On February 19, hundreds of longevity devotees attended the Don’t Die Summit in Manhattan, each paying $349 in the hopes of discovering the secret to extended life.
Keynote speaker, US tech millionaire Bryan Johnson, the subject of the recent Netflix documentary, Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever, took to the stage to tell the audience: “We are at war with death. We are trying to eliminate death from our environment.”
Johnson made headlines last year when he revealed he spends over $2 million a year on his Project Blueprint, for which he receives plasma transfusions from his teenage son along with gene therapy injections in a bid to reverse or stop ageing.
As far as health buzzwords go, longevity has, no pun intended, stuck around. Claims by the likes of Johnson and his researchers might dominate headlines, but his experiments remain unapproved by the health authorities, further muddying the waters of what longevity actually means. Add in vague phrases such as “biohacking”, “rejuvenation” and “somatic” and it’s clear that the meaning of longevity has got a little lost.
Just as the vague catch-all term “wellness” replaced and repackaged a collection of words such as “diet” and “healthy lifestyle”, longevity has become an all-encompassing concept that covers everything from diet and exercise to genetics. So what exactly is it?
“Longevity, in the medical sense, refers to an individual’s ability to live a long and healthy life while maintaining good physical and mental well-being,” says Dr Afshan Zulfiqar, general practitioner at Aster Clinic, Nuaimiah in Ajman. “It is the period during which a person remains free from serious illness and enjoys a high quality of life free from chronic diseases and disabilities.
“While 'longevity' has gained significant popularity in recent years, it has always been a crucial focus of medical science. Historically, medicine has been concerned with prolonging life and improving overall health through disease prevention, early diagnosis, and effective treatments,” she adds. “Modern advancements and research in healthcare, nutrition and lifestyle modifications have further refined and increased our understanding of what contributes to a longer and healthier life.”
Short-term aims for long-term goals
According to Alberto El Bitar, founder and chief executive of Re Wellness Club, one common misconception about longevity is that people think it’s simply about living a longer life.
“In reality, longevity is more about the quality of life rather than just its duration,” he says. “It’s about maintaining the ability to move, run, play and stay in good health and shape as we age.”
The array of new wellness centres across the UAE dedicated to longevity treatments and programmes is a testament to the popularity of the concept, which boils down to developing a series of short-term habits and goals that make up the bigger picture of an individual’s overall health.
Traditional routes to health such as nutrition and exercise are supported by the development of daily habits which focus on mental and emotional well-being; recovery in the form of rest, sleep and active recovery; and adaptability, allowing the individual to change behaviours and pivot seamlessly between activities as necessary.
Adds El Bitar: “By focusing on these short-term aspects consistently, we create a strong foundation for long-term longevity, allowing us to stay active, healthy, and resilient as we age.”
Bespoke health and personalised programmes
The sheer scale of modern medicine and the amount of health information available online concerning alternative and complementary therapies, supplements, exercise and more means it can be difficult to know how to put together a personalised programme. This is where longevity come in, pulling together a variety of aspects based on the results of things such as blood work assessment, cardiovascular health and fitness levels.
“Longevity is a deeply personal journey, and its success lies in tailoring interventions to everyone’s unique physiology, lifestyle and goals,” says Paulina Mercader, general manager of the Longevity Hub by Clinique La Prairie at One & One Za’abeel.
“This means moving beyond traditional healthcare’s reactive model and instead focusing on preventive precision medicine, leveraging cutting-edge diagnostics, metabolic assessments and genetic insights to create an individualised blueprint for longevity.”
Areas such as stress management, sleep quality, mental and emotional health and preventive measures are considered alongside the traditional health markers of nutrition, exercise and lifestyle.
“Health and strength lay the foundations,” says Sarah Lindsay, owner of Roar Fitness. “Your nutrition and sleep are two major contributing factors to health that you have immediate control over and then strength comes down to your training programme design.”
El Bitar adds: “For true longevity, three key factors must be in alignment: biochemical health, biomechanical health and mental health. These elements work together to support overall well-being. Additionally, having a strong, supportive community and being mindful of where and how you spend your time can significantly impact brain health and overall longevity.”
Can longevity be leveraged?
The general acceptance that no hack will make us immortal, at least in this century, has led us to focus on how to make our finite lives better, says Dr Nas Al Jafari, co-founder and chief medical officer at DNA Health & Wellness.
“Despite all the medical advances of the postwar period, research indicates today’s 50 to 70-year-olds are at greater risk of chronic illness and disability than their predecessors, with rising rates of cancer, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” he says. “Viewing longevity as life enhancement as opposed to extension helps manage expectations around what biohacking can actually achieve, by putting the focus on living healthier for longer.”
Lindsay of Roar Fitness adds: “All my grandparents lived [to] between 95 and 101 years old, which is truly amazing. I want to do everything I can to remain as capable and young as possible for as long as possible.”
The five pillars of Islam
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Did you know?
Brunch has been around, is some form or another, for more than a century. The word was first mentioned in print in an 1895 edition of Hunter’s Weekly, after making the rounds among university students in Britain. The article, entitled Brunch: A Plea, argued the case for a later, more sociable weekend meal. “By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers. It would promote human happiness in other ways as well,” the piece read. “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” More than 100 years later, author Guy Beringer’s words still ring true, especially in the UAE, where brunches are often used to mark special, sociable occasions.
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
MEYDAN%20RACECARD
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E6pm%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EArabian%20Adventures%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh82%2C500%20(Dirt)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E6.35pm%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEmirates%20Sky%20Cargo%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%2087%2C500%20(D)%202%2C000m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E7.10pm%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEmirates%20Holiday%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(TB)%20Dh82%2C500%20(D)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E7.45pm%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEmirates%20Skywards%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh87%2C500%20(D)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E8.20pm%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Emirates%20Airline%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh105%2C000%20(D)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E8.55pm%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEmirates%20Airline%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh105%2C000%20(D)%201%2C900m%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E9.30pm%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEmirates.com%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB_%20Dh87%2C500%20(D)%201%2C200m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?
Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.
They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.
“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.
He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Pakistan World Cup squad
Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez(subject to fitness), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain
Two additions for England ODIs: Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Dubai Creek Open in numbers
- The Dubai Creek Open is the 10th tournament on this year's Mena Tour
- It is the first of five events before the season-concluding Mena Tour Championship
- This week's field comprises 120 players, 21 of which are amateurs
- 15 previous Mena Tour winners are competing at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The years Ramadan fell in May
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
The studios taking part (so far)
- Punch
- Vogue Fitness
- Sweat
- Bodytree Studio
- The Hot House
- The Room
- Inspire Sports (Ladies Only)
- Cryo
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The years Ramadan fell in May
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
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SPECS
Mini John Cooper Works Clubman and Mini John Cooper Works Countryman
Engine: two-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 306hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: JCW Clubman, Dh220,500; JCW Countryman, Dh225,500
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
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if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
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Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
Profile box
Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
Oppenheimer
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Race card
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
9.50pm: Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
9.25pm: Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
