Advanced Anti-Aging Clinics Are Redefining the Definition Of "Growing Old"

Fountain of Youth

Numerous clinics around the London area are bringing the latest advancements in regenerative medicine to the masses (well, to the rather wealthy masses, anyways). These facilities are offering treatments that target specific degradations caused by ageing.

Among them is the Omniya clinic. This self-described "health and beauty mediclinic" specializes in cellular ageing; specifically, they explore new ways to slow the natural deterioration of cells due to age. To this end, the clinic offers TA-65, a product designed to rebuild telomeres (the caps at the end of human DNA).

The idea behind this treatment is, the longer the telomere is, the better it is for your cells—improving life expectancy and lowering risk of disease. This material can now be prescribed in capsule or cream form. The company explains, "DNA that protect our chromosomes, like the plastic tips at the end of shoelaces. Without the coating, shoelaces become frayed until they can no longer do their job, just as without telomeres, DNA strands become damaged and our cells can’t do their job."

For low energy, the clinic specialize in improving mitochondrial function or Human Growth Hormones to spur cell reproduction. This is supposed to lend itself to more lustrous hair, supple skin, healthy nails, and tremendous energy. Omniya asserts that hormone deficiency can be associated with a number of changes in the body, such as bone density, lipid metabolism, and cardiovascular function. To that end, hormone therapy specialists evaluate patients for hormonal depletions (including Growth Hormones) using a comprehensive blood analysis.

Another anti-aging clinic is Viavi, which calls itself "a private client health management service." It begins treatment with an in-depth analysis of the client's' physical health, which includes full DNA sequencing. “We’d watch, for example, for inherited mistakes in the DNA: if, by accident, you match a certain environment to certain mistakes, that will be expressed in illness — anything from gallstones to heart disease: it’s like playing cards, there is an element of luck as to whether you win, but your chances are higher if you can look at your hand,” says co-founder Dr. Sabine Donnai.

There are a host of other services that are provided as well. For example, Viavi is also able to monitor how much and how well one is sleeping. If, for example, you don't fall into REM sleep, there are a number of regenerative processes (such as the rebalancing of hormone levels) that will not take place. Ultimately, this impacts your health and cognitive functioning, as sleep is also when your brain stores memories.

Specifically, Viavi carries out tests looking at areas involved with memory and concentration, and can map the relative electrical activity in the left- and right-hand sides of the brain. The company notes, "We can find out if your brain is working optimally or not. If not, your risk of Alzheimer’s increases significantly." If such issues are found, they try to develop ways to combat them.

The Cost of Youth

However, the price of remaining young and healthy is something that, currently, many cannot afford. But that doesn't mean that there are no clients. Despite the exorbitant fees associated with various treatments—Viavi, for instance, commands close to two hundred thousand dollars for annual fees—business and retention rates for these clinics are high. The Excel V laser treatment, which encourages the body’s own collagen production, costs £7,000 by itself. And there is no shortage of individuals willing to pay for this treatment either.

But the main point is this: The market is an inspiring one. Each clinic offers a creative approach to regenerative medicine that can pave the way for the growth and accessibility of regenerative medicine across different demographics, especially where it's related to economic situation. As our technology and medicine advances, it is likely that the cost of these treatments will come down. So the way that future humans age will, in all likeliness, be nothing like how we age today.