Latest news with #Alka
Hindustan Times
10 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
53-year-old doctor reverses biological age to 23 after ‘nearly dying'; shares 6 biohacking steps: ‘I do 5-day fasts'
Dr Alka Patel, a 53-year-old longevity and lifestyle medicine doctor based in London, claims that her biological age is 23. Confused? In a recent interview with The Metro, Dr Alka revealed that 'after nearly dying' because of burnout, she decided to get her life back on track. And now, her biological age is 30 years younger than her actual age. So, how did it all begin, and how did she do it? Also Read | Fitness coach shares 10 weight loss cheat codes to drop 20 kg in 3 months: Drink water before meals to no sugar Firstly, let's learn what biological age is. It is the actual health of your cells and tissues. 'A younger biological age means your cells and tissues are functioning as though you're much younger: in your heart health, your brain sharpness, your skin glow. It's not just about feeling better; it's about becoming younger,' Dr Alka told The Metro. A post shared by Dr Alka- The Longevity Lifestyle Doctor™️ (@dralkapateluk) On her 39th birthday, Dr Alka was hospitalised after she had a terrible fever. At the hospital, the doctors cut her open, but couldn't work out the reason. In the end, she was diagnosed with PUO – Pyrexia of Unknown Origin. The scary experience redefined her and became a harsh reminder to take care of herself. Dr Alka said, 'I redesigned how I lived: what I ate, how I moved, how I slept, and how I responded to the daily demands of life. Total lifestyle reset.' She also gathered data, testing her hormones, nutrient levels, toxins, inflammation, and wearing health monitors. Here are 6 biohacking steps she suggested to get started: 1. 1-10 The Sunshine Sync: Step outside for 1 minute of morning sunlight, then close your eyes for 10 seconds and set your purpose/gratitude for the day. 2. 2-20 The Power Pulse: Walk for 2 minutes, then sprint as fast as you can for 20 seconds. 3. 3-30 The Hydration Habit: Take 3 gulps of water every 30 minutes. 4. 4-40 The Compliment Catalyst: Give 4 compliments every day that take 40 seconds to deliver. 5. 5-50 The Flexibility Fix: Do 5 different stretches and hold each one for 50 seconds. 6. 6-60 The Breathflow Boost: Slow down your breathing to 6 breaths for a minute every 60 minutes. Dr Alka also prioritised protein and fibre intake and structured her day with micro-movements, like doing calf raises while brushing her teeth. 'I've also run two marathons, do regular sauna sessions for detoxification and cell health, and commit to five-day fasts,' she added. Sometimes, she does water-only fasts, and other times she does eat in a way that nourishes the body with a small amount of food while still providing the prolonged fasting benefits. Dr Alka concluded, 'I'm more focused, more driven, more present than I've ever been. My energy doesn't fade halfway through the day – it's constant; it's consistent. These days I'm running on premium fuel instead of fumes.' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
This 53-Year-Old Doctor Says Her Biological Age Is 23. Here's Her Secret
Dr Alka Patel, a 53-year-old longevity and lifestyle medicine doctor from London, claims her biological age is just 23, according to The Metro. She explains that biological age reflects the health of one's cells and tissues, not merely the number of years lived. A younger biological age indicates optimal functioning of the heart, brain, and skin. With over two decades as a general practitioner, Dr Patel now focuses on helping individuals live longer and healthier lives. She employs advanced testing methods, including assessments of metabolic biomarkers, gut health, hormone levels, and DNA analysis, to personalise health strategies for her clients. Dr Patel emphasises that true youthfulness stems from internal health, not just external appearance. By adopting data-driven health practices, she believes individuals can significantly reduce their biological age and enhance their overall well-being. "A younger biological age means your cells and tissues are functioning as though you're much younger: in your heart health, your brain sharpness, and your skin glow. It's not just about feeling better; it's about becoming younger," she told The Metro. She told the news outlet that she is on a mission to help people live longer and stronger. But why is this so important to her? 'Because I nearly died, and I don't want anyone to go through what I went through,' she says. On her 39th birthday, Alka was hospitalised with burnout after spending all her time taking care of her patients and her family and neglecting herself. It was so severe that her organs started to shut down. 'I had a terrible fever, and no one could work out why,' she remembers. "I didn't know if I'd live to see my children the next day. That moment truly terrified me. I was cut open by surgeons in an attempt to find the source of the fever, but it was a mystery. In the end, I was diagnosed as PUO - Pyrexia of Unknown Origin - and left with the surgical scars of my burnout as a harsh reminder to take care of myself. Being forced to confront her mortality was eye-opening for Alka: 'I wasn't ready to leave my children without a mother. That experience didn't just change me; it redefined me," she said. So, how did Dr Alka reverse her biological age? She credits it to six simple biohacking steps designed to jumpstart healthy ageing: 1. Sunshine Sync (1-10): Step outside for 1 minute of morning sunlight, close your eyes for 10 seconds, and set your intention for the day. 2. Power Pulse (2-20): Walk for 2 minutes, then sprint for 20 seconds to boost heart health and energy. 3. Hydration Habit (3-30): Drink 3 gulps of water every 30 minutes to maintain consistent hydration. 4. Compliment Catalyst (4-40): Give 4 meaningful compliments daily, each lasting around 40 seconds, to uplift others and yourself. 5. Flexibility Fix (5-50): Perform 5 different stretches, holding each for 50 seconds to maintain mobility. 6. Breathflow Boost (6-60): Every hour, slow your breathing to 6 deep breaths per minute to calm your nervous system.
