A Closer Look: How you can live a longer, healthier life


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In A Closer Look, The National provides an in-depth take on one of the main stories of the week

For centuries people have searched for everything from mythical elixirs of youth to secrets for immortality to stave off the effects of ageing.

Longevity, the act of living a longer and healthier life, remains at the forefront of many people's minds, with billionaires spending millions a week on treatments to stay forever young.

But is it necessary to spend a fortune to avoid feeling old?

Here, host Sarah Forster speaks to The National's health editor, Nick Webster, to hear how far the wealthy go to achieve eternal youth but also how you might achieve the same results for next to nothing.

Read more

In the blue zone: The secrets to living beyond 100

Longevity: how science is pushing the boundaries for the first 150-year-old human

Body scanners at Arab Health 2024 to help increase lifespan: in pictures

  • Tue Lehn-Schioler, chief executive of BrainCapture wearing the device which helps to diagnose epilepsy and other neuro problems at the Arab Health conference held at Dubai World Trade Centre. Pictures: Pawan Singh / The National
    Tue Lehn-Schioler, chief executive of BrainCapture wearing the device which helps to diagnose epilepsy and other neuro problems at the Arab Health conference held at Dubai World Trade Centre. Pictures: Pawan Singh / The National
  • Dr Hidayath Ali Ansari, staff physician in the imaging institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said MRI scans can be expensive.
    Dr Hidayath Ali Ansari, staff physician in the imaging institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said MRI scans can be expensive.
  • The scanning machine on display at the Siemens Healthineers stand at Arab Health.
    The scanning machine on display at the Siemens Healthineers stand at Arab Health.
  • The latest scanners are much sleeker and less cumbersome than the larger models of the past, one expert told The National.
    The latest scanners are much sleeker and less cumbersome than the larger models of the past, one expert told The National.
  • Visitors descend on the Anfas stand at Arab Health.
    Visitors descend on the Anfas stand at Arab Health.
  • Vivek Kanade, Managing Director of Siemens Healthineers for the Middle East and Africa with the latest MRI scanner at Arab Health 2024 in Dubai. Photo: Siemens
    Vivek Kanade, Managing Director of Siemens Healthineers for the Middle East and Africa with the latest MRI scanner at Arab Health 2024 in Dubai. Photo: Siemens

Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.

A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.

Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.

A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.

On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.

The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.

Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.

The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later. 

The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8

Power: 611bhp

Torque: 620Nm

Transmission: seven-speed automatic

Price: upon application

On sale: now

The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet

Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder

Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km

DUBAI%20BLING%3A%20EPISODE%201
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENetflix%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKris%20Fade%2C%20Ebraheem%20Al%20Samadi%2C%20Zeina%20Khoury%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Western Clubs Champions League:

  • Friday, Sep 8 - Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Bahrain
  • Friday, Sep 15 – Kandy v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
  • Friday, Sep 22 – Kandy v Bahrain
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

Brief scores:

Day 2

England: 277 & 19-0

West Indies: 154

Monday's results
  • UAE beat Bahrain by 51 runs
  • Qatar beat Maldives by 44 runs
  • Saudi Arabia beat Kuwait by seven wickets
Company profile

Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space

Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)

Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)

Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi 

Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution) 

Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space  

Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019

Updated: March 22, 2024, 2:45 AM
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