Significant increases in life expectancy across the Middle East could persuade more elderly people in the region to turn to a decades-old Swiss remedy for health problems linked to old age, a top medical and revitalisation centre believes.
Official figures show that the Arab world’s older generations are living longer than ever before, and as a result are likely to suffer fragility and illness for prolonged periods in the later stages of their lives.
The world-famous Clinique La Prairie in Montreux expects the trend to encourage more people to opt for its unique “Revitalisation” treatment developed over 70 years to slow down the ageing process.
The ‘Revitalisation’ process, recommended for people aged 40 and over, involves the injection of a cell extract, known as CLP Extract, which has been critically acclaimed for boosting the immune system, thus helping combat and alleviate illnesses related to old age.
A growing number of patients now come from the Middle East, and statistics on life expectancy in the region have persuaded the clinic that this will continue. Figures released by the UAE Ministry of Health at the end of the millennium showed approximately four per cent of the country’s population were over the age of 65 at that time. This figure is expected to rise to 12% by the year 2020.
In other Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain the over-65s add up to approximately 14% of the population, a figure set to increase to 25% within 15 years.
The problem is a global one. In the UK a recent report by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee* called for an application of scientific resources to improve the health of the increasing numbers of old people in Britain.
Dr Thierry Waelli, Medical Director at the Clinique La Prairie, says: “Revitalisation treatment will be sought by more and more people as life expectancy continues to increase.”
He explained: “Every function in the human body is performed with the help of hormones which act as messengers. They tell a group of cells responsible for a particular body function what to do.”
“As years pass, there is a steady decline, or change, in the hormones produced by the body, while cells lose their ability to react to the hormones’ messages. The CLP Extract contains unique substances which help ageing cells read messages correctly and perform as if they are young.”
Case studies have revealed many benefits. They include renewed energy, enhanced sleep quality, a decrease in susceptibility to viral infections such as Chronic Hepatitis B and C, reduction in respiratory or seasonal allergy symptoms as well as positive effects on chronic fatigue and rheumatic pain.
Confidentiality and discretion are among the key factors making the treatment popular with Middle East clients. Many visitors from the region, particularly Arab ladies, make annual visits to the clinic.
Guests travelling from abroad often combine the signature Revitalisation therapy with professional weight management programmes and cutting-edge beauty procedures.
All visitors are subject to a complete medical check-up on arrival to determine the most suitable treatments, and patients all undergo an allergy test to prevent against any possible reaction to the CLP Extract.
The Revitalisation treatment’s effects last between 18 and 24 months. Clinique La Prairie recommends repeating the injections approximately every two years.
