Longevity Magazine

Our Longevity Editorial Director Gisèle Wertheim Aymés met Paul Atkinson at the Ixopo Buddhist Retreat in Underberg recently. What followed from this chance meeting was a spontaneous creative food collaboration called Barefoot in the Kitchen. This is

In the past year, various media reports have suggested that Michael J Fox’s health is declining and he will soon be wheelchair-bound. However, his incredible determination and persistence to stay active is enabling him to keep fighting back. If you’r

It seems we’re all searching for the “silver bullet” of anti-aging. In fact, according to the NPD Group’s 2015 sales report, the cosmetic industry is one of the few multibillion-dollar industries that continues to grow steadily around the world. Now,

This daily exfoliant detoxes your skin from air pollution particles, which are known to trigger aging-related skin conditions such as brown spots, fine lines and uneven tone. The formula is inspired by one of the company’s all-time best sellers, the

Twenty-five years ago, at the tender age of 23, Jennifer Aniston stole our hearts with her quirky and relatable portrayal of the spoiled, naïve Rachel Green in the American sitcom Friends. At the same time, her then-hairstyle rose to iconic fame. Nic

Premature skin aging Sea fennel stem cells QMS Cellular Marine (Stem Cell Line Eraser), R3 500, http://futurethis.co.za Using anti-aging products that incorporate stem cells into their formulas helps to maintain youthful skin and prolong your skin’s

A super blend of essential oils for skin that has lost its vitality and resilience Your skin’s barrier is composed of three key lipids that protect against moisture loss and external aggressors: ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol. As you age, thi

Admit it. We all want to look younger, be a little thinner, boost our sex drives or brighten our skin… without the expense of seeing a doctor. These days, all it takes is a few clicks to pick up a real bargain: two “fat-dissolving” injections for the

Salt therapy is the therapeutic use of natural salt in a simulated microclimate, such as a salt room or halochamber, which simulates the effects of salt mines. It is also known as halotherapy (halos means “salt” in Greek). This rather unique therapy

True, it’s freezing out there – we won’t argue. Even the rush from the front door to the car door is a struggle, and let’s not even mention all the plans we’ve been bailing on just at the thought of braving the cold. Why would you leave your warm, co

Here are four of the biggest shifts in fitness: The demand for individualised exercise is growing, but so is the demand for group workouts. “It’s still all about enjoyment and engagement with people,” says Prof Ross Tucker, sports scientist at Virgin

We don’t hear enough about how drugs and alcohol affect the aging process. So says clinical psychologist Dr Sandrina Haeck, who explains that they affect our brain, skin, organs, nutrition and sleep. According to Haeck, alcohol abuse shrinks the brai

Exhaustion is now so common that it has become a status symbol for the hard-working. The pace of life is increasing each day, leaving the body and mind struggling to keep up. Like the chicken or the egg, it doesn’t matter whether mental or physical s

The immune system does more than fight invaders; it supports all of the major systems of the body. When things go horribly wrong, it can be pushed into autoimmunity. Over the last few decades, autoimmune diseases have increased rapidly, totalling ove

Bone health is crucial for maintaining body functionality. As we age, our bone mass, or density, decreases. As a result, the bones lose calcium and other minerals and become brittle, resulting in breaks and fractures. Practising healthy lifestyle hab

With age, our cells change, especially when affected by environmental pollutants and unhealthy diets and lifestyles. This puts us at a much higher risk of serious disease, including breast cancer. Being vigilant to any changes you may experience, mai

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death globally. In the past, cholesterol and salt were considered the main culprits, but this no longer seems to be the case. On his last visit to South Africa, Dr Aseem Malhotra – one of the most inf

The thought of cancer strikes fear into anyone’s heart – but, equipped with the correct information, you can work towards effective prevention or treatment. Dr Georgia Demetriou, an oncologist at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, explains that t

Every person on Earth will undergo senescence, or biological aging. The question in recent years has become whether we can make use of stem cells to delay this process. Stem cells are cells that have not yet differentiated into particular types of ce

Nutrients provide the body with the nourishment that is essential for life. Nutrition expert Linda Drummond elaborates: “Nutrients are classified into two broad groups: those we need to make up the majority of our intake (macronutrients such as prote

According to the Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology (CDE), 7% of adults (or 3.85 million) in South Africa are dealing with diabetes. It’s a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure and lower-limb amputation. Type-1 diabet

