Treating My Chronic Psoriasis Lead Me To This Longevity Clinic
As someone with a chronic skin condition, guttate psoriasis, I’ve learned to control my environment. I’ve also learned to be open to absolutely anything that might help to manage it.
From prioritising an admittedly boring sleep routine, to reliably slogging it out at the gym and drinking alcohol only when the drink is a medicinal-meets-herbal concoction. Twice a year, I receive injections to help keep the very worst of my symptoms at bay. Every friendship group has someone like me, and in mine, well, it’s me. The routine sounds relentless, but it’s what I have to do to manage my wellbeing.
This search for good health – and a skin condition that stays largely dormant – has led to many an unseen destination. I launched a luxury apparel brand called Sylva, to support the skin with hydrophilic (ideal for moisture absorption, sweat wicking and comfort) and breathable fibres. I eschew using irritating materials like polyester and instead choose soothing eucalyptus and seaweed. I eat 95 per cent organic, a way to attempt to manage my external health from the inside out. Most recently, I visited Hooke London, a Mayfair longevity clinic centred around regeneration and repair. Could it help me?
Hooke’s, well, hook, is that following a full day of testing, any “meta-inflammation” will be uncovered. Meta-inflammation is chronic, low-grade inflammation that’s been linked to conditions like fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes. Unlike acute inflammation, meta-inflammation is not short-term or in response to an injury or infection. Instead, it’s systemic and persistent.
“We’re witnessing a quiet epidemic in early indicators of chronic, lifestyle-driven conditions that can affect even the most health-conscious of us,” says Hooke GP Dr Clare Nieland. “These include risk markers for cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and even cognitive decline.”
Visiting the clinic
The day of testing included a fasted full blood panel – to check my biomarkers for deficiencies or hormonal irregularities, followed by an ultrasound of all the major organs, a naked full-body medical and nutritional consultation, capped off with a VO2 max and general fitness test.
To judge my mental health, a cognitive ability assessment (which included memory recall and “matrix” testing) was conducted. Finally, there was an hour-long psychological and emotional evaluation conducted by Professor Aneta Tunariu, who specialises in psychology at UCL. It found that while my friendliness and compassion are high, my sympathy for others is low.
Unpicking my results
The results of my bloodwork were encouraging, with only one suggested tweak to incorporate more Omega DHA-EPA support and address a vitamin D deficiency. By having the blood tests, I felt confident in placing my supplement order. Random, unguided supplementation is a big no, says Nieland. “More is not always better and not every supplement you see on Instagram is scientifically sound. Wellness should be a personal pursuit – not performative.”