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Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
I Got a $4,500 Full-Body MRI to Catch Hidden Health Risks—Here's What It Found
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." I've always believed in being proactive about my health, but like most people, I usually only see a doctor when something feels wrong or if I'm overdue for an annual exam. That changed when I learned about the Prenuvo scan—a whole-body MRI designed to detect serious conditions like cancer, aneurysms, and degenerative diseases before symptoms appear. The idea of a non-invasive, radiation-free scan that could potentially catch issues early intrigued me. Still, I was skeptical. It's not a medically necessary procedure, is quite pricey (more on this later), and not widely available. Would it be just another wellness trend wrapped in high-tech marketing, or could it actually be the latest health breakthrough—or better yet, a life-saving health screening? Prenuvo has gained a lot of attention lately, especially after celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner publicly endorsed it, calling it a 'life-saving machine.' Though I don't have an endless health budget of a Hollywood elite, I was lucky enough to receive a complimentary Enhanced Screening. I'm 27 years old, generally healthy, and have no major concerns aside from some chronic neck pain and degenerative disc disease, of which I've already had imaging and treatment. Still, with a family history of cancer and a growing awareness that symptoms don't always show up until it's too late (I've worked at Prevention for years), the opportunity to really see what's going on inside my body excited me. Meet the experts: Daniel Durand, M.D., M.B.A., chief medical officer and president of Prenuvo Medical Group; Ken Berry, M.D., family physician and co-author of Common Sense Labs; and Mia Kazanjian, M.D., board-certified radiologist specializing in breast and body imaging The entire process, from booking the appointment to the scan itself to my post-scan consultation, was overall a positive experience. In this Prenuvo review, I'll walk through what the appointment was like, the cost, what my screening found, what medical experts think of a (non-medically-necessary) whole-body MRI, and ultimately, whether I think it was worth it. What is a whole-body MRI scan? An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging technique that 'uses protons, magnets, and radio frequency pulses' to create a detailed picture of the inside of the body, says Mia Kazanjian, M.D., board-certified radiologist specializing in breast and body imaging. 'It has no radiation, unlike CT scans and X-rays.' MRI is typically used on individual parts of the body, like the pelvis or the head, on an as-needed basis. Whole-body MRI, on the other hand, does exactly what it sounds like: It uses the same magnetic resonance imaging technology to take a picture of the whole body, which, at Prenuvo, takes about an hour. 'Typically, imaging is done in a very focused manner based on a specific question that another physician is asking,' says Daniel Durand, M.D., M.B.A., chief medical officer and president of Prenuvo Medical Group. 'What Prenuvo does is digitize the entire body. You can think of Prenuvo as a tech-enabled, direct-to-specialist care model. We're digitizing the human body with the most powerful tool, which is MRI, and then we're having a radiologist do a head-to-toe, on the inside, examination of the patient.' An important note about the limitations of whole-body MRI: 'Preunvo exists to layer on top of existing screenings. This is in addition to, not a replacement of, and we have always said that,' Dr. Durand explains. 'The idea is that if you have a primary care doctor and you're doing your routine screenings, Prenuvo supercharges all that. Our belief is that whole body MRI, plus existing screenings, offers a level of diagnostic accuracy and reassurance that goes beyond anything that came before.' Ken Berry, M.D., family physician and co-author of Common Sense Labs, agrees that right now, whole-body MRI doesn't replace guideline-based screening (like colonoscopies or mammograms). 'It's a supplemental tool, not a substitute,' he says. 'Whole-body MRI can detect early cancers, aneurysms, and neurological issues, but it's not always better than traditional screening.' Dr. Berry says if you have a strong family history of cancer, a genetic risk, or a history of serious illness, it may be worth considering, but he's cautious about recommending it for the average healthy adult. My experience I underwent the Enhanced Screening, the most thorough evaluation Prenuvo offers. This included a whole-body MRI, which covered the brain, chest, abdomen, pelvis, spine, and major vasculature, free from radiation or contrast; a body composition analysis and advanced brain health assessment (taken during the MRI); and a comprehensive bloodwork panel. The actual experience of getting the MRI was fairly painless. Before the procedure, I was sent