Latest news with #KseniaButova
Khaleej Times
02-04-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Longevity clinics worth the hype? Dubai survey finds 90% worldwide rely on marketing over science
Nearly 90 per cent of longevity clinics worldwide provide treatments influenced more by marketing than by scientific evidence. This finding comes from a recent survey conducted by Dubai-based Detki Family Clinic and Molodost Clinic, which shed light on the 'hype' surrounding these clinics. Dr Ksenia Butova, Founder of Detki Family Clinic and Molodost Clinic said, 'The findings paint a stark picture of an industry where credible interventions struggle to gain prominence amid commercially driven hype.' The study classified clinics to assess the legitimacy of their longevity interventions, with clinics divided into four categories: Evidence-based treatments These include lifestyle interventions such as diet, exercise, and metabolic monitoring, alongside FDA-approved medications targeting age-related diseases. Strong clinical evidence supports their impact on health span. Experimental but promising treatments Rapamycin, metformin, and senolytics, among others, have shown potential in preclinical and early human trials. The data remain inconclusive but warrant further study. Dubious or unproven treatments Stem cell injections, NAD+ infusions, telomerase activation, exosome therapy, and ozone treatments lack robust clinical validation but are frequently marketed as longevity enhancers. Outright pseudoscience Claims of age reversal unsupported by biological mechanisms or clinical trials fall into this category. A proportional sample of 288 clinics was examined — 225 from the United States, 37 from Russia, 20 from the UK, and 6 from the UAE. Each was assessed based on its advertised treatments, references to peer-reviewed research, transparency regarding clinical evidence, and regulatory compliance. The findings Only 10 per cent of clinics focused primarily on evidence-based interventions, integrating scientifically validated approaches such as metabolic health optimisation and geroprotective pharmaceuticals. Another 25 per cent provided experimental but plausible treatments, acknowledging their investigational status while maintaining some degree of scientific integrity. However, as per the report, 40 per cent primarily offered dubious interventions, with little more than anecdotal support. Stem cell therapies, marketed as a regenerative panacea, appeared frequently despite a lack of controlled trials demonstrating efficacy in longevity. NAD+ infusions, popularised in biohacking circles, were promoted aggressively, yet clinical evidence supporting their long-term benefits remains tenuous. The study also revealed another 25 per cent operated almost entirely in the realm of pseudoscience, making extravagant promises of age reversal with no grounding in biological reality. Why demand is rising for unproven longevity treatments The financial incentives for clinics favour marketing over medicine. Many interventions categorised as dubious or pseudoscientific are high-margin services, requiring minimal regulation and offering repeat business. Unlike FDA-approved drugs, which undergo rigorous clinical testing, many longevity treatments enter the market under wellness or regenerative medicine classifications, circumventing the need for large-scale trials. 'Consumer psychology further accelerates demand. The promise of extended youth appeals to deep-seated fears of aging, and the complexity of longevity science creates an environment where persuasive narratives hold more sway than clinical rigor. The placebo effect, combined with selective anecdotal success stories, reinforces the illusion of efficacy,' Butova added. Where longevity science stands today Despite the proliferation of questionable clinics, the longevity field is not devoid of progress. Research into the mechanisms of aging continues to uncover promising pathways. Cellular senescence, epigenetic reprogramming, and mitochondrial function represent frontier areas where intervention could yield meaningful life extension. Yet translating such findings into legitimate treatments requires rigorous testing. Metformin, a diabetes drug with potential anti-aging properties, remains under investigation in the TAME trial. Rapamycin has extended lifespan in mice, but its long-term effects in humans remain unclear. Senolytic drugs, which target senescent cells, hold theoretical promise but require more robust clinical validation. 'In contrast, interventions already supported by strong evidence—caloric restriction, resistance training, and metabolic optimization—receive comparatively little commercial attention. Unlike high-priced infusions or proprietary stem cell procedures, these require behavioural commitment rather than costly interventions,' noted Butova. She stressed investment in large-scale clinical trials for longevity therapies must also increase. 'While some biotech firms are pioneering this effort, many treatments remain trapped in the gap between theoretical promise and demonstrated efficacy. Without rigorous human trials, the industry risks repeating the mistakes of past medical fads—where enthusiasm outpaced evidence.' Only 10-20% of medical interventions add extra years, say medics Other medics in the country also concurred with the revelations. Dr Hina Salam Siddiqui, Specialist Family Medicine at Zulekha Medical Centre Al Khan said, 'Stick to proven methods like exercise, Mediterranean diet, sleep, stress control. Be cautious of clinics selling unproven 'anti-aging' treatments. For cutting-edge interventions, follow clinical trials rather than marketing claims. 80 to 90 per cent is dependent on lifestyle which have the strongest evidence for longevity. Only 10-20 per cent of medical interventions add extra years but work best alongside lifestyle.' Healthcare professionals emphasised people must check for peer-reviewed studies by looking for treatments backed by rigorous clinical trials published in reputable medical journals. 'Seek guidance from physicians or researchers specialising in gerontology and longevity. Be cautious of treatments that promise drastic life extension without substantial evidence. Additionally, treatments approved by agencies like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or The European Medicines Agency (EMA) generally have more scientific validation,' added Dr Javeed Ashfaque, Specialist Internal Medicine Prime Medical Centre Al Barari Branch.
