The T&C Guide to New-Age Wellness, No-Age Beauty
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Forget the number of candles on your birthday cake — your true age has little to do with the year you were born. By being mindful of inner and outer health and beauty cues, it’s not just possible, but dare we say, probable, to maximize your time on the planet and even better, stretch your quality of life while here, all while looking your very best.
Sound too good to be true? It’s not… but it’s also not exactly easy. Gaining control of your re-aging starts with a hard look at your lifestyle choices to determine biological age. This measure is “a predictor of all-cause morbidity and mortality,” says Leonard P. Guarente, Novartis Professor of Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a founder of Elysium Health.
Think of your biological age as an overall measure of what makes you tick — and how efficiently. The parts of this sum may include your current cognitive function, immunity, sleep ability, libido, metabolism, condition of your skin and, most importantly, level of inflammation.
Addressing inflammation requires a nuanced approach, says board-certified doctor of internal medicine Dr. Anand Vinjamoori, the chief medical officer at Modern Age. Key to an effective strategy is “identifying and treating the root cause, be it weight-related issues or other health conditions,” he says. At Modern Age’s two NYC locations, a full wellness assessment aims to identify 55 biomarkers. Elysium Health offers a similar DIY version, called Index.
Simply put, knowledge is power. Once you learn where your deficiencies lie, a variety of treatments — including eastern and western therapies — can help one quash inflammation and move towards a balanced homeostasis.
One such treatment has been a hot topic, but now with new reason. Fascinating new research suggests that Ozempic, Wagovy and other semaglutide injections may go beyond promoting just weight-loss. In a study on mice, the substances were shown to trigger the brain to reduce body-wide inflammation.
For those less inclined to try a drug, “alternative therapies” like acupuncture, oxygen chambers, red LED light, salt air bathing and more have gone from woo woo to wow worthy — and are widely available (think: spa add-ons and subscription services.) One can even find Blue Zone-labelled packaged meals in the freezer aisle at Whole Foods and dietary supplements abound. Guarente recommends adding NAD+ to your repertoire, to replace the cellular coenzyme responsible for metabolic function, which naturally declines with age.
While improving nutrition and sleep habits may boost physical health, emotional wellbeing plays a huge role in our quality of life, too, says Ana Kertesz, founder of Human FWD Capital, an investment company focused on disruptive science and technologies. “I see longevity as a core set of principles that also include strengthening relationships, gratitude and purpose,” she says.
Perhaps the best news is that it’s never too late to start living more mindfully and with greater intention to improve individual destiny. “We have the power to learn and make choices that will help us be healthier — and happier,” Kertesz says.
With that in mind a holistic approach is suggested, to address both internal and external signs of aging. This includes a skincare regimen that incorporates ingredients calibrated to support cellular health and regeneration.
