When discussing longevity, it’s easy to think simply about living longer; however, the focus of this field is deeper than that. The true aim is not just to extend life but to do so healthily and vibrantly. In recent years, the discourse surrounding longevity and anti-ageing has intensified, highlighting the goal of adding life to years rather than merely years to life.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Dr. Bayan Abu Sheikh, a specialist in family medicine and chronic diseases, notes that the crux of the issue isn’t reaching a certain age but rather losing the ability to move independently and the emergence of chronic illnesses as we age. Her perspective reinforces that the science of longevity targets not just celebrating advanced age but also retaining mobility, independence, and enjoyment of life.
According to Dr. Abu Sheikh, there is no magical formula for promoting healthy longevity and combating ageing. It begins with the fundamentals of a healthy lifestyle, including good sleep, balanced nutrition, and physical activity. Among these, quality sleep stands out as a significant factor linked to a longer, healthier life. For this purpose, devices like WHOOP and Oura can assist individuals in tracking sleep quality and stages, especially deep sleep.
Evaluating whether someone is ageing faster than normal hinges on various biological markers and lab tests. Genetic analysis can reveal biological age, suggesting two individuals of the same chronological age can have vastly different health profiles. For instance, one may showcase better health indicators and a younger biological age than the other.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese football star, has become one of the prominent figures openly discussing healthy longevity. In a podcast with Will Ahmed, founder of WHOOP, he shared insights into his health philosophy, discipline, and how he maintains fitness as he ages. Ronaldo discussed the importance of regular sleep alongside consistent exercise, emphasising that investing in health directly enhances quality of life.
Crucial health assessments include tests measuring muscle mass, fat percentage, bone density, and evaluations of heart and lung health, as well as metabolic rates and skin assessments. These indicators can inform physicians in crafting plans to improve health metrics, whether through nutrition, physical activity, or sleep, potentially including vitamins or supplements under medical supervision. Dr. Abu Sheikh emphasises that commitment to these plans will reflect positively in health results over time—“the numbers don’t lie.”
Responsibility for health ultimately lies with the individual. The physician’s role is limited to identifying issues and proposing suitable plans, with adherence to sleep, diet, and activity levels resting solely on the individual’s shoulders. For individuals like Ghalia, who has embarked on a medically-supervised health longevity plan, her focus stems from a desire to age gracefully rather than fear of growing old. While she hopes to appear younger than her chronological age, her priority remains in achieving good health without diseases or pain.
Ghalia has initiated health screenings and adopted a dietary regimen, not as a temporary fix but as a lifestyle change. She is consciously attentive to her food choices and has resumed exercising at the gym, reporting better sleep quality while adhering to the vitamins and supplements recommended by her medical professional.
Science or Marketing?
Dr. Abu Sheikh points out that several nations have begun to regulate the field of healthy longevity, coinciding with an increasing interest in providing health longevity services within clearer medical frameworks. The UAE has emerged as a pioneer in the region, launching academic programmes and specialised clinics focused on longevity and healthy ageing.
These programmes are not limited to doctors; they also incorporate pharmacists, nurses, nutritionists, physical therapists, and fitness professionals among others in supportive healthcare roles. However, Dr. Abu Sheikh criticises the discussions surrounding this field by non-experts on social media, which often transform protocols for “healthy longevity” into marketing pitches for specific products. The distinction between scientific approaches and trends becomes apparent when commercial promotion infiltrates these protocols.
Simultaneously, she observes that the rise of concepts like longevity and anti-ageing correlates with heightened health awareness and dialogue on social media platforms. The notion of wellness has evolved, now emphasising health investment as a form of luxury, as opposed to merely monetary or material possessions. Increasing rates of obesity and chronic diseases have driven heightened interest in preventative measures.
Dr. Abu Sheikh acknowledges that health information now spreads more rapidly than in the past; however, speed does not guarantee accuracy, leading to challenges that necessitate regulation in this area. “Peptides” have gained popularity in the domain of healthy longevity, referring to chains of amino acids with varied roles, and some new medications function within this category, such as those related to diabetes and weight loss.
Genes Are Not a Destiny?
Recent decades have seen an abundance of studies focused on genetics and “epigenetics.” Dr. Abu Sheikh explains that possessing a gene linked to a specific disease does not guarantee that an individual will develop that condition. Environmental factors, lifestyle, nutrition, sleep, and physical activity can significantly influence gene functioning.
Epigenetics examines how environmental and external factors can affect gene activity without altering the DNA sequence itself. Thus, Dr. Abu Sheikh argues that potential genetic predispositions to diseases shouldn’t be seen as irrevocable destinies. The scientific perspective on ageing has also shifted. Previously viewed merely as a physiological phase, it is now seen as a condition where intervention is possible, fostering increased interest in delaying deterioration associated with ageing.
However, individuals like Ghalia caution that the pursuit of healthy longevity can sometimes foster undue stress, particularly among those overly concerned about appearance and resisting signs of aging. Yet, for those aiming merely to age healthily and live their years with minimal ailments, the ethos surrounding healthy longevity should inspire them to adopt sustainable, healthy lifestyles rather than act as a source of pressure.