THE KEY TO LONGEVITY

Can we delay the ageing process? Rowena Marella-Daw talks to Simone Gibertoni, CEO of Clinique La Prairie, about the medical resort’s unique methods of extending our lifespan

Once upon a time the term ‘longevity’, or living a long, healthy life was just a pipe dream, a term that probably didn’t even exist. These days we are more aware and informed of the impact diet and lifestyle have on our health and wellbeing. Thanks to medical and scientific research leading to major breakthroughs in preventing and combating diseases, we are enjoying longer, healthier lives than our ancestors did. 

However, the quest to achieve longevity requires delving deeper into the root of our existence – our DNA. An example of this endeavour began back in 1931, when Dr. Paul Niehans, a pioneer in cellular therapy, founded Clinique La Prairie, a medical clinic and wellness destination based in Montreux, on the tranquil shores of Lake Geneva. Known worldwide for its cutting-edge therapies and holistic treatments for over eight decades, CLP is leading the way in preventative medicine, detoxification and rejuvenation, as well as advanced neutraceutical nutrition.

Navigating and understanding the scientific nuances of longevity on a cellular level can be a mind-boggling exercise, so we asked Clinique La Prairie’s CEO, Simone Gibertoni, whose passion for and knowledge of genetics and the wellbeing industry has led to the clinic’s continued success, to shed light on the CLP Longevity Method™ and the science behind prolonging life.

Q. What is the CLP Longevity Method™, and how does it help to promote a healthier, longer life?

SIMONE:  “Our guests start their wellness journey with a Longevity Master Assessment (LMA) as part of their chosen Longevity programme. This involves a comprehensive series of screenings and tests using advanced diagnostics to analyse blood and urine samples at a molecular level. This enables us to look deeper into an individual’s genetic profile, inflammation markers, metabolism and its by-products (carbohydrates, coenzymes, lipids, amino acids, fatty acids). 

We can even determine if a person’s biological age is older or younger than their chronological age. 

Q. That’s interesting. How does that work?

SIMONE:  We examine the sugar molecules (glycans) in your blood sample, which indicate the level of inflammation in your immune system. Glycans act as biological age markers, and an analysis of its structures results in a score, which determines if you are ageing faster or slower than your chronological age.

Aside from blood tests, we also use a range of imaging tools, such as MRI and CT scans as are part of the assessment process. The LMA is therefore a powerful tool that not only allows us to identify disease markers, it acts as an early-warning sign for adopting preventative measures. So the goal is to optimise health through a tailor-made programme incorporating diet and nutrition, combined with a host of holistic treatments and physical activities.

Q. It’s been scientifically proven that approximately 70 to 80 percent of our immune cells are found in the gut, and what we eat and how we eat determine whether we stay healthy or succumb to illness. How does CLP’s programme help to improve immunity through diet and nutrition?

SIMONE:  Nutrition plays an integral role in regulating almost all our internal processes, and has a direct impact on metabolic health, inflammation, gut health, and the body’s ability to repair itself. Nutrients build cellular membranes, activate enzymes, enable electric impulses, generate energy and contribute to our body’s defence mechanisms. How efficiently we absorb, metabolise and store these nutrients is strongly influenced by our genes. For example, the body’s ability to absorb and convert folic acid or caffeine varies greatly from person to person, which makes nutrition a vital preventative tool for enhancing and optimising health. 

Q.  How do you achieve this?

SIMONE: Developing a strong internal defence system is essential, especially when certain factors cause the immune system to shift towards a negative imbalance. CLP’s Nutrition Index Assessment is designed to evaluate an individual’s overall nutritional health in relation to four fundamental functions: immunity, metabolic health, detoxification, and neuro-health. 

Our Master Detox Programme is an ideal starting point for guests who wish to cleanse, regenerate and energise their digestive system. This programme includes advanced blood tests to detect and correct heavy metal, mineral and vitamin levels. Based on test results, we then personalise their nutritional programme to correct deficiencies in each area. From here we can create a tailor-made nutrition plan that will combine holistic treatments, such as cryotherapy, toxin-cleansing Far-Infrared Therapy Session, detoxifying massage, sound therapy and a breathing workshop, among others. 