Approximately 360 million people have disabling hearing loss worldwide, according to the Gerontological Society of America. In adults, disabling hearing loss is defined by thresholds greater than 40dBHL (decibels hearing level) in the better-hearing

Eating disorders have been shown to cause premature aging, illness and even death due to medical complications. The American Psychiatric Association outlines diagnostic criteria for four types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervo

If you experience persistent sadness and a lack of interest in activities you would normally enjoy, accompanied by the inability to perform your daily tasks, you could be suffering from depression. If these symptoms last longer than two weeks, this s

Erectile dysfunction refers to: • Penile erection which is not maintained for the duration of sexual activity; • Penile erection that is not firm enough for penetration; or • Inability to obtain a penile erection at all. Dr Careen Rascher, a sexual h

Eyes are not only the gateway to your soul – they’re also a dead giveaway of your age, especially if you’ve led an unhealthy lifestyle. The skin surrounding your eyes is delicate, making it more susceptible to accelerated aging than the rest of your

Foot pain robs you of a vast chunk of your quality of life,” says podiatrist Chris Delpierre from the Sports Science Institute in Cape Town. “Over time, your foot can move out of shape and bones can become more prominent, which can hurt. Feet can los

Did you know that your genes play a role in determining the manner in which you age? Researchers have identified the FOXO3A gene as having a significant impact on your longevity. Dr Bradley Wilcox is an expert in the field of genetic, environmental a

The function of the gut is far more diverse than we previously thought. “Recent research has discovered a profound link between a healthy gut and a healthy immune system,” shares Dr Leah Murray, a Cape Town-based integrative GP. This explains why int

Because its primary function is protection, hair is a good indicator of changes in the body. It naturally goes through three stages: growing (anagen), resting (catagen) and falling (telogen, which makes room for new hair). Over time, the follicles an

Today we know that hormone health is the foundation of vitality. Whether you need to balance weight, blood pressure, sleep, moods, reproductive issues, libido or your ability to deal with stress, hormones are at the core. “Many people believe that ho

Although hyperpigmentation has many causes, the key element to consider is skin inflammation (for more on skin inflammation, go to Skin on page ….). When your skin is exposed to some kind of threat, your body defends itself by inducing a histamine re

Chronic low-grade inflammation is the root of all disease. As a result, it is also heavily implicated in aging. By reducing the pro-inflammatory aspects of our lifestyle, we will remain youthful and live better for longer. Low-grade inflammation can

You may not have heard of insulin resistance, but this rather common disorder is at the foundation of many diseases. Kirby Hendricks, registered dietician at Alex Royal Dietetics in Cape Town, says: “Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that

Maintaining an attractive neckline becomes more difficult with time, as both your skin and the layers beneath it begin to feel the effects of gravity. Neck jowls are the saggy tissues that gather below the jawline, on the sides of your chin, below th

Most of us don’t think about our kidneys unless they signal distress through a dull backache. We know they are good liquid filters, but why should we pay attention to them? “The kidneys are crucial to overall health,” explains Kalsey Visser, register

Arecent study published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology found that nearly two-thirds of women aged 50 and over experienced persistent, incident or intermittent knee pain. Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Lipalo Mokete explains that certain factors asso

Our lungs are no different from the rest of our organs – between the ages of 25 and 35, they begin to age. Dr Gunter Schleicher, a pulmonologist at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, explains that this is due to changes in our vertebrae, ribs, diaphr

Menopause is defined as the cessation of menstruation for 12 consecutive months without any other obvious causes. Dr Sly Nedic, a qualified GP with a special interest in hormones, says menopausal symptoms can begin two to five years prior to the onse

Your fingers and toes are constantly subjected to mechanical tension from daily tasks such as walking, writing and typing. Although you may think about your nails only when you’re due for a manicure or pedicure, they serve quite an important function

Enjoy a one-night stay for two in a luxury suite, including dinner and breakfast in the Qunu Restaurant. You and your partner will be treated to the Heaven on Earth spa package – perfect for the couple needing some intimate time out. You’ll each enjo

Neurological disorders are any disorders of the nervous system. A staggering 600+ neurological disorders exist and sadly, for many of them, there are limited treatment options. As we age, our central nervous system undergoes changes. Research has sho

The lymphatic system has the important job of ushering toxins out of the body. The degree of lymphatic drainage depends largely on the stimulation of lymphatic flow. Unlike the circulatory system, lymph is not pumped by the beat of your heart; it is

