The New Science of Longevity and Healthy Ageing

By Dr. Dave Jenkins

For years, ageing has been regarded as an inevitable process of deterioration, with little that can be done to maintain vitality and health into later life. However, advances in personalised and functional medicine are reshaping this perspective, offering new hope for longevity and healthy ageing. Together with holistic nutritionist Miki Okuno, we have been applying a personalised approach to health that not only shows remarkable success in reversing Alzheimer’s disease but also provides a powerful model for addressing many other age-related and chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer, metabolic disorders, and more.

Longevity and Healthy Ageing through Personalised Medicine

What we’ve found is that people do not simply want to live longer if their later years are plagued by injury, disease, and pain. Although life expectancy is increasing, it is often accompanied by multiple health issues - the average American over 65 takes five different medications to manage diseases or drug side effects, and it is estimated that nearly 45% of current 55-year-olds will develop dementia. Increasing health span alongside lifespan is key to enjoying our golden years. Thankfully, most chronic diseases are preventable and may even be reversible, especially with early intervention.

Ageing itself is a multifaceted process influenced by genetics, lifestyle, environment, and biochemistry. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, personalised functional medicine seeks to uncover the root causes of health challenges - what drives disease - and addresses them to prevent, stabilise or reverse the disease process. Just as ageing can be accelerated, it can also be slowed or restored to a more normal pace.

Alzheimer’s as a Window into Personalised Medicine

Our published research on reversing Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline is one example of how this personalised approach works, illustrating its potential to reverse illness and promote wellness. Once seen as an irreversible decline, cognitive symptoms can now be slowed or even reversed by identifying and addressing underlying factors such as chronic inflammation, infections, hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, toxin exposure, and lack of cognitive stimulation (through learning or brain games).Moreover, a simple blood test can detect biomarkers of Alzheimer’s 10 to 20 years before symptoms appear, enabling early intervention.

Broader Applications: Heart Disease, Cancer, and Beyond

Personalised medicine extends beyond cognitive decline to many age-related conditions:

1. Cardiovascular Disease: Heart attacks and strokes remain leading causes of mortality. Advanced carotid artery ultrasound imaging and comprehensive diagnostic testing can detect plaque build-up years before critical events occur, allowing an opportunity to take corrective measures.

2. Cancer: Cancer incidence is rising rapidly, especially among younger populations. New diagnostic tests can detect circulating tumour cells in blood for over 50 types of cancer, enabling proactive treatment and improved outcomes.

3. Metabolic Disorders: Conditions such as diabetes, prediabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome affect over 50% of Western populations and are major risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Our diabetes reversal protocol has helped clients achieve remarkable outcomes, including the discontinuation of all diabetic and blood pressure medications while significantly improving energy, quality of life and life expectancy.

   
   
   
   

Early and Personalised Intervention Is Key to Healthy Ageing

Chronic illnesses are complex puzzles where each piece plays a crucial role. Our approach begins by understanding a client’s health goals and identifying barriers preventing their achievement. We analyse lifestyle factors and go beyond standard blood tests to evaluate extensive data sets for underlying risks.

Using this information, we design tailored protocols that aim to optimise health at all levels:

• Precision nutrition: to support cellular function and metabolism

• Detoxification: to clear environmental toxins and heavy metals

• Infection management: to address chronic pathogens weakening immune defences

• Hormone balancing: to maintain cellular communication and support repair mechanisms

• Metabolic optimisation: including improving insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function

• Gut health support: to enhance digestion and immune regulation

• Personalised supplement plans: to address nutrient deficiencies, toxicities, and inflammation

• Lifestyle coaching: on habit change, exercise, sleep quality, stress management, and cognitive stimulation

• Advanced therapies: such as peptides, stem cells, or gene therapy when appropriate

Real Impact on Lives

One of the most fulfilling aspects of this work is helping people avoid hospitalisations or progression to severe disability, allowing them to maintain or regain independence and enjoy more quality time with loved ones. We see our clients and coaching groups report increased energy levels, improved cardiovascular health, sustained mental clarity, better memory, and enhanced executive function.

It’s about empowering individuals with knowledge of their unique bodies and risk factors while working together on a clear path forward. Many become advocates within their families and friends, uplifting health standards in their wider communities.

Advanced Therapies

In addition to functional medicine, new science is providing cutting-edge therapies that rejuvenate our cells and physiological function, and lead to a younger biological age. For example:

• Therapeutic plasma exchange and photobiomodulation are innovative therapies that, when used correctly, can help rejuvenate the body’s systems and promote a more youthful function.

• Peptides (small proteins acting as signalling molecules) are increasingly used worldwide as evidence of their safety and effectiveness grows.

• Gene therapies for genetic conditions have been available for years; now anti-ageing targets like Klotho and Follistatin are being administered in select locations. Trials for Klotho are in early stages in the USA for neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. A small 2021 safety trial showed marked cognitive improvement - even in patients with moderate dementia - without major side effects.

The list of anti-ageing therapies supported by significant positive science is rapidly expanding. Combined with

foundational health practices, these innovations offer promising prospects for maintaining good health well into old age.

The Future

As more healthcare providers embrace personalised medicine, we can expect a shift towards preventing age-related diseases before they take hold and supporting optimal function throughout life.

The biggest barrier remains our own fear of testing and reluctance to embrace these opportunities. The sooner individuals adopt a longevity mindset, with regular testing and targeted interventions, the better their quality and length of life will be. What we do in our twenties and thirties profoundly affects how we age in later decades.

If you’re concerned about your health or want to take control of your ageing process, whether regarding brain health, heart function, cancer prevention or overall vitality, I encourage you to explore personalised testing and care. The science is clear: understanding your unique biology is the foundation of effective treatment and true longevity.

About the Author: Dr Dave Jenkins is a functional medicine physician from New Zealand specialising in personalised approaches to longevity and the prevention and management of chronic disease. Together with Miki Okuno, a holistic nutritionist and clinical hypnotherapist, and a dedicated team, they help patients identify the root causes of illness and develop tailored plans to achieve optimal health.

https://theendofalzheimers.com

For more on our Alzheimer’s reversal study:Reversal of Cognitive Decline: 100 Patients