a fairly lengthy survey of my medical history to determine whether it was safe for me to undergo the scan and ascertain any health concerns I may have. I also took Prenuvo up on the offer to take a light sedative before heading in to ease any anxiety or claustrophobia to make the experience more comfortable. Then, I arrived at the Manhattan location ready to sit still in an MRI machine for just about an hour. Surprisingly, that hour went by pretty quickly. They gave me the option to choose a show or movie to watch on Netflix during the scan (I decided on Ginny and Georgia), which helped move things along mentally. Before I knew it, I was heading home, where a nurse from a concierge service employed by Prenuvo later drew my blood for the bloodwork portion. About two weeks after my scan, Prenuvo reached out to schedule my post-scan consultation with Vikash Modi, M.D., senior medical director of preventative medicine at Prenuvo. My virtual consultation with Dr. Modi lasted about 45 minutes, and he walked me through my scan, all of my bloodwork, my body composition analysis, and brain health assessment. He also answered any questions I had and gave me a few suggestions regarding my health moving forward. The results About a week prior to officially receiving my results, I got a call from Dr. Modi to discuss one potentially urgent finding from my bloodwork. My blood panel showed that I had a glucose level of 38, which can be very dangerous. We discussed that this was likely due to fasting all day before the bloodwork (which I had scheduled for 3:00 p.m.), as my A1c (a blood test that measures the average blood glucose from the last two-to-three months) was normal. But I was advised to repeat bloodwork with my primary care physician as a precaution. Dr. Modi then reassured me that there were no other major findings on my scan or my bloodwork, but that we would discuss it further at my official consultation. Fast forward to that appointment: Dr. Modi thoroughly went over my results, starting with my bloodwork, then my scan, the brain health assessment, and finally body composition analysis. Thankfully, my bloodwork showed I'm in good health, which was reassuring since the blood panel was very comprehensive. However, as Dr. Berry explains, 'comprehensive' doesn't always mean 'useful.' While it did give me a lot of peace of mind, Dr. Berry says that 'although most doctors don't order enough bloodwork, as I discuss in Common Sense Labs, it is also true that ordering too much labwork creates a new set of problems,' including confusion and the potential for reacting when it may not be medically needed. My scan, however, did show one moderate finding, four minor findings, and one informational finding. In addition to my virtual consultation with Dr. Modi, I was able to visit the Prenuvo online dashboard, which features an interactive and informative report. FLAIR hyperintense lesion, right frontal lobe. This sounds scary, but it was actually one of my 'minor findings.' On the Prenuvo app, it was labeled a 'small vessel ischemia,' which is a term describing the changes that occur by disrupting the small blood vessels in the brain, and is often a sign of poor cardiovascular health. However, Dr. Modi reassured me that the online interface is always being updated, and that the patient-facing side doesn't always align perfectly with the clinical interpretation. In my case, it may have been caused by head injuries I sustained during my time as a cheerleader. I had no signs of white matter disease, aneurysm, growths, or masses, and overall, my brain volume was very healthy. Scoliosis. I knew about this 'minor finding' previously from a recent X-ray. I have 'mild' scoliosis in my lumbar spine. Spondyloarthropathy of the cervical and thoracic spine. These are two 'minor findings' I was also aware of from previous imaging. Spondyloarthropathy is the medical term for degenerative arthritis. I have long struggled with neck and upper back pain, and have been undergoing treatment (mainly physical therapy) for a few months now. Discussing these findings with Dr. Modi reassured me that I'm doing everything right in my current treatment plan. Hemorrhagic ovarian cysts. This was my only 'moderate finding;' one that I was not previously aware of. While I'm not experiencing any symptoms due to these benign, fluid-filled ovarian cysts, I'm glad I know about them now in case they ever do rupture or cause any complications. While Dr. Modi didn't officially diagnose me, he suggested these may be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) due to my semi-irregular menstrual cycle, history of acne, and recent struggle to lose weight. He suggested some supplements I might consider taking and made me aware of the typical treatment and medications doctors usually prescribe, should I ever seek that. Dense breast tissue. The scan also revealed that I have dense breast tissue, which means I have more glandular tissue (as opposed to fat tissue) in my breasts, which may make it more difficult to screen for breast cancer with a typical mammogram. I was already aware of this, as I have a history of breast cysts, which is why I get regular ultrasounds. I was a little surprised the Prenuvo MRI did not pick these up, but Dr. Modi explained that the threshold for breast cysts at Prenuvo is around five millimeters. So, anything smaller than that (which my cysts likely are) would not be picked up by the MRI. 