A growing trend known as “health maxxing” is gaining traction across the United Arab Emirates as individuals seek to optimise their physical and mental wellbeing through preventive healthcare, personalised nutrition, fitness tracking, and longevity treatments. This proactive approach, amplified by social media influencers showcasing wellness routines and products, aims to enhance performance, boost energy levels, and promote healthier ageing.

Medical experts, however, urge caution, warning that the pursuit of optimisation can sometimes lead to counterproductive outcomes such as unnecessary medical testing, excessive supplement intake, and unrealistic health expectations. Dr Shyam Rajamohan, an internal medicine specialist at Prime Hospital, stressed that while taking responsibility for one’s health is beneficial, interventions should be grounded in clinical evidence and tailored to individual needs rather than driven by trends or social media influence. He emphasized that regular exercise, balanced diet, adequate sleep, stress management, vaccinations, and appropriate medical screenings remain fundamental to maintaining good health.

Dr Adil Rizvi, medical director and consultant cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon at RAK Hospital, highlighted potential risks associated with striving for perceived “optimal” health indicators. Such behaviours may involve overuse of supplements, extreme dieting, excessive exercise, and frequent testing, which can lead to liver and kidney strain, hormonal imbalances, eating disorders, and health-related anxiety. He also cautioned against relying on wearable health devices as diagnostic tools, noting that changes in metrics like heart rate or sleep scores do not necessarily indicate medical conditions. Rizvi advised the public to consider whether health interventions have strong clinical backing, come from qualified professionals without commercial conflicts, and receive approval from UAE regulatory bodies.

Endocrinologist Dr Fathelrahman Ahmed of Medcare Hospital Sharjah highlighted concerns about the misuse of hormone therapies and weight-loss injections without proper medical indication, which may cause serious side effects such as heart rhythm disturbances, bone loss, infertility, or muscle degradation. He also pointed to increasing anxiety stemming from continuous monitoring of bodily functions—even in healthy individuals—such as the use of glucose sensors by people without diabetes, leading to unnecessary testing and worry. Dr Ahmed noted that certain supplements, including high doses of biotin and vitamin D, can interfere with laboratory tests or cause harmful physiological effects if taken improperly.

Fitness trainer Gowtham Suresh, founder of Dopamine Force, acknowledged the potential benefits of health maxxing when it supports better self-awareness and encourages consistent healthy habits. He highlighted that wearable devices can provide useful insights about activity levels and recovery, but cautioned against fixating on data or following every wellness fad. Suresh recommended approaching such trends with curiosity balanced by scepticism, recognizing that not all supplements or treatments are effective or safe for everyone, and underscored the importance of combining regular strength and cardiovascular exercise with balanced nutrition, sufficient rest, and recovery.

While viewpoints vary, medical professionals consistently advocate for evidence-based decision-making and sustainable lifestyle habits as the foundation of wellbeing. For residents of the UAE interested in health optimisation, experts suggest starting with foundational elements like regular physical activity, nutritious meals, ample sleep, and appropriate preventive care rather than costly screenings or unproven treatments. The overarching goal is to use healthcare guidance and technology to support better health outcomes—not to pursue every possible measurement or trend as an absolute necessity.