How Singapore Scientists Are Redefining Ageing

Markets slipped again as U.S.-China tensions cooled nothing

The quick scan: U.S. stocks turned lower on Tuesday, with declines in tech and growth stocks dragging broader indexes down. The Dow eked out a small gain, but it was clear investors are already pricing in renewed trade jitters.

S&P 500: –0.16% to 6,644.31 – slight dip as large-cap tech names weighed on sentiment
Dow Jones: +0.44% to 46,270.46 – defensive names and industrials provided a modest lift
NASDAQ: –0.76% to 22,521.70 – technology led the losses, with heavyweights pulling back

What’s driving it: Markets are reacting to renewed threats in the U.S.-China trade standoff. After a short reprieve, investors are digesting fresh tension over China’s recent bans linked to five subsidiaries of South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean. That, combined with lingering uncertainty from last week’s tariff rhetoric, has triggered a shift back toward caution. The lack of reliable economic reports – delayed by U.S. government shutdowns – is leaving sentiment fragile.

Bottom line: The recent rebound may have been premature. As trade rhetoric returns to the front, volatility is likely to persist. For L-Plate Retirees, it’s a moment to lean on your core holdings, avoid chasing momentum, and keep cash or safe assets ready for when markets offer clearer opportunities.

Can We Slow Ageing – Not Just Live Longer?

The scoop: Eternal youth might still be a fantasy, but healthier ageing is quickly becoming a scientific pursuit.

At the Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme (HLTRP), led by Distinguished Professor Brian Kennedy at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, a team of 45 researchers is working to delay ageing itself – not just treat its symptoms.

Their mission is simple but ambitious: help Singaporeans live longer, healthier, and more independent lives. Instead of chasing the myth of immortality, the programme aims to extend the years we spend free from chronic illness - what scientists call healthspan.

Prof Kennedy explains that his team is tackling ageing from two fronts:

1. Lifestyle factors – exercise, nutrition, sleep, and mental health.

2. Biochemical pathways – the small molecules and supplements that influence how our cells age.

Launched in 2022, the programme develops biomarkers that measure how fast someone is biologically ageing – which can differ significantly from their chronological age. In fact, early results suggest Singaporean Chinese have a biological age three to four years younger than their actual years.

That’s the good news. The sobering reality is that while Singaporeans enjoy one of the world’s longest life expectancies – 83.5 years – they spend, on average, 10 of those years in poor health.

Prof Kennedy puts it plainly: “Ageing impacts every aspect of how you function. It’s the biggest risk factor for everything that goes wrong. If we understand it better, we can help people stay healthier for longer.“

The science behind healthy ageing

The HLTRP team is exploring how to delay biological ageing by repurposing existing drugs and testing safe supplements that could maintain health before disease sets in.

One promising compound is alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) – a natural molecule produced by the body that’s involved in hundreds of cell reactions. AKG levels drop as we age, making it harder for cells to adapt to stress. Kennedy’s research suggests that restoring AKG could act like a cellular lubricant – helping enzymes function smoothly and potentially slowing down ageing itself.

Unlike new drugs that take years to develop, many of the supplements being tested are commercially available today. But Kennedy cautions that the market is full of claims not backed by evidence. “We’re trying to provide that credibility,” he said. “These are not drugs that need 10 years of development – they’re things consumers can already purchase, but we want to test them properly.”

The team is also conducting a “deep phenotyping” study of 400 Singaporeans across ethnicities – analysing muscle, fat, bone density, grip strength, and cognition. The goal is to understand how Singaporeans age specifically, since Asian populations tend to lose muscle strength and bone density faster than Western ones.

That insight could help tailor prevention strategies for frailty and falls, rather than simply adopting Western models built around obesity and diabetes.

No magic bullet – but many small wins

Kennedy is quick to temper expectations: there is no single anti-ageing pill. Instead, slowing ageing is about accumulating small, sustainable advantages. “Maybe it only gives you two to five years of extra health, but that’s still a big effect,” he says.

By combining lifestyle improvements – regular movement, balanced diet, better sleep – with targeted molecular interventions, Kennedy’s team hopes to add healthy years, not just more years.

And the bigger picture isn’t just medical. Keeping Singapore’s population healthy and active as it ages strengthens both national productivity and quality of life.

Actionable Takeaways for L-Plate Retirees:

• Measure, don’t guess: Your biological age might differ from your chronological one. Regular health screenings are your best “biomarker.”

• Think prevention, not cure: Address ageing while you’re still healthy – through nutrition, movement, and adequate rest.

• Be sceptical but curious: Supplements like AKG show promise, but look for credible, peer-reviewed research before buying into claims.

• Focus on strength: Asians tend to lose muscle faster – include resistance training and protein-rich foods in your routine.

• Small steps count: Even modest improvements in lifestyle can translate into extra years of vitality.

Your Turn:
How many “healthy years” do you think your current habits are adding – or subtracting - from your life?
Would you consider taking scientifically tested supplements like AKG once evidence becomes clearer?
Which part of your lifestyle – sleep, nutrition, or exercise – most needs a tune-up this year?

👉 Hit reply and share your thoughts – your answers could inspire fellow readers in future issues.

☕ If today’s read gave you a new reason to lift a dumbbell or skip a fad pill, you can shout me a coffee on Ko-fi.