Over the past 40 years, we have seen incredible advancements that have transformed almost every industry. Technology is evolving so quickly that we barely react when a driverless car picks us up or when ChatGPT 4.0 is suddenly replaced by Deep Seek. Despite technology’s widespread impact however, the healthcare system remains largely the same. Most interactions with healthcare still happen in physical locations and only when symptoms appear. While we receive app notifications when our car’s brake pads wear out, we often wait for a heart attack before diagnosing heart disease.
Some holistic and functional medicine practitioners take a more proactive approach, but even in these forward-thinking clinics, predictive diagnostics are mostly limited to basic blood tests. The first serious effort to assess health risks came in 2013 with Human Longevity Inc. (HLI). HLI combined genomic sequencing, full-body imaging, and detailed blood work to detect the risks and presence of various cancers, cardiovascular conditions, and metabolic diseases. In 2018, Fountain Therapeutics (later Fountain Life) expanded on this model with three key areas: Precision Diagnostics, Performance Optimization, and Advanced Therapeutics.
The term “Longevity Medicine” can be misleading because the focus isn’t just on living longer, it’s on improving the quality of life.
A groundbreaking study published by HLI in 2020 revealed that nearly 4% of their patients over 45 had life-threatening diseases, while nearly 15% had conditions affecting their quality of life. These patients appeared healthy and had premium health insurance. A follow-up study from HLI not only highlighted the impact of early detection on lifespan but also demonstrated the financial benefits of comprehensive screening. While insurance companies were slow to adopt this model, HLI and Fountain Life played a major role in raising consumer awareness about proactive health and Longevity Medicine.
Rethinking Longevity Medicine
The term “Longevity Medicine” can be misleading because the focus isn’t just on living longer, it’s on improving the quality of life. More people now prioritize “healthspan” over “lifespan” and measure their health by “biological age” rather than “chronological age.” Researchers have identified hundreds of biomarkers, from body composition and peak VO2 to DNA methylation patterns and gut microbiome tests, that help track health, disease risk, and aging. With these tools, people can now understand how their lifestyle choices impact their aging process.
Even more exciting, emerging therapies may influence the underlying biochemistry of aging. Stem cells, senolytics, NAD treatments, and plasma apheresis all show promise in slowing aging. For the first time, we can measure the pace of aging and potentially alter it. We are at the dawn of a new era in healthcare.
However, caution is necessary. Tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson has taken Longevity Medicine to an extreme, following a strict regimen that includes gene therapies and a supplement-heavy diet. His Netflix documentary, Don’t Die, details his efforts to optimize every aging-related biochemical pathway. The challenge is that the human body is incredibly complex. Most studies focus on single compounds and their effects on isolated pathways, without fully understanding how different treatments interact. Despite advancements in machine learning, our knowledge of biochemistry is still evolving. In Johnson’s case, the risk of liver toxicity may outweigh any potential lifespan extension.
How to Navigate This Changing Field
With so much emerging data, how can individuals turn information into a personalized, actionable, and sustainable health plan? At Skai Health, our mission is to provide meaningful insights and craft personalized strategies to optimize health and performance.
To help educate our clients and the broader public about Proactive, Performance Medicine (a term we prefer over Longevity Medicine), we are launching a monthly series of white papers and newsletters. These will cover key topics in Performance Medicine, offering balanced insights into the science, risks, and benefits involved.
In the coming months, we’ll explore:
Stem cells and exosomes
Hormone replacement therapy
Peptides for muscle maintenance and recovery
GLP-1 agonists for weight loss
Tools for sustaining lifestyle changes
Before diving into these advanced topics, we’ll begin with a discussion on Blue Zones and the fundamental principles that contribute to long, healthy lives.
Living a Blue Zone Life
A long-term study of Danish twins showed that lifestyle choices, not genetics, primarily determine aging outcomes. This aligns with common sense, most of us know that diet, exercise, and habits like smoking impact both lifespan and healthspan.
Dan Buettner’s 2003 study on Blue Zones examined regions with an unusually high number of centenarians and identified four key lifestyle factors:
Movement and exercise
Nutrition and caloric restriction
Community and relationships
Mindset and purpose
Buettner later tested these principles in select U.S. cities, implementing urban planning strategies that encouraged movement, modifying restaurant menus, and labeling longevity-focused foods in grocery stores. While personal lifestyle changes are hard to maintain, most diets and new gym memberships last only about six weeks, these city-wide initiatives had lasting effects. Three years later, retention rates were around 60%, obesity dropped by 14%, city worker healthcare costs fell by 40%, and smoking rates declined by 30%.
Similarly, a series of studies by Vitality Insurance found that incentivizing movement led to sustained behavior change. In one study, participants received Apple Watches, which they could keep if they met activity goals. Those at higher cardiovascular risk were most likely to stick to their goals. Later, Vitality expanded the program, offering premium reductions and continued access to their “Vitality Community,” reinforcing both accountability and community support.
What This Means for You
Where does Longevity Medicine stand today, and how can you take advantage of it? Here are some key takeaways, which we’ll explore further in future papers:
Don’t die from something treatable – Annual imaging and comprehensive diagnostics should be central to your healthcare strategy. Early detection leads to better outcomes. Work with your doctor to tailor screening based on your personal risk factors.
Track your biomarker data and set health goals – Identify what’s accelerating your aging. Is it low muscle mass, poor sleep, or high stress? Choose a few key areas to improve and set realistic targets. Work with a trusted healthcare provider to create a plan and track progress.
Use DNA methylation kits annually – These tests primarily measure biological age, but they also create a valuable digital record of how your health changes over time. As research advances, these patterns may become key predictors of disease risk.
Incorporate cancer detection tools – Full-body MRI scans detect larger tumors in major organs, but not smaller cancers or blood-based conditions. Blood-based cancer detection kits can help assess risk, though they may produce false positives. Use them as part of a broader health strategy, not a definitive diagnosis.
Find a concierge primary care physician – Traditional healthcare is reactive, often failing to focus on long-term health optimization. Concierge medicine offers personalized attention, helping you navigate diagnostics, treatments, and advanced therapeutics while considering your specific goals and risk factors.
A New Era of Healthcare
The future of healthcare is shifting from reactive to proactive. By leveraging advanced diagnostics, tracking biomarker data, and making informed lifestyle choices, individuals can take control of their health and aging journey.
At Skai Health, our goal is to provide the tools and insights needed to navigate this evolving landscape with confidence. Stay tuned for our upcoming white papers as we explore the cutting-edge advancements shaping the future of health and longevity.
Skai Health is bringing world-class performance medicine to Dubai.
Dr. Tamim Khanbhai, Head Physician at Tottenham Hotspur, will be leading our Performance Medicine Pillar - bringing the same strategies used by elite athletes to optimise recovery, longevity, and vitality. Now, the best in sports science isn’t just for professionals, it’s for everyone.
