Anti-aging is passé; reverse aging is the new trend

In a world where anti-aging is the buzzword, doctors from around the globe convened in Dubai to introduce their studies focused on reversing aging to almost 10 years lower.

Dr Thierry Hertoghe

Under the patronage of Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine Dubai (A4M Dubai) hosted doctors practicing and researching in the field of anti-aging medicine on Sunday.

Dr William Andrews

On the other hand, looking to expand the average human lifespan from 78 years to 125 years, Dr William Andrews, Director of Molecular Biology, Geron Corporation, said: “The theoretical lifespan for our study is 125 years. We are trying to find a way to control aging. In a few years there might just be a single pill that will reverse aging.”In a bid to make a contribution to slow down the aging process, Dr Thierry Hertoghe, president of The World Society of Anti-Aging Medicine (WOSAAM) in Belgium, who practices lifespan/reversing aging medicine and hormone therapy, said: “Everyone suffers from hormone deficiency; once measured and corrected, results can vary from slowing the aging process to even reversing aging. Going by our studies, in the next 20 years, aging will reduce from 70 years to 30 years.”

Insurance concerns

Dr Nasim Ashraf

While all the studies look great, the UAE has a few hurdles to cross before being able to practice the method of bio identical hormones. Dr Nasim Ashraf, CEO and Chief Physician, DNA Centre for Integrative Medicine & Wellness, Abu Dhabi said: “We need to focus on public policies and laws while teaching medicine. An ideal way would be to integrate alternative medicine with a healthy lifestyle.” Bio identical hormone therapy refers to the use of hormones that are identical to natural hormones, on a molecular level.

Furthermore, Dr Nasim adds, that medical insurance companies too need to relook at their policies. Until now about $1.4 trillion has been spent on chronic diseases in the US. Today, the UAE is where the US was ten years ago. So instead of going bankrupt eventually, insurance companies need to be open to preventive medicines too.”

Nazih Khattar

Why pharmaceutical companies are wary

Dr Jennifer Landa, who specializes in helping women and men balance their hormones and restore their energy, says, “Bio identical hormones are natural, and there cannot be a patent on anything that comes from nature, hence many pharmaceutical companies are not interested in taking this functional medicine forward. But over the years, a few pharma companies have started looking into it.”

To create medicines that suit individuals with certain lifestyles, compounding pharmacies are required. Nazih Khattar, CEO, The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine Dubai said: “There are no compounding pharmacies in the UAE, and there is a need for them more than ever. We see huge growth potential in the anti-aging sector in the Middle East.”

How reversing aging works

Dr Jennifer Landa

In a city that is often referred to as the hub of cosmetic surgery, doctors and medicine professionals are working on the inside to keep intact the outside. Dr Jennifer says 18 years to 25 years is when a person’s hormones are at their optimal. After that they begin to reduce leading to weight gain, mood swings, anxiety, energy loss and loss of sex drive. At 18 years old is when hormones should be measured. Doctors can replace the lost hormones with new ones, keeping the individual feeling young all the time. “Optimal wellness is the future. Aging isn’t for the weak” she says.

When a person turns 30, they need to maintain their hormonal levels. This can be done by scripting a lifestyle and taking an additional dose of hormones. Dr Thierry warns, “It is true that production of natural hormones is reduced after bio identical hormones are induced. But it is a slow process, but the results are evident".