Longevity is a wellbeing buzzword but can you really outsmart the ageing process? It seems so… 

It’s the wellness word on everyone’s lips – longevity. Popping up in clinics, spas, skincare, supplements, there’s a huge focus on biohacking your way to peak health. Because longevity isn’t just about living longer, it’s about your healthspan and how to maintain and prolong vitality and quality of life. No-one wants to live to the ripe old age of 100 (it’s happening more and more) but not have the energy to enjoy it. 

“The holistic approach to longevity emphasises the importance of maintaining physical, mental and emotional wellbeing as people age with the goal of maximising both lifespan and healthspan,” explains Dr Mohammed Enayat, GP and founder of HUM2N, a longevity clinic in London. “Longevity is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, lifestyle choices – such as diet, exercise, stress management and social connections, environmental factors, access to healthcare, socioeconomic status and cultural practices.” 

Outsmarting the ageing process 

You’ve only got to look at the Blue Zones of the world where they eat fresh food every day, move and exercise regularly, and prioritise social interactions – note, in person as opposed to virtually - and they’re societies that are quite simply living their best lives. However, despite sounding like easy wins, in the western world they often get ignored…until something goes wrong. This is why Dr Enayat refers to longevity as ‘pro-life’. “It’s an exciting philosophy that gives you the opportunity to control your health destiny,” he says. As for when to start incorporating these good lifestyle habits, the sooner the better. “For me, 30s is when you start to tip the balance and start biologically degenerating more than regenerating, 40 is a must and 50 is on average when 1 in 2 people get diagnosed with a chronic disease for the rest of their lives.” 

The ‘age is just a number’ theory comes into play here too, and as Louisa Drake, celebrity trainer and founder of the Louisa Drake Method admits “someone can be in their 30s chronologically, but have a biological age of a 60 year old if they don’t have a healthy lifestyle.” 

But while diet and exercise are the most scientifically proven ways to achieve longevity, there’s a multitude of alternative therapies, treatments and devices being flaunted as the best biohacks for achieving longevity. You only have to look at Bryan Johnson, the billionaire tech entrepreneur who’s trying to outsmart the aging process to see it can get pretty wild and whacky. He reportedly eats his last meal at 11am, takes over 100 supplements a day and has regular blood plasma transfusions – a routine he believes will reduce his biological age to 18.  

From hyperbaric oxygen chambers to intermittent fasting, cryotherapy to compression boots, here’s some of the most talked about longevity trends and if they’re worth a punt on… 

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy 

Dr Enayat’s number one favourite longevity therapy, he says it’s his secret to having a biological age 16 years younger than his chronological age. A practice in which you sit in a hard-shell chamber where the air pressure is increased two to three times higher than normal, it allows you to breathe in pure oxygen. This helps to fight bacteria, improve blood circulation and stimulate stem cells from your bone marrow to be released which support growth factors.  

Intermittent fasting 

Used in many ancient cultures, incorporating a 14+ hour window where you don’t eat has been proven to regulate the anti-ageing cellular process and help clear out pro inflammatory cells. Essentially it means your body can get on with what it needs to do without being disrupted by the digestion stage. That said, it should only be taken on by healthy adults - those who are depleted, burnt out, pregnant or who have underlying health conditions should avoid. 

Red light masks/infrared saunas 

With research mounting on the benefits of red light therapy, it’s being linked to improving blood vessel health and muscle recovery. As well as the body, it can improve the face by making skin firmer as well as reducing fine lines. However, the experts say continuous use is needed so it doesn’t stand out as a miracle cure. 

We offer red light therapy as part of our Hydro Massage treatments at the Mind Oasis. Book your session here.  

Cryotherapy 

“Hormesis therapies like cryotherapy can stimulate the body’s heling and repair mechanisms,” says Kim Pearson, nutritionist and part of the scientific advisory board at RoseBar Longevity Clinic. Essentially cold shock therapy, growth hormones that decline with age are stimulated and proteins that have anti-inflammatory and longevity benefits are released.  

Read more about the benefits of cold showers here. 

Ozone therapy 

One to read the small print on, Dr Enayat is convinced ozone therapy has positives but stresses the treatment should always be led by a physician. There are also no scientific papers of proof yet. Using medical-grade ozone gas that can be delivered via an IV drip, water or ‘blown’ into the skin, it’s said to activate the immune system giving you the power to fight age-accelerating illnesses. 

NMN supplements 

Designed to increase NAD+ levels which is found naturally in the body but that declines with age, taking NMN supplements have been shown to increase insulin secretion, suppress age-related inflammation in the body, improve cell function and boost neuronal functions in the brain. A non-complicated method of intervening the ageing process. 

IV injections 

Tried, tested and trusted blends that contain micronutrients and vitamins that can then be infused into the blood stream via an IV drip really can help support energy function and reduce cellular damage. That said, do some research on your part as with its popularity has come rogue, overpriced and diluted solutions so choose a medical practice that guarantees quality ingredients. 

Vitamin D 

It’s a must to have a healthy amount of vitamin D but many of us are commonly deficient in it, admits Kim: “It’s important for maintaining a good immune system and bone density as we age which means many people can benefit from regular supplementation.”  

Soft workouts 

Gentle on your joints and suitable for people of varying fitness levels, ‘soft workouts’ help to strengthen the body without putting it under pressure. “While there’s nothing wrong with breaking a sweat, too many HIIT or cardio sessions can put extra stress on the body and impact energy levels, physical strength, mood and sleep. Soft workouts - things like Pilates, yoga, walking and the latest ‘it’ exercise, pickleball can still get your heart rate into the target zone but they give you other benefits other than cardiovascular ones such as a mind-body connection that contributes to long-term health” explains Louisa. 

How do you know if they work? 

For the majority of us, regular check ins on how you’re feeling, your energy levels, skin appearance and muscular strength will give you a good idea of your progress. Studies even show that if you really commit, you can reverse your biological age by three years in just eight weeks. Drum roll, please! But also, be mindful that everyone is different.  

Other more analytical tools include blood and urine biomarkers and wearable devices while Kim favours DNA Methylation tests: “I use TruDiagnostic’s OMIC Age which enables you to compare your body’s biological and chronological age and gives insights into the factors that are speeding up the rate at which your body ages so you can adapt your lifestyle accordingly.” 

The positives of these is that you can really gain a bespoke understanding of your body. But don’t expect it to stop there. As more of us catch on to the buzz of biohacking your age, Kim is predicting the arrival of ‘implantable devices.’ “Tracking your biomarkers on an ongoing basis, the data can be interpreted by AI and will allow us to identify changes in our biology that manifest long before diseases are diagnosed. It will enable us to take a much more preventative approach,” she says. 

If one thing’s for sure, ageing appears to be a long way off.