It’s time to face the future
What is the secret to living longer? Former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is hoping to find out.
Indeed, looking to crack the code of living to 130, Bezos, 58, is pouring billions into new antiageing research to help us live longer, healthier lives.
His mission? To add up to 50 years of good health to our lifespan by developing drugs that could reverse diseases such as arthritis, dementia and diabetes.
Yet while immortality won’t be coming to a clinic near you just yet, the ability to future-proof your health and longevity may be nearer than you think.
From banking fat and stem cells for future use, to wearable technology that closely monitors our vital signs, there are plenty of innovations available right now, all designed to boost your health and wellbeing.
Each week our experts Dr AAMER KHAN and LESLEY REYNOLDS bring you the latest beauty news and wellbeing advice
BANKABLE CELLS
Fat contains stem cells, a key component in regenerative medicine. By banking them you are guaranteed to have a large number of your own stem cells whenever you need them. They are able to heal damaged tissue and restore normal function to the body, even regenerating organs.
The younger the cells, and those collected when you are healthy, are more potent. As a result there is a growing trend for new mums to have their baby’s umbilical stem cells frozen to prevent and treat future diseases (cells4life.com).
Look out for treatments such as Regenera, which uses your own stem cells to not only prevent hair loss, but also help reverse it, restoring growth and hair colour. Carried out using local anaesthetic, the process involves implanting healthy cells into the scalp to trigger tissue regeneration, which, in turn, boosts hair growth.
A small piece of skin containing hairs and fat rich in stem cells is taken from a donor site, typically the nape of the neck. Stem cells are then extracted and treated to create a liquid, which is then injected back into the scalp.
Except to pay from £3,000.
SUPER SUPPLEMENTS
Maintaining a healthy gut is crucial for all round good health and wellbeing. The older we are, the more the gut has had to put up with, such as stress, prescribed medication, antibiotics and tummy bugs. Anything that disrupts the microbiome has possible implications for long-term health, so it makes sense to take care of our gut by feeding
it with fermented foods. Holland & Barrett reported a 60 per cent year-on-year increase in sales of fermented food products such as kombucha, sauerkraut and kefir.
To make these products more accessible and easier to consume, this year fermented products are set to be available as supplements.
In the meantime, for recipes and tips on including fermented foods in your daily diet, visit hollandandbarrett.com.
MINDFULNESS TECH
Two years on from the start of the pandemic, the art of mindfulness is more popular than ever – it was even featured in an episode of Coronation Street. Suitable for everyone, it is all about learning to be in the moment and reducing stress and anxiety.
And now, mindfulness apps are being interwoven with technology. New data shows that wearable devices can help in earlier detection of symptoms of stress. Neurolign Fit (neurolign.com), for instance, has just launched in the US and is a device attached to an iPhone that measures your eye movements to check brain performance and function. Elsewhere, the NeoRhythm Gesture Controlled Headband, £280 (amazon.co.uk) produces harmless electromagnetic fields. These emit waves in patterns that your mind and body seek to imitate, helping to calm anxiety, reduce pain and treat insomnia.
HEALTH TRACKERS
You can now wear your own personal health adviser on your wrist. The latest activity trackers can monitor many aspects of your wellbeing, including stress, sleep and movement, and can detect any issues and provide health recommendations.
For instance, the latest Apple Watch has a fall detection feature, while the iPhone has a related feature called Walking Steadiness which identifies users who are at high risk of falls, providing them with prevention strategies.
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