According to the Department of Health, 70% of women and 40% of men in South Africa are either overweight or obese. These statistics are shocking, to say the least. The scariest part is that once the weight piles on, so does the risk of Type-2 diabete

Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become brittle from loss of tissue. This occurs as a result of a decrease in hormones or essential minerals as we age. Dr Stanley Lipschitz, a specialist in geriatric medicine, says menopause and osteopo

Because teeth are composed of enamel and dentin, caring for them is different from caring for the rest of your body. Although signs of tooth aging and decay can present themselves at almost any time, these concerns do increase with age. Some of the m

Ovaries begin to age as women reach their early 40s. This process involves a decrease in the number of oocytes (cells that form eggs) that are produced by the ovaries, as well as a decrease in the number of follicles that hold these oocytes. This can

Botulinum toxin injectables – most commonly referred to by their trade names Botox and Dysport – are one of the most versatile and effective anti-aging treatments available. Non-invasive treatments that can help with healthy cellular turnover include

There are many types of arthritis. The two most common, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), involve inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Dr Lipalo Mokete, an orthopaedic surgeon based in Sandton, explains that RA is an autoimmune disea

Sexuality is no exception to the march of time; as we age, it too is affected. Dr Careen Rascher, a psychiatrist and sexual medicine expert, shares how age affects the sexual health of both men and women. “Both genders experience a decrease in sex ho

From the moment we are born, we begin to age. Ultimately, genetics and environmental influences will play the largest role in deciding how well our skin holds its youth over time. Our skin’s barrier function is quite similar to that of a brick wall;

The thyroid regulates the speed and function of your body. Every cell has receptors for thyroid hormones. They affect our brain chemistry, digestion, heart, reproductive health, fat metabolism, energy levels and our ability to cope with stress. If yo

Urinary incontinence (UI), the involuntary passage of urine, is not only something that happens as we age; it can also be an indication of more serious health concerns. UI can be permanent or temporary. Dr Kgomotso Mathabe, a urologist at Wits Donald

How you ensure vaginal health changes as you age. Being aware of these changes can mean the difference between premature and graceful aging. Dr Trudy Smith, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, outlines vaginal health as we age. Q: When does the vagina

Although varicose veins may seem like an aesthetic problem, they’re actually a clear sign that your circulatory system isn’t functioning properly. Varicose veins occur when the valves in our veins malfunction, inhibiting the smooth flow of blood arou

Weight loss is never a dull topic. But today there are hundreds of diet options available, so which do you choose? Dr Leila Sadien, an integrative medicine GP from Renascent Health in Cape Town, says: “So many patients nowadays are on some or other f

French dramatist Jean Racine once said: “Wrinkles on the brow are the imprints of exploits.” They are also a natural and inevitable part of the aging process – whether we accept them or not. Every facial expression we show, every physical movement we

Anti-aging has been the hottest topic for decades. It’s clear that wrinkles are “bad” and eternal youth is “good”. But lately there has been a shift in thinking towards aging gracefully, and away from expensive “quick-fix” products. Millennials want

With the ability to work at any time and in any place, many of us are cutting corners on sleep. But sleep is needed for more than just energy. It balances our weight, hormones and brain activity, and improves our cellular regeneration and heart healt

Q With cancer rates on the rise, especially the ones that affect women what can I do to protect myself ? A Cancer rates among women are increasing. Globally, it’s predicted cancer deaths in women will increase by 57% by 2030. But you can reduce your

As we head for a longer life, it is more important to think about our health-span than our life-span. Living longer as a gift will be possible only if we look after our health and vitality, while building financial assets. There are many other things

You are amazing – did you know that? My humanWaking is a journey to Self, and by this I mean learning about the multidimensional aspect of who I am and what it means to inhabit a body. To be alive is such a precious gift, one that most of us take for

INGREDIENT NAME: MALTITOL MADE OF: GLUCOSE AND SORBITOL FOUND IN: SELECT SUGAR-FREE PRODUCTS If we have learnt anything over the past few years, it’s this: any product that declares its contents to be sugar-free should raise a sceptical eyebrow. Whil

We all need to make an appointment with ourselves from time to time. We need to reconnect with who we are, maintain balance and recharge exhausted batteries. When a good friend and work colleague told me she was going on a self-retreat to the worldre