Next Health Montecito

Just opened, Next Health Montecito, at 559 San Ysidro Road Suite C, is owned and operated by locals Zahra and Nick Salisbury, Next Health Area Developers. 

Next Health CEO and Founder Dr. Darshan Shah and Co-founder Kevin Peake explain the concept of their centers, “Our mission is to empower people to achieve optimal vitality and longevity through our personalized, data-driven approach to health optimization.” Dr. Shah is a board-certified Surgeon who turned to longevity and preventative care in 2016. He graduated from the accelerated six-year MD/BS program at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, and earned his medical degree at the age of 21. He trained in trauma and reconstructive surgery in Kern County and trained at the Mayo Clinic. He is a published author and speaker on longevity, and since 2024 hosts the podcast “Extend.” Next Health centers are in the U.S. and Canada, and soon in Dubai. 

This week I had a tour of the Montecito location with Zahra and Dr. Nicole Strauss,their onsite naturopathic doctor. Their center offers Cryotherapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Infrared LED and Sauna Therapy, EBOO Ozone Therapy, Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE), custom-formulated IV Therapy Drips, NAD+ Therapy, bioavailable Vitamin Shots, Hormone Optimization, Weight Optimization, and advanced Functional Medicine Biomarker Testing. Also available are regenerative aesthetic services including wrinkle relaxers, dermal fillers, biostimulators, laser therapies, ViPeel chemical peels, microneedling with PRP, and AnteAGE^® growth factor skin care; all performed by licensed medical aesthetic nurses.

After my tour, we did an in-depth interview for our readers:

MJ. What is Next Health about in relation to a med spa?

Zahra Salisbury [ZS]. Next Health is a medical facility, and both Next Health and a med spa operate and practice under those utmost standards. We’re focused on proactive, data-driven care in close partnership with medical providers, streamlining patient access to services previously encumbered by red tape. Next Health provides a very real way for individuals to optimize their health and not wait until they are sick or experiencing symptoms of disease. If you take care of your health before symptoms show up, a lot of chronic illness can be prevented or even reversed. Our goal is to help individuals to stay healthier for longer, and hopefully get ahead of disease in a way that extends their lifespan. Next Health is proactive, clinical, and rooted in longevity medicine.

MJ. What baseline tests are done at Next Health Montecito?

ZS. The Next Health Baseline Test measures more than 50 biomarkers, including those related to inflammation, hormones, heart health, metabolism, thyroid, nutrient levels, and much more. The Baseline Test is a great place to start and is offered standard to our members. We perform the blood draw here, and once the lab results are received we welcome you back in for a one-on-one consultation to review the report – biomarker-by-biomarker – with a medical expert. 

During this appointment, Dr. Krauss explains what you can do, based on your individual biology, to optimize your health, and collaborates with patients on a completely personalized Wellness Plan, including lifestyle and nutritional adjustments outside of Next Health, alongside services that take health to the next level. 

MJ. Do your treatments have proven longevity markers? 

ZS. All services at Next Health are backed by credible studies showing benefits in humans. The results of services at Next Health can be seen in biomarker testing results, TrueAge tests that showcase a reversing biological clock, and in the testimonials our patients share. 

Certain advanced services, like Therapeutic Plasma Exchange, come with a complimentary Total Baseline Test and Total Tox Burden Test (a $2K+ value) to measure the impact of the exchange on your unique body. Darshan Shah, MD, founder & CEO of Next Health, spoke about the powerful longevity results of this specific service on the Dr. Mark Hyman Show, to which I encourage everyone to listen: https://tinyurl.com/HymanShaw

Another “proven” longevity marker could be found in the experiences patients have with the Next Health Executive Physical. One story that comes to mind is that of a father and husband in his late 30s, whose full-body MRI that comes with the Executive Physical uncovered a stage 1 brain tumor that would have been deadly if he’d had to wait until symptoms arose. 

MJ. Within what general time frame might your clients reasonably expect to see results? 

Dr. Nicole Strauss [NS]. We have a lot of successful intelligent people living in Montecito who are aware of wellness. When it comes to how soon one can feel better with our treatments, it comes down to baseline markers. For someone with nutritional deficiencies we can correct that in 12 weeks typically with a focus on micronutrients. For women going through menopause and are symptomatic, that can be a two-to-three-month journey to get the rogue hormones back in balance and to get the body back into homeostasis. Things like vaginal dryness can be fixed in a week – it’s pretty amazing. Cognitive issues and chronic fatigue syndrome have many factors like chronic viral infection or inflammation, and correction will vary based on your starting point. It’s doable!

ZS. Most clients are surprised when they see simple changes and treatments lead to meaningful differences in their health. Optimized health is an ongoing process, and it takes maintenance. One can feel better in a just few months of consistent IV therapy if they are dealing with low or moderate inflammation. If a person’s health issues are more complex, such as needing to clean up gut bacteria, detox from mold and toxicity, etc., consistent maintenance over time is needed to get back on track to optimal health. Advanced protocols designed to help you start feeling better right away are Cryotherapy, which can provide an immediate endorphin experience, or NAD+ therapy, which can have fairly immediate effects on energy. 

MJ. Let’s talk about dementia, and its relation to gut health. 

NS. With Alzheimer’s and dementia there are so many proactive approaches to mitigate development, such as bioidentical estrogen which can help protect against it. However, at age 50 or for anyone concerned, the baseline biomarker test is a great starting point. I recommend adding on our advanced GI testing for microbiome analysis. What happens in the gut tells us what happens in the brain. You have to do that deep dive to uncover what’s really happening in your gut. Especially for women, our biome can be off due to lifestyle stress. There’s a lot of great science around the gut-brain connection. We know that inflammation is a main driving force of dementia and Alzheimer’s. If we help the gut and resolve inflammation, we potentially slow the progress or prevent neurodegenerative disease. 

