Skin Anarchy Podcast Summary
Episode Title: Lessons In Longevity: Epigenetics & The Future of Healthspan with Simone Gibertoni of Clinique La Prairie Holistic Health
Host: Dr. Ekta
Guest: Simone Gibertoni, CEO of Clinique La Prairie
Date: November 24, 2025
Brief Overview
This episode delves into the evolving landscape of longevity, with a focus on the scientific advances and practical strategies behind extending not just lifespan, but healthspan—the years we live in good health. Dr. Ekta interviews Simone Gibertoni, CEO of the renowned Clinique La Prairie, exploring the clinical and philosophical shifts around epigenetics, personalized interventions, and a holistic approach to health, while also touching on the pitfalls of pseudoscience and the promise of science-backed innovation.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Evolution of Longevity as a Field
- Simone's Journey: Simone recounts how, 11 years ago, he shifted Clinique La Prairie’s mission from anti-aging to longevity, emphasizing education and life-changing client experiences.
- Quote: “The core of our mission is really be life changers. … I thought this was the future. Everybody is talking about longevity. We were right 10 years ago.” [01:03]
- Longevity is no longer just for elites or a fringe interest—today, a broader public seeks experiences and interventions that meaningfully increase their healthspan. [02:32]
2. From Genes to Epigenetics: The New Science of Aging
- Key Concept: Genetics are largely fixed, but epigenetics—the ways our genes are expressed—are modifiable through lifestyle choices.
- Quote: “20% of what we are is our gene, 80% is our epigenetics. Our epigenetic is influenced by our lifestyle.” [02:32]
- Epigenetic testing serves as a “conversation opener” with clients, emphasizing that daily habits can dramatically shape long-term health outcomes, even for people with identical genetics (e.g., twins). [05:20]
- Personalization is crucial—”the intervention must be customized on you; cannot be a general kind of guidelines.” [07:20]
3. Assessment, Intervention, Follow-Up: The Longevity Protocol
- Clinique La Prairie’s three-step longevity model:
- Assessment: Deep diagnostics (genetic, epigenetic, glycan, metabolomics) for individualized understanding.
- Intervention: Personalized regimens based on assessment findings.
- Follow-Up: Tracking results and adjusting interventions as necessary. [07:20]
- Biomarker tracking is useful, but real transformation requires translating data into consistent, individualized routines. [08:27]
4. Holistic Health and the Four Pillars
- Medical, Nutrition, Wellbeing, Movement: All must converge for genuine transformation.
- Quote: "The roots of the problem must be approached in a holistic way. … Well being is super important. As you were talking about inflammation. Stress is one of the main drivers of inflammation.” [11:00]
- Stress, mental health, and purpose are inseparable from physical health and longevity. Clinique La Prairie launched a 'Life Reset' program aimed at this intersection. [15:07]
5. Bridging Science and Real Life
- There’s often a “gap between research on mice and meaningful change in people’s lives,” requiring practical, actionable interventions rooted in science but tailored to individuals. [10:28]
- Medicine must shift from reactive (treating disease) to proactive/preventative (promoting longevity).
- Quote: “Unfortunately, almost 100% of the people goes to the doctor when they are sick, not before… this gap between lifespan and healthspan is becoming bigger.” [12:49]
6. Personalization versus One-Size-Fits-All
- Caution against “biohacking” trends and standardized protocols—what works for one person may not work for another.
- Quote: “Do fasting, do cold plunge, do this, do that. … Maybe it's working for 70% of the people, but maybe you are in the 30% that it's not working. Now we have the tools to know what is working for your body.” [19:23]
7. Supplements, Science, and Epinom
- Holistic Health by Clinique La Prairie: Supplements developed over years, guided by epigenetic testing and real data.
- Epinom: Described as a unique supplement aiming to “recalibrate gene expression” by activating protective pathways—dosed in a focused protocol (one month on, two months off). [19:57]; [22:03]
- Emphasis on evidence-based product development, careful testing, and programmatic use.