'It's a see-a-lot test, not a see-everything test,' Dr. Modi said. Following my bloodwork and MRI scan, Dr. Modi went over my brain health assessment, which measured the volume of every structure within the brain. Thankfully, all of those structures in my brain fell into normal ranges. Finally, we discussed my body composition analysis, which showed data for total muscle mass, subcutaneous fat, and visceral fat. This test is very useful, says Dr. Berry. 'Knowing visceral fat and muscle mass is much better than just looking at Body Mass Index (BMI),' he explains. (Note: Prevention no longer uses BMI as a measurement of health.) Again, thankfully, Dr. Modi ensured that for the most part, my analysis falls into 'normal' ranges for my age and sex, except that I actually have a bit more muscle mass than average, which is a good thing. This test was really interesting to look at because it included a very detailed analysis of hip and lower body muscle volume, as well as a symmetry analysis. None of this was major, but it did confirm a few things I suspected about the way my body works and moves. Are whole-body MRIs the future of preventative healthcare? It's difficult to say. 'The essence of what Prenuvo does, and I think it's poorly understood, is that we don't by ourselves prevent anything. But, we can absolutely help a patient choose their own destiny and pursue the right preventative strategies, because we can show them what's going on in them, as opposed to just general advice,' Dr. Durand explains. However, as Dr. Durand and the Prenuvo website state, there are limitations. I asked Dr. Berry, an unaffiliated family physician, whether whole-body MRIs can meaningfully replace or reduce the need for standard individualized screenings based on modern-day recommendations. He said, not right now. It doesn't replace guideline-based screening. 'It can't do what a colonoscopy or mammogram does, and it doesn't offer the same level of detail. It's a supplemental tool, not a substitute,' Dr. Berry explained. 'If it could fully replace traditional tests, I'd be on board, but the evidence just isn't there yet.' Dr. Kazanjian adds that whole-body MRI 'tends to be more effective at detecting lesions in the kidneys, pancreas, lymph nodes, and bones, among some others,' but that the screening's ability to characterize them as benign or malignant may be limited. She adds that whole-body MRI does not effectively screen for some of the most common cancers, including skin cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, and cervical cancer. And while there will certainly be 'findings of import on these exams,' including brain aneurysms, evidence of autoimmune diseases, metabolic syndromes, and small cancers, among others, Dr. Kazanjian explains, it's impossible to say whether whole-body MRI truly leads to improved health outcomes or whether those results would be uncovered via traditional screening methods. There's also the aspect of incidental or benign findings, which are clinically insignificant (meaning they cause no harm), but create a type of 'scanxiety,' or anxiety felt by patients pre- and post-scan, Dr. Kazanjian says. The cost and impact My Enhanced Screening at the Manhattan location has a cost of $4,500, but it varies based on the exact scan you choose, and sometimes, the location. There are less costly options, like the regular whole-body MRI ($2,500) or the torso-only MRI ($999). Prenuvo also offers its Warriors Program, which offers discounted services to first responders, military members, and veterans. While some doctors, like Dr. Kazanjian, do recommend whole-body MRI for high-risk individuals (like those with a strong family history of cancer and/or genetic mutations) and for patients with cancers such as multiple myeloma and lymphoma, it is generally not recommended for the general population, she explains. 'I do not think this is cost-effective for the population, particularly given the large percentage of false positives with the necessity for costly follow-ups,' says Dr. Kazanjian. 'I say this even if the initial service were cost-free.' Dr. Durand also acknowledges that not everybody can afford the Prenuvo model of healthcare today. That's why he says Prenuvo is working every day to harness the powers of artificial intelligence to become more efficient, which will allow them to bring prices down long-term. In terms of side effects, MRI, including whole-body MRI, is mostly safe. The 'scanxiety' and inconsequential benign findings that Dr. Kazanjian points out are the main downsides. As with any MRI, it's important to tell your doctor and radiologist if you have any metal or electrical implants in your body (such as pacemakers and infusion pumps), as the magnetic field generated by the MRI machine can pose a hazard to patients in these cases. The detailed questionnaire sent over by the Prenuvo team before your appointment covers these in length, and your radiologist will also inquire about any metal in or on your body before your scan. The bottom line 'These scans have potential and may help in the future, but right now they're best for people with high risk or specific concerns or a lot of disposable income,' Dr. Berry explains. 