Metro
4 days ago
- Health
- Metro
‘After nearly dying, I reversed my biological age by over 30 years'
Dr. Alka Patel is 53 – but going on 23. It may sound nonsensical but it really isn't, she insists. A Longevity and Lifestyle Medicine Doctor based in London, Alka tells Metro that despite being in her fifties, 23 is her biological age. 'It's pretty simple. When we talk about biological age, we're referring to the actual health of your cells and tissues — not just the number of candles on your birthday cake,' she explains. 'A younger biological age means your cells and tissues are functioning as though you're much younger: in your heart health, your brain sharpness, your skin glow. It's not just about feeling better; it's about becoming younger.' And becoming younger is a passion for Alka. A GP for over 20 years, and now a Media Medic and TEDx speaker, she is on a mission to help people live longer and stronger. But why is this so important to her? 'Because I nearly died — and I don't want anyone to go through what I went through,' she says. On her 39th birthday, Alka was hospitalised with burnout afte spending all her time taking care of her patients and her family, and neglecting herself. It was so severe, her organs started to shut down. 'I had a terrible fever and no one could work out why,' she remembers. 'I didn't know if I'd live to see my children the next day. That moment truly terrified me. I was cut open by surgeons in an attempt to find the source of the fever – but it was a mystery. In the end I was diagnosed as PUO – Pyrexia of Unknown Origin – and left with the surgical scars of my burnout as a harsh reminder to take care of myself. Being forced to confront her mortality was eye opening for Alka: 'I wasn't ready to leave my children without a mother. That experience didn't just change me; it redefined me.' She knew she had to rewrite her own health story — and in doing so, became determined to help others avoid the fate she nearly faced. So how did Alka drop her biological age? 'I redesigned how I lived: what I ate, how I moved, how I slept, and how I responded to the daily demands of life. Total lifestyle reset.' She also utilised her medical background: testing her biology – aka her hormones, nutrient levels, toxins, inflammation – and using wearable health trackers to see how her body was really responding. 'It wasn't guesswork, it was grounded in data,' Alka explains. 'I approached it with my 'Foundational, Functional, Focal' model. 'I got the foundations right — optimising lifestyle, nutrition, sleep and movement; then I moved to the functional layer, testing for hormonal balance and nutrient levels; and then I got focal: targeting specific goals based on the data, such as improving my cognitive clarity. I ended up unlockinglayers of health I didn't know were possible.' Alka describes her day-to-day routine before her health crisis as 'chaotic'. Juggling motherhood (Alka has three children), a demanding career, and 'a personality that said 'I can do it all'.' Life would be eating packets of biscuits between patients, optional sleep, and constant stress. 'I was living in reactive mode – always firefighting; never fireproofing,' she remembers. And now? 'Now I'm in charge. I start my mornings with what I call 1-10: The Sunshine Sync, which means one minute of stepping out into the morning light followed by 10 seconds of gratitude for the day. 'I also prioritise protein and fibre with my meals and structure my day with micro-movements, like doing calf raises as I'm brushing my teeth.' Alka also measures her metrics with wearable devices like a Continuous Glucose Monitor for blood sugar control and every decision is deliberate, she says, before adding another alliteration: 'Data, Devices, Decisions'. Some of those decisions have been a little out there, she admits. 'People raise their eyebrows when I tell them about the seven days of complete silence. But silence is the ultimate biohack. It recalibrates your brain; resets your emotional state; and boosts your cognitive clarity. 'I've also run two marathons, do regular sauna sessions for detoxification and cell health, and commit to five-day fasts.' Alka is quick to point out that while sometimes she does water only fasts ('while wearing my glucose monitor to stay safe and motivated'), other times she does eat – and that assuming you don't during a fast, isn't correct. 'It may sound contradictory but we can fast in a way that nourishes the body with a small amount of food while still providing the prolonged fasting benefits,' she explains. 'All of these thing challenge not just my body but my mind. It's all about discomfort as a path to discovery.' Alka admits that many of her colleagues are sceptical, but puts that down to the healthcare and medical education systems 'not being set up for health; they're set up for sickness.' In today's world, it's hard to escape our current obsession with living longer, especially when you think of Bryan Johnson, the tech entrepreneur – known for his Project Blueprint – who takes 100 pills a day, had an infusion of his son's plasm and spends millions on diet, fitness, tracking and treatments to reduce his biological age. Alka tells Metro she is a fan of his work. 'Bryan is pushing the boundaries of what's possible — and that's a good thing,' she insists. When asked whether his method of using young blood plasma to rejuvenate ageing cells – parabiosis – is a step too far, Alka insist not. 'There's fascinating research behind parabiosis. (And cryotherapy – using extreme cold in surgery or treatments – for its stress benefits.) I'm a believer in doctor-guided biohacking because the body is complex, and taking control of your health with an expert by your side is how you ensure precision and safety. 