8. The Pitfall of Pseudoscience & The Need for Scientific Rigor
- Credibility Crisis: With “longevity” becoming a buzzword, there’s risk of overselling and pseudoscience.
- Quote: “There is a big risk now that this word longevity is losing credibility. … There is too much pseudo science, hyper-claim... Longevity must be rooted in science.” [24:25]
- Nearly half of supplements on market may not contain what they claim; thus, trustworthy brands and routines matter. [28:50]
9. Cultural Wisdom and Blue Zones
- Incorporating wisdom from various cultures (e.g., meditation, local diets) into programs as Clinique La Prairie expands globally—each region adds 20% local practices to the Swiss template.
- Quote: “We decided … 80% when you are in China is what we do here in Switzerland. But 20% is related to the culture, which in China is very ancient about longevity.” [25:50]
- Techniques like Transcendental Meditation are profoundly effective (“People would pay millions to buy the pills which is doing the effect of 20 minutes twice a day of Transcendental meditation.” [27:12])
10. Looking Forward: New Generations & The Longevity Mindset
- The future of longevity must focus on quality of life, accessibility, personalization, and education—especially as new generations define health differently.
- Quote: “We need to spread a lot the idea and the philosophy behind longevity because the world is going in a different direction.” [27:58]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“Now with the epigenetic, we know that is exactly the contrary. … 80% is our epigenetics. Our epigenetic is influenced by our lifestyle.”
— Simone Gibertoni [02:32] -
“You need a human to change a human. Human contact is very important. We want to create this identity change and this transformation.”
— Simone Gibertoni [08:27] -
“The best way to live longer is not to die of … neurodegenerative disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease. … And then all the other pillar are complementing to go … to the roots of the problem.”
— Simone Gibertoni [11:36] -
“If you are happy, you are super happy to get 50 years. If you are depressed, I'm not sure that you are happy to live 50 years more… Not only having a longer life, but a life filled with purpose, with joy, with love. Because … these are also components which are making us living longer.”
— Simone Gibertoni [15:07] -
“If you have a doctor is prescribing off-label drugs to everybody, is not off-label anymore, right? It's not an exception anymore.”
— Simone Gibertoni [16:38] -
“You have to personalize. … Longevity is not talking about [this] yet. We're trying to find these cure-all things, but that's not how it is. Human biology doesn't work like that.”
— Dr. Ekta [18:12] -
“I always say people would pay millions to buy the pills which is doing the effect of 20 minutes twice a day of Transcendental meditation. And we have hundreds of studies.”
— Simone Gibertoni [27:12] -
“There is a big risk now that this word longevity is losing credibility. … Longevity must be rooted in science.”
— Simone Gibertoni [24:25]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Introduction & Simone’s Background — [00:02–02:09]
- Shift from Genetics to Epigenetics — [02:32–07:20]
- Three Pillars of Longevity Practice — [07:20–08:27]
- Routine, Human Connection & Transformation — [08:27–10:28]
- The Research-Practice Gap — [10:28–12:23]
- Four Pillar Model & Holistic Approach — [11:00–12:49]
- Healthcare Infrastructure & Changing Mindsets — [12:49–15:07]
- Mental Health, Purpose, and Longevity — [15:07–16:38]
- Drug Repurposing & Supplement Personalization — [16:38–19:23]
- Customization & Clinical Practice — [19:23–19:57]
- Development of Supplements & Epinom — [19:57–22:39]
- Science Communication & Supplement Skepticism — [23:44–24:25]
- Cultural Wisdom & Global Expansion — [25:26–27:58]
- Gen Z/Alpha and Future of Longevity — [28:30–29:50]
- Closing thoughts and gratitude — [29:50–30:40]
Conclusion
This episode is a comprehensive, candid exploration of longevity medicine’s most promising frontiers—especially the science and application of epigenetics, and the necessity of individualized, holistic, and culturally aware approaches to healthspan. Simone Gibertoni and Dr. Ekta both advocate for skepticism toward fads and a return to evidence-based, genuinely life-transforming strategies, with a keen awareness of mental and social wellbeing as essential ingredients for a long, healthy, and meaningful life.