'For the average person, they often create more questions than answers. Too much testing can lead to fear, cost, and harm, especially when there's no clear benefit. Prevention and early detection are very important, but it has to be reasonable and relevant, not just expensive.' Reflecting on my experience with the whole-body MRI at Prenuvo, I feel fortunate to have had access to such advanced technology. The scan provided valuable insights into my body's health that I wouldn't have otherwise had. However, while I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to those who have the resources and are curious about their health, I do believe it's important to approach it with a balanced perspective. From a cost-benefit standpoint, it's not yet a universally essential tool in healthcare, and its value largely depends on individual circumstances and priorities. 'The best advice I can give to the people reading this is the advice I live by and the advice I give my patients. This is the same advice I give my mother—and I love my mother. It's to live a healthy life—keep a healthy weight, eat whole grains and vegetables and lean protein, exercise regularly, sleep seven hours a night, avoid tobacco and alcohol, and get annual checkups, recommended screenings, and vaccines with your doctor,' Dr. Kazanjian says. 'Prevention is the best medicine.' You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Doctors warn against bizarre 'Worm Queen' trend backed by Heidi Klum: 'It could be fatal'
Doctors have warned against a bizarre new wellness trend that sees people downing herbal concoctions in an attempt to 'flush out' parasites and worms from their bodies—warning it could be dangerous or even deadly. The so-called parasite cleanse—a viral detox fad spreading across TikTok and Instagram—has been endorsed by a host of influencers and health bloggers, who claim it can reduce bloating and rid the gut of hidden 'invaders'. Now supermodel Heidi Klum has jumped on the bandwagon, revealing she's trying the controversial cleanse for the first time after seeing dramatic videos online. 'I heard that you're supposed to do this once a year, and I've never done [a cleanse],' she told The Wall Street Journal. 'So I feel like I'm really behind. I don't know what the heck is going to come out.' But experts have slammed the trend as dangerous and unnecessary—warning that it is based on pseudoscience and could even prove fatal. 'There's absolutely no robust scientific evidence to support this,' said one doctor. 'It's pseudoscience gibberish.' While nearly half of all children under 10—and many adults—do carry threadworms without realising, medics stress that these are easily treated with safe, approved medicines. By contrast, some of the so-called herbal remedies used in these DIY detoxes—including wormwood and clove oil—can be toxic in high doses, potentially causing seizures, unconsciousness or organ damage. But that doesn't appear to faze Ms Klum, who cheerfully declared: 'Parasites hate clove.' One of the most talked-about products fuelling the trend is ParaFy, a liquid supplement created by self-proclaimed 'worm queen' Kim Rogers—whose videos documenting her own parasite cleanse have gone viral on social media. Sold under her brand RogerHoods Apothecary, the herbal tinctures claim to 'detox unwanted parasites, worms, candida, heavy metals and toxins while also promoting well-being'. A 30-day 'cleanse' kit costs around £74, although cheaper versions are widely available on Amazon for less than half the price. However, none of these claims have been verified by UK watchdog the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency, or the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates the safety of medical products in the US. The ParaFy kit contains a mix of natural ingredients including wormwood—the bitter herb used in potent alcoholic drink absinthe—along with clove oil, garlic and honey. Experts say people who try the cleanse are likely to suffer flu-like symptoms, nausea and diarrhoea as their bodies struggle to process the potent ingredients—some of which can be toxic in high doses. But Ms Rogers insists the symptoms are merely a sign the detox is working, blaming them on 'parasite die-off' and claiming her formula is 'designed to assist the body's natural detox processes'. Experts say wormwood oil can be poisonous when taken in high doses. Consuming wormwood products that have not had a compound called thujone removed at a high dose or for longer than a month can trigger nausea, restlessness and even seizures, studies have shown. Similarly, high doses of clove oil can cause severe liver damage, jaundice and even loss of consciousness resulting in a coma. