How would you explain preventive medicine to someone unfamiliar with the concept? Nadira Akilova explains.

Preventive medicine is, above all, about preventing disease, preserving health, and maintaining vitality throughout life.
Over the years, each of us accumulates certain health issues that may gradually develop into chronic conditions affecting the cardiovascular, endocrine, neurological, or other systems. Disease rarely appears overnight. More often, it is the result of problems that have been building up for years.
That is why the primary goal of preventive medicine is early detection—identifying potential health concerns before symptoms appear and begin to affect a person’s quality of life. Early diagnosis allows treatment and lifestyle interventions to begin at the right time, helping to prevent more serious complications in the future.

After all, it is far easier to prevent illness than to deal with its consequences.

 

About the Expert:
Nadira Akilova
is a physician specializing in integrative and anti-aging medicine. She is the official representative of the international PreventAge Institute in Uzbekistan.

How Long Has Preventive Medicine Been a Trend in Uzbekistan?

Back in 2019, when I first began speaking about preventive medicine, very few of my colleagues in Uzbekistan understood what I was talking about. At the same time, I saw an overwhelming response from the public. People wrote to me with gratitude, saying that my message resonated with them and reflected concerns they had long been thinking about.

In 2020, I opened the Uzbekistan regional branch of the international PreventAge Institute of Integrative, Preventive, and Anti-Aging Medicine. We started with a small group of physicians who were interested in exploring this new approach. From the very first training modules, they began applying what they learned in practice, and the results were remarkable. The number of satisfied patients grew steadily, and these doctors quickly gained recognition.
Today, many of those physicians have become leading specialists in their fields, with appointment schedules booked months in advance. Interest in preventive medicine among healthcare professionals has continued to grow. We have never relied on advertising—word of mouth and patient recommendations have driven that growth. Patients increasingly began seeking out integrative practitioners specifically.
Today, nearly 200 physicians are studying with us. Doctors travel from across Uzbekistan, as well as from Kazakhstan, while healthcare professionals from Tajikistan and Turkmenistan regularly contact us expressing interest in joining the program.

What Is the State of Preventive Medicine in Uzbekistan Today? Are There Schools, Communities, Physicians, Health Coaches, and Similar Specialists?

Today, preventive medicine in Uzbekistan extends far beyond individual practitioners. There are now entire clinics that specifically recruit physicians trained in integrative medicine.
What makes me especially happy is the growing awareness among the public—particularly young people—who are choosing healthier lifestyles and actively seeking knowledge they can apply not only to themselves, but also to their families, children, and parents.
Due to the high demand for education among people without medical backgrounds, we launched the Uzbekistan regional branch of the University of Educational Medicine earlier this year. This allows non-physicians to receive professional training in health and wellness.
The university operates with the support of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Skolkovo and holds international accreditation from the Health Coach Alliance.
Students can train as health coaches, studying topics such as lifestyle modification, nutrition, clinical and functional nutrition science, genetics, and psychology. They learn alongside students from around the world, communicate through professional communities, exchange experiences, collaborate on assignments, and build international networks.
Health coaches play an important supporting role alongside physicians. They help patients implement lifestyle changes, follow nutritional recommendations, and stay on track with treatment plans. While a physician cannot remain in constant contact with every patient throughout the year, health coaches can provide ongoing guidance and accountability, helping patients achieve their goals.
Beyond their professional work, many students apply this knowledge in their own lives, improving the health of their families and sharing what they learn with others. Over time, this contributes to the overall well-being of society and supports the broader goal of improving public health.

Nutraceuticals Are Often Considered Part of Preventive Medicine. Some People Say That Dietary Supplements Can Be Harmful. I Have Even Heard Gynecologists Advise Patients Against Taking Vitamins Out of Concern That They May Promote Tumor Growth.

How Would You Respond?

At times, I am tempted to explain the underlying biochemistry—enzyme systems, steroid hormone metabolism—or to point people toward the extensive body of scientific research available in the public domain. There are countless studies, publications by respected scientists, and the experience of international colleagues working in countries that lead the world in cancer treatment and rehabilitation.
In many of these countries, vitamins are routinely included in clinical protocols, and the myth that vitamins cause cancer has long since been disproven.
However, I generally avoid debating colleagues. Information tends to find those who genuinely seek it out—those who read scientific journals and stay informed about current research.

