Lifestyle Medicine as The Longevity Strategy

I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Dean Ornish, a pioneer and global authority in lifestyle medicine, during the Roundtable for Longevity Clinics held on December 6–8, 2025, organised by the International Institute of Longevity and held at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in California.

In our conversation, Dr. Ornish shared the deeply personal story that led him to redefine modern medicine: from witnessing the limitations of surgery and pharmaceuticals, to proving – through decades of rigorous, peer-reviewed research – that simple lifestyle changes can not only prevent, but reverse some of the most common chronic diseases of our time. We discussed how nutrition, movement, stress management, social connection, and purpose influence gene expression, inflammation, telomeres, cognitive decline, and even early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.

This interview offers a powerful reminder that longevity is not only about high-tech interventions or supplements, but about addressing root causes and restoring agency, meaning, and hope. A must-watch conversation for anyone shaping the future of longevity clinics, lifestyle medicine, and human health.

Author

Joanna Bensz

Founder and CEO, Longevity Center CEO, International Institute of Longevity

Joanna Bensz

Founder and CEO, Longevity Center CEO, International Institute of Longevity
Joanna Bensz is a precursor in developing pathway of modern prevention in healthcare and longevity.

Having spend 20+ years in managing and growing international and Fortune 500 companies across Central and Eastern Europe, Joanna co-founded International Institute of Longevity, bringing together international experts in age science, preventive health and longevity economy contributing to development of the sector in Europe.

At the end of 2019 together with Prince Michael of Liechtenstein, she opened first Longevity Center in CEE, a boutique preventive health and longevity company, that focuses on scientifically and medically advanced technologies and protocols for healthy longevity and sustainable health. Center is focusing on preventive health and lifestyle interventions based on in-depth diagnostics, epigenetics and biomarkers of biological age. In January 2022 LC opened its first center in Germany.

International education in Strategic and International Marketing complemented with Advanced Leadership Program at IESE, University of Navarra in Barcelona.

Member of Business and Innovation sub-group of the Strategic Advisory Board of Longevity International, All Party Parliamentary Group for Longevity in the UK. President of the Longevity Vaduz Roundtable in Liechtenstein.

She is considered one of ‘Top-50 Women in Longevity ‘ by Aging Analytics Agency.

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