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AMMG Presents 2010 Alan Mintz Award to
Derrick M. DeSilva, Jr., M.D.

In a ceremony on the morning of Friday, November 12th at the Age Management Medicine Conference in Las Vegas, Derrick M. DeSilva, Jr., M.D. became the fourth recipient of the Alan P. Mintz, M.D. Award for Clinical Excellence in Age Management Medicine.

Dr. DeSilva is a practicing Internist at the Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, NJ. As an adjunct professor at JFK Medical Center in Edison, NJ, he has lectured on various topics in medicine, nationally and internationally, and is an avid member of The American Medical Association, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, and Society of Internal Medicine, as well as president of the American Nutraceutical Association and vice president of Medical Spa Professional Alliance.

No stranger to awards, in October Dr. DeSilva received Congressional recognition with the Dr. Charles Drew Award for Community Service. He was named by New York Magazine as one of the Best Doctors in the New York Metro Area (June 2001) and named by New Jersey Monthly Magazine as one of the Best Doctors in New Jersey (November 2001). Castle Connelly Medical, publisher of America's Top Doctors, named him as one of the best doctors in the New York Metropolitan area from November 1996 through August 2008.

Dr. DeSilva has authored and published ?Coping with Lyme Disease? (Henry Holt, 1993) and ?Ask the Doctor? (Interweave Press, 1997). He has his own radio talk show, "Ask the Doctor" which airs on WCTC Radio in New Jersey (1450 AM), as well as his own television show, "Your Natural Health? on News 12 New Jersey, and a monthly column, ?Ask Dr. DeSilva? in the e-Journal of Age Management Medicine. He has also attained national television exposure by hosting medical segments on CNN and appearing as a guest on numerous programs, including ABC Night Line and EXTRA! Dr. DeSilva has been instrumental in the formulation of over 100 different natural products.

In his writings, talks, appearances, and especially in his patient care, Dr. DeSilva has long espoused a philosophy rooted in one of his favorite expressions: "The best of both worlds." He sees his role as a physician as being a healer who emphasizes unity of the best of Eastern and Western medicine. "Eastern medicine has existed for 5000 years, while Western medicine?although newborn?has a great deal to offer," he says. "The essential key is to unite these two cultures and incorporate them in a safe and effective manner for the diagnosis and healing process of the patient, with the emphasis on 'safe and effective'."

With roots going back to his childhood in Sri Lanka, Dr. DeSilva embraced traditional native healers, to whom he was introduced by his grandfather. After moving to the U.S. at age 10, he was exposed to mainstream Western medicine through his father's work in the pharmaceutical industry. A blending of the two approaches thus came naturally to Dr. DeSilva: "I never perceived that the two systems were in conflict. I just felt that their integration was the way that medicine and healing should be. Yet I have always thought that I should hold true to what I believe. And I constantly receive acknowledgement that this path of healing is correct and that I am doing the right thing when I see so many of my patients responding well to the integrative treatment courses I give them."

A mentor, innovator and visionary in Age Management Medicine, Alan P. Mintz, M.D. inspired many with his brilliant insights and desire to help others live a vital life. He forged new medical frontiers and embraced the spirit of determination and medical excellence. The Age Management Medicine Group (AMMG) presents this award each year to a physician who has displayed clinical excellence in Age Management Medicine and represents the vision of Dr. Mintz for superior patient care, healthy living, quality of life and entrepreneurship.

Previous recipients are:

2007 - Jeffrey S. Life, M.D., Ph.D.

2008 - L. Stephen Coles, M.D., Ph.D.

2009 - Robert D. Willix, Jr., M.D.




From Dr. DeSilva: How do you augment the effectiveness of stem cells?


There is no question in my mind that stem cells are the future of medicine. While there are lots of issues remaining to be resolved about the sourcing and types of cells used, I think these things will be worked out, and stem cells are the future. As their use increases, we should think about what supplements would work best to augment their regenerative properties.

All we need do is look at telomeres. We know that as the telomeres?the bundles of repetitive DNA at the ends of chromosomes?shorten, they provide a direct indicator of how long we?re going to live.

There are two supplements?turmeric and vitamin D?that we know have a very potent positive effect on telomeres. Also, astragalus, a plant used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years, has an effect on telomere length. We don?t know exactly how effective it is, but we know there is some data on astragalus and telomeres. Astralagus is known to contain antioxidants that protect cells against free radical damage. Its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic properties are well known.

Ellagic acid is a chemical found in raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, walnuts, pecans, pomegranates, and some other foods. Taken together with beta 1,3 glucan it may have a direct effect on stem cells?augmenting the effectiveness of stem cells.

As with all treatments, diet & nutrition is a critical piece; if your body is more sound, the treatments are going to be more effective.


Derrick DeSilva, Jr., M.D. is a member of the Medical Teaching Faculty at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, NJ, and an attending physician and practicing internist at the Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, NJ. He is a published author and has lectured on various topics in medicine, nationally and internationally.