I will not go into specific examples of how some of my gynecology colleagues have achieved reductions in fibroid size or the resolution of certain conditions using vitamin B12 and comprehensive treatment protocols. Instead, I would point out a paradox of modern medicine.
We often do not hesitate to prescribe antibiotics, sometimes quite casually, despite the well-documented impact they can have on the microbiome. Yet many people are afraid of something as simple as magnesium supplementation.
One of the most significant developments in recent years has been the growing understanding of the microbiome. Since around 2017, research in this field has expanded dramatically. Scientists increasingly recognize the microbiome as a complex system closely connected to immune function and even brain health.
Yet despite this growing body of evidence, antibiotics are often prescribed without sufficient consideration of their long-term effects, while relatively simple nutritional interventions continue to be viewed with suspicion.

I once had a fascinating conversation with a leading breast oncologist. At the bottom of every treatment plan she writes, in large bold letters: “Vitamins do not cause cancer.”
Most of her patients are dealing with benign or malignant tumors. She has never studied with us and has no formal connection to preventive medicine. She is simply a physician who continually educates herself, follows current research, and has grown tired of repeating the same explanations.
Our conversation began with the same knowing smile that I often find myself giving when this topic comes up.

• What Would You Recommend to Someone New to This Field? Are There Any Books, Films, Blogs, or Other Resources That Can Help Beginners Get Oriented?

There is so much information available online today that it is very easy to become overwhelmed. Amateur blogs and lifestyle pages can sometimes be misleading. Instead, I recommend following physicians and authors who present scientific information in an accessible and evidence-based way.

Have You Personally Integrated Preventive Medicine into Your Lifestyle? If So, Could You Share Your Own Experience? And Do You Think People in Uzbekistan Are Ready to Adopt This Approach?

I grew up in a family of physicians, so many healthy habits and principles were instilled in me from childhood. From an early age, I learned to distinguish between what was beneficial and what was not, and over the years my understanding has continued to evolve. Looking back, I can now see which practices were truly helpful and which were not. For example, the excessive emphasis on sterility that many parents of my generation followed did not necessarily serve us well in the long run.

Today, I have completely reconsidered many aspects of my family’s lifestyle. This includes nutrition, food quality, cookware, cooking methods, the oils we use, household products, hygiene items, and cosmetics. I monitor nutrient deficiencies through laboratory testing, address them when necessary, and pay close attention to the genetic predispositions I inherited, keeping certain health indicators under regular observation.

Perhaps the biggest change has been a shift in values. Health has become my top priority, and I am willing to invest in it. For many people, however, health is not even among their top priorities. I often hear people say that medical tests are too expensive. Yet those same people may have no hesitation spending the same amount on a new outfit or a restaurant meal. The money exists—they simply choose to spend it elsewhere.
We often fail to appreciate what we have been given for free: our bodies, our health, our ability to see, move, and live fully. We neglect our health, ignore warning signs, and seek medical help only when a problem has become severe. Then we blame the healthcare system for not performing miracles.
Whenever I travel in Europe, one thing immediately stands out: people are constantly moving. Young and old alike are walking, running, cycling, and exercising. When you ask them why, the answer is simple: illness is expensive. They understand that investing in health today is far less costly than paying for treatment and recovery later. For many of them, an ideal gift might be a basket of vitamins or organic fruits and vegetables.
More than two thousand years ago, Hippocrates said: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Food was once viewed primarily as a source of strength, vitality, and nourishment. People ate to live, moved frequently, and maintained active lifestyles. Today, the situation is often reversed—we live to eat rather than eat to live.

I believe many people still place material possessions above their health. When speaking with such patients, I often ask them to imagine that they are given only one car for the rest of their lives. How carefully would they maintain it? Most answer that they would use the best fuel, the highest-quality oil, protect it from damage, and perform regular inspections.

Our bodies are no different. We are given only one body for life. So why do we treat it with less care than we would treat a car?
Over the past two years, I have been fortunate to earn the trust of people who are willing to change their habits and take responsibility for their health. Just as importantly, we have helped train a new generation of physicians who are applying preventive medicine in practice and helping expand public awareness throughout Uzbekistan.

Over the past two years, I have earned the attention and trust of people willing to change, and most importantly, I have cultivated a cohort of doctors who are also applying their knowledge and expanding the awareness of the population across the Republic.

