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COUCH POTATO NO MORE: HOW THE BENEFITS OF EXERCISE TRANSFER TO THE BRAIN

Brain aging is reversible. How? Why? And how much can we rejuvenate an already aged brain? Those were the one conviction and three questions that guided me throughout my post-doctoral work at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Yes, this isn’t like my usual articles. For the first time, I’m covering my own work—a multi-year passion project that spans diverse ways to reverse brain aging, probes the intersection between body and mind, and hopefully one day can help battle the seemingly inevitable memory and cognitive decline we all face as we age. The results were published in Science last week, in partnership with Alana Horowitz, PhD candidate, and under the guidance of Dr. Saul Villeda in the Department of Anatomy and the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research. In summary: exercise, such as running, benefits an aging brain in such a way that...

CAN WE STOP THE HEART FROM AGING? THIS LANDMARK GENETIC STUDY IS A START

Hearts aren’t meant to be broken. Yet with age, it happens. Even with a healthy diet and exercise, as our age slowly ticks up, so does the risk for clogged arteries, brittle blood vessels, and ultimately heart failure. Why? Scientists have long sought to untangle the mystery of how aging links to increased risk of heart disease, a predominant killer of our time. It’s a tough problem: many biological aspects, spanning nature to nurture, can subtly influence heart health. To untangle the mystery, some experiments have lasted over half a century and scaled to hundreds of thousands of people. The good news? We’ve got clues. With age, heart cells drastically change their function, eventually struggling to contract and release. A new study published in Nature Aging looked deep into genetic code to unravel why this happens. Starting with a dozen volunteers spanning 0 to 82 years old, the team sequenced...

SCIENTISTS USED CELLULAR REJUVENATION THERAPY TO REWIND AGING IN MICE

At roughly 70 years human age, the mice looked elderly and unremarkable. Yet hidden underneath was a youthful cellular clock, turned back in time based on a Nobel-Prize-winning strategy. It’s also the latest bet for finding the fountain of youth, backed by heavy-hitter anti-aging startups in Silicon Valley. At the center is partial cellular reprogramming. The technique, a sort of gene therapy, forces cells to make four proteins, collectively dubbed the Yamanaka factors. Like erasers, the factors wipe a cell’s genetic history clean, reverting adult cells—for example, skin cells—to a stem cell-like identity, giving them back the superpower to turn into almost any type of cell. The process isn’t all-or-nothing. In a twist, scientists recently found that they can use the factors to rewind a cell’s genetic history tape rather than destroying it altogether. And if they stop at the right point, the cell dramatically loses its age, becoming more...

DELAYING AGING WOULD BRING TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ECONOMIC GAINS, STUDY FINDS

People are living longer than ever, but there’s growing recognition that longer life expectancy is of little use unless we also delay the physical decline associated with old age. New research suggests doing so could be worth trillions of dollars in economic gains. Over the last century, life expectancy has shot up across the world thanks to improvements in medicine, diet, and education. However, too often we are unable to make productive use of the extra years we have been blessed with due to the fact that old age is associated with a host of non-communicable diseases, general physical frailty, and disability. This is driving a growing shift in focus from increasing lifespans to increasing “healthspans,” the number of years a person lives in good health. Key to this approach is a shift in focus from treating the individual diseases of old age to targeting the process of aging itself....

SCIENTISTS TRACKED 77 SPECIES FOR DECADES TO REVEAL SECRETS OF LONG LIFE

Ever wondered about the secret to a long life? Perhaps understanding the lifespans of other animals with backbones (vertebrates) might help us unlock this mystery. You’ve probably heard turtles live a long (and slow) life. At 190 years, Jonathan the Seychelles giant tortoise might be the oldest land animal alive. But why do some animals live longer than others? Research published last month in the journal Science investigates the various factors that may affect longevity and aging in reptiles and amphibians. We used long-term data from 77 different species of reptiles and amphibians, all cold-blooded animals. Our work is a collaboration between more than 100 scientists with up to 60 years of data on animals that were caught, marked, released, and re-caught. These data were then compared to existing information on warm-blooded animals, and several different ideas about ageing emerged. What Factors Might Be Important? Cold-blooded or warm-blooded One popular...

