Island Health Vero Beach

11/07/2025

🌿 Pillar 1 of Lifestyle Medicine: Nourish with Whole, Plant-Based Foods

I’m Dr. Latia Ilyadis of Island Health Concierge Medicine in Vero Beach, Florida — board certified in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Lifestyle Medicine — and I’m thrilled to share our Lifestyle Medicine in Action series, filmed right here in beautiful Vero Beach with Chef Anthony and Chef Lisa Damiano, owners of Culture Vero Beach.

Together, we created a Blue Zone–inspired Ikaria Lentil Salad, adapted from a recipe by Diane Kochilas — a dish from the Greek island of Ikaria, where people live longer, healthier lives thanks to their plant-forward, Mediterranean way of eating. 🇬🇷✨

🥗 Ikaria Lentil Salad Ingredients

1 cup cooked lentils (green or brown)

1 red onion, thinly sliced

¼ cup Kalamata olives

¼ cup chopped parsley

¼ cup chopped mint

Fennel fronds (or thinly sliced bulb)

1–2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp red wine vinegar or lemon juice

Sea salt & cracked pepper to taste

👉 Check out the full video on our YouTube channel - link in bio

11/07/2025

🌿 Pillar 1 of Lifestyle Medicine: Nourish with Whole, Plant-Based Foods

I’m Dr. Latia Ilyadis of Island Health Concierge Medicine in Vero Beach, Florida — board certified in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Lifestyle Medicine — and I’m thrilled to share our Lifestyle Medicine in Action series, filmed right here in beautiful Vero Beach with Chef Anthony and Chef Lisa Damiano, owners of Counter Culture Vero Beach.

Together, we created a Blue Zone–inspired Ikaria Lentil Salad, adapted from a recipe by Diane Kochilas — a dish from the Greek island of Ikaria, where people live longer, healthier lives thanks to their plant-forward, Mediterranean way of eating. 🇬🇷✨

🥗 Ikaria Lentil Salad Ingredients

1 cup cooked lentils (green or brown)

1 red onion, thinly sliced

¼ cup Kalamata olives

¼ cup chopped parsley

¼ cup chopped mint

Fennel fronds (or thinly sliced bulb)

1–2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp red wine vinegar or lemon juice

Sea salt & cracked pepper to taste

🌱 Nutritional & Health Highlights:

💪 Lentils – A plant protein powerhouse loaded with fiber and folate to support heart and gut health.
🧅 Red Onion – Supplies quercetin for vascular and immune support.
🫒 Olives & Olive Oil – Packed with heart-healthy fats and antioxidants.
🌿 Parsley – Naturally detoxifying and full of vitamins A, C, and K for bone and immune strength.
🌱 Mint – Refreshing and soothing for the digestive system; may ease bloating and support respiratory health.
✨ Fennel – Offers gentle digestive support, reduces inflammation, and provides fiber and phytonutrients that promote gut balance and hormone harmony.

💚 This dish reflects what we teach every day at Island Health Concierge Medicine — that food is medicine.
By choosing whole, plant-based foods, we can lower inflammation, protect the heart, stabilize blood sugar, and promote longevity.

✨ Small daily choices add up to lifelong wellness. ✨

🎥 Watch the full cooking video now on our YouTube channel!
Join us as we celebrate the flavors and science of longevity — Blue Zone style!

👉 Check out the full video on our YouTube channel » https://youtu.be/tHmfn3b0GFk

10/31/2025

💪 Pillar 2: Physical Activity
Starting a strength & conditioning program can feel hard — especially if you’re living with chronic issues. But here’s the truth: the hardest part is just starting.

In this Q&A, Dr. Ilyadis sits down with a world-renowned Strength & Conditioning Coach to unpack how rate of force production — the speed and power behind your movement — plays a key role in building strength safely and effectively.

Think of your body like a car: strength training builds the engine, and cardio (VO₂ max) builds the fuel system. Without both, your body loses power, resilience, and the ability to heal.

🧠 Here’s the science:

Strength training preserves muscle mass, which is directly linked to metabolic health, mobility, and longevity.

Higher VO₂ max (your body’s ability to use oxygen efficiently) is one of the strongest predictors of lifespan ever studied — outperforming cholesterol, blood pressure, and even smoking history.

Regular resistance and aerobic training increase mitochondrial density, lower inflammation, and help reverse insulin resistance — all core drivers of aging and chronic disease.

Yet, less than 30% of U.S. adults do any structured strength training. The result? Rising rates of heart disease, diabetes, and loss of functional strength that make healthy aging harder than it needs to be.

It’s not about perfection — it’s about progress. Start small. Stay consistent. The moment you begin, your body starts to rebuild energy, reverse disease, and extend your healthspan from the inside out. 🌿

10/24/2025

🩺 Performance. Longevity. Mindset.
The sled push is more than strength and conditioning — it’s a metaphor for life and health.

Physically, it builds power, endurance, and oxygen efficiency (VO₂ max) — all vital for heart health, metabolic function, and long-term vitality.�

Mentally, it demands discipline, perseverance, and the will to start and finish a challenging task — the same mindset required to begin and sustain any lifestyle change.

