Humberto Barbosa, Founder of Clínica do Tempo - «The formula for longevity is based on four essential factors [...] that depend exclusively on us.»

With over four decades of professional experience, Humberto Barbosa is the founder of Clínica do Tempo, recognized nationally and internationally for its innovative rejuvenation treatments. His son, Tomás Barbosa, who is part of the clinic's nutrition team, now sees the continuity of this project assured. Balance for longevity is the theme of this conversation with Villas&Golfe, where we discuss slow living and science.

What led you to the field of nutrition and then to specializing in anti-aging?
The fact that in my childhood, in Funchal, I met several people over 90 years old and some even over 100, and I was intrigued by why some people live so long and others die suddenly of a heart attack or stroke, at just 40 years of age.

You have over 40 years of professional experience. Given the significant progress the anti-aging field has seen in recent years, what can we expect from this field in the next decade?
Regardless of all the nutritional and technological advances that will certainly occur in this area, the main factors for living longer and healthier will be no different from those that exist today. In addition to a healthy lifestyle, it is necessary to definitively and healthily eliminate the two main factors of premature aging and premature death: excess fat—the main cause of heart attacks and strokes—and excess free radicals—which are directly linked to cancer and neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's.

Clínica do Tempo is recognized as a global leader in anti-aging, and the TIME REVERTER treatment has been particularly popular. Tell us a little about the benefits this type of treatment can offer.
TIME REVERTER – the first Human Body Regenerator – uses NASA technology to eliminate excess free radicals from the body, rejuvenate cells and skin, and drastically reduce the risk of cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and dementia. It's a futuristic, vertical, large capsule. Inside, it houses 57,600 points of light, 50% of which are red light therapy—between 600 and 800nm—and the other 50% are near-infrared light therapy—between 810 and 100nm. With just four 15-minute sessions, it's possible to rejuvenate the body from the inside out and slow the aging process. The effectiveness of this treatment is proven not only by the immediate well-being experienced, but also by a clinical test called VMO Analysis, which assesses cellular oxidation levels and biological age.
What do people seek more: physical perfection or health?
Some are more concerned with health, but others, admittedly, are only concerned with their physical appearance and come to Clínica do Tempo to become more beautiful. To these, we explain that, at our clinic, to be more beautiful, you have to be healthier.

«TIME REVERTER […] eliminates excess free radicals from the body, rejuvenates cells and skin, and drastically reduces the risk of cancer […]»

You give many lectures, both in Portugal and abroad, on longevity. Is there a simplified way to achieve this longevity for you?
The formula for longevity is based on four essential factors: a healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management, and emotional balance. The good news is that these four factors depend entirely on us.

Could the desire to look younger be contributing to ageism? Can you live well with wrinkles?
Ageism is a prejudice that, unfortunately, is very present in society and can discriminate against older people. Wrinkles are not the main concern, as they are usually accompanied by wisdom and common sense that younger people sometimes lack. The problem lies more in the lack of healthy lifestyle habits, which leads people to have excess fat and free radicals, and to die prematurely from heart attacks, strokes, and cancer.

In your daily life, what do you do to feel good about yourself?
I use the same longevity formula for myself, and it's no secret! I maintain a careful and healthy diet, exercise for an hour and a half a day—cardio and strength training—perfectly control the cortisol levels my body produces in adverse situations, and maintain emotional balance because I've been married to the same woman, Gabriela, for over 40 years. I have three children and five grandchildren. And family is, without a doubt, my safe haven.

Simplicity, especially in life's routines and pleasures, is increasingly seen as a true luxury. Do you agree that happiness often lies in the simplest things? Does practicing slow living contribute to increased longevity?
Living slowly is the essence of the slow living movement, which proposes a more conscious, balanced, and less stressful life. It's an invitation to slow down, simplify, and enjoy the present to its fullest, instead of living on autopilot, always racing against time. Instead, we make more conscious choices and value what truly matters: relationships, well-being, health, and free time. The concept of Slow Living is a crucial step toward a better quality of life, but if we live slowly and stress-free, but don't exercise and carry 20 kg of excess fat, we still run the risk of dying prematurely from a heart attack or stroke.

Do you have any additional tips for Villas & Golfe readers?
Before I do so for its readers, I want to leave a message for Villas & Golfe magazine and its founder, Paulo Martins, for its longevity and the level of quality, excellence, and innovation that has been consistently present, issue after issue, from the first issue in September 2001 to the edition celebrating its 23rd or 24th anniversary. My advice to my readers is to live slowly and age even more slowly, avoiding excess fat and free radicals.

Text: Carla Martins
Photos: All Rights Reserved