1-10 The Sunshine Sync: Step outside for 1 minute of morning sunlight, the close your eyes for 10 sec and set your purpose for the day 2-20 The Power Pulse: walk for 2 minutes then sprint as fast as you can for 20 seconds 3-30 The Hydration Habit: Take 3 gulps of water every 30 minutes 4-40 The Compliment Catalyst: Give 4 compliments every day that take 40 seconds to deliver 5-50 The Flexibility Fix: Do 5 different stretches and hold each one for 50 seconds 6-60 The Breathflow Boost: Slow down your breathing to 6 breaths for a minute every 60 minutes 'I'm also mindful, though, that just because something is possible it doesn't mean it's practical or right for everyone,' she adds.' But why doesn't anyone want to get old any more? 'I don't think it's about not wanting to get old, it's about wanting to stay vibrant, independent, and strong for as long as possible,' says Alka. It's about living well; not just living long. Getting older is inevitable; how you age is a choice. I'm not afraid of time catching up with me; I'm just moving faster than it at the moment.' There's no doubt that hers is one tough regime. She admits that the food noise that comes with five days of fasting is incredibly difficult to deal with, while running a marathon made her legs numb with pain – 'but I'd tested my DNA and knew I carried genes for endurance,' she adds. More Trending She also believes that growth doesn't come from comfort. 'I'm not afraid of discomfort; I'm afraid of stagnation. I've never felt stronger, sharper, or more beautiful. 'I'm more focused, more driven, more present than I've ever been. My energy doesn't fade halfway through the day – it's constant; it's consistent. These days I'm running on premium fuel instead of fumes.' View More » Click here formore information on Dr. Alka's 10 Years Younger in 10 Weeks programme . MORE: The menopausal content creator with over 350,000 followers: 'Being online is unhinged' MORE: I said goodbye to my stillborn baby on Christmas day MORE: I have a rare disorder that makes me stink of rotting fish — it's ruined my life
Deccan Herald
5 days ago
- General
- Deccan Herald
Dabbling in dabu
Alka highlights that while Sanganeri prints were meant for royalty, Akola and Bagru designs were the everyday wear of local tribes
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Time of India
MP teen death mystery: SIT detects ‘suicide', mother still in jail for murder
Image used is for representational purposes only BHOPAL: For nearly two months, a woman in jail in MP's Guna on charges of murdering her 14-year-old son, kept pleading that she was innocent. Her husband, too, backed her publicly, dismissing the police claim that she killed the boy because he objected to her 'clothes and bindi'. Now, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has cleared her. The SIT believes the boy died by suicide, possibly driven by academic stress. The murder charges were pressed against her following the post-mortem report, which indicated 'strangulation,' although police failed to mention a clear motive at the time of her arrest. Her husband's determined effort to prove her innocence led to the formation of an SIT, which overturned the initial assumptions. Police are now preparing to file a dismissal report in the case. On the evening of Feb 14, 2025, the Class 8 student was found hanging from a towel hanger in the bathroom of their home. The door was locked from inside. His mother, who had gone out to play badminton, returned around 7. 45pm and found the door locked. After obtaining a spare key from the landlord, she entered the bathroom and found her son dead. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo The district hospital's post-mortem report indicated strangulation, which led police to treat the case as a murder. An FIR was filed on Feb 22, and after preliminary investigations, the mother was arrested on March 8 and remanded in jail. However, Alka maintained her innocence throughout the investigation. Alka's husband, a bank auditor, raised concerns about the investigation, and filed a complaint with the Director General of Police (DGP). As a result, DIG Amit Sanghi ordered the formation of an SIT to re-examine the case. 'Since the matter is in the court, we cannot disclose the SIT's finding. We conducted a very minute investigation into the matter and will take necessary action,' Sanghi told TOI. According to sources SIT had sought a second medicolegal opinion from Gandhi Medical College in Bhopal, which concluded that the cause of death was ' partial hanging '. Also, call records from the mother's phone showed she was on calls throughout the time of her son's death, with only a 20-minute gap, making it improbable that she could have committed the crime and staged the scene within such a short window. Investigations also revealed that the door was locked from inside, and the key was found inside the house, indicating no external involvement. The SIT found that the boy was struggling with studies. He had failed two subjects and scored only 28 marks out of 80 in his Hindi exam on the day of his death. Investigators believe academic pressure led to the suicide. Had the husband not solidly backed his wife and demanded a fresh probe, she may have spent years behind bars with the stigma of murdering their son. He disputed the police version, insisting that his wife had no motive to harm their son. He was away in Bhopal on the day of the murder but had spoken with both of them over phone. He recalled that his son was in high spirits, and there was no indication of any issues between mother and son. The father questioned police's investigation, particularly their delayed response to the crime scene and alleged 'mishandling of critical evidence'. He demanded that CCCV footage of nearby areas be checked. His persistence led to the formation of an SIT that eventually cleared his wife.
