How you age is more in your control than you think

Genetics play a role in ageing, but how you eat, move and sleep can also influence cellular health and overall wellbeing

Amway scientists study plant-based ingredients as part of the company’s nutrition and product research.

PHOTO: AMWAY SINGAPORE

Published Sep 28, 2026, 04:00 AM

Ageing is a natural part of life, but the way we think about it is changing. Rather than focusing only on our lifespan, there is now growing interest in healthspan – the number of years lived in good health.

At the heart of many of the body’s everyday functions are our cells, which perform essential jobs, from turning nutrients into energy to maintaining and repairing tissues.

“Cellular health is critical for overall biological function and health. Our body is composed of trillions of cells, and our body’s vitality and resilience depend on them,” says Charles Hu, PhD, principal scientist – nutrition research and clinical investigation at Amway Research & Development .

Like the rest of the body, however, cells change with age. “When cells age, they accumulate molecular damage, lose their ability to divide properly, and in the meantime, also undergo structural and functional decline,” says Hu.

Put simply, how well our cells function is one part of maintaining overall health as we get older. Because cells are involved in processes throughout the body, changes in how they function over time are one part of the broader ageing process.

How diet, exercise and sleep support long-term health

While genetics play a role in ageing, lifestyle and environmental factors can also influence our health over time, says Hu.

That makes staying active, eating well, getting sufficient sleep, managing stress and not smoking important for long-term health.

Regular physical activity is one place to start. The Health Promotion Board recommends that adults get 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week, along with activities that strengthen muscles, bones and joints at least twice weekly .

Regular exercise supports the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar and maintain heart and metabolic health, says Hu. Simply moving more throughout the day and spending less time sitting can also be beneficial.

Sleep matters, too. It gives the body time for normal repair and regulation, while insufficient sleep has been associated with poorer metabolic health and inflammation.

For diet, Hu recommends a varied, balanced approach with wholegrains, fruits and vegetables, while limiting ultra-processed foods. These foods provide a range of nutrients the body needs for normal everyday functions.

Nutrilite AmCELL is formulated with five botanicals, including dendrobium orchid, gooseberry and pomegranate. PHOTO: AMWAY SINGAPORE

Nutrilite AmCELL is formulated with five botanicals, including dendrobium orchid, gooseberry and pomegranate.

The role of supplements and skincare

For people who may not obtain enough of certain nutrients through their diet, supplements can be used to complement – rather than replace – a balanced diet.

Amway’s Nutrilite AmCELL is a nutrition product formulated with dendrobium orchid, pagoda tree flower, gooseberry, pomegranate and chokeberry.

According to Amway, its scientists screened more than 600 plants and 50,000 plant compounds during product development before identifying these five botanicals.

The formulation contains naturally occurring plant compounds known as polyphenols, including ellagic acid, rutin, quercetin, cyanidin-3-O-galactoside and gallic acid .

Hu explains that these polyphenols have antioxidant properties. Research by Amway scientists has explored how they may support the body’s natural defences against oxidative stress – an imbalance between potentially harmful molecules and the body’s ability to deal with them.

Healthy lifestyle habits matter for the skin as well. Jesse Leverett, fellow of open innovation at Amway Research & Development, notes that nutrition, hydration, sufficient sleep and regular exercise can all play a role in supporting skin health. Sunscreen can also help protect the skin from the effects of ultraviolet exposure.

Alongside these lifestyle measures, skincare is another consideration for those concerned about visible signs of ageing.

Amway is introducing its Artistry LongXevity collection in Singapore. The range, backed by 20 years of cellular skin science research, includes two moisturising creams – one for normal to dry skin and another for normal to combination skin – as well as an eye cream and toner essence.

The Artistry LongXevity skincare range includes moisturisers, an eye cream and toner essence. PHOTO: AMWAY SINGAPORE

The Artistry LongXevity skincare range includes moisturisers, an eye cream and toner essence.

Among the more than 30 ingredients and botanicals used across the range are milk thistle, white chia seed oil, spinach and acerola cherry, along with what Amway describes as a plant-based stem cell blend.

“Our approach combines ingredients developed through our skincare research with plant-based botanicals, including what we describe as plant-based stem cells. They are designed to address visible signs of ageing, such as changes in the skin’s appearance,” says Bethany Thimmesch, Amway research scientist for Artistry products.

A holistic approach to long-term health

Ultimately, cellular health involves many interconnected processes, says Hu. That is why he recommends looking at health as a whole rather than relying on any single solution.

The fundamentals remain a balanced diet, regular physical activity, sufficient sleep and appropriate stress management. Supplements, he stresses, play a complementary role.

“There is no magic supplement that can replace the benefits of healthy lifestyle habits,” says Hu.

And rather than focusing solely on chronological age or comparing yourself with others, Hu suggests looking at your own health over time – and the habits that may help you maintain it.

“It is more important to compare today’s ‘you’ with tomorrow’s ‘you’ in terms of health and healthy ageing,” he says. Find out more about Nutrilite AmCELL and Artistry LongXevity, and Amway’s approach to nutrition, skincare and healthy ageing.

