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Secrets of the New Healthocracy

Posted on: Tuesday, 5 April 2005, 18:00 CDT

Nish Joshi

Detox guru to the stars

After training as a doctor in India in both orthodox and Ayurvedic medicine, Joshi moved to the UK and trained in osteopathy, specialising in dance injuries. He found ways to improve the nutrition and holistic welfare of dancers. Princess Diana, who was a regular client and became a friend, was one of the first to try out his "metabolic detox" programme, which is now his key treatment. It is a strict diet which boosts the metabolism, and is now embraced by clients including Gwyneth Paltrow, Ralph Fiennes and Cate Blanchett.

His advice: "A balanced diet, regular exercise and occasional periods of serious detoxing will maintain health and prevent chronic illness."

Drawbacks? Potentially ruinously expensive if you see Joshi, his masseurs and Pilates experts.

Contact: 020 7487 5456; www.thejoshiclinic.com. First appointment, Pounds 90 (thereafter, Pounds 75).

David Marshall

Body reshaper

Bodydoctor Fitness, the company founded by fitness expert David Marshall, promises that, with strict adherence to his methods (exercises must always be done in a particular sequence), anyone can lose a stone in six weeks.

Sophie Dahl lost three dress sizes through his regimes, and Kate Moss used his fitness plan to get back into shape after giving birth. His most recent converts are Ant and Dec.

His advice: "Exercise early in the day to elevate the metabolic rate and make sure that you work the whole body, rather than just parts, because the body works as a unit not just in bits and pieces."

Drawbacks? David rarely does the training now; you might be lucky and catch him on a shift at his Chelsea or Primrose Hill gyms, but you're more likely to get a minion.

Contact: 020 7586 6222; www.bodydoctor.com. Training sessions cost from Pounds 94.

Dr Rajendra Sharma

Diagnostic physician

A qualified doctor who specialises in complementary medicine and diagnostics, Dr Sharma is medical director of the Diagnostic Clinic, a facility which pools the skills of orthodox doctors with experts in nutrition and complementary and alternative practitioners, offering treatments from osteopathy to acupuncture and hair-mineral analysis.

His advice: "Getting a proper range of diagnostic tests done is the best way to determine the root cause of a problem, and to be given the best treatment path from both orthodox and complementary medicine."

Drawbacks? A full "integrated diagnostic screening" range of tests will set you back between Pounds 600 and Pounds 900.

Contact: 020 7009 4650; www.thediagnosticclinic.com.

Initial consultation, Pounds 175.

Mervyn Druian

Cosmetic dentist

Together with business partner Ken Spektor, Mervyn Druian has enhanced the smiles of countless famous faces, from Liam Gallagher to Gordon Brown.

Frequent trips to the States ensure that he is abreast of the latest innovations and practices, including ultrasonic tooth whitening and "smile lifts" where, by lengthening teeth with porcelain veneers, a face can be made to look more youthful.

His advice: "A beautiful smile opens doors in your working life, your social life and works wonders. It is the bedrock of your confidence."

Drawbacks? It's easy to spend many thousands of pounds.

Contact: The London Centre for Cosmetic Dentistry; 020 7722 1235; www.whiterteeth.co.uk. Initial consultation, free; power whitening, Pounds 775.

Patrick Holford

Healthy eating guru

The founder of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition and author of more than 20 health books makes the latest nutritional discoveries accessible to the rest of us. His newest book, The Holford Diet (Piatkus, Pounds 9.99), asserts that when you discover how to balance your blood sugar levels, you will lose weight, fast.

His advice: "Smart animals - from parrots to people - eat seeds. They are incredibly rich in essential fats, minerals, vitamin E and protein.

You need a tablespoonful a day.

Drawbacks? To reap the rewards of increased energy and weight loss requires dedication.

Contact: www.patrickholford.com.

Simeon Niel-Asher

Frozen-shoulder expert

Osteopath Simeon Niel-Asher, whose fans include George Michael and Victoria Wood, specialises in "defrosting" shoulders which have seized up with adhesive capsulitis, aka frozen shoulder. His trademarked Niel-Asher Technique is a drug-free, non-surgical process for this intensely painful condition.

His advice: "Conventional treatment attempts to force movement, I believe this makes things worse. Use ice initially, swing the arms while walking and avoid steroids and surgery (wherever possible) - nature knows best!"

Drawbacks? The treatment hurts (but then, so does the condition) and you may need to wait a month to get a booking; he's very busy.

Contact: Highgate Osteopathic Clinic, 020 8347 6160; www.frozenshoulder.com.

First appointment Pounds 85, thereafter Pounds 75.

