The New Age of Longevity: Beyond Anti-Ageing, Towards Vitality

Medical Director at Surrenne and founder of Three Peaks Health, Dr Mark Mikhail, consistently highlights that patient care must be personalised. He observes that some individuals naturally lean towards behavioral changes and nutrition, while others are open to more advanced or unconventional interventions. ‘Some people want to be very natural and think about behavioural change and nutrition… Others want to be fully “juiced up” and do all sorts of strange things!’. His approach involves in-depth consultations, often lasting over 90 minutes, to meticulously chart healthspan strategies based on lab diagnostics, lifestyle patterns and individual goals. Rather than overwhelming people with numerous supplements, Mikhail advises a gradual, iterative process: ‘Start with something slowly: work out what works for you, what doesn’t, and then kick on.’

While Mikhail champions easily trackable baseline wellness markers – like grip strength, balance, and dead hang ability – as key indicators of long-term vitality, he also integrates some more cutting-edge practices, to support those patients seeking a high-performance lifestyle.

For example, he uses peptides (chains of amino acids, which regulate various bodily functions) – which enable him to target different areas of wellbeing with ultimate precision. ‘You might focus on immunity during winter, or libido during a different phase of life.’ Mikhail often draws up a tailored ‘ peptide calendar’ for each patient, utilising compounds like SS-31 for mitochondrial function and BPC-157 for recovery. These peptides – typically injected subcutaneously – are cycled carefully, as he emphasises the importance of not continually taking something that your body is designed to produce naturally: thus ensuring the body maintains its own internal production capabilities.

Addressing the growing concerns about cognitive decline, including brain fog, poor focus and a fear of Alzheimer’s, Mikhail also outlines a comprehensive “treatment stacking” strategy which supports brain health. This involves combining advanced technologies, such as transcranial electromagnetic stimulation of the prefrontal cortex, hydrogen gas inhalation to neutralise free radicals, red light (photobiomodulation) helmets, and IV nutrient support. The goal is to layer these interventions to provide the brain with the optimal conditions for creating new synaptic connections.

Mikhail also underscores the critical importance of social wellness as a clinically relevant metric for longevity. Social connections are scientifically proven to reduce inflammation, elevate mood, and enhance brain plasticity. Sometimes, the most powerful advice lies in simply giving individuals permission to engage in life’s most meaningful social interactions.

However, what about the external? Dr Zoya Awan, a renowned aesthetic doctor and regenerative expert, challenges the outdated notion of striving to look “forever 21.” Instead, she asserts that: ‘Agelessness ‘is not about meticulously policing every wrinkle… it’s a feeling that transcends age.’ Her practice shifts the conversation from merely “anti-ageing” to proactive skin longevity, using a memorable ‘cake’ analogy to illustrate her layered treatment strategy. ‘The “icing” addresses surface concerns like skin texture and tone; the “sponge” focuses on restoring mid-layer volume and hydration; and the “base” provides deep structural support to bone, fat pads and fascia’, she explains. Awan stresses that, to achieve truly natural-looking results, each “ingredient” must be replenished in the correct proportions.

Awan is also a strong proponent of “undetectable” aesthetic work;advocating for a holistic approach that integrates various disciplines, including nutritional and mental health support. She emphasises the absolute necessity of thorough consultations and cautions against rushing into quick fixes, noting that ‘when you pump too much filler too soon, that’s when it starts to look obvious.’

Above all, Awan promotes the importance of addressing skin health – highlighting that skin is a living organ that requires training and maintenance – ‘After all, the skin cells start to “retire” as early as 25 years-old’. To reawaken them, Awan utilises injectable collagen stimulators like Sculptra, which enhance intercellular communication, thus prompting the cells to resume collagen production. She firmly believes that consistency trumps intensity, suggesting that a consistent three-step skincare routine — including SPF and a nightly active ingredient — can yield more profound and lasting results than expensive, sporadic cosmetic procedures.

Finally, how can we support vitality from the inside-out? Farzanah Nasser, a functional medicine practitioner, adopts a comprehensive root-cause approach to health, with a toolkit that includes in-depth comprehensive blood tests, digestive stool analysis and microbiome mapping. Nasser consistently emphasises the foundational importance of gut health, underscoring its wide-ranging influence on mood, skin, immunity and overall longevity. ‘A 10 gram increase in fibre can reduce your biological age by four years’, she insists

Nasser also recommends three simple, yet highly effective, foods for boosting longevity: blueberries (they contain anthocyanins, which can cross the blood-brain barrier and noticeably improve cognition within an hour); leafy greens like rocket ( packed with magnesium, which is essential for brain health and reducing inflammation) and dark chocolate (containing 85% cacao, or higher – which is known for its ability to enhance mood and diversify the gut microbiome).

As a foundational practice, Nasser suggests a 12-hour overnight fast, explaining that gut microbes crucial for longevity thrive during these fasting windows. For women navigating perimenopause, she notes that foods rich in phytoestrogens, such as flaxseed, can play a significant role in naturally balancing hormones. Though don’t overlook the importance of how you eat, advises Nasser. Consuming foods mindfully not only optimises digestion and nutrient absorption, but can also deepen social connections (all of the Blue Zones – areas of the world known for their enhanced longevity – prioritise eating slowly, over time, and often in the company of others)

Our learnings? While the hi-tech, futuristic therapies sometimes feel like a fast-track route to longevity, we cannot ignore the importance of age-old social connection and human interaction. In the pursuit of extended lifespan, it’s crucial to remember that true longevity isn’t solely about scientific advancement – the enduring importance of human connection remains a fundamental pillar of well-being and a fulfilling, long life.

Want to find out more about longevity? Watch our ‘Longevity, Unlocked’ conversation here.