MJ. And detoxing protocols?

NS. Detoxing is such a hot trigger word, and it’s important to talk about. Most people are unknowingly doing something at home that may not be good for their health. That is why the baseline biomarker test is important to see your pesticide exposure, heavy metal burden, microplastics, and parasites. I don’t think that colon cleanses and enemas (which are popular) are a great fit for everyone. It is surprising to learn that you can effectively sweat out certain toxins rather than have an enema. It is important to learn how these toxins excrete from the body. We are bombarded by toxins these days, and you need to know what your levels are, which can surprise you. I ask clients, “Are you living near a golf course, do you have mold in your home?” At the end of day, I recommend doing a full toxin panel (which includes blood, urine, and stool), and target your treatment based on your specific needs. 

Two proven modalities for reducing are plasma exchange and EBOO ozone therapy. At next health we test for heavy metals and other toxins before and after treatments to see the positive effects. 

MJ. What should women know about hormone meds?

NS. Many menopausal women are on a commonly prescribed oral progesterone called Prometrium prescribed by most gynecologists. Though Prometrium is technically a bio-identical hormone (which is a win for me!), it contains red dye 40 and yellow dye 10 which is not disclosed to the consumer. This is similar to the lack of informed consent we often see with women being prescribed contraceptive medications. Providing full transparency and clear information to the consumer is imperative to make an informed decision on usage. Bottom line: any topical hormones should not have any dyes in them.

MJ. Are supplements included for your clients?

NS. What differentiates Next Health is that I approach all my clients as a partnership; we are on their continuous wellness journey together. My goal is to really fix the root issue(s) my clients face, and that requires frequent follow ups. For example, for those with a nutrition or weight control focus, I provide lots of dietary and lifestyle tools like specific nutraceuticals to help them achieve their goals in a way that does not feel overwhelming. For patients on hormone therapy, I have monthly check ups and quarterly labs to closely track their progress. For clients with a focus on hormones, peptides, or stem cells, I typically don’t over-supplement. Rather, I focus on two to three supplements therapeutically to help correct imbalances and then maintain optimal levels. For each patient, I personally select and add the supplements they need to their shopping cart in an online store we use. The supplements I prescribe are third-party tested and brands I trust, and I provide all needed dosage and time frame information. 

MJ. Do treatments provide a temporary fix or resolve the underlying issue?

ZS. At Next Health, our focus is on resolving the underlying issue, not offering a quick or temporary fix. We work to address root causes through data-driven diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, and consistent monitoring. That said, longevity and optimized health require ongoing maintenance. If neglected, certain issues can resurface. Health optimization is a journey, not a one-time treatment, and we partner with our clients long-term to help them sustain their results. 

MJ. Can you talk about treatment downtime and side effects?

ZS. The majority of our therapies are non-invasive and have little to no associated downtime. Clients can typically return to their regular activities immediately after treatment. Certain therapies may produce short-term side effects. For example, during NAD+ IV therapy, some patients may experience nausea, lightheadedness, or a feeling of tightness in the chest, which can be managed by adjusting the infusion rate. Advanced treatments like Therapeutic Plasma Exchange involve more intensive protocols and may require rest after the procedure, but most of our services are well-tolerated.

MJ. Are your treatments and services third-party vetted? 

ZS. Yes. At Next Health, we prioritize clinical integrity. All our protocols and treatment plans are developed under the guidance of licensed medical professionals, and many of our services, like Therapeutic Plasma Exchange and peptide therapies, are based on published research and clinically validated approaches. The supplements we recommend are third-party tested for purity and potency, and we consistently review emerging studies to ensure we’re offering the most evidence-backed services available in longevity medicine.

MJ. Are Next Health’s technology, devices, and practices all FDA/medically approved?

ZS. We exclusively use FDA-cleared devices where applicable. For instance, our body composition analysis, full-body MRI scans, and certain IV therapy equipment are all FDA-cleared. However, some regenerative therapies, like certain peptides or exosome treatments, fall into areas where the FDA categorizes them as investigational or not yet approved for disease treatment, though they can be used off-label in optimization protocols under medical supervision. Our medical team stays current on regulatory guidelines, ensuring all protocols align with safe, compliant standards. IV therapy is FDA approved, plasma exchange as well. 

MJ. Do people need approval from their primary care physician before receiving any treatment at Next Health?

ZS. In most cases, no referral or approval from a primary care provider is necessary. However, we do require medical clearance from a primary care physician for individuals aged 69 or older before beginning certain treatments. Additionally, we do not treat individuals under the age of 18. That said, every prospective client undergoes a detailed medical history screening during onboarding to ensure safety and suitability for any service.

MJ. Can you please discuss pricing and packages?

ZS. We have flexible options to meet different health goals. Our two primary memberships are:

Optimize Membership: $199/month, which includes 10 Optims (our in-house currency for access to our technology-based therapies) and 2 vitamin shots per month. Members also receive a complimentary annual Baseline Blood Test, InBody Scan, Visia Skin Analysis, and up to 20% off additional services – including offerings from Next Health Aesthetics.

Premier Membership: $299/month, which includes 10 Optims (our in-house currency for access to our technology-based therapies), two IV Drips, and two vitamin shots per month, along with the same annual complimentary testing and member discounts. This membership is ideal for those wanting regular IV therapy as part of their routine. And clients can access exclusive savings on advanced service bundles, including Therapeutic Plasma Exchange, IV therapy, and more. For those preferring more flexibility, all treatments and services are available a la carte.  

411: https://www.next-health.com/location/montecito