Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of death both worldwide and in Turkey. Infinity Regenerative Clinic Medical Director Specialist Dr. Yıldıray Tanrıver explains developments in this field, ranging from tests measuring blood vessel health in 12 seconds to AI-assisted early diagnosis systems.

What Are the Main Causes of Cardiovascular Diseases?

There is a topic we frequently encounter these days: Longevity, or living a long life. But here, there is sometimes a point that is missed: What's important is not just living long, but living long and healthily. Looking at the areas affected by longevity, we see "important diseases" like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's that can be prevented or postponed. Cardiovascular diseases remain one of the leading causes of death both worldwide and in Turkey. In fact, 40% of deaths in Turkey fall into this category. This includes heart failures, crises, arterial stiffness, and similar conditions. Another critical topic is diabetes, because these diseases are interconnected. Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases progress together. Diabetes data specific to Turkey is striking: approximately 15% of the adult population, or 12 million people, are diabetic. Moreover, the increase in prevalence is three times the world average and four times the European average.

Is It Genetics or Environmental Factors That Weigh More?

Genetic factors are not as determinative as commonly believed. What really matters is epigenetics, which affects our genetics—in other words, external factors. Lifestyle comes at the forefront of these. Proper and personalized nutrition is very important. What we always emphasize is this: personalized health management is essential. A nutritional model that works well for me might not suit you. For this reason, we create personalized nutrition profiles through microbiota tests and stool analysis. Because everyone's gut flora, needs, and tolerances are different. An example: Our body has 30 trillion human cells, but 40 trillion microorganisms. These must live in balance. When balance is disrupted, a process starting with gas, nervous system disorders, obesity, and leading to diabetes begins.

What Are the Most Common Cases You Encounter in Clinical Practice?

The two most common cases we encounter in our clinic are insulin resistance and/or diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. We now use technology and artificial intelligence intensively in these areas. For example, we can measure artery walls; the carotid artery is particularly important to us. As the wall thickens, this is generally an alarm. This thickness can increase in those with diabetes, those who have had COVID, those with poor nutrition, and those with poor lipid profiles. This also leads to more frequent cardiovascular diseases.

How Do Technology and Artificial Intelligence Come Into Play in This Area?

We can now use very advanced scanning methods. Autosonic techniques, 3D imaging. We can measure fat accumulation in organs and loss of elasticity. One of the most important tools in assessing diabetes or cardiovascular disease risk is AGE measurement. AGE, or Advanced Glycation End Products, is a condition resulting from excessive contact of sugar in the body with cells, particularly proteins and fats. I call this "caramelization." Your cells, your blood vessels can become sticky like a paste. It is possible to measure this process quickly and painlessly with devices like AGE Readers. This is a great opportunity for early intervention.

What Exactly Is This Caramelization You Mention?

It can cause blood vessel blockage or thickening of blood vessel walls. We can see this condition very clearly under the skin. We also make our measurements through the skin surface, because there is a reflection here. With a method we call autofluorescence, it is possible to determine the level of caramelization in just 12 seconds. This shows us the person's cardiovascular disease risk. The device we use is very easy to apply. You place your arm over the device, the device emits ultraviolet light. This light reveals the damage caused by AGE (Advanced Glycation End Products) substances under the skin. Taking into account factors such as skin tone and age, artificial intelligence precisely calculates the person's level of caramelization. The entire process takes only 12 seconds.

How Is the Performance of These Systems Compared to Classical Diagnostic Methods?

It is very difficult to determine risks this quickly and briefly with classical methods. Most of the time, the disease is only noticed when it has progressed. The systems we use come into play 1-2-3 steps before disease occurs. For example, certain bacteria are detected in stool testing that can protect us against cancer. If these bacteria are reduced, we recommend a lifestyle that nourishes them. It's difficult to eliminate bad bacteria, but it's possible to keep them in balance by increasing the good ones.

+ Oksijen Gazetesi