Z. Altug, DPT

03/08/2026

Muscular Strength and Functional Independence and Longevity.

A study in the JAMA Network Open (2026) concluded:
“In this study of ambulatory older women, greater muscular strength was associated with lower mortality even when controlling for accelerometer-measured PA [physical activity] and sedentary time, walking speed, and systemic inflammation. These findings suggest that assessing strength and promoting its maintenance are instrumental for optimal aging.”

Source:
LaMonte MJ, Hyde ET, Nguyen S, et al. Muscular strength and mortality in women aged 63 to 99 Years. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(2):e2559367.

03/05/2026

I enjoyed my collaboration with the Parkinson's Community Los Angeles for the Self-Care Toolbox for Parkinson's (https://www.pcla.org/tag/self-care-toolbox-for-parkinsons).

Walking is a practical, adaptable, and evidence-supported activity for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease.

03/05/2026

Prescribe It!

A daily brisk walk.

Why?

A study in JAMA Internal Medicine (2026) concluded that, “This randomized clinical trial found that sustained metabolic syndrome remission after treatment may be possible by promoting simple habits [such as brisk walks] through a behavior-based lifestyle program focused on immediate benefits.”

Learn more:
Powell LH, Berkley-Patton J, Drees BM, et al. Lifestyle intervention for sustained remission of metabolic syndrome: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2026;186(1):67-77.

Tag a colleague who needs this.

03/04/2026

What's in YOUR lifestyle medicine toolbox? 🧰

7 tools every health professional should know:

🏃 Movement — small doses, big impact
🥦 Nutrition — food as medicine
😴 Sleep — the most underrated healer
🧘 Mindfulness — presence is powerful
😮‍💨 Stress Management — it undoes everything else if ignored
🤝 Social Connection — loneliness is a clinical risk factor
🚭 Risky Substance Avoidance — honest conversations change lives

Which one do you lean on most in your practice? Drop it below 👇

03/03/2026

Did you know my Physiopedia Plus site is now available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, and Ukrainian?

Log in to see which one of my courses are translated into your preferred language.

Get 30% off with code ALTUG30
https://members.physio-pedia.com/membership-account/membership-checkout/?level=1&discount_code=ALTUG30


Physiopedia

03/01/2026

With INR Seminars – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

03/01/2026

With International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

02/23/2026

Lifestyle Medicine and Reducing Risk of Melanoma

An article in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine (2026) states:

“Although LM (lifestyle medicine) is traditionally associated with metabolic and cardiovascular conditions, its principles are highly relevant to melanoma prevention through counseling on sun protection, avoidance of carcinogenic substances, moderation of alcohol intake, sleep optimization, dietary improvement, healthy weight management, and physical activity patterns that minimize UV (ultraviolet) burden.”

Reference:
Alaswad L, Galiatsatos P, Srivastava G. Lifestyle medicine strategies for reducing risk of melanoma: modifiable factors and clinical implications. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. 2026. Online first.
doi:10.1177/15598276261428425

02/23/2026

Boxing for Parkinson’s

See the link.
https://www.pcla.org/blog/boxing-for-parkinsons-fighting-back-with-movement

Also, see the link for the Self-Care Toolbox for Parkinson’s from the Parkinson’s Community Los Angles (PCLA)
https://www.pcla.org/tag/self-care-toolbox-for-parkinsons



Cure Parkinson's
American Parkinson Disease Association
International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Parkinson Canada
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's ResearchJ Fox
Parkinson's Community Los Angeles
Parkinson's Foundation
Parkinson's UK
Parkinson's Europe
World Parkinson Congress

02/22/2026

Physical Activity and Brain Health

An article in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine (2026) states, “Achieving ≥150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity weekly, whether condensed into one to two “weekend warrior” (WW) sessions or distributed across several days, provides comparable neuroprotective benefits. These findings support flexible, patient-centered exercise recommendations and reinforce that some activity is always better than none.”

Moraes de Oliveira G, Nardelli da Silva AB, Reis Barreto ES, Antunes Júnior CR, Adalier E, Valeriano Zamora F, Frates E, Mansur NSB, Medina G. Physical activity patterns and brain health: a systematic review about weekend warrior vs regular exercise on neuropsychiatric disorders. Am J Lifestyle Med. Published online February 8, 2026.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41668854/

02/21/2026

Lifestyle and Parkinson’s

An article in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine (2025) states, “Overall, lifestyle modifications offer significant, accessible, and complementary strategies to traditional pharmacological treatments, offering patients practical methods to enhance their health outcomes, daily functioning, and quality of life with Parkinson’s disease.”

Reference:
Baghaei A, Kim HS, Dolhun R, Sherzai D, Dashtipour K. Review of the effects of lifestyle modification on Parkinson's Disease. Am J Lifestyle Med. Published online October 3, 2025.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41050191/



Cure Parkinson's
American Parkinson Disease Association
International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Parkinson Canada
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
Parkinson's Community Los Angeles
Parkinson's Foundation
Parkinson's Europe
World Parkinson Congress

02/20/2026

Lifestyle Interventions and Parkinson’s

An article in The Lancet Neurology (2026) states, “Overall, integrating lifestyle modifications into routine care offers a promising, accessible avenue to improve quality of life and potentially alter the progression of Parkinson's disease.”

Reference:
Trinh J, de Vries NM, Chan P, Dekker MCJ, Helmich RC, Bloem BR. The role of lifestyle interventions in symptom management and disease modification in Parkinson's disease. Lancet Neurol. 2026;25(1):90-102.



Parkinson's Community Los Angeles
Parkinson's Foundation
American Parkinson Disease Association
Parkinson's Europe
World Parkinson Congress
Parkinson Canada
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research