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Professor James Dooley, a microbiologist at Ulster university, said: 'There is absolutely no robust scientific evidence to support any of the claims made [by advocates of the trend]. 'There are really no supplements that have been shown to do anything useful in this context—eliminating certain groups of organisms from the gut,' he added. The products themselves may not even be performing the 'cleansing' they claim to be on those who really are suffering with a parasite infection, experts have warned. 'Hearing that someone is advocating a worm and parasite cleanse is alarming because it is a medically unfounded practice that could potentially be harmful,' Dr Choukri Mamoun, an infectious diseases experts at Yale School of Medicine, explained. Research has also suggested undertaking these so-called parasite detoxes can actually make matters worse, flushing out the good bacteria in the gut and damaging the delicate gut microbiome. Instead, the experts suggest eating a balanced diet with plenty of fibre to aid digestion and cutting back on ultra-processed foods to keep the gut healthy and free from disease. 'Hygiene measures are also important to help clear any infection and prevent the spread,' Dr Dan Baumgardt added. 'This involves scrupulous washing of hands, laundry and avoiding scratching the affected areas. 'It's a good idea to trim fingernails too, to prevent the eggs from getting caught under them.' The warning comes alongside a growing body of research that suggests that intestinal parasitic worms could actually help treat some of the world's most complex diseases, including autoimmune conditions. The theory is based on the 'hygiene hypothesis' – the idea that our immune system has evolved to be exposed to a variety of parasites, bacteria and microbes. But as health and safety measures have improved, we no longer come into contact with these micro-organisms to the same extent. Without them, so the theory goes, our immune system has turned inward – it's begun to attack the body and over-react to harmless substances such as pollen or peanuts. Advocates of the theory say this has contributed to an explosion in allergies and autoimmune conditions such as Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes.
Daily Mail
24-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Is adaptogenic coffee the wellness upgrade YOU need? Our team put it to the test - here's what they really thought
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Have you ever drunk a third coffee by mid-morning only to crash hours later, buzzing and questioning whether the jittery high was worth it? Caffeine is best known for boosting alertness, but it also infamously spikes cortisol, the body's stress hormone, which can leave us feeling more frazzled than focused. Enter: adaptogenic coffee, the wellness trend that claims to give you the boost without the burnout. Packed with functional mushrooms and herbs, this new wave of brews promises energy and calm in one cup. To find out if it's all hype or actually helpful, we challenged our shopping team to swap their usual flat whites and cold brews for adaptogenic coffee brand London Nootropics for one full week. With blends from the brand costing as little as £0.67 per cup, which is far cheaper than your daily Starbucks, could this be the smarter way to start your day? Here's what we discovered. Layla Turner - Commerce Writer and Content Creator I've not drank an actual coffee in over a year since I made the switch to matcha, a decision I made to combat caffeine-induced anxiety. I've been curious about mushroom coffee for some time, as I often miss the taste of my daily brew - but would it really be possible to cure my cravings without the unwanted effects? Mojo Coffee from London Nootropics contains only six per cent roasted coffee, alongside Siberian ginseng, and, you guessed it cordyceps (you know, the things on The Last Of Us that take over the world). The Mojo blend is earthier (a side effect of the cordyceps) than what I'm used to, and has a slight bitterness to it, though when I stirred in a cheeky half spoon of honey, it certainly hit the spot. The moment of truth for me would be if I experienced any post-caffeine anxiety, and I'm pleased to say, the jitters never came. I'm not sure I felt as energised as I normally would after a proper cup of joe, but if you're looking for an alternative for dealing with the post-lunch slump, I found this made me feel more alert and able to focus more easily. For me, I'd give it a 7/10 for 6.5/10 for taste, and a 7.9/10 for energy. Lydia Wheatley - Senior Commerce Writer As an avid coffee drinker, I was super excited to try out these adaptogenic coffee s, especially if it meant getting some extra perks from the pretty intriguing ingredients list. Hoping to get an energy boost