Billy wanted to better understand what’s going on inside his body. (Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
Life can be tricky, and keeping on top of your health can be one of the trickiest things of all. It isn’t always easy to know whether something is wrong, what might be causing it or what you’re supposed to do once you find out. I’ve been on a health journey over the past couple of years, losing a significant amount of weight and improving my nutrition.
It’s made me much more aware of my health and the things I can do to improve it, but it’s also left me wanting to know what’s actually going on inside. One way to do so is to take a more proactive approach through a health scan.
Neko has several clinics across the UK, and I’m visiting its Spitalfields branch in London. The building itself is hugely impressive, with high ceilings, plenty of open space and a modern, almost space-age feel. It feels less like visiting the doctor and more like I’ve accidentally wandered onto the set of the next Star Trek film.
The layout, décor and attention to detail all reinforce the sense that this is a very different kind of healthcare experience — futuristic but welcoming.
Even the staff uniforms fit the environment. They’re simple, understated and highly professional, which immediately puts me at ease. That’s always a good start when you’re about to spend the next hour having virtually every measurable part of your body scrutinised.
Billy has lost a significant amount of weight on his health journey. (Image: Billy Labrum/Jonathan Buckmaster)
After confirming a few details, I’m taken upstairs and given a minimalist robe in a small changing area before being taken to the scanning pod. I step out of the robe, stare straight ahead and hold my hands slightly away from my body, while a screen moves around the pod. I’m told to expect a bright light — and then, almost before I’ve had time to take it all in, it’s over.
In seconds, cameras have captured more than 2,000 high-resolution images of my entire body. I’ve spent longer trying to get a printer to recognise that it is, in fact, connected.
The resulting catalogue of pictures mapping the markings and moles across my skin is reviewed by Dr Kim O’Hare. It turns out I have more than 800 different markings. Apparently, that isn’t a lot.
This process creates a record that can be referred to in the future. It can help identify changes over time and flag anything suspicious or warranting further investigation, including potential signs of skin cancer.
I’m then taken into an adjacent room for additional tests. These include blood tests, with the samples sent directly to the lab through an internal tunnel system. My blood pressure is measured using cuffs on both arms and both legs, which is something I’ve never experienced before.
Other tests include a laser directed towards my throat to measure heart rhythms. There’s also a machine that scans the soles of my feet, examining the blood vessels and circulation for anything that might indicate a blockage or require further attention.
‘Beam me up’ — Billy’s skin was photographed in seconds (Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
One of the more intriguing tests is a grip-strength assessment. I’m told that grip strength can be associated with living a longer and healthier life, and asked to squeeze a device as hard as I can. Thankfully, my grip comes in on the stronger side at 47kg. All those years of opening stubborn pickle jars have finally paid off.
Once the tests are complete, I change again before heading into a small, private, circular consultation room with a large touchscreen and Dr Kim. This is where the experience becomes most useful.
The GP talks me through my results in detail, explaining what each measurement means with plenty of opportunity to ask questions. There’s no sense of being rushed out with a “next patient, please”. I can properly understand the numbers, which is important when you’re suddenly presented with a lot of information about yourself.
One of the things I’ve been keeping a close eye on is my cholesterol, which came back slightly raised at 5.22 mmol/L. One particular cholesterol-related marker is largely genetic, so there isn’t much I can do about that one. It’s reassuring to understand the reason, although less satisfying when the solution isn’t simply “eat more vegetables”.
On the positive side, my long-term blood sugar was 32 mmol/mol, which is in the optimal range and reassuring in terms of my diabetes risk. And my body fat was 17%, which I was pleased with given the changes I’ve made over the past couple of years. My visceral fat was measured at 1.4L – meaning fat around my internal organs isn’t an issue for me.
Then there was the slightly annoying result: my heart age came back at 57 – a year older than my actual age. That’s apparently down to a few things in my results that aren’t quite where they could be. It isn’t exactly the result you want to frame and put on the mantelpiece, but it gives me something to work towards.
Grip strength is thought to be an important indicator of longevity (Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
Why is grip strength important?
Grip strength is increasingly viewed as an important indicator of longevity and musculoskeletal health, and it’s a quick and easy test for doctors to perform.
It’s measured with a device called a hand dynamometer, which records the force you exert when you squeeze the handle.
A 2024 review published in the Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition found low hand grip strength was linked to an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some cancers, as well as hospital admissions.
Another 2015 study in The Lancet of more than 140,000 people found every 5kg drop in grip strength was associated with a 16% increase in all-cause mortality, a 17% higher risk of cardiovascular death, and a 9% higher risk of stroke.
European guidelines suggest that grip strength below 27kg for men and 16kg for women is considered low. Muscle mass and strength naturally decline with age, but exercises such as resistance training and regular daily movement can help prevent a rapid decline.
That’s what I like about the process. It doesn’t simply tell you where you are now; it gives you areas to focus on and something to measure yourself against when you return.
All the results can also be accessed through the Neko app, which connects to existing health data, such as Apple Health on an iPhone or compatible Android health platforms. This allows Dr Kim to consider the Neko results alongside information you’ve already collected, creating a broader picture of your health.
Thousands of data points were gathered, covering areas including cholesterol, heart age, diabetes risk and body composition. Frankly, I’m surprised they haven’t asked me to provide my favourite biscuit.
I leave Neko feeling that I have a much better understanding of what’s going on inside my body. I’m not perfect by any means, and I now know there are small lifestyle tweaks I can make, guided by Dr Kim, that could put me on a better track.
My lifestyle is less “wellness journey” and more “negotiated ceasefire between me and my snack cupboard”, but at least I now have useful information.
For me, the biggest value isn’t simply finding out where I am today. It’s having a clear picture of my health that gives me something to work from, something to improve and, ultimately, something to measure. It’s a bit like getting a report card from your body, except the teacher is a doctor and the homework is exercise.
Hopefully, when I return, I’ll have fewer things to worry about, a few more things to celebrate and perhaps only 799 markings to report. If nothing else, I now know my grip strength is pretty good. So those pickle jars had better watch out.
The health check provided Billy with a wealth of data (Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
What does Neko’s data show?
Neko recently published findings from its first three years of operation, covering more than 80,000 members across the UK and Sweden. The company says its data show that the 9,000 people who had returned for a second scan typically improved across seven key cardiometabolic measures, while a small but consistent proportion of people who felt healthy were found to have potentially life-threatening conditions.
Dr Nikita Kanani, Neko’s medical director for Europe, explains: “Every year we still find about 1% that’s life-threatening.”
That’s one of the most interesting aspects of the service – you can feel perfectly well and still have something going on that you’re unaware of.
Neko says 1,754 members had completed three scans, with improvements in measures including blood pressure, non-HDL cholesterol and weight continuing into the second year.
Of course, screening does not guarantee earlier detection of every condition, and it does not necessarily prevent illness or avoid future healthcare costs.
It may produce false positives that lead to anxiety or unnecessary further testing, as well as false reassurance if a problem is not captured. The quality of the experience also depends on how clearly results are explained and how effectively any follow-up is arranged.
Neko provides free follow-up appointments at their clinics if, for example, a worrying result needs to be double-checked, or a referral to an external specialist if needed.
There are other health scans available in the UK. At £300 for a one-hour scan, Neko isn’t exactly cheap. But with some other body scans costing upwards of £1,000, it represents good value for what you receive.
Identifying and acting on problems earlier could help you avoid more costly consequences further down the line — not just financially, but in terms of the impact a health problem can have on your everyday life.
This could potentially save the NHS money and time, although the wider financial impact would depend on how findings translate into diagnosis, treatment and long-term outcomes.
