Table of contents for Longevity Future-Proof Edition 2021/22 in Longevity Magazine

Well, we did it again. The Longevity team, made up of a small group of feisty, passionate staffers, and supported by an incredible array of specialists from all over, has managed to produce yet another annual edition. Every time we send this book off the printer, I marvel at the effort of it all. It’s no small task. I’m so grateful that we’re able to keep producing a beautiful annual, full of information shared by so many clever, committed health specialists. I want to thank each and every specialist who has contributed to this issue, for their time, intellect and commitment to ensuring that our readers are kept up-to-date with the latest in healthcare, products, services, ideas and innovations. Our theme is Future-proof, not just for our own health, but…

Johnny Depp once described her as a walking poem. Looking at her now, you could say he was spot-on. A poem that is constantly evolving, and which is at once brilliant, committed, maternal, beautiful, combative and kind. Born into Hollywood royalty, Angelina Jolie has managed to channel her unique talent and influence for good. Her career - which saw her debut at the age of seven, starring alongside her father, Jon Voight - now spans nearly (years. In addition to being an Oscar-winning actress, the 6 year-old has extended her repertoire to producer, director, humanitarian-activist, and special envoy to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. This year - as the face of French cosmetic house Guerlain - she partnered with UNESCO and Guerlain, one of the sponsors of the Women…

A woman’s body goes through major changes throughout her life, leading to different health concerns at different ages. And during times of physiological change, women are susceptible to mental-health issues such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders. Major disease risks include cardiovascular disease, cancer and osteoporosis. Fortunately, most of the diseases that affect women are treatable if detected early, and women can live long and happy lives by following simple health advice. How women age The reproductive cycle governs the many stages of a woman’s life, with estrogen levels directing many of the physical changes women experience during adolescence, adulthood and old age. At the moment of conception, girls immediately begin displaying physiological differences from boys, expressing genes in the placenta differently. As young as the age of six, girls…

SCAR TREATMENTS SCAR SCIENCE It provides good scar support in that physical support is provided with the micropore tape. It helps with collagen maturation, and it controls inflammation when the gel is used. - Dr Dilshaad Asmal Price: R229,95 Where to buy: www.dischem.co.za OPTIPHI DELTA SCAR CORRECTOR BSC This cream is designed to reduce the appearance of mature scars. The key ingredients are Triptide-10 Citrulline, Carnitine + Coenzyme Q10. - Dr Tarryn Jacobs Price: R912 Where to buy: www.skinmiles.com REGIMA SCAR REPAIR FORTE A well-known product with a multitude of ingredients to prevent and treat scars and stretch marks. - Dr Gerda Olmesdahl Price: R729 Where to buy: www.cosmetology.co.za ACNE LA ROCHE-POSAY EFFACLAR DUO It combats the causes of acne, including inflammation and the build-up of unwanted acne-causing…

PROCEDURES FOR SCARRING PEARL FRACTIONAL LASER This treatment is used to renew your skin’s surface, with quick, visible results. It targets scarring on the face and body, uneven skin texture, and light and dark spots caused by sun damage. It’s powered with fractional laser technology and is the most advanced laser treatment on the market, with medical data to prove its effectiveness. - Dr Kamlen Pillay Treatment cost: R8 000-R20 000 NANO-FAT Nano-fat for scarring is fine, emulsified fat removed from one part of your body, then processed and injected into the scarred tissue, to soften scars, improve discoloration of the scar, and may efface indentations. - Dr Isabel do Vale Treatment cost: depends on the patient and area MICRONEEDLING COMBINED WITH PRP Scar therapy with PRP injections and microneedling…

SKINCARE BRANDS that help to support aesthetic treatments DRSCHRAMMEK Cruelty free and not tested on animals. 70% of Schrammek is vegan friendly. - Dr Farheen Ghoor www.drschrammek.co.za LULU & MARULA Lula & Marula’s beautiful packaging is enough to get anyone excited, and that’s not mentioning what’s inside. From scented body balms and bath oils to cleansing bars and lip balms, all products are as natural as they come. They don’t test on animals, and they use recyclable packaging. - Dr Janine Olivier www.luluandmarula.co.za PH FORMULA Innovation, pharma-cosmeceutic and 100% plant-based. - Dr Zama Tladi www.phformula.africa ECO-FRIENDLY COSMETIC BRANDS ESSE Over the last 100 years, industrial beauty has disrupted our skin’s ecosystem; we pay the price with huge increases in sensitive skin and acne. Esse researches rewilding techniques to restore the…