to help me tackle my daily workload, I opted to try out Flow – a focus and clarity-enhancing coffee made with Hifas da Terra Lion's Mane mushroom and Rhodiolife® Rhodiola Rosea. Having tried 'enhanced' coffees in the past and finding the flavour distasteful (muddy and tart), I was pleasantly surprised to find that this one simply tasted of, well, coffee. The contents of the coffee sachet looked, smelled and tasted like your run-of-the-mill 'soluble' coffee, which I found pleasant as a black coffee drinker, and while it doesn't quite match up taste-wise to my daily drip, it certainly had me feeling more enhanced. Drinking a mug at around 2pm, I found myself feeling more awake, switched on and mentally willing to work within half an hour. Where I would usually be struggling with an afternoon slump, I was instead left feeling far more focused and able to string sentences together. I'll definitely try this coffee again when I need to really buckle down. It's quick and easy to make, tastes good, and gives me a bigger, better boost than my mug of drip ever has. Danielle Amato - Lifestyle and Consumer Reviews Writer I have a twice-daily coffee habit, and while I enjoy the taste, it doesn't always make me feel great. I swapped my usual coffee with London nootropics to see if it made any difference. The three flavours I tried included Zen with Ashwagandha, Mojo with cordyceps and Flow with Lion's Mane. While I can't say I noticed any specific benefits after testing, I did genuinely feel less sluggish than usual. Surprisingly, I preferred it to my usual instant coffee (Nescafe Azera) and found it to be super smooth and easy to dissolve. It wasn't bitter or harsh, and I could enjoy it without milk. There was also no mushroom taste whatsoever. While I'll never ditch my espresso machine, I would consider swapping out my usual instant with London Nootropics.
Daily Mail
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
REVEALED: TikTok has crowned Vita Coco as the internet's favorite natural electrolyte drink - no chemicals, just coconut
Life might drive you (coco) nuts — but these viral coconut water ' Nature's Sports Drinks' won't! TikTok is at it again with yet another wellness trend, and this time is involves one of our favorite beverage brands — Vita Coco. Vita Coco Coconut Water The Original (12pk) The Vita Coco philosophy is life is better with a little coconut — and we couldn't agree more. The brand's original coconut water continues to be a bestseller and now it is TikTok viral again. The natural, healthy source of electrolytes and vitamins is the water alternative millions love. If you haven't tried Vita Coco yet, believe us, you are seriously on coconut shy of crazy. $27.49 Shop Vita Coco is known for its hydrating, refreshing, and undeniably delicious coconut water drinks. From the brand's classic The Original flavor to its inclusive Original Barista coconut milk, they have users hooked with their straightforward formulas and mouth-watering results. TikTokers have created a whole new way to indulge with something they have coined 'Nature's Sports Drinks.' The term refers to homemade electrolyte drinks that swap artificial additives for simple, natural ingredients (such as Vita Coco!). Vita Coco's Original water has been a key ingredient across the app in creators recipes for its delicious flavor and jam-packed benefits including vitamins, electrolytes, and nearly NO sugar. Sippers keep turning to the thirst quenching beverages as a healthy alternative to typical sports drinks, such as Gatorade. One shoppers said: 'Great alternative to chemically processed Gatorades or sports drinks for my construction workers. In 90 degree Florida heat, water just doesn't cut it but coconut water gives just the right boost!' Vita Coco remains the central base ingredient in the latest TikTok trend due to its proven hydration power. TikTok user @superfoodsguy shared his version of the citrusy, salty drink delights, with Vita Coco Original flavor front and center! By combining Vita Coco, fresh citrus, salt, honey, and Blue spirulina (a naturally sourced blue-green algae powder) — he was able to concoct the perfect refreshing midday drink without added sugars, GMOs, or other harmful ingredients. If you have been looking for a water alternative or simply a beverage for the summer that will do more for you — Vita Coco is it! The brand has a ton of unique flavors that speak to every taste from mouth watering pineapple to a rich Strawberries & Creme. The best part is if you subscribe for monthly deliveries, you can easily stock up on all your favorite coconut waters for less! By subscribing you save 10 percent and ensure you are never without your hydration station ever again. Vita Coco sippers can never get enough, with one saying: 'I needed something more refreshing and enjoyable. I just started my coconut journey and it's the best thing done possible. Give it a try!' Shop all of Vita Coco's must-have drinks and hop on the ' Nature's Sports Drinks ' trend ASAP to share your own unique recipes. Happy sipping!