Matt Roberts

Personal trainer

After setting up in business at 22, Matt Roberts swiftly became the favourite personal training guru of the celeb-and-fashion set. His success stories include the transformations of John Galliano and Mel C; former clients include Naomi Campbell and Amanda Holden. His latest project is setting up "boot camp" training programmes in Hyde Park and his key treatment is "peripheral heart action training" - which means no rest between exercises His advice: "Failing to exercise regularly will not only worsen your quality of life but will also reduce your longevity."

Drawbacks? Requires seriousminded dedication. For Mr Roberts, exercise is not something to be rushed through in order to get to the pub on time.

Contact: Matt Roberts Personal Training, 020 7439 8800; www.mattroberts.co.uk. Training sessions from Pounds 57 per session; for Matt, from Pounds 90.

Dr Mosaraf Ali

Alternative all-rounder

Director of the Integrated Medical Centre in the West End, Dr Ali is a favourite of Prince Charles and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson. He practises at the new Cavendish Street clinic alongside his brothers Firdous and Imran, who are both naturopaths. Having trained as an allopathic (medical) doctor in Moscow, he followed this up with courses in acupuncture, hypnotherapy, homeopathy and fasting therapy. He combines many different therapies.

His advice: "Allow the body to rebalance itself by fasting for one day per month. Eat lightly the day before and choose a day when you can relax.

On the fasting day, drink vegetable juices and home-made vegetable soups and drink two litres of water during the day. The strain of digestion is eased which allows the body to cleanse and heal."

Drawbacks? He's busy and popular, and at present, is off on a retreat.

Contact: 020 7224 5111; www.DrAli.com Consultations, Pounds 75.

Alan Herdman

Pilates expert

Alan Herdman brought Pilates to London more than 30 years ago and still teaches the gentle but exacting exercises in his Marylebone studio. For him, the individual is more important than the technique; depending on each individual's problems, the technique must be adapted to suit them.

His advice: "If the posture is correct, the joints and muscles work in a much more youthful way with more freedom. It's not just about standing straight; one should sit straight and when walking one should be conscious of the correct posture."

Drawbacks? You'll have to fight hard or ask especially nicely to get into into Alan's regular teaching schedule; it's usually full.

Contact: 020 7723 9953; www.alanherdmanpilates.

co.uk. Pounds 30 per session.

Dr Nick Lowe

Consultant dermatologist

Dr Lowe is an internationally recognised dermatologist and research physician who has practices in both west London and Santa Monica, California.

For his many London-based clients (including Anne Robinson) Nick Lowe's transatlantic base gives him more of an edge than most, and his research facilities allow him to evaluate which treatments seem to work best on which skins.

He's big on wrinkle-prevention (which means he recommends wearing sunscreen, all year round) and on overturning the myths that the cost of products such as moisturisers are related to their effectiveness.

His advice: "The past 10 years have seen many dermatologist-led innovations in the rejuvenation of the skin such as new lasers, new fillers, effective use of Botox and radiofrequency skin tightening. All these treatments can be used to postpone or avoid surgical treatment and they're not science fiction; they're available today."

Drawbacks? Deep pockets needed - and a flexible diary as Dr Lowe spends some time in California each month.

Contact: The Cranley Clinic in Cavendish Square, W1, 020 7499 3223.

Consultations, Pounds 200; Botox treatment, Pounds 250.

Wendy Lewis

Knife coach

Based in New York but a frequent visitor to London, Wendy Lewis offers independent consultancy and advice for people considering who are considering surgical and non-surgical cosmetic enhancement. She knows who does what - and who does it well - around the globe.

Her advice: "Clients ask, 'When is it time to start an anti- ageing programme?' My answer is always: Now! It's never too early, but it's never too late either. Prevention is the key. It is far smarter and cheaper to maintain what you have before it all goes south, than to correct it after the damage has already been done."

Drawbacks? You'll need to plan ahead; Wendy's next visit to the UK is in June.

Contact: www.wlbeauty.com for dates of Wendy's next visit to London; consultations, from Pounds 300, for further reading, try Beauty Secrets (Quadrille, Pounds 9.99).

Lilias Curtin

New Age therapies

London's foremost "energy healing therapist", a position cemented when it was revealed last year that Cherie Blair and Rory Bremner are among her clients.

She describes her work as pushing the boundaries of alternative medicine and is resigned to the fact that much of her work is easy to ridicule.

Her advice: "Staying in a positive frame of mind helps the body enormously. Laughter is a great healer, and the vibrational frequency of emotions can be measured. Anxiety and depression have a low resonance, but joy and acceptance have a much higher frequency. People who can find humour in their life will attract good health."

Drawbacks? You'll need to suspend the sceptical part of your brain which will ask you what on earth you think you are doing.

Contact: 020 7731 4715; www.liliascurtin.co.uk.

Consultations, Pounds 120.

Source: Evening Standard; London (UK)

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