We’re told often enough that we are what we eat – that it’s important to consider what we’re putting into our body, for the sake of our health. But what we’re eating may be having an effect on more than just our body; it may also be affecting the planet. We often think that what we do on an individual level will have little impact large-scale. But according to vegan business magazine Vegconomist, without a dramatic and notable shift in our dietary habits, we’ll be unable to curb climate change. A study conducted by Oxford University has asserted that a vegan diet has the potential to reduce our carbon footprint by up to 73%. The food industry is a major contributor to harmful emissions, largely as a result of the…

It may just be the word of the year. But when it comes to sustainability, it’s difficult to know where to turn. There are so many different aspects of our lives - from fashion to beauty and technology - in which we’re being urged to become more sustainable and earth friendly, but everyone has a view, and they don’t always agree. Reducing waste and the use of plastic Plastic isn’t biodegradable, because it isn’t a natural material, and that’s what makes it so damaging to the environment. And if it does manage to break down, it’s extremely toxic to surrounding ecosystems. Unfortunately, the majority of plastic waste is sent to landfills. According to the journal Science Advances, of all plastic produced, only 9% is recycled properly. If it doesn’t end…

“For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.”Jacques Cousteau I grew up with these words, and who could have known how much foresight Jacques Cousteau had, already back then? For us at Longevity, it has become clear: we can’t write about futureproofing our health without talking about future-proofing our planet. For the simple fact is, without a healthy planet, humanity has no prospects at all of longevity. The main driving force behind climate change is the emission of greenhouse gases through human activities. Yes? it’s us. We’re the problem, but thankfully also the solution! Humankind has systematically created a climate crisis through our consumption habits and need to progress.…

We asked some of South Africa’s leading health specialists, in a wide range of specialties - from surgeons, GPs, aesthetic specialists, functional-medicine practitioners and gene experts, to business leaders in health - to share with us the most important health lessons you can learn, to help you to future-proof your health. They have all dedicated their time and shared with you their intellect and experience gained over many years, so that you can get a unique, priceless round-up of critical health information, without leaving your armchair.…

Few diagnoses strike as much dismay in patients and their families as Alzheimer’s disease. Although it doesn’t properly belong in the category of “dread diseases”, since it doesn’t have the often rapid deleterious effect in individuals as, say, cancer, a heart attack (or, for that matter, COVID-19), and doesn’t involve the distressing experiences of intensive-care wards, oncological treatment or life-support apparatus, it’s automatically associated by many with the irrevocable decline of memory - and all that memory embodies: relationships, cognitive ability, awareness, dignity and, eventually, identity. Yet, this is no longer the case. Over the past decades, research into the condition has shown that it’s largely preventable, with lifestyle modifications, and that not only can treatment significantly slow down the rate of cognitive decline in patients, but sometimes it can…

Welcome to Longevity’s Best in Aging Review: Future Proof Survey, a comprehensive appraisal of what leading specialists deem to be the best products, treatments and services available in South Africa for healthy aging. The survey is completed voluntarily by medical specialists and professionals, who review the products and services they use, and those they believe Longevity readers need to know about. The survey covers a range of categories, which include: Products, Supplements, Dental Health, Fitness Wear, Non-Invasive Treatments, and Cosmetic Surgeries. Each category has been evaluated according to these criteria: Longevity received over’ reviews from 8 ndustry professionals. Not all comments are listed; qot es have been selected across the survey categories. What’s important to note is that the products and services listed have been approved by the specialists who…