Arabian Business
03-03-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Russian-speaking investors open 30 clinics in Dubai since 2023, fueling healthcare boom
Dubai's healthcare sector is experiencing an unprecedented wave of investment from Russian-speaking professionals, with 30 new clinics established by investors from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) since 2023, an industry player said. Besides, as many as 150 Russian-speaking healthcare professionals joined the city's medical workforce in 2024 alone, according to Dubai-based relocation services company Volna. The trend is attributed to Dubai's reputation as a global healthcare hub and a preferred destination for Russian-speaking expatriates and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). It is also driven by a supportive business environment and a growing demand for specialized medical services, Volna said. The demand for relocation services among Russian-speaking healthcare professionals is growing, with Volna receiving 9,000 relocation requests in 2024 alone, the company said. Besides, about 500 professionals are actively preparing for qualification exams to practice in Dubai, it said, adding that the trend highlights a sustained interest in career opportunities in the UAE's booming healthcare industry. Dr Ksenia Butova, Founder and CEO of Volna, said Dubai has become a premier destination for medical professionals and healthcare entrepreneurs from the CIS region. 'The city's investor-friendly policies and increasing demand for high-quality medical services are driving this trend,' Butova said. Though the UAE, like the rest of the world, is reportedly facing a shortage of skilled healthcare professionals, the country remains one of the top global destinations for medical tourism, with significant potential for growth. The medical tourism market, valued at $31.91 billion in 2023, is projected to expand to $52.87 billion by 2027, as per GlobalData.
Zawya
27-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Russian-speaking investors open 30 clinics in Dubai since 2023
Relocation services company Volna receives 9,000 relocation requests in 2024, with 500 professionals actively undertaking exam preparations to enter Dubai's healthcare sector Dubai, UAE: Dubai's healthcare sector is experiencing an unprecedented wave of investment from Russian-speaking professionals, with 30 new clinics established by investors from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) since 2023, and 150 Russian-speaking healthcare professionals joining the city's medical workforce in 2024 alone, according to Dubai-based relocation services company Volna. The company attributes this trend to Dubai's reputation as a global healthcare hub and a preferred destination for Russian-speaking expatriates and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), driven by a supportive business environment and a growing demand for specialized medical services. In 2024 alone, 150 healthcare professionals from CIS countries have joined Dubai's medical sector, contributing expertise across various specializations, including 20 specialists in fields such as gynecology, anesthesiology, surgery, cardiology, and dermatology, alongside 80 General Practitioners (GPs), 20 dentists, and 30 beauty therapists. The demand for relocation services among Russian-speaking healthcare professionals is growing. In 2024, Volna received 9,000 relocation requests, with 500 professionals actively preparing for qualification exams to practice in Dubai. This underscores a sustained interest in career opportunities in the UAE's booming healthcare industry. Dr Ksenia Butova, Founder & CEO of Volna, stated: 'Dubai has become a premier destination for medical professionals and healthcare entrepreneurs from the CIS region. The city's investor-friendly policies and increasing demand for high-quality medical services are driving this trend. We are committed to supporting medical professionals in their transition, ensuring a seamless integration into Dubai's dynamic healthcare ecosystem.' The UAE, like the rest of the world, is facing a shortage of skilled healthcare professionals. However, it remains one of the top global destinations for medical tourism, with significant potential for growth. The medical tourism market was valued at $31.91 billion in 2023 and is projected to expand to $52.87 billion by 2027, as reported by GlobalData. The UAE government has introduced the Emirates Health Services Innovation Strategy for 2023-2026 and the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031. Additionally, the country is experiencing the fastest healthcare spending growth in the GCC, with expenditure expected to reach $30.7 billion by 2027, according to a survey by Alpen Capital. Volna is a relocation services company dedicated to facilitating the transition of medical experts and clinic owners to the UAE and Europe, offering a seamless path to new career and business opportunities. -Ends- Learn more at: For media enquiries, please contact: Keel Comms support@
Hi Dubai
27-02-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Russian-Speaking Healthcare Professionals Drive Expansion of Dubai's Medical Sector, Opening 30 Clinics Since 2023
Dubai's healthcare sector is experiencing an unprecedented wave of investment from Russian-speaking professionals, with 30 new clinics established by investors from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) since 2023, and 150 Russian-speaking healthcare professionals joining the city's medical workforce in 2024 alone, according to Dubai-based relocation services company Volna. The company attributes this trend to Dubai's reputation as a global healthcare hub and a preferred destination for Russian-speaking expatriates and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), driven by a supportive business environment and a growing demand for specialized medical services. In 2024 alone, 150 healthcare professionals from CIS countries have joined Dubai's medical sector, contributing expertise across various specializations, including 20 specialists in fields such as gynecology, anesthesiology, surgery, cardiology, and dermatology, alongside 80 General Practitioners (GPs), 20 dentists, and 30 beauty therapists. The demand for relocation services among Russian-speaking healthcare professionals is growing. In 2024, Volna received 9,000 relocation requests, with 500 professionals actively preparing for qualification exams to practice in Dubai. This underscores a sustained interest in career opportunities in the UAE's booming healthcare industry. Dr Ksenia Butova, Founder & CEO of Volna, stated: 'Dubai has become a premier destination for medical professionals and healthcare entrepreneurs from the CIS region. The city's investor-friendly policies and increasing demand for high-quality medical services are driving this trend. We are committed to supporting medical professionals in their transition, ensuring a seamless integration into Dubai's dynamic healthcare ecosystem.' The UAE, like the rest of the world, is facing a shortage of skilled healthcare professionals. However, it remains one of the top global destinations for medical tourism, with significant potential for growth. The medical tourism market was valued at $31.91 billion in 2023 and is projected to expand to $52.87 billion by 2027, as reported by GlobalData. The UAE government has introduced the Emirates Health Services Innovation Strategy for 2023-2026 and the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031. Additionally, the country is experiencing the fastest healthcare spending growth in the GCC, with expenditure expected to reach $30.7 billion by 2027, according to a survey by Alpen Capital. Volna is a relocation services company dedicated to facilitating the transition of medical experts and clinic owners to the UAE and Europe, offering a seamless path to new career and business opportunities. News Source: Keel Communications