Each push trains not only your body but your mind — strengthening the connection between effort and resilience, both in the gym and in life.�Improving VO₂ max isn’t just about performance; it’s about living longer, stronger, and more intentionally.

Grateful for the insight and programming influence of , world-renowned strength and conditioning coach, known for training elite combat athletes and bridging the gap between science, performance, and longevity. His methods embody the same principles we aim for in lifestyle medicine — sustainable strength, resilience, and human optimization.

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10/17/2025

Hello, I’m Dr. Latia Ilyadis — A Concierge physician in Vero Beach, Florida, board certified in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and Lifestyle Medicine. My journey to better health didn’t start in the clinic, but in my own kitchen back in 2020, when I decided to completely change my diet and go whole-food, plant-based. That single decision reshaped my energy, my focus, and ultimately, how I live.

In 2022, I added another key piece to my lifestyle: strength and conditioning training. As a former high school runner, movement was always part of me, but training with intention and structure gave me a new appreciation for the role of physical fitness in longevity and vitality.

I’m not only a doctor — I’m also a wife and mom to three amazing children under the age of 12. For me, health is not just something I “recommend,” it’s something I model daily. That’s the heart of Lifestyle Medicine: leading by example, and showing that small, consistent choices across the 6 pillars of health can transform lives.

Recently, I had the privilege to train with world-famous strength and conditioning coach Phil Daru, recently featured in . To say it was a “workout of champions” would be an understatement. His unique approach to training—combining mobility, balance, plyometrics, aerobic fitness, VO₂ max development, and strength—fits seamlessly into Pillar 2 of Lifestyle Medicine: Physical Activity.

That session pushed me mentally and physically, reminding me that health is not a destination but a journey of growth, resilience, and strength. It was an honor to learn from one of the best, and I look forward to continuing this work not only for myself, but to bring that inspiration back to my patients and my family.

✨ Health isn’t just about what we know — it’s about how we live.

Check out our website (link in bio) and YouTube Channel for the full Physical Activity video series: https://youtu.be/R0m4tGPlV9o

With our concierge healthcare model, you can schedule up to an hour appointment - uninterrupted - with Dr. Latia Ilyadis, DO. With shorter wait times and longer visits, you’ll see why our patients love Island Health Concierge Medicine. Call to make an appointment: 772-205-6361

01/07/2025

New on the Blog: A story about New Year’s resolutions and goal setting, and how they helped one person lose 100 pounds in a year’s time.

Visit our website, and click "articles" to read the latest on our blog.

https://islandhealthverobeach.com/my-weight-loss-journey-how-i-lost-100-pounds/

12/05/2024

Dive into the latest article by Dr. Latia Ilyadis and explore how Lifestyle Medicine can transform your health. From nutrition and exercise to stress management, learn about this holistic approach to living your best life. Check it out now and start your journey to a healthier you!

Read now: https://islandhealthverobeach.com/principlesoflifestylemedicine/

The Principles of Lifestyle Medicine: Prevent, Heal, Thrive By: Dr. Latia Ilyadis “The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.” — Thomas Edison. In an era where chronic disea...

10/02/2024

Experience personalized pediatric care with Island Health Concierge Pediatrics! 🌟

Unlike traditional practices, our membership model ensures your child receives dedicated attention from Dr. Ilyadis. With fewer patients, we focus on overall well-being, not just illnesses, offering more convenience and comprehensive care. We coordinate with specialists, manage chronic conditions, and monitor every aspect of your child’s health.

Join us for exceptional, individualized care! 💙

Learn more about our practice here: https://islandhealthverobeach.com/pediatrics/

Complete Personal Health Care for Your Entire Family.

07/21/2024

Amidst the chaos of a broken health care system, Dr. Ilyadis started Island Health Concierge Medicine in Vero Beach. Founded on the principle of restoring the doctor-patient relationship, her medical practice embodies a transformative approach to health care.

Check out our feature story in Vero Beach Magazine 👉https://islandhealthverobeach.com/internal-medicine-and-pediatrics-doctor-vero-beach/

04/05/2024

MEMBER BENEFIT: Members of Island Health Concierge Medicine can join Dr. Latia Ilyadis, founder of Island Health Concierge, and Acupuncture Physician Ryan Padnuk, Founder of Vero Beach Healing + Acupuncture, for a walking meditation and Mindfulness Movement practice at Riverside Park on April 12th at 10 am. We hope to see you there!








https://islandhealthverobeach.com/mindful-meditation-in-nature/

03/27/2024

MEMBER BENEFIT: Members of Island Health Concierge Medicine are encouraged to join us for Mindful Meditation in Nature on April 12 in Riverside Park. See you there!

03/20/2024

We see many patients requesting medication to help with falling asleep. Insomnia is a very real and common problem, but is taking prescription medication always the answer? 💤

https://islandhealthverobeach.com/a-restful-nights-sleep-without-medications-and-their-side-effects/