Here, eight great treatments and practices designed to better your biological age so you can feel—and look—your very best:
Reduce Inflammation
Red Light Bed at Joanna Czech
The beautifying powers of red LED light are well known — it can help brighten the complexion by reducing inflammation and stimulates collagen and elastin which, in turn, tighten and firm skin. But the overall benefits are myriad — and now available to experience in a 20-minute session at Joanna Czech’s chic Soho studio. “The bed we have has nine settings,” Czech says. “Each setting has a different benefits, so depending on what you’re looking for, it can help alleviate aches and pains, help with healing, boost a calm feeling to enhance mood or improve sleep,” says the complexion queen. “It’s truly a miracle!” $125, LEARN MORE
Hyperbaric Chamber at Joanna Vargas
Breathe new life into your skin — and psyche — by hopping into a personal oxygen tent following a facial with celebrity skin pro Joanna Vargas (she’s treated Greta Gerwig through Awards Season.) Inside the Relaxation Pod, oxygen is distributed at a greater concentration measuring 24%-28% to detoxify cells, spur regeneration, increase immune support, reduce muscle cramps and even improve neurological function. “It’s perfect for reducing inflammation and stressors in the body that can create spots, dryness and other issues,” Vargas explains, noting that she recommends the treatment post-facial because “it makes skin glow while feeling so much more refreshed from the inside out.” $150, LEARN MORE
Get Deeper Sleep
The Well Contrast Therapy
If enhanced zzz’s are what you’re after, and they should be, as good sleep is vital to the health and appearance of once's skin, indulging in a combination protocol of Infrared Sauna followed by Cold Plunge at the Flatiron location of The Well might send you straight to the Sandman. While immersing in super-cold water puts the body in fight or flight mode, improving circulation and focus, it also lowers body temperature, releasing chemicals — including melatonin — that promotes sleep. Hitting the full-spectrum infrared sauna first helps to relax muscles and mind, further enhancing the effect of the cold plunge. From $130, LEARN MORE
Biohack a Re-Age Plan
Modern Age Aging Assessment
At this holistic health mecca with Upper East Side and Flatiron locations, clients receive a comprehensive physical and mental health analysis “to identify 55 biomarkers critical to health,” says Dr. Vinjamoori, relating to metabolism, energy, inflammation, cognition and sexual wellness. The workup includes an extensive intake questionnaire, blood draw (there’s an RN on staff for the squeamish) and bone density test to determine deficiencies, strength and flexibility, mental health concerns and more. Upon an in-person or virtual follow-up, a “meticulously tailored” plan is offered which may include oral supplements, vitamin IV drips, glutathione anti-stress injections, semaglutide doses for managed weight loss and big gun treatments like Electromagnetic Pelvic Floor Therapy. $500, LEARN MORE
Elysium Index
For those with limited time, this nifty DIY saliva-sample test kit can be done in the comfort of your own home yet yields major science-backed results. A leading Yale University epigenetic researcher, Dr. Morgan Levine Ph.D, helped develop the measure of brain, liver and immune function that determines biological age and most importantly, the rate at which one is aging. Lifestyle shifts and a perfectly matched supplement plan to spur optimum health are then suggested. $299, LEARN MORE
Eat to Boost Brain Power
Kroma 5-Day Reset
Nutrient-rich superfoods can have a huge impact on cognitive function. “As a society, we’re over-caffeinated, over-sugared and overstressed, leading to an overly acidic body which drives up inflammation, leading to brain fog and sluggishness,” explains nutritionist Sarah Wragge. Kroma's carefully curated nutrition kit removes all inflammatory foods from your diet, alkalizes the body, and supports a healthy stress response, Wragge says. Kits contain non-perishable items that suit a variety of dietary preferences including vegan. From $415, LEARN MORE
Spark Immunity
WTHN Acupuncture
Long recognized as a conduit to an extended lifespan, acupuncture works via strategically-placed needles that trigger the central nervous system to treat a host of ailments including pain, insomnia, infertility, sleep and digestion. WTHN, with locations in downtown Manhattan and Williamsburg, Brooklyn, aims to make the ancient Chinese practice accessible to all. “We’re proud to offer a modern approach to acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine to a city of busy people looking for solutions that fit into their hectic schedules,” says CEO Michelle Larivee, who credits acupuncture for helping her to overcome infertility issues, leading to the birth of her son Sam. Memberships are available at three different tiers ad offer add-ons such as cupping and ear seeding. From $90,LEARN MORE
FloLo Holistic Halotherapy
The practice of simply hanging out in a room lined with salt at this midtown wellness salon offers a unique blend of relaxation and health benefits — and it’s not a fad. “Scientific research over a century has confirmed its efficacy in cleansing the respiratory system, providing relief for various conditions such as asthma and allergies,” notes Joel Granik, founder of FloLo. Bonus: Something beach lovers have long known — salt air also has anti-inflammatory properties that “enhance overall well-being,” Granik says. From $55,LEARN MORE
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