Please share interesting stories and cases, 2-3 situations where preventive medicine could help a person improve their quality of life.

For example, there was a woman who became pregnant naturally after 17 years of secondary infertility and two unsuccessful attempts at in vitro fertilization. She was overwhelmed with emotion and could hardly believe it had happened without hormonal stimulation or fertility treatments. Her physician focused on addressing underlying liver and gut health issues and correcting nutritional deficiencies. Today, stories like this are not isolated cases.
Over the past two years, my gynecology colleagues have seen hundreds of successful pregnancies among women previously diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). In many cases, treatment focuses on lowering insulin levels, improving nutrition, and making sustainable lifestyle changes rather than relying solely on oral contraceptives or hormonal stimulation. Many women conceive naturally within just a few months.

Another area where we see remarkable results is psoriasis. Long-awaited remission often becomes possible when treatment addresses underlying factors such as nutrition and gut health. Patients quickly discover that there is no magic pill. Meaningful improvement requires commitment, dietary changes, adherence to anti-inflammatory and autoimmune nutrition protocols, long-term lifestyle adjustments, and consistent work on overall health. However, when patients stay committed, the results can be significant. Equally important is understanding that maintaining those results requires ongoing care, since factors such as stress can continue to affect skin health.

We also see encouraging outcomes in children. Because children’s bodies generally recover more quickly and have not accumulated years of health challenges, they often respond faster to treatment. Positive changes have been observed in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), delayed speech and language development, and stuttering.

That said, my colleagues are better positioned to discuss individual clinical cases in detail. The gratitude they receive from patients—and the tears of joy that often accompany successful outcomes—remain the greatest reward for all of us.

What Is Your Opinion of Health Coaches and Other Supporting Specialists Without Medical Degrees? Would You Recommend Working With Them?

Absolutely—provided they have received proper education and training.
I have seen firsthand the level of knowledge and dedication among many of our health coaches. A qualified health coach understands that only a physician can prescribe medications and determine therapeutic dosages. The role of a health coach is different: they guide patients, help them implement lifestyle changes, support nutritional goals, monitor progress, and work alongside physicians as part of a collaborative care team.
Health coaches can help patients stay accountable, maintain healthy habits, and follow preventive recommendations. This type of support is often essential because physicians cannot remain in daily contact with every patient throughout the year.

As for other specialists, I always look at their educational background. If someone has completed a reputable program lasting one or two years and earned a serious qualification, that is one thing. If someone has taken a short three-month course and immediately presents themselves as an expert, I would be much more cautious.

What Annual Health Check-Up Would You Recommend for Everyone?

There is no universal checklist that applies to everyone.
Recommended screening tests vary by age and tend to become more comprehensive over time. For women in particular, annual preventive examinations by a gynecologist and a breast specialist are especially important.

I could provide a list of laboratory tests, but the more important question is: who will interpret the results?
An integrative medicine physician may identify early warning signs even when laboratory values still fall within standard reference ranges. For that reason, the first step is not finding a list of tests—it is finding a qualified healthcare professional who can recommend appropriate screening, assess your overall health, and provide personalized guidance.

What Health Issues Can Preventive Medicine Help Address?

Preventive medicine can play a role in addressing a wide range of health concerns, including chronic low-grade conditions, excess weight, stress, panic attacks, autoimmune disorders, chronic inflammation, recurring infections, anemia, nutrient deficiencies, liver and digestive health issues, age-related concerns, skin conditions such as acne, hormonal imbalances, Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, endocrine disorders, and many other factors that affect overall well-being and quality of life.

But if I were to put it more simply, I would say this:
Anyone who incorporates the principles of preventive medicine into their life increases their chances of enjoying a longer, healthier, and more active future.
When we celebrate milestones and anniversaries, it is common to wish someone a long life—to live to one hundred years old. But have you ever considered that there are many different ways to reach that age? One person may reach it confined to a bed or a chair, while another remains active, independent, and fully engaged in life.

Longevity matters, but quality of life matters just as much.

Health is the best investment you can make. The challenge is that the return is not immediate. You may not see the benefits tomorrow or next month. You will see them twenty or thirty years from now, when your body rewards you with strength, mobility, clear vision, healthy skin, freedom from chronic pain, and a greater likelihood of avoiding serious chronic disease.
Most importantly, it will be reflected in how you age.
The choices you make today shape the quality of the years ahead.