The growing longevity industry is selling the ability to slow one’s biological clock for $1,300 and up, but does science support these claims? Some clinics are now embedding longevity services into luxury hospitality, with prices ranging from $200 to $1,000. However, experts warn that many of these treatments have limited evidence and can be expensive.
At clinics like Biograph, a 45-minute “cellular repair” session costs $1,300, while comprehensive annual programs can cost thousands. Some companies, like Immortelle Integrative Health, are partnering with hotels to offer medical-grade recovery protocols for $1,000. However, experts say that the evidence for these treatments is thin and that many are not supported by science.
Deborah Kado, a professor at Stanford Medicine, notes that “many of these commercialized interventions may provide useful information that can be used to improve health,” but emphasizes that more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness. Andrea LaCroix, a professor at UC San Diego’s Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, says that there is an absence of clinical trial data showing that any interventions extend healthy longevity in humans.
The industry’s growing popularity raises questions about health equity, as some treatments are expensive and may only be accessible to those with more resources. Frank Lipman, an integrative medicine physician, notes that science mainly supports the importance of a healthy diet, time-restricted eating, getting quality sleep, regular exercise, managing stress, and having purpose in life.
Women represent a major demographic for longevity clinics, with menopause-focused offerings becoming a distinct subcategory. However, some experts warn that premium packages can be problematic when they make women feel like they need to invest thousands of dollars to protect their health or prevent decline. The industry’s increasing popularity brings up more questions than answers about health equity, and companies must prioritize transparency and accountability in their pricing and claims.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20260211-the-business-of-not-ageing