Biohacking's Lure: Unveiling the Science Behind the Obsession for Enhanced Longevity

By Arunima Rajan

As the popularity of devices like CGMs, sleep monitors, and activity rings continues to grow, HE consults experts to assess whether investing in these health-monitoring tools is truly beneficial.

As we age, it can feel like our bodies are turning against us, with declining energy, increasing mental fog, and new, unexpected aches. It's a stark reminder that chronic conditions like Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease are lurking threats as we age. But there's a silver lining in the form of biohacking: a proactive and innovative approach to taking control of our health. This isn't just about delaying the inevitable; it's about transforming the way we age, turning the tables on time itself. Biohacking offers a toolkit for those ready to challenge the status quo of ageing, inviting us into a world where enhancing our vitality and dodging the ailments of ageing is not just possible but exhilarating.

“Biohacking" is the term used by healthcare enthusiasts who want to improve their health by "do it yourself experimentation". The emphasis is on using technology and data in a scientific manner to make personalised interventions in your body. The two CGMs on the market are the Dexcom and the Freestyle Libre. These devices were initially developed for those with Type 1 diabetes who needed to know their blood sugar on a minute-by-minute basis so they could adjust their insulin doses. This functionality of seeing one's glucose levels throughout the day without having to poke their finger was a huge advantage to those with chronic type 2 diabetes. The devices don't reverse diabetes but can give you invaluable insight into the relationship between food, timings and your glucose levels. Once you "biohack" that - you have the opportunity to potentially normalise "reverse" sugar issues,” says Sanjeev Goel, a biohacking expert.

The Biohacking Phenomenon

“Digital apps and tools have revolutionised health management and are empowering individuals to take proactive measures towards improving their wellbeing. From fitness trackers to meditation apps, there are various options available today to cater to diverse health needs. For instance, fitness apps enable users to set goals, track workouts, and monitor progress, fostering accountability and motivation. Moreover, wearable devices provide real-time data on physical activity, heart rate, and sleep patterns, facilitating informed decision-making for healthier lifestyles. Then there are mental health apps that offer guided meditation, mindfulness exercises, and stress-relief techniques accessible anytime, anywhere. Additionally, telemedicine platforms enable remote consultations with healthcare professionals, enhancing access to medical advice and reducing barriers to care. The integration of digital health tools empowers individuals to take an active role in managing their health, promoting preventive measures, and fostering a holistic approach to well-being in the digital age,” says Dr Vishal Sehgal, President, Portea Medical.

Digital Health Revolution

Obesity medicine physician Eleanor Yusupov, D.O., serves as an assistant professor at New York Institute of Technology's College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM). Specialising in internal medicine, she is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and American Board of Obesity Medicine. She practises primary care at NYITCOM's healthcare centres in Old Westbury and Central Islip (both in New York).

“CGM is a great tool that can give you a window into your body's metabolic response to the foods you eat. People at high risk for diabetes, like those with significant weight gain or family history of diabetes, can use CGMs to know in real time how their body is responding to a chicken wrap as opposed to fries or cookies. The number of people with diabetes has increased dramatically in the past 3 decades, with the WHO estimating that more than 422 million live with the disease worldwide. The global market for these devices is projected to increase to over $12 billion in the next 10 years,” says Yusupov.

She explains that untreated or poorly controlled diabetes is one of the most important risk factors for heart disease and stroke. We now have effective diabetes medications that are showing promising results in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. These are GLP-1 receptor agonists, medications like Ozempic and Trulicity, and SGLT2 inhibitors (Jardiance and others).

Leveraging Medical Innovations for Better Health

She also adds that improving triglyceride and blood glucose levels can help improve your overall metabolic health and prevent diabetes and heart diseases. “I have seen my patients change their nutrition and lifestyle as a result of the feedback they get from their CGM device. Eating a meal high in refined carbohydrates will result in spiking glucose levels. It is one thing to hear from your doctor to eat less sweets or rice, however it is helpful to see the steady blood glucose levels when you make better nutritional choices. We use genetic testing to identify people at high risk for heart disease, cancer and other chronic conditions. There are multiple direct-to-consumer genetic tests that can be used to screen for cancer, however these are costly and not reimbursed by insurance companies. I usually recommend that my patients see a genetic counsellor who can choose genetic testing that is individualised for each person's health concerns and family history,” she adds.

Rise of Continuous Glucose Monitoring

*Krishna Kumar, a retired professional, agrees. “I walk 5-6 kilometres everyday. Earlier, I used to think that’s enough to manage my diabetes. But however, after investing in a CGM, I realised that diet plays a really important role in managing my HBA1C. And after so many years my HBA1C has come to normal range,” adds Kumar.

According to a report by Mordor Intelligence, The India CGM market size is estimated at USD 185.40 million in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 325.72 million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 11.93% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

Metabolic Health Mastery

The primary reason for all chronic problems is metabolic dysfunction. “If a person has a healthy metabolism, then all these risks can be controlled,” says Dr. Omana Rajan, Managing Director of Life Care Family Health Clinic.

