HOW TO LIVE TO 120

It’s an industry already worth more than $4.5 trillion, and it’s projected to grow exponentially in years to come. We are of course talking about the global wellness market – a huge part of which is dedicated to not only keeping us looking younger but actually keeping us young.

The longevity market has already captured the interests of the world’s wealthiest man. Jeff Bezos has reportedly invested in an anti-ageing biotech startup, Alto Labs. Its aim? To reprogramme cells to revert back to their stem cell origins and, in doing so, reverse the ageing process.

But if you think living longer, in optimal health, is purely science fiction, think again. According to the British Longevity Society, nature has given us the ability to live a healthy and productive life until the age of 120 years, but very few people reach this age in good health, mainly because their lifestyle increases the chances of early ageing and disease.

“Nearly 80 per cent of our health is non-heritable and therefore changeable,” says David A. Sinclair, author of Lifespan: Why We Age –

and Why We Don’t Have To. He suggests our health isn’t held hostage by our genetics and we can impact our life expectancy.

Sinclair is not the only expert who believes that environmental factors like diet and lifestyle are key. “Our genetics underpin most of our predispositions but how these come to the surface depends on our lifestyle environment,” says Dr George Gaitanos, chief operating and scientific director of luxury state-of-the-art medical spa facility, Chenot Palace Weggis in the Swiss Alps.

BASELINING YOUR DNA A comprehensive metabolic and sports facility at the Chenot Group’s flagship property, complete with a world-class, in-house molecular laboratory, provides guests with a bespoke longevity plan using the latest tech available.

“Today, we can quantify with incredible precision the relative activity of important genes associated with our health and the ageing process,” explains Dr Gaitanos. “By performing gene expression analysis for certain genes, we are able to evaluate gene activity on a personal level and obtain an accurate picture of gene activity that reveals our epigenetic profile – the barometer of our future health.” Meaning the key to extending both your health and your lifespan isn’t just being told to exercise and eat well, but involves having access to a detailed, personalised breakdown of how to do so. Essentially allowing you to biohack your health.

The advancement of technology means that more information than ever is at our fingertips, too. Monitoring heart rates, steps walked and REM cycles are the new normal and tech that enables us to calculate our metabolism and outsmart our brainwaves into deeper slumbers is also here.

“Having a good body composition can add years to your lifespan,” says Ryan Saraco head of partner success at Lumen, the world’s first hand-held device to accurately measure your metabolism on-the-go. “Our device gives you real-time data, letting you know if your body is burning carbs or fat so you can tailor your food choices throughout the day.”

The rise of genetic, or even biological, testing means quicker and efficient testing with more accessible results being done more frequently too. “We have clients who take our microbiome tests before and after starting probiotics or different vitamins and

Living longer isn’t all about using tech to eat, sleep and work out better. Dr Gaitanos advocates for a full 360-degree outlook on increasing lifespan

supplements so that they can check if it’s really working for them,” explains Anna Kachurets, Atlas Biomed’s managing director.

This ability to use technology to hack our way to good health has also seen the rise of other essential products too. Sleeping well keeps cells young, repairs muscle, maintains a healthy immune system, and drastically cuts the risk of illness such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and even Alzheimer’s, and yet over a third of us (36 per cent) regularly struggle to fall asleep. Products like the Zeez Sleep Pad mimic relaxing alpha frequencies and deep sleep delta frequencies, to let any poor sleeper get some much-needed quality rest.

Meanwhile, AI advancements have meant that efficiency and time spent no longer correlate when it comes to working out effectively. In just eight weeks, you can wipe two years off your biological age on the AI-powered CAROL exercise bike. According to research by Dr Lance Dalleck at the High Altitude Exercise Physiology Program at Western Colorado University, simply working out on a CAROL bike for eight minutes and 40 seconds, three times a week will reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes by 62 per cent (the same as taking Metformin), reduce blood pressure by 5 per cent, increase good cholesterol by 6 per cent and reduce blood sugar by 2 per cent.

But living longer isn’t all about using tech to eat, sleep and work out better. And, while Dr Gaitanos advocates a very bespoke approach at his facilities, he also advocates for a full 360-degree outlook on increasing lifespan.

“Meditate and practice deep breathing techniques; spend time in natural light, whether it be by a window, balcony or garden,” he says. “But also boost your positive thinking, take care of yourself, learn new things and connect with your loved ones.”

A holistic approach, with a connection to nature at its core, is embedded in wellness practice in the East. No wonder then that ‘J-Wellness’, aka Japaneseinspired wellness, has rapidly increased in popularity according to research by the Global Wellness Summit.

“In Japanese cultural heritage, nature influences every aspect of daily life,” says Yuki Kiyono, global head of wellness and spa at luxury retreat group Aman. “From plant-based nutrition and medicinal herbs for one’s physical state to achieving inner peace through Shinrinyoku (forest bathing) sessions or onsen (hot spring) bathing.” Aman’s first hot spring destination, Amanemu, enjoys the mineral-rich thermal waters of the surrounding Ise Shima National Park.

“We offer hikes along the Kumano Kodo – a Unesco World Heritage Site – and walks along ancient pilgrimage routes at the nearby Kii Mountains. All of which provide the perfect backdrop to ‘taking in the forest atmosphere’ – a practice that combines the healing benefits of mindfulness and nature. You can also indulge in Zazen meditation sessions with a local monk,” explains Yuki.

The drive towards longevity doesn’t end when you leave either, as each Amanemu Wellness Immersion also includes a departure consultation. “A practitioner will offer bespoke guidance and provide nutrition and lifestyle advice to enable guests to continue their transformation post-trip,” adds Yuki.

The formula to living forever may not yet be in our grasp but we can increasingly use technology and bio data to ‘hack the code’ of life – and prolong it.

Previous spread Cardiorespiratory fitness assessment; neurac treatment; pool and spa at Chenot Palace Weggis, Switzerland

This page Amanemu, a luxury ryokaninspired onsen resort in the forested hills of Ise-Shima; Local and seasonal Japanese ingredients await guests at Amanemu

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