My Story With Medicine
Between 1995-2013, I have practiced as anesthesiologist and critical care physician (ICU/Burnsโ Center) at Hopital Libanais-Geitaoui.
๐ฉ๐ปโโ๏ธCertified in Lifestyle Medicine (LM) | Former ICU doc
๐ฟI help women 45+ live healthier, longer, and calmer through the 8 pillars of Lifestyle Medicine.
๐ฉบ In Person, Online & Workshop.
๐Lebanon
โฅ๏ธ Narrative Medicine, Mindfulness & Zentangle In 2005, and till I quit, I was nominated Chief of Department of Intensive Care Unit/Burns Center. In 2013, I decided to quit; taking care of chronic patients had become emotionally exhausting for me. Since, I had continued to practice medicine as General Physician, Smoking Cessation Specialist, Addiction Counseling (Teens, youth and their mothers), either face-to-face or virtual sessions. However, my medical practice was interrupted by my frequent travels to USA and Canada, to visit my daughters. I had also other professional activities, like expert for Lebanese Hospital Accreditations, Public Health writer and consultant (Middle East Strategic Perspectives), health education and awareness, medical blogger (In 2014, I founded, a not-for-profit LAMSA (Lebanon) (www.lamsaleb.org) (Social Media: ). Adding to that, I have followed in 2016 the 8-weeks training in Mindfulness-Based-Stress-Reduction at McGill University. Since, I personally practice this technique on a daily basis and I teach some of the exercises to my patients as stress reduction coping technique. January 2020, I moved to a new office in Brazilia-Baabda, but the Covid19 pandemic had emerged. With the lockdown ease, I am back to work for now as Smoking Cessation Specialist for youth (18-25 years old), privileging however the virtual sessions. Zeina Assaf Moukarzel, MD, MPH, MHA
Lebanese Order of Physicians Registration Number: A/571
Social Security (CNSS) Registration Number: 42/2002
Private cell phone: +961/3-341133
09/10/2025
Welcome to the third issue of my Lifestyle Medicine newsletter, entitled ยซย Beyond Pink: Breast Cancer and the Exercise Prescription ยป.
This edition reminds us that physical activity is the key to enabling breast cancer patients to function normally and to enhance their quality of life. Also, women who are physically active after being diagnosed with breast cancer have a statistically higher chance of survival compared to those who are physically inactive.
I hope this issue motivates you to sit less and move more.
07/10/2025
Lebanese October mood: no more chairs, only quiet moments and warm memories of summer.
Seasonal transitions are powerful. They remind us to adapt, to breathe differently, to rest deeply.
Thatโs Lifestyle Medicine in action: aligning our pace with natureโs flow.
Be Mind Full. Be Mindful.
#๐ฉ๐ปโโ๏ธforacause
02/10/2025
Longevity experts say you don't need expensive tech, gym memberships, or supplements to live healthier and longer. See link below โฌ๏ธ
02/10/2025
๐ Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2025 | 1-31 October
Breast cancer is the *most common cancer in women globally*, with 2.3 million new cases each year.
Key facts:
๐ฉ๐ป Women account for 99% of cases, but men are also affected.
๐ Half of all breast cancers occur in women with no risk factors other than s*x and age.
โ ๏ธ Risk factors include obesity, alcohol and to***co use, radiation exposure, reproductive history, hormone therapy, and family history of breast cancer.
๐ฉบ Breast cancer is fatal if left unchecked, but survival rates can be very high when detected and treated early.
Possible signs to look out for:
โก๏ธ A lump or thickening in the breast (often painless).
โก๏ธ Changes in breast size, shape or appearance.
โก๏ธ Abnormal or bloody fluid from the ni**le.
โก๏ธ Skin changes such as dimpling, redness or pitting.
โก๏ธ Changes in ni**le appearance or the skin surrounding the ni**le (ar**la).
fides
01/10/2025
๐ Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2025 | 1-31 October
Breast cancer is the *most common cancer in women globally*, with 2.3 million new cases each year.
Key facts:
๐ฉ๐ป Women account for 99% of cases, but men are also affected.
๐ Half of all breast cancers occur in women with no risk factors other than s*x and age.
โ ๏ธ Risk factors include obesity, alcohol and to***co use, radiation exposure, reproductive history, hormone therapy, and family history of breast cancer.
๐ฉบ Breast cancer is fatal if left unchecked, but survival rates can be very high when detected and treated early.
Possible signs to look out for:
โก๏ธ A lump or thickening in the breast (often painless).
โก๏ธ Changes in breast size, shape or appearance.
โก๏ธ Abnormal or bloody fluid from the ni**le.
โก๏ธ Skin changes such as dimpling, redness or pitting.
โก๏ธ Changes in ni**le appearance or the skin surrounding the ni**le (ar**la).
30/09/2025
Here I am with PT Hicham๐ชโsupporting me, guiding me step by step, and cheering every small victory.
After quitting the gym for years, I started strength training at home with a personal trainer who guided me step by stepโcarefully, non-judgmentally, and at my pace.
Every move was explained, corrected, and adapted to my body. In weeks, I felt stronger, more confident, and energized.
Strength is medicine, strength is health.
Remember, you can still build muscles even at 70 years old.
Start ASAP, itโs never too late.
๐๐๐
Be Mind Full. Be Mindful.