RUNNING SHOES 1 VIVO BAREFOOT SHOES They are minimalistic shoes that allow your body to move naturally. They are designed to protect the soles of your feet, while allowing for a natural feel of walking barefoot. With Vivo’s stylish designs and sleek look, this is a fantastic shoe for anyone who is concerned about the health of their feet. – Nick Da Silva www.vivobarefoot.co.za 2 NIKE FLYKNIT When it comes to running, the two things I prioritize are cushioning, which usually is best with shoes that have a thick foam base, protecting the soles of the feet, especially when running long distances, and flexibility, which is the way the shoe shapes the foot as you run. Flyknit, shoes intended to feel like socks, are by far the most comfortable and…

TEETH WHITENING LASER TOOTH WHITENING There is less sensitivity with lasers. - Dr Bryan Sher Treatment cost: R3 500 IN-CHAIR LIGHT-ACTIVATED TOOTH WHITENING Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide is applied to the teeth and an LED light is used from a chair side lamp. The LED light heats up the gel, speeding up the chemical reaction that whitens teeth and removes stains. In all teeth-whitening cases, the patient’s lips are retracted, a protective gel is applied to the gums, and great care is taken when applying and removing the peroxide, so as not to cause any damage to oral tissues. - Dr Melisha Moodley Treatment cost: R3 000 NON-VITAL BLEACHING - OPALESCENCE ENDO This type of bleaching achieves incredible results for discolored front teeth if they have sustained trauma and…

NEW: Leaf from Bellabeat This holistic wellness device can be worn as a bracelet or a necklace, and there’s even a hybrid watch option. Apart from the fact that it’s pretty to look at, reproductive health tracking integration makes Leaf very attractive for women. It will tell you when you’re ovulating and when your period is due. The period-tracking and fertility calendar works well and seems to be accurate. The app allows the user to customize, add information and create benchmarks or goals. However, if you’re big on fitness, it may not meet your full requirements. It’s not linked to Strava and also can’t be linked directly to Discovery for example, but it can be linked to Apple Health and Google Fit, which can then be linked to the Discovery…

With its benefits having been touted in headlines and social-media captions for several years now, it’s safe to say that collagen is a buzzword that will be around for some time. But what does it really do for the skin? “Think of collagen as the frame of your mattress; it gives [your skin] structure and support,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. But the older we get, the less collagen our body produces, and the more important it becomes to provide our body with the required nutrients. This is important not only for healthy, elastic skin, but also for healthy bones, muscles and cartilage. After the age of 25, collagen synthesis starts to reduce at a rate…

* This article is based on market research provider Euromonitor International’s webinar entitled “Beauty in Recovery: Going Green and Clean”. http://blog.euromonitor.com Consumer awareness is at an all-time high. In 2021, shoppers want to know what’s in their products, where they come from and where they’re going to end up. And the honesty and straightforwardness of clean beauty brands – with products that are made with fewer, but higher-quality, natural ingredients, clearly listed on the packaging, and without toxic and hard-to-pronounce chemicals – are appealing to them. At this point, stating that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on, well, anything is fairly obvious. The 3% decline that the beauty industry suffered in 2020 doesn’t really come as a surprise; however, research shows that, while all other categories, such…

FIGURE 2 The global food system is a leading contributor to our rapidly deteriorating environment and unraveling of nature. Responsible for 27% FGHG emissions 70% of freshwater withdrawals Main driver of biodiversity loss and tropical deforestation Increasing risk for future pandemics Our dietary choices are also damaging our health (Figure 3). People in some countries have an abundance of food and choice, while people in other countries still lack both. This highly polarized reality has led to a situation where many countries face a growing obesity epidemic, in others hunger and undernutrition persist, and in far too many both realities exist at the same time. FIGURE 3 The global food system is also a major contributor to much of the III - health that we see around the world 1…

Have my eyes always been that big? You could dig into my pores. This meeting has been going on for so long, they must have noticed how wide my nose is. Why has no one ever told me that my teeth are so crooked? While, initially, we were all focused on the physical toll of the coronavirus pandemic, we may have been oblivious to its broad mental toll. For one, Zoom meetings were meant to keep us connected during the hard lockdown days, but, it seems, they’ve had unintended consequences, affecting the way we see ourselves, and the way we see our bodies. In extreme cases, this has led to body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). What is body dysmorphia? Dr Marilyn Davis-Shulman, a licensed clinical psychologist and trauma and addiction specialist,…

