The steps to conscious longevity
According to the World Health Organisation, by 2030 one in six people worldwide will be aged 60 or over. Against the backdrop of this transformation, the longevity economy is taking shape – an ecosystem ranging from anti-ageing biotech to healthtech and senior care. The wellbeing sector is one of the fastest-growing segments within the longevity economy, as it addresses a need that is becoming increasingly central to a population living longer: ageing whilst maintaining health, vitality and quality of life. In recent years, in fact, the concept of self-care has been gradually shifting from the idea of ‘anti-ageing’ to that of ‘healthy ageing’ – that is, ageing in a healthy, active and mindful way.
Wellness programmes
A truly personalised wellness programme always begins with an in-depth analysis of the individual’s biological condition. “Men and women have different endocrine, metabolic and physiological characteristics, and this calls for different strategies at various stages of life,” explains Dr Michele Bonaccorso, an expert in regenerative and functional medicine based in Milan. “Today, we assess parameters relating to chronic inflammation, hormonal balance, sleep quality, stress management, body composition, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, gut health and physical performance. The aim is to develop a targeted, sustainable and scientifically sound programme. The integration of functional medicine, hormonal support and regenerative treatments is one of the most advanced areas of longevity medicine. At what age should one start? Early intervention allows one to preserve energy, physical performance, metabolic health and quality of life for longer. Today, more and more people realise that investing in their health at the age of 35 or 40 means entering the following decades in a very different state of health.”
A pro-longevity approach
Ageing is not a process to be feared, but a journey to be approached with the right strategies, turning every day into an opportunity to invest in one’s own health. This is why GenAge® advocates a ‘pro-longevity’ approach. The project stems from a collaboration between the Scientific Community of Compounding Pharmacists and the Ongaro Switzerland Method. ‘The approach is based on a key principle: genetics accounts for around 30 per cent, whilst the remaining 70 per cent depends on lifestyle,” explains Dr Gianni Baratto, scientific director of Unifarco. “Diet, sleep, exercise, stress management and daily habits become fundamental levers for prolonging the vitality of body and mind. GenAge® is based on a personalised approach that integrates genetic analysis, inflammatory markers, microbiota testing and body composition assessment. The pharmacist, trained in the field of pro-longevity, thus becomes a key figure in guiding the individual on a comprehensive journey of prevention and wellbeing.” Clinique La Prairie in Montreux, a world leader in longevity for over 90 years, has just introduced the Longevity Master Assessment, an innovative preventive medicine system that analyses over 300 biomarkers to provide an in-depth assessment of health status and longevity potential. The programme comprises eight advanced tests, including an exclusive test to measure chronic inflammation and a patented assessment of 10-year cardiovascular risk. It is one of the most advanced systems for monitoring and optimising longevity.
