. Alongside this fruit medley, she munches on raw vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, embracing the crunch and fiber-rich punch that raw produce delivers. A lifelong vegetarian, she rounds out her fiber intake with at least one serving of lentils or beans daily. These plant-based proteins are not only fiber powerhouses but also rich in essential nutrients that support everything from cardiovascular health to brain function. Why You Should Rethink Your Fiber Game Despite fiber's reputation as a dull dietary footnote, research continues to show its critical role in long-term health. High-fiber diets are associated with a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and even certain cancers. It also promotes better digestion and a more diverse gut microbiome—factors strongly linked to overall wellness and immune resilience. Desai's example proves that boosting fiber doesn't require an overhaul of your entire diet—it just takes a shift in intention. From chia water to colorful produce and legumes, her fiber-rich habits are accessible and effective, even for the busiest lifestyles. You Might Also Like: Want to live to 100? Skip the gym, this daily habit matters more; longevity expert reveals A Message for the Masses: Longevity is in the Little Things For those chasing the elusive fountain of youth, Dr. Desai's message is refreshingly grounded: Start with the basics, and start now. Longevity isn't about perfection—it's about consistency. And in her world, every fiber-rich bite is a small step toward a stronger, longer life. 'Everything I do,' she says, 'is about optimizing my future.' And with 40 grams of fiber a day, that future is looking remarkably bright. You Might Also Like: Want to live longer? Forget expensive experiments; longevity doctor reveals simple secrets to a healthier, happier life
CNBC
a day ago
- Health
- CNBC
Longevity doctor: 'Every single day I try to get at least 30 to 40 grams of fiber in my diet'—here's how
Poonam Desai is an ER doctor with two decades of experience who studied and recommended daily practices for a long life to her patients well before it became her main focus. In 2017, she officially started practicing longevity medicine, teaching patients the tools they need to structure their routines with living long and staying healthy in mind. For her own health and wellness, Desai, who is also a doctor of osteopathic medicine, practices the habits that she typically suggests. "Everything I'm doing, I want to optimize it," she told CNBC Make It in March. This includes upping her fiber intake: "Every single day I try to get at least 30 to 40 grams of fiber in my diet," Desai says. The average American eats about half of that amount of fiber, if not less, according to Harvard Health Publishing which places the typical fiber intake at just 10 to 15 grams daily. Here's how you can take a page out of the longevity medicine doctor's book and get more fiber in your daily diet. There are certain food groups that are rich in fiber, like: "One of my favorite ways to get fiber into my diet is to put a tablespoon of chia seeds in 30 ounces of water," Desai says. Desai also makes large bowls of mixed fruits or vegetables daily to eat more fiber. Most days, she gets a healthy serving of both. "I have a huge bowl of different fruits almost daily. It could be apples, oranges, kiwi, berries, blueberries, strawberries," she says. "I pair that with a lot of raw vegetables like raw cauliflower, raw broccoli and cabbage." As a vegetarian, Desai often gets healthy amounts of fiber from the plant-based proteins she eats. "I try to do one serving of either lentils or beans per day." ,
Daily Mail
23-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Why a longevity doctor refuses to drink from a gadget THOUSANDS of Aussies use every day
A longevity doctor has issued a stark warning about the hidden dangers lurking in your kitchen tap - and why she refuses to use instant hot water faucets in her own home. Dr Poonam Desai, a physician who specialises in preventative health and longevity, took to social media to share the surprising reason she avoids the kitchen gadget that many rely on for their morning tea or coffee. 'I do not use instant hot water faucets,' she said. 'Almost all of them use plastic tubing, which means piping hot water is flowing through plastic. Heating plastic releases millions of microplastics into drinking water - and these are known hormone disruptors.' Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles that can enter the body through food and water, have been linked to hormonal imbalances and other health issues. Dr Desai believes avoiding unnecessary exposure is a key part of living a longer, healthier life. Instead of using instant hot water taps, the New York-based doctor opts for a more traditional approach. 'I get cold water out of the faucet and heat it in my stainless steel kettle or over a stainless steel pot,' she said. Her method may sound old-fashioned, but it's backed by emerging science. According to a study published by the American Chemical Society, boiling hard water - which contains higher levels of calcium and magnesium - can significantly reduce the amount of microplastics you consume. Here's how it works: when hard water is boiled, calcium carbonate forms and traps microplastics in the process. Once cooled, the water can be filtered, removing both the minerals and the plastic particles. This simple practice can remove up to 90 per cent of microplastics in tap water. Soft water, which has lower levels of calcium and magnesium, may not trap as many microplastics, but still offers some benefit when boiled. Health-conscious Australians are increasingly wary of microplastic exposure. With the rise of plastic-lined appliances, synthetic food packaging, and now kitchen fittings, many are seeking out safer ways to reduce their risk.
