Longevity, influence and the social media trap: Who do we trust with our health?
In a world where six-pack abs are flaunted more than six-point health plans, who are we really trusting […]
Longevity, influence and the social media trap: Who do we trust with our health?
In a world where six-pack abs are flaunted more than six-point health plans, who are we really trusting with our well-being? Consultant Aesthetic and Plastic Surgeon, Dr Ali Ghanem, cuts through the noise in a candid conversation with Qonversations — unpacking the layered relationship between health, social media, influence, and longevity.
Dr Ghanem, in an interview with Ismail Akwei, begins with a stark reminder: “Health is life.” He challenges the outdated definition of health as merely the absence of disease and instead argues for a reimagined standard — optimal functioning across body and mind. You may be disease-free, but if your cognitive function, mobility, or digestion isn’t thriving, you’re missing the very essence of life.
Naturally, the chat turns to social media, where likes often overshadow logic. Ghanem is blunt: “In my field, the number of followers is more correlated to income than knowledge or skill.” A chilling thought — that virality trumps veracity in health advice. And while influencers can make or break brands overnight, the dark underbelly is a sea of misinformation that’s led, in some cases, to lawsuits and fatalities.
Then comes the uncomfortable question: Is the pursuit of health and longevity a luxury reserved for the wealthy? Dr Ghanem acknowledges the glamorised world of hyperbaric chambers and million-dollar regimens — name-dropping tech tycoon-turned-wellness warrior Bryan Johnson. But he is quick to challenge the narrative. “There are villages in Okinawa and Sardinia where people live long, healthy lives without any luxury. It’s about habits, not hardware,” he tells Qonversations.
His solution? A grounded, six-pronged approach dubbed the GAN Method, drawing from his own surname:
Gut health via five different plants daily.
Heart and lung health through 30 minutes of brisk walking.
Aesthetics via SPF and skin care.
Neoplasm (cancer) prevention with cruciferous vegetables
Endocrine support through quality sleep.
Mind health with daily meditation.
It’s not rocket science, but it is remarkably wise. And cost-effective. He even adds a cherry on top: if you do nothing else, walk 30 minutes daily. Ghanem notes, “That one habit alone can outdo the health benefits of a billion dollars sitting idle.”
With infectious enthusiasm, he repositions muscle-building as a full-body system reset, not just a vanity project. “Muscles are our longevity organs,” he proclaims, tying them to glucose control, stem cell regeneration, posture, and brain health.
So, back to the question — who do we trust with our health? The answer, it seems, is complex. While social media offers exposure, it’s discipline, evidence-based routines, and critical thinking that will actually keep us alive and well.
Forget the filters. Maybe the future of health lies not in the next viral trend, but in walking, eating broccoli, and breathing deeply.