INNOVATIVE AESTHETIC TREATMENTS ULTHERAPY This device helps to lift and tighten the skin by stimulating collagen regeneration. It’s a great non-surgical option, especially for people looking for a non-surgical, yet effective treatment. - Dr Anushka Reddy Treatment cost: from R8 000, depending on area MORPHEUS8 Morpheus8 is a fractional device that uses microneedling combined with radiofrequency. On its own, microneedling provokes a healing response that stimulates collagen regeneration. By adding radiofrequency energy to the skin, the device prompts tissue remodeling, which includes skin thickening and tightening. Improvement of fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, skin texture and loose, saggy skin can be achieved. Excess fat in the face and neck can also be improved. - Dr Farheen Ghoor Treatment cost: from R7 000 FRAXEL DUAL Fraxel DUAL is an FDA-approved…

FACIAL TREATMENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR TATA HARPER ILLUMINATING FACE PEEL Your skin will be instantly brighter, refined and glowing with the use of natural acid peel in this facial treatment. The peel’s effective formulas treat hyperpigmentation, even out skin texture and illuminate skin tone. Benefits of this facial include even skin tone, smooth skin texture, bright and glowing complexion. - Jackie Armitage Treatment cost: R1 750 www.theoysterboxhotel.com ACOUSTIC MERIDIAN INTELLIGENCE REJUVENATION FACIAL A powerful facial treatment that includes the use of organic rose oils. Combination of ancient reflexology techniques and cutting-edge sound technology. - Lizande Rossouw Treatment cost: R1 250 www.santeretreat.co.za DERMAPLANING Dermaplaning is a resurfacing treatment that removes the top layers of your skin. The procedure aims to remove fine wrinkles and make the skin’s surface look smooth…

Full disclosure: I come from some pretty hairy stock. And while I’m thankful for my thick, glossy curls, lashes and eyebrows, I’ve always been jealous of that friend who has never even owned a razor. That’s due to the bitter, ongoing war I’ve been waging with the hair on my legs. Because it’s stubborn, thick, and dark as the night. Worse yet, it grows back faster than any hair-removal option on the market. Any option, that is, except for laser treatments, which I’ve had administered to my underarms and bikini area. And several years later, both of those areas are largely hair-free. Of course, laser hair removal is the more expensive option. But, to date, it’s also the only permanent one. It’s also safe and very effective - if you…

I used to weigh myself every day. I would torture myself over the numbers on the scale, disappointed at every increase, jubilant at every dip. I was obsessed with getting as lean as possible. I didn’t have a healthy relationship with food. I micromanaged every calorie that went into my mouth, but without having any real plan or end goal in mind. All I knew was that eating too much was bad. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Over time, I became tired and moody. I decided to make a change. After doing my own research, speaking with my dietitian and testing multiple different methods, I discovered the secret to losing weight and building muscle at the same time. It’s a process called body recomposition. What is body recomposition? Everyone…

We live in a time when pharmaceutical medicines and prescriptions prevail, but they don’t have to be the only approach to healing. For centuries, plants have been used as natural remedies for the head, heart, and everything in between. In fact, 40% of modern medication is derived from plant-based substances, and, at the beginning of the 21st Century, 11% of the 252 drugs considered “basic and essential” by the World Health Organization were “exclusively of flowering plant origin”. Drugs such as codeine, quinine and morphine all contain plant-derived ingredients. Even one of the most common of all household over-the-counter pain-relief medications, aspirin, is derived from the willow bark. Deep roots In Africa, plant-based medicine practices have deep roots – and a projected 2026 market value of $136 billion. Homeopath Dr…

It was around my grade 10 year in high school when so much in my life was changing and developing, that I began struggling with body image and food intake. Looking back, I can see that controlling what I looked like and what I ate was a means to try to cope with the stress I was feeling at the time. Being a competitive swimmer on scholarship in a top academic school, while going through puberty and general teenage distress, put me in a constantly anxious state of mind, even if I didn’t realize it at the time. Not knowing the dangerous path I was propelling myself along, I began to turn to the only source of control I had, which was over my body and food. I wasn’t equipped…