AnThea Gerrie for The Mail on Sunday
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WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?
Having enjoyed robust health into my 60s, I have been intrigued by recent reports about telomeres: DNA sections that sit on the end of our chromosomes like plastic caps and shorten every time our cells divide, which are a recognised indicator of ageing.
Apparently lifestyle, along with genetics, is key in influencing their length (and our longevity) and, thanks to developments in science, they can be measured.
I booked in to a London-based ‘clinic’ that offers to do just that, and then gives advice on what you should do to improve your chances.
Chromosomes with telomeres at each end, pictured, which are an indicator of ageing, shortening every time cells divide
WHERE’S THE SOLUTION?
You can not only get your telomeres measured, but learn how to lengthen them from a pair of fitness and nutrition gurus known as The Health Concierge, based at The Albany Club, a luxury gym near Regent’s Park.
They work with Madrid-based lab LifeLength, help interpret the results and provide a comprehensive programme that aims to slow ageing at cellular level.
WHAT’S THE TREATMENT?
I fill out an extensive health questionnaire and complete a food diary before visiting a London lab for a blood test.
Three weeks later I’m in the Health Concierge offices at Fitzroy Place on the site of the old Middlesex Hospital getting a rundown on my results from managing director Dr Errol Richardson.
I hope I’ll discover my telomeres are fabulously long, but am shocked to find they’re shorter than those of 90 per cent of people my age, making my cells two-and-a-half years older than I am.
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As I’ve never smoked, don’t drink excessively and get to the gym or yoga three times a week, the likely causes are being overweight, stress and a less-than-optimum diet.
Dr Richardson is detailed in his prescription for longer telomeres: I need to shed ten per cent of my weight, give up processed foods and most wheat and dairy, eat more vegetables, cut wine consumption by half, sleep more and meditate to reduce stress.
I also need to add magnesium and other supplements to the calcium and Vitamin D that I already take daily.
THE VERDICT?
I have implemented as many of the doctor’s diet recommendations as I can, swapping lunches which featured mayonnaise and toast for salads.
Swapping toast and mayonnaise for salads, pictured, is one of the recommendations of the programme
I am drinking less and seeking out affordable forms of magnesium glycinate, whose value I feel convinced of.
Banishing stress, however, seems difficult, and ten per cent weight loss seems slightly out of reach as I have always struggled with this.
But the telomere analysis was an important wake-up call. I feel encouraged by the changes I’ve been able to make to my diet, and new research published since my consultation says that even five per cent weight loss can have huge health benefits. I think even I can manage that.
WHAT’S THE COST?
£500 for a package including blood test, analysis, personalised diet and exercise consultation and written follow-up programme.
- thehealthconcierge.co.uk
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