Health

Study Suggests Maintaining Klotho Protein Levels Protects Against ALS-Related Nerve Degeneration

Published

5 years ago

March 26, 2021

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gherig’s Disease after the famous baseball player who was forced to retire after experiencing the disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disease. The medical term for ALS accurately describes the effects the disease has on patients. Amyotrophic refers to three root terms: a meaning “no,” myo meaning “muscle,” and trophic meaning nourishment, all of which combine to indicate that the condition leads to no nourishment of muscle tissue and atrophy, or wasting away, of the affected tissue. Lateral indicates the upper and lower areas of the spinal cord that lead to muscle atrophy, and sclerosis refers to the hardening and scarring of the affected regions.

In ALS, motor neurons that provide an essential connection between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body degenerate or deteriorate rapidly. When the motor neurons eventually die, the brain can no longer cause or control muscle movement, leading to their eventual atrophy. Soon after, individuals can experience partial or total paralysis of voluntary muscles, leading to an inability to control muscle movement, speak, eat, and even breathe. The average life expectancy after receiving an ALS diagnosis is between three and five years.

Lack of Available Treatments

Currently, there is no cure for ALS. While familial, or inherited, ALS accounts for some cases of the disease, nearly 95% of cases occur sporadically, without any known genetic precursor.

In an effort to find a potential preventive treatment for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases, researchers at Boston University’s School of Medicine have turned to study biological models that simulate neurodegenerative conditions. As a result, scientists have identified a certain protein that appears to serve a unique, beneficial purpose in protecting the brain from the mechanisms of ALS.

Klotho Protein

In Boston University’s School of Medicine laboratory model, researchers identified an anti-aging protein called klotho protein that showed neuroprotective effects. In fact, increasing klotho protein levels reduced neurological deficits in experimental models of both Alzheimer’s Disease and multiple sclerosis (MS). Researchers then posited that klotho protein increases may aid in protecting the brain against other neurodegenerative diseases, as well.

In a subsequent study on a laboratory model, klotho protein provided similar neuroprotective effects against ALS. Klotho protein was shown to reduce ALS-associated neurological deficits, thus providing a potential decrease in the manifestation of symptoms. In conjunction with the presence of anti-inflammatory brain cells called microglia, klotho protein shows potential to protect the brain against inflammation, degeneration, and motor neuron loss.

Future Implications

Klotho protein therapy, along with other activities that increase klotho levels, have been shown to potentially prolong the life of an ALS patient by as much as 300 days. Further, increasing klotho levels appears to improve quality of life by reducing ALS symptoms in patients who have already discovered the disease.

While the klotho protein has long shown benefits for other neurodegenerative diseases, this new information provides hope and potential therapeutic applications for the thousands of patients currently suffering from ALS.

Resources:

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-06/buso-pop062719.php
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12031-019-01356-2
https://www.als.org/understanding-als/what-is-als

Health

How a Quiet Fulham Clinic Became London’s Most Coveted Wellness Secret

Published

2 weeks ago

October 2, 2025

Michelle Langton

Photo Courtesy of: Spa & Massage

Byline: Gerome Alvarez

In London’s cutthroat wellness landscape, few businesses manage to capture community attention without fanfare or celebrity endorsements. Yet Spa & Massage Fulham has accomplished exactly this, weaving itself into the cultural fabric of one of London’s most discerning neighborhoods within weeks of its September 2025 opening. The phenomenon began as whispers among friends, colleagues, and neighbors—all independently discovering what would soon become known across social media platforms as “the best massage in London.”

This organic word-of-mouth growth reveals something deeper than marketing prowess; it signals a genuine transformation in how Londoners approach wellness and self-care. The clinic at 709 Fulham Road represents more than successful business expansion; it embodies a broader cultural shift toward viewing therapeutic massage as essential healthcare rather than occasional luxury.

The Science-Backed Foundation

The surging demand for massage therapy is not merely about relaxation; it is rooted in substantial scientific evidence that validates what clients experience firsthand. Research consistently demonstrates that massage therapy reduces cortisol levels by up to 31% while increasing mood-regulating neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine by 28% and 31% respectively. These physiological changes translate into tangible benefits: improved sleep quality, enhanced focus, reduced chronic pain, and strengthened immune function.