“Metabolism refers to how our bodies transform the food we eat into the energy needed for growth, repair, and maintenance. When we consume food, our bodies convert it into glucose. If this glucose isn't used for energy, it's stored as glycogen or turns into subcutaneous fat. Additionally, the body may store excess energy as visceral fat, a less healthy option. Consuming more calories than the body needs encourages this shift towards unhealthy storage, ultimately contributing to insulin resistance. This condition is a precursor to a multitude of chronic diseases, highlighting the critical balance required in our metabolic processes,” explains Rajan.

The Longevity Blueprint

Dr. Alka Patel is a lifestyle doctor & longevity expert. She is also known as The Health Hacktivation Doctor and is leading a strategic self-care revolution. She is a lifestyle medicine physician, author, podcaster and TEDx speaker. She helps impact driven entrepreneurs and executives to reverse ageing and live longer with exceptional health by unlocking the power of data-driven lifestyle optimisation and bio-hacks. She believes that digital measurements of life, encompassing wearable devices, mobile health apps, and remote monitoring tools, represent the next frontier in healthcare. This integration of digital technologies into health management empowers individuals with real-time insights into their health metrics, enabling proactive health decisions and lifestyle modifications. The potential benefits are vast, from improved disease prevention and management to enhanced mental and physical agility.

“In an era where our healthcare system often resembles a fire brigade—rushing in only after the blaze has erupted, I believe we are standing at the precipice of a transformative shift. As a longevity doctor and a biohacking expert, I advocate for a paradigm shift towards a model that doesn't wait for the disease to manifest but instead seeks to optimise the duration of exceptional health. We have healthcare systems that sit behind the veil of sickcare systems, when what we need is self care systems with a c.o.r.e. focus on control, ownership, responsibility, and execution of health. This approach is not just revolutionary; it's evolutionary, aligning with our body's inherent mechanisms and our ever-expanding technological capabilities. Strategic self-care takes the guesswork out and puts the groundwork in with a focus on the very root of health,” explains Patel.

The Shift towards Predictive and Personalised Medicine

She emphasises the need to dismantle a pervasive myth: that our health destiny is largely predetermined by our genetics. “While genetics play a role, they are not the sole arbiters of our health fate. The truth is, lifestyle and environment significantly influence our health outcomes, offering a powerful counter to genetic predisposition with effects of epigenetics. This understanding propels us towards precision medicine, leveraging data and devices to tailor health decisions and interventions with unprecedented accuracy, based on lifestyle and self-care impacts on biology, physiology and neurology. With the alarming statistic that a substantial portion of the population faces chronic conditions by middle age, a shift in healthcare strategy is not just necessary—it's imperative. The future lies in predictive healthcare, focusing on preventive measures rather than reactive interventions. This shift involves comprehensive health monitoring, early detection through advanced diagnostics, and personalised health optimisation plans, fundamentally altering our approach from treating disease to elevating wellness. My approach is to blend innate intuition with transformative technology,” explains Patel.

The advent of genome sequencing was a watershed moment, heralding the initial steps towards a data-driven health paradigm. However, the journey doesn't end with genomics. The concept of the "phenome"—the set of all phenotypes expressed by an individual—expands our understanding. It's not just about the genetic code, but how that code interacts with environment and lifestyle, influencing health outcomes. By analysing the phenome, we can achieve a more holistic view of health, guiding personalised strategies.

“A recent scientific study in the Icelandic population showed that lifespan in non-carriers of disease-causing genetic variations have a higher life span compared to those who have those carrying the genetic variations causing various diseases. Genetic testing is a powerful tool that empowers individuals with personalised information to improve health outcomes and help the individuals to mitigate the risk of getting the disease much early in life, and much before the symptoms start appearing. Staying away from diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease etc. is the major deciding factor for one’s longer life with good health.Now through a screening test one can know the genetic risk of developing a disease early on, which enables proactive management and personalised treatment plans tailored to an individual's genetic profile, minimising adverse reactions, and maximising intervention efficacy. This approach also allows individuals to make informed lifestyle choices, optimising factors crucial for longevity. Additionally, understanding familial health history through genetic testing facilitates early interventions for at-risk family members, promoting longevity across generations. Moreover, genetic testing data contributes to ongoing research efforts to unravel the genetic basis of longevity and age-related diseases, paving the way for innovative treatments,” says Dr. Ramesh Menon, associate director, personal genomics & genomic medicine, MedGenome.

Scientists have long sought more precise methods of predicting coronary artery disease (CAD) using genetic variations. Recently, researchers from MedGenome, Harvard Medical School, and leading Indian heart hospitals jointly developed and validated a polygenic risk score (PRS)

prediction for CAD (CAD-PRS) specifically for the Indian population that reflects a person’s inherited susceptibility to some of the common lifestyle diseases. Genetic testing is widely used to diagnose monogenic diseases, caused by mutations in a single gene. However, many common diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases, tend to be polygenic — influenced by many genetic variants scattered throughout the genome, as well as environmental and lifestyle factors. The score evaluates the cumulative effect of multiple genetic variants on an individual's risk of developing complex diseases or traits. By integrating data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and other genomic sources, PRS enables personalised risk assessment, disease prediction, and preventive interventions thereby empowering individuals, and healthcare providers to make informed decisions about disease management and prevention.