The Independent
29-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Why is everyone talking about lymphatic drainage and is it really good for weight loss?
My morning routine used to consist of a shower, collagen coffee, electrolytes and a fairly simple skincare routine. But that was before I had discovered lymphatic drainage – and before wellness TikTok had exploded with content dedicated to the humble lymph. These days, I'm one of the many people pumping my lymph nodes, brandishing a gua sha tool and starting my day with a mixture of self-massage, dry brushing and skin scraping with a piece of crystal to cure all manner of ills. And that's not even the whole story. In my quest to adequately drain excess fluid, decrease inflammation, recover faster from exercise and stress and more broadly prompt my lymphatic system to work as effectively as possible, I've employed a regular schedule of contrast therapy – cryo and infrared – alongside lymphatic drainage massages and compression treatments at my favourite London longevity clinics. The biohacking revolution has truly made me believe that to be adequately drained is to be a better version of myself. I do feel better and I think I look better too – but is lymphatic drainage really that good for us? Is it even necessary, or is it just another overhyped wellness trend? I turned to the experts for answers about various styles of lymphatic drainage and to find out whether I – and countless celebrities who sing the praises of lymphatic massage – am doing the right thing for my health with these treatments and routines. What is the lymphatic system? Your lymph system includes organs, vessels, and tissues that move or drain a water-like fluid called lymph from other parts of your body into your bloodstream via a network of vessels and nodes. If something disrupts this process, lymph can collect in your arms, legs, ankles or other parts of your body, making them swell. Typically, this is because of lymphedema, which is a chronic condition that causes swelling due to lymph fluid being trapped in tissues rather than moving back into the bloodstream. Approximately 200,000 people in the UK are affected by lymphedema – but that doesn't necessarily mean you're one of them. Primary lymphoedema is rare, while secondary lymphoedema is much more common, often affecting people with cancers that involve the lymph system or who've had treatment to the lymph nodes. For people like this, manual lymph drainage can make a dramatic difference to swelling and painful areas where fluid has built up. If you don't have any medical issues with lymph drainage, a treatment won't be essential to your wellbeing, however, you can still benefit from having the lymph system stimulated and flushed. Compression, whether from a massage gun, a pair of leggings or a specialist treatment, can soothe aching muscles, reduce swelling and prevent inflammation in a healthy body. 'Lymphatic drainage is incredibly beneficial for anyone, not just those recovering from illness or surgery. While it can support people with specific issues like bloating, fluid retention, sluggish digestion, hormonal imbalance, post-viral fatigue and detoxing, it's also powerful for people simply living high-stress lives,' says Zal Bayramoglu, founder of Body Sculpting Clinic by Zal. 'Stress alone can slow the lymphatic system, creating a sense of heaviness and tension in the body. This treatment helps restore flow, calm the nervous system and reconnect you with how your body feels. Many of my clients begin to notice things they'd previously ignored when puffy, inflamed, holding tension or disconnected. You don't need a diagnosis to benefit, just a body in need of a moment to reset and release.' It's true, anyone would feel great after a massage, but specialist lymphatic treatments can also provide visible changes to the body. One need only observe the difference between a before and after photo to see how a treatment of this kind can create a smoothing, slimming effect and change the shape of the face and body. 'The lymphatic system plays a huge role in how we feel day to day. It clears waste, supports immunity, and helps regulate fluid balance and inflammation. But unlike the circulatory system, it doesn't have a pump. It relies on movement, breath and stimulation,' explains Lauren Scott Dovey, a wellbeing expert and the founder of Heat Healer. I don't have any problems with my lymphs, but I do find that when I'm stressed or run down, I look strangely swollen. I also travel on aeroplanes fairly often, which does weird things to throw off my health baselines. Then there's the fact that for me, any exercise-induced inflammation always seems to heal better after a lymphatic treatment. At a very basic level, lymphatic treatments feel good and at a more advanced level, I look and feel healthier after having them. What is lymphatic drainage? Lymphatic drainage was developed in Paris in the 1930s by Dr Emil Vodder and his wife, Estrid. However, techniques are also attributed to traditional Chinese medicine and Thai massage. The treatments are generally called 'massage', but