“Massage therapy works in multiple ways to help reduce stress. First and foremost, it helps to lower levels of cortisol, the primary stress hormone,” explains recent research on therapeutic massage. For London’s high-pressure lifestyle, this represents more than indulgence; it is preventive healthcare. The integration of scientific expertise sets Spa & Massage apart from typical wellness businesses, with Professor Eyal Lederman, a world-renowned expert in neurophysiology and manual therapy, serving as the company’s medical director.

The Visionary Origins

The story begins in 2007 when entrepreneurs Alykhan and Nicole Thobani, inspired by journeys through Thailand, recognized a fundamental gap in London’s wellness market. Rather than treating massage as an expensive luxury, the couple witnessed how Eastern cultures integrated therapeutic touch as essential to balanced living, as fundamental as diet and exercise. This revelation sparked the mission to bring accessible, high-quality massage therapy to London’s high streets.

“What sets us apart from other massage therapy providers is having Professor Eyal Lederman as part of our team,” Thobani explains. Professor Lederman’s research at King’s College London on the neurophysiology of manual therapy provides the scientific foundation that distinguishes Spa & Massage from competitors. Nearly two decades later, the company now serves over 2,500 clients weekly across seven London locations, with each expansion building upon lessons learned from previous successes.

The Fulham Experience Defined

The newest location deliberately avoids ostentatious luxury, instead creating what insiders describe as “understated sophistication”—an environment that whispers quality rather than shouting opulence. Central to the experience is the signature bespoke tea blend, crafted in-house to begin each client’s journey toward relaxation. This attention to detail extends throughout the treatment, where therapists like Roxanne—with backgrounds in clinical physiotherapy and experience from London’s most prestigious five-star spas—deliver what clients describe as transformative sessions.

The clinic’s approach attracts therapists of exceptional caliber, including professionals like Olga, who draws “many celebrity clients and high-profile athletes” for her transformative skills. Operating seven days a week from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, the clinic makes professional massage therapy accessible to busy Londoners seeking consistent, science-backed wellness solutions. The discrete nature of the clientele, protected by sunglasses and an air of privacy, has only added to the brand’s mystique and appeal.

Building an Extraordinary Following

Since its inception, Spa & Massage Fulham has cultivated what can only be described as a devoted following that transcends typical service provider relationships. “Our team is obsessed with making sure that each client has an expert massage, with a positive health and wellbeing outcome,” Thobani notes. This focus on measurable results rather than superficial relaxation has attracted clients who view regular massage not as an occasional indulgence but as essential maintenance for peak performance.

Client testimonials consistently emphasize transformational outcomes that extend far beyond the treatment room. “I have been coming for my regular massage every week for years now, I just sleep better, I am happier, calmer, and perform at my very best. With massage therapy I live my best life. It is like I feel superhuman during the week,” shares one long-term client. This level of commitment reflects a fundamental shift in how affluent Londoners prioritize health and wellbeing, with weekly bookings becoming the norm rather than the exception among regular clients.

The Future of London Wellness

Perhaps most intriguingly, Spa & Massage has attracted backing from heavyweight private equity professionals and investment banking leaders, not as corporate investments, but as personal commitments from individuals who became clients first. These investors, who Thobani diplomatically describes as preferring discretion, represent a fascinating convergence of professional success and personal wellness priorities. This phenomenon reflects broader trends in the wellness investment landscape, where private equity firms increasingly recognize the substantial returns in premium wellness services.

As Spa & Massage Fulham establishes itself in one of London’s most competitive wellness markets, it represents the evolution of urban healthcare toward proactive, science-backed solutions. The clinic’s success suggests that Londoners are ready to embrace massage therapy as an essential component of modern urban living, challenging traditional notions of luxury and self-care. In this context, the quiet revolution unfolding at 709 Fulham Road points toward a future where wellness is not an afterthought but a cornerstone of how successful professionals maintain an edge in an increasingly demanding world.