Reversing the outward signs of aging is popular with many in the UAE – but an increasing number are now turning their focus inwards.
While we are living for longer than ever, our quality of life in later years is dwindling due to age-related conditions like dementia and stroke, leaving a miserable gap between lifespan and “health span”.
Recent figures from the United Nations show that the world’s population is growing at its fastest rate, with the number of people aged 65 and over expected to more than double from 761 million 1.6 billion by 2050. As a result, more people than ever are turning to longevity techniques to extend their quality of life, but is it really possible to turn back time on our health?
What is longevity?
Longevity simply means living healthier for longer and stalling the effects of aging has never been more relevant in the region.
In 2016, only one percent of the UAE population was over 60. By 2010, this number is expected to reach 16 percent, totaling at least two million people.
In the last 100 years, the average life expectancy of the country’s population has already more than doubled, with the median age increasing from 18 to 46, with huge social and economic implications.
In 2020, the market size of the longevity sector in the UAE surpassed $19 billion, and it is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate 8.5 percent to reach $32 billion by 2026.
According to Dr Khalid Shukri, a physician at the UAE-based integrative medicine hub, Wellth, more people than ever before are concerned about the physiological effects of aging.
“Longevity is becoming a global trend and people are more aware of their health after Covid, but we have a long way to go,” says Dr Khalid, who is a specialist in functional and anti-aging medicine.
“Today, we have cutting-edge technology that can not only take control over the aging process but identify issues years before they present themselves.
“Taking action early on in your life is key to extending your quality of life for as long as possible.”
What longevity technologies are available in the UAE?
Modern technologies mean we now can take control of the aging process and reverse some of the physical and cognitive declines that typically occur in middle age.
A new first-of-its-kind treatment from Aviv Clinics claims to trigger the body’s natural process of generating new stem cells, which are the building blocks of tissue rejuvenation.
By using hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment, the body can create new stem cells to enhance brain and body performance.
“We reach our peak physiology at 30 cognitively and physically and after that age, we slowly begin to degenerate,” says the medical director of Aviv Clinics, Dr Zemer Wang. “What we want to do is regenerate and go the opposite direction.”
Research into oxygen therapy has shown that the technique can improve age-related cognitive and physical decline, resulting in better memory, attention span, focus and other brain functioning.
“At Aviv, we combine hyperbaric oxygen with a full program that has cognitive training and physical training that augments this whole regenerative process,” says Dr Wang.
“Here, we have a method where the body generates its own stem cells just by doing a very simple process of this hyperoxic-hypoxic paradox.”
Other biohacking longevity trends to hit the region include cold and light therapy, which are claimed to take miles off the clock with each session.
Dubai wellness studio Resync offers cryotherapy and red light therapy under the tagline: “Preservation is your future”.
“People worldwide are living longer, including in the UAE, and they want to do so in good health,” says Resync founder Jenya Baitsurenko. “One of our most popular treatments is whole body cryotherapy. Exposing the body to temperatures of -110°C for three minutes has many benefits, including speeding up recovery after working out, reducing inflammation and muscle pain, and boosting metabolism and the body’s natural collagen production.
“There are many more benefits, and the treatment is safe when done with our trained professionals. It’s no wonder so many athletes and celebrities use it daily, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Lewis Hamilton and Mark Whalberg.”
Red light therapy, meanwhile, uses red and near-infrared light to heal injuries, reduce muscle pain, and relax muscles and joints, while increasing blood circulation and putting a youthful spring in your step.
“It takes just 15 minutes in which clients can lie down and unwind,” adds Baitsurenko. “It’s a treatment that can easily fit into any lifestyle and schedule.”
Back to basics: the six fundamental pillars of longevity
For British pharmacist Harjit Bahia, the most effective way to improve longevity is to take care of six fundamental health pillars including nutrition, movement, supplements, stress, sleep and community.
Two years ago, the 35-year-old launched the subscription service Longevity in London’s Harley Street, before bringing her business to Dubai where she works with a team of doctors, nutritionists and fitness experts to create a fully personalized 12-week program for members.
“The marvels of modern medicine mean everyone, everywhere is living longer, but the number of years they’re living healthier is way shorter,” says Bahia, who lives in Dubai Marina.
“Lately, there’s been a massive shift where people want to live until old age but not if that means being unable to walk, eat specific foods or enjoy life.”
After working with cancer patients and losing her brother to the disease, Bahia developed a science-based approach that aims to reduce the risk of chronic diseases by focusing on lifestyle factors.
At the beginning of the program, participants are given blood tests which are analyzed by doctors, before a personalized plan is developed according to individual needs.
“Longevity is difficult to quantify but from blood tests and lifestyle factors we can work out the level of risk and make an action plan,” says Bahia.
“For example, we can estimate that walking 10,000 steps a day for four months can reduce the chance of developing diabetes by 50 percent, or that reducing body fat percentage by a specific amount will reduce the risk of dementia, stroke or Alzheimer’s.
“It’s not a drastic approach but it is effective. It’s all about lowering these risks and adding on quality years of life.”
Longevity in action
One person who swears by Bahia’s program is Dubai businessman Heny Mahtani, 58, who went from being overweight and miserable to enjoying a new lease of life.
“I haven’t felt this good since I was in my early thirties,” says Mahtani, who has lost 16kg since working with Longevity.
“It’s never too late to start something like this. Even if you just start with one thing, you will start to feel better and progress from there. After 12 weeks you will notice the difference to your energy levels and your overall happiness.”
Today, Mahtani is fully invested in increasing his health span and is prepared to take drastic measures to safeguard his future quality of life.
“Before I didn’t exercise at all,” he says. “Now I spend six hours a day walking, swimming and meditating and I always prioritize an early night over going out for dinner.
“My father and uncle lived well but they spent the last 10 years of their life in a wheelchair with dementia. I want to be fully active and feeling good right until the end.”
Top tips for boosting your longevity
According to family physician at Cornerstone Clinic, Dr Ruhil Badiani, longevity is more than just genetics, with lifestyle choices playing a significant role.
For anyone hoping to delay the aging process, she has the following five tips:
- Maintain a healthy weight: This reduces your chances of chronic diseases and keeps your joints in a better condition.
- Avoid processed meat: Processed meat can increase your risk for chronic medical conditions and studies have suggested that it increases the risk of premature death.
- Stay physically active: Swap the car for a bike, walk as much as possible and take the stairs instead of the lift.
- Ditch cigarettes and excess alcohol: Smoking increases your risk of many cancers and can cause emphysema. Alcohol is linked to liver, heart and pancreatic disease and has an overall risk of early death.
- Prioritize your mental health: Lowering stress and anxiety and increasing happiness can significantly increase longevity.