#๐ฉ๐ปโโ๏ธforacause
29/09/2025
Ladies, your heart doesnโt always shoutโit whispers. ๐
A heart attack may look like:
๐ด unusual tiredness
๐ฌ๏ธ breathlessness
๐คข nausea or dizziness
๐ข jaw/neck/back pain
โค๏ธโ๐ฅ chest pressure (not always pain)
This , listen to your body. Your heart matters. โค๏ธ
Be Mind Full. Be Mindful.
27/09/2025
For years, I thought walking was enough.
I walked daily, felt active, and believed I was protecting my health.
But a decade later, I noticed something different: my arms had softened. The back of my triceps โ the โchauve-sourisโ wings โ reminded me of what I had lost.
It wasnโt just appearance. It was sarcopenia, the gradual loss of muscle with age.
Walking had helped my heart, but it hadnโt saved my strength.
And strength matters.
๐ช It lowers blood pressure.
๐ช It protects bones after menopause.
๐ช It reduces diabetes risk.
๐ช It even lowers risk of depression and early death.
The science is clear:
- Women lose ~1โ2% of muscle strength per year after midlife.
- Just 2 strength sessions per week can change that story.
- Walking is good. But walking alone is not enough.
Strength is medicine.
๐ Ladies over 50: do you include strength training in your life? If yes, what works for you? If no, what holds you back?
17/09/2025
Aspartame, erythritol, and other sugar substitutes may be linked to worse memory, cognition, and verbal fluency, a new study found. See link below โฌ๏ธ
17/09/2025
Parents and families play a vital role in keeping children safe during health care.
๐ฃ๏ธ You are your childโs best advocate.
Hereโs what you can do:
๐ Track & share: Keep notes on symptoms, medications, and appointments.
๐ Stay informed: Learn about common childhood conditions and understand hospital safety rules like handwashing and visitor restrictions.
๐ฃ Ask & confirm: Always ask about treatments. Doublecheck names, allergies and medications before interventions.
โค๏ธโ๐ฉน Trust your instincts: If something feels wrong, speak up, you know your child best.
Remember: Most harm is preventable. ๐
16/09/2025
Excited to be attending the ELMO Congress of Lifestyle Medicine, a space to learn, connect, and grow as a physician passionate about healing through lifestyle.
Who else from ๐ฑ๐ง is joining?
๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ฌ โ ๐๐ฑ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐!
We hope you all had a wonderful summer and are ready to dive back into Science and Lifestyle Medicine!
We are excited to share some great news: the ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง and ๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง for the ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ Congress have been extended by two full weeks โ until ๐๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ญ๐ก, ๐๐๐๐.
This extension gives you more time to:
โจ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐ก your research to be part of the scientific program
โจ Take advantage of ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐กโ ๐กโ๐ ๐ธ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐ต๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ก๐๐๐
โจ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ก at one of the most inspiring Lifestyle Medicine events in Europe
Donโt miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and share your knowledge with colleagues and experts from all over the world.
๐ Mark your calendar: ๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐โ๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ โ Brussels, Belgium
๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ซ๐๐ ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ today: https://elmo2025.org/
Letโs shape the future of Lifestyle Medicine together โ see you in Brussels!
14/09/2025
Welcome to the second issue of my Lifestyle Medicine newsletter, entitled ยซย When Rania Discovered She Was Prediabeticย ยป.
This edition reminds us that health is a journey, not a quick fix. Itโs about small steps, regular follow-up, and the understanding that medications and lifestyle go hand in hand. Together, they can help us prevent disease, reduce medication burden when possible, and improve quality of life.
I hope this issue motivates you to ask: Why now? What small change can I begin today for a healthier tomorrow?
P.S I chose a narrative style because stories connect us, inspire change, and make science feel human. ๐ฟ
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Between 1995-2013, I have practiced as anesthesiologist and critical care physician (ICU/Burnsโ Center) at Hopital Libanais-Geitaoui. In 2005, and till I quit, I was nominated Chief of Department of Intensive Care Unit/Burns Center. In 2013, I decided to quit; taking care of chronic patients had become emotionally exhausting for me.
Since, I had continued to practice medicine as General Physician, Smoking Cessation Specialist, Addiction Counseling (Teens, youth and their mothers), either face-to-face or virtual sessions. However, my medical practice was interrupted by my frequent travels to USA and Canada, to visit my daughters.
I had also other professional activities, like expert for Lebanese Hospital Accreditations, Public Health writer and consultant (Middle East Strategic Perspectives), health education and awareness, medical blogger (In 2014, I founded, a not-for-profit LAMSA (Lebanon) (www.lamsaleb.org) (Social Media: @lamsalebanon).
Adding to that, I have followed in 2016 the 8-weeks training in Mindfulness-Based-Stress-Reduction at McGill University. Since, I personally practice this technique on a daily basis and I teach some of the exercises to my patients as stress reduction coping technique.
January 2020, I moved to a new office in Brazilia-Baabda, but the Covid19 pandemic had emerged.
With the lockdown ease, I am back to work for now as Smoking Cessation Specialist for youth (18-25 years old), privileging however the virtual sessions.
Zeina Assaf Moukarzel, MD, MPH, MHA
Lebanese Order of Physicians Registration Number: A/571
Social Security (CNSS) Registration Number: 42/2002