they comprise a range of techniques. A specific lymphatic treatment might involve long sweeping strokes from a practitioner's hands, but it might also involve hand-held pressure tools, a high-powered jet in a small pool or machines like compression boots that inflate and deflate to get the fluid moving. I often feel strangely soothed sliding into a machine that looks like an iron lung at Mayfair's Vidavii longevity clinic, allowing the device to squeeze my midsection and gently release, getting tighter with each compression. The Nasa-approved machine is a little like a stint under a weighted blanket – it's calming while being a touch uncomfortable. The idea is that squeezing the body in this way optimises cardiovascular, venous and lymphatic flow, allowing oxygen and nutrients to efficiently reach injured areas, aiding healing. Some people also opt for settings intended to help shed water weight and create a slimming effect in the midsection. Dr Sadaf Jaffari, a medical professional based in Chelsea, offers a slightly different treatment that's used for its slimming effects, but also for treating pain conditions like fibromyalgia and arthritis. I visit her clinic for something a little different, donning a futuristic white body stocking before lying down on the table. 'It's a more controlled, effective and faster way to treat with lymphatic drainage. It's also the only method that's safe for pregnant people in the third trimester,' she explains. 'It's called Icoone Laser Med and we use two motorised handpieces that vacuum and roller the skin at the same time. It's as relaxing and delicate as a manual massage but with the effectiveness of the added tech. And we can incorporate laser and LED using the Robo solo handpiece to treat the connective tissue, stimulating collagen and helping to repair any damaged tissues.' Between influencers on TikTok rubbing their skin raw with hand-held massage devices and a gentle once-over with the Icoone handpieces, I know which one I'd choose. But, says Scott Dovey, it's a myth that lymphatic drainage needs to be deep, intense, or painful to be effective. 'In reality, the lymph vessels are just beneath the skin, and gentle, consistent movement works better than anything aggressive. As for frequency, the more regularly you support your lymph system, the better. That doesn't have to mean a 90-minute massage every week or two. It could mean walking, gua sha, dry brushing, or simply wearing something supportive. And if you're feeling puffy, sluggish or inflamed, it's a sign your lymph might need a little extra support.' There are several ways to manipulate the lymph nodes and one style of lymphatic treatment isn't necessarily better than another. Some people find a particular type of treatment works best for them and for their specific goals. Is lymphatic drainage good for weight loss? If the goal is looking snatched, lymphatic drainage can certainly help. However, it's not a weight loss solution and any influencer or celebrity selling it as such is probably misleading you. 'Lymphatic drainage massage doesn't cause weight loss – I'm always transparent about that with my clients. What it does do is reduce puffiness, water retention and lymph stagnation that's often mistaken for fat. It's not fat, it's fluid, and when the body's blocked or inflamed, it can completely change how you look and feel,' explains Bayramoglu. 'When we move the lymph, that fluid is pushed back into the system where it eventually gets filtered and flushed out through the kidneys. It's gentle, but powerful. You'll often leave feeling lighter, more energised, and clearer not just in your body, but your mind too,' she adds. One of the side effects of this kind of treatment is needing to use the toilet more. The fluid's been flushed, and that means it needs to exit the body, so you'll find yourself needing to pee a lot more often if it's been done correctly. This is also why a practitioner will tell you to hydrate after a treatment. Any water you lose rapidly is likely to dehydrate you, so drinking plenty of water and maybe adding some electrolytes is a good idea. The growing popularity of lymphatic treatments makes sense. Treatments like this encourage us to consider the root cause of inflammation, fatigue and long-term changes to our health and they also encourage us to slow down and take an hour for ourselves. 'What I've seen in my clinic is a growing number of people who are overwhelmed, burnt out or simply disconnected from their body due to busy lifestyles,' says Bayramoglu. 'They might come in for the physical results at first, but over time, they begin to notice how much lighter they feel emotionally, how much more in tune they are with their body, and how they start to truly listen to it.' 'Yes, it's known for sculpting and de-puffing and my clients absolutely see those results, but it goes far deeper than that. Lymphatic massage is powerful, not just for your waistline, but for your wellbeing. And that's why more and more people are turning to it not as a quick fix, but as a consistent part of a lifestyle that honours the body and mind.'
