Jeffrey Bland, who is widely considered to be the “father of functional medicine,” turned 79 years of age earlier this year. As a leader and visionary in the field, he’s advocating for a more comprehensive approach to health that recognizes the limits of traditional medicine. His own daily routine is a testament to the principles that he preaches in order to motivate everyday people to make healthier decisions and live healthier lives.
Bland integrates his research, philosophy, and practices into his daily life in order to keep living as long and well as possible. Each night, he spends an hour or more doing what he calls “meditative relaxation.” This practice is truly non-negotiable for him to relax, reset, and come down from the day. This period of time provides him an opportunity to further contemplate and recharge. This makes sure he’s really, totally, fully recharged and ready to go for the next day.
Beyond meditation, Bland focuses heavily on movement, aiming for a minimum of an hour of physical activity each day. And he’s a big fan of using a reformer— which he has at home— for Pilates with his wife, Susan. This group exercise routine not only keeps her children physically fit but brings them closer together.
In terms of nutrition, Bland attempts to get as much color and therefore nutrients as possible on his plate. He emphasizes that eating a diet rich in color and variety is the best way to ensure you’re healthy, both inside and out. Additionally, he keeps a health journal, logging the food he eats, exercising he does and working towards his individual health goals.
Bland’s approach to health is more than just physical activity and eating right. He asserts, “I think you need to start off each day believing that you’re worthy of good health.” This attitude defines Jordan’s day-to-day life and is indicative of his holistic view on health.
His dedication to the practice of functional medicine is rooted in a deep sense of purpose. In 1991, Bland co-founded the Institute for Functional Medicine along with Susan. Their inspiration was to transform our healthcare system, focusing on prevention first rather than just treating diseases after they occur. His research is rooted in the pioneering efforts of two-time Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling. This makes him an even larger thought leader in the field.
Outside of his work pursuits, Bland enjoys both reading for recreation and deepening his work-related knowledge. He states, “For me, it’s recreational reading. My job forces me to do a lot of technical reading.” His other favorite genre is nonfiction, especially if the book’s about the natural world or adventure, soothing Giangrande as much as it excites him.
Like most revolutionaries, Bland looks back on his legacy with an eye toward progress. He believes that “whatever you contribute is always going to be there.” This view motivates him to work every day to ensure healthy and active kids today grow up to be healthy and active adults tomorrow.
Underneath all these practices, Bland is still driven by a key health question—the same one that’s still steering his career-long research in that direction. While he has not disclosed the specifics of this inquiry, it underscores his dedication to advancing understanding in functional medicine.