Q.  Can you explain the link between ageing and inflammation?

SIMONE:  Senescence or biological ageing, occurs when cells eventually stop multiplying but don’t die. Instead, they continue to release chemicals that trigger inflammation. This process impacts other healthy cells, resulting in accelerated ageing and chronic illnesses. Inflammatory responses that are linked to genetic predisposition or lifestyle habits such as nutrition or stress, can lead to a wide range of complications and diseases.

The Clinique La Prairie Longevity Method™ is based on a holistic and preventative programme that targets inflammation, slows ageing and boosts immunity using a four-pillar approach: medical, nutrition, wellbeing and movement. Using the latest anti-ageing research, we can provide guests with a unique opportunity to change their cellular environment in a way that will optimise overall health, strengthen the immune system, improve metabolism and support brain function.

Q. We cannot change our DNA and susceptibility to certain illnesses, such as heart disease or breast cancer, which are often hereditary. What are the latest advances in medical science and treatments that can help prevent diseases and promote a healthier immune system?

SIMONE:  Our Longevity Master Assessment™ includes a series of advanced tests that provide more than just a snapshot of someone’s current health. It unlocks over 300 usable biomarkers, offering an unprecedented depth of analysis. Among these is a revolutionary test to measure chronic inflammation, a key factor in ageing and disease, as well as a patented cardiovascular risk assessment that predicts the likelihood of a cardiovascular event within the next 10 years.

Q. I’ve read about Epigenetics and how gene behaviour can actually be regulated without altering the underlying DNA code. I know Clinique La Prairie have integrated epigenetic testing into its longevity programmes, and are considered pioneers in that field. Tell us what role diet, nutrition and lifestyle habits have in influencing positive epigenetic changes?

SIMONE:  It’s a known fact that external factors such as lifestyle, diet, and the environment can influence genetic activity by turning genes on or off. This process is vital for immune response, energy production, damage repair, and cellular regeneration. 

A key process in epigenetics is methylation, where chemical markers attach to DNA to activate or silence genes. As we age, methylation patterns often become disrupted, accelerating ageing and cellular dysfunction. While we cannot change our genetics, epigenetics is dynamic and can influence how our genes express themselves, potentially altering the course of ageing.

Over the past five years, the clinic has refined high-impact intervention protocols that effectively modulate epigenetic signatures, highlighting nutrition’s critical role in promoting positive epigenetic changes. Perhaps the most surprising discovery we have made is the speed at which diet shapes our health, which we can measure with epigenetics. The methylation process is deeply affected by the exposome, or quite simply – the environment. 

Experience has also taught us that we need as little as six months to measure methylation changes in our body. In other words, diet can impact the health of our cells in only six months, while other lifestyle interventions can take several years or even decades to show noticeable effects. 

Empowering ourselves with the knowledge and tools to make informed choices around both diet and important supplements, or nutraceuticals, enables us to take proactive steps towards living healthily. 

Q.  What are your plans for CLP and the future of wellbeing and longevity?

SIMONE:  All our expansion projects will follow the Clinique La Prairie vision of being at the forefront of innovation, with a commitment to scouting and developing the best technologies in the field of longevity, and to bringing our method to more guests across the world. 

As part of our growth strategy, we aim to establish a total of 10 Health Resorts worldwide in the long-term, which will retain the exclusivity of Clinique La Prairie Montreux and its CLP Longevity Method™. Set in stunning locations, they will offer the same expert approach of week-long longevity programmes, combining leading preventative science and genetics/epigenetics, with wellbeing, lifestyle and nutrition plans. They will deliver our premium programmes in the “CLP way”, with the exception of the Revitalisation programme which will remain an exclusive offering in Montreux.

Q. So in a nutshell, what is CLP’s ultimate goal?

Our end goal is to provide health, wellness, and longevity solutions that bring real, tangible changes to people’s lives. It’s not just about extending life—it’s about unlocking its full potential.

DISCOVER: cliniquelaprairie.com & cliniquelaprairie-hh.com

Words: Rowena Marella-Daw