Health and well-being

基因在衰老过程中起着一定作用，但你的饮食、运动和睡眠方式也会影响细胞健康和整体健康状况。

安利科学家对植物性成分进行研究，这是公司营养和产品研究的一部分。

图片：安利新加坡

发布于 2026 年 9 月 28 日 上午 4:00

衰老是生命中自然的一部分，但我们对衰老的看法正在改变。人们不再仅仅关注寿命，而是越来越关注健康寿命——即健康生活年限。

人体许多日常功能的核心是细胞，细胞执行着从将营养物质转化为能量到维持和修复组织等重要任务。

“细胞健康对整体生物功能和健康至关重要。我们的身体由数万亿个细胞组成，我们身体的活力和韧性都依赖于这些细胞，”安利研发中心营养研究与临床研究首席科学家查尔斯·胡博士说道。

然而，就像身体其他部位一样，细胞也会随着年龄的增长而发生变化。“当细胞衰老时，它们会积累分子损伤，失去正常分裂的能力，同时还会出现结构和功能的衰退，”胡说。

简而言之，细胞功能状况是维持我们整体健康的重要组成部分。由于细胞参与体内各种生理过程，因此细胞功能随时间发生的变化也是衰老过程的一部分。

饮食、运动和睡眠如何促进长期健康

胡表示，虽然遗传因素在衰老过程中起作用，但生活方式和环境因素也会随着时间的推移影响我们的健康。

因此，保持活跃、健康饮食、充足睡眠、管理压力和不吸烟对长期健康至关重要。

规律的体育锻炼是第一步。新加坡健康促进局建议成年人每周进行 150 至 300 分钟的中等强度有氧运动，并至少每周进行两次增强肌肉、骨骼和关节的活动。

胡医生表示，规律运动有助于身体调节血糖，维持心脏和代谢健康。此外，增加日常活动量，减少久坐时间也大有裨益。

睡眠也很重要。它能让身体有时间进行正常的修复和调节，而睡眠不足则与代谢健康状况下降和炎症有关。

胡医生建议，饮食方面应采取多样化、均衡的方式，多吃全谷物、水果和蔬菜，同时限制超加工食品的摄入。这些食物能够提供人体日常正常运转所需的各种营养素。

纽崔莱AmCELL配方蕴含​​五种植物精华，包括石斛兰、醋栗和石榴。图片：安利新加坡

纽崔莱AmCELL配方中含有五种植物成分，包括石斛兰、醋栗和石榴。

补充剂和护肤品的作用

对于可能无法通过饮食获得足够某些营养素的人来说，补充剂可以用来补充（而不是取代）均衡的饮食。

安利纽崔莱AmCELL是一款营养产品，配方中包含石斛兰、宝塔花、醋栗、石榴和野樱莓。

据安利公司称，其科学家在产品研发过程中筛选了 600 多种植物和 50,000 种植物化合物，最终确定了这五种植物成分。

该配方含有天然植物化合物，称为多酚，包括鞣花酸、芦丁、槲皮素、花青素-3-O-半乳糖苷和没食子酸。

胡解释说，这些多酚具有抗氧化特性。安利科学家的研究探索了它们如何支持人体对抗氧化应激的天然防御机制——氧化应激是指潜在有害分子与人体清除这些分子的能力之间的不平衡。

健康的生活方式习惯对皮肤也至关重要。安利研发中心开放式创新研究员杰西·莱弗雷特指出，营养、水分、充足的睡眠和规律的运动都能对皮肤健康起到作用。防晒霜也能帮助保护皮肤免受紫外线照射的伤害。

除了这些生活方式方面的措施外，对于那些关注衰老迹象的人来说，护肤也是需要考虑的另一个因素。

安利公司在新加坡推出雅姿长效焕颜系列。该系列产品基于20年的细胞皮肤科学研究，包含两款保湿霜——一款适用于中性至干性肌肤，另一款适用于中性至混合性肌肤——以及一款眼霜和一款爽肤水精华。

雅姿长效焕颜系列护肤品包括保湿霜、眼霜和爽肤水精华。图片：安利新加坡

雅姿长效护肤系列包括保湿霜、眼霜和爽肤精华。

该系列产品使用的 30 多种成分和植物成分包括水飞蓟、白奇亚籽油、菠菜和针叶樱桃，以及安利所称的植物干细胞混合物。

“我们的配方结合了我们护肤研究中开发的成分和植物提取物，包括我们所说的植物干细胞。它们旨在解决可见的衰老迹象，例如皮肤外观的变化，”安利雅姿产品研究科学家贝瑟妮·蒂梅什说道。

以整体视角看待长期健康

胡教授指出，细胞健康最终涉及许多相互关联的过程。因此，他建议将健康视为一个整体，而不是依赖任何单一的解决方案。

基本要素仍然是均衡饮食、规律运动、充足睡眠和适当的压力管理。他强调，补充剂起辅助作用。

胡说：“没有任何神奇的补品可以取代健康生活习惯带来的益处。”

胡建议，与其仅仅关注实际年龄或与他人比较，不如关注自身健康状况随时间的变化，以及有助于保持健康的习惯。

“就健康和健康老龄化而言，更重要的是比较今天的你和明天的你，”他说道。了解更多关于纽崔莱AmCELL和雅姿长寿系列的信息，以及安利在营养、护肤和健康老龄化方面的理念。

健康与福祉