THE DOG AGING PROJECT WILL STUDY LONGEVITY IN 60,000 PUPS

Our furry friends are about to fetch new answers to the tough problem of longevity. The Dog Aging Project (DAP), launched in 2018, is recruiting tens of thousands of loyal canine companions for a comprehensive study. The open-sourced collaborative project, expected to last ten years, has ambitious goals: tackle the thorny problem of what contributes to aging, and test ways to prolong healthy longevity. Aside from its massive scale—it’s the largest data-gathering program of its kind—the project stands out in that it eschews the usual method of using lab animals, grown in carefully-controlled environments and often inbred. Instead, DAP is recruiting dogs from across the country, with a smorgasbord of breeds, ages, and environments. Owners will then track their diets, exercise, and other lifestyle factors as the pups enjoy normal lives (and snuggles) at home. As they age, the dogs will periodically have their blood drawn for full metabolic and...

FIRST CONTROLLED HUMAN TRIAL SHOWS CUTTING CALORIES IMPROVES HEALTH, LONGEVITY

To some aging researchers, the secret to longevity is simple: eat less. Decades of research have shown that moderately restricting calories, without any other intervention, increases healthy lifespan in flies, worms, and mice. Yet bring up caloric restriction, or “CR,” in humans at any longevity forum, and you’ll trigger a furious debate between die-hard proponents and passionate dissenters. The reason why is also simple: we only have theories, but lack sufficient data in humans. It’s extremely tough to run a trial mandating people to consistently cut their calories in a controlled way. After all, few people want to consistently follow a strict diet. And if the trick works, it’s even harder to figure out why. But if we can get a glimpse into the biological underpinnings of caloric restriction, we might be able to artificially activate molecular “programs” that increase lifespan, while shutting down those that are detrimental to a...

50-YEAR-OLD MUSCLES JUST CAN’T GROW BIG LIKE THEY USED TO – THE BIOLOGY OF HOW MUSCLES CHANGE WITH AGE

Roger Fielding, Tufts University There is perhaps no better way to see the absolute pinnacle of human athletic abilities than by watching the Olympics. But at the Winter Games this year – and at almost all professional sporting events – you rarely see a competitor over 40 years old and almost never see a single athlete over 50. This is because with every additional year spent on Earth, bodies age and muscles don’t respond to exercise the same as they used to. I lead a team of scientists who study the health benefits of exercise, strength training and diet in older people. We investigate how older people respond to exercise and try to understand the underlying biological mechanisms that cause muscles to increase in size and strength after resistance or strength training. Old and young people build muscle in the same way. But as you age, many of the biological...

PEOPLE IN THEIR EIGHTIES HAVE SEX – GET OVER IT

David Lee, University of Manchester When we consider society’s prevailing view of late-life sexuality, the convention has been that older people are not particularly sexually active or interested in intimate sexual relationships. These preconceptions can be extreme, ranging from humour to disgust, or simply a refusal to believe that people in their seventies and eighties have sexual interests or needs at all. Thankfully, such assumptions appear largely inaccurate. There are the individual stories of those open to sharing their experiences, as Patricia, 81, did with author Iris Krasnow: Steven asked me to go to Paris with him. I said, ‘Okay, I guess it’s time to try you out.’ My husband was the only man I’ve ever been with, so being intimate with another man was very scary, but he was very kind and respectful. It’s not teenage sex, but it’s very satisfying. We love to experiment. We love to dance....

THE VICTORIANS BELIEVED THAT WOMEN AGED FASTER THAN MEN – A MYTH THAT PERSISTS TODAY

Sara Zadrozny, University of Portsmouth The global anti-ageing market is worth at least $250 billion – an astonishing amount, and it’s growing. Anti-ageing treatments are supposedly used to correct “premature ageing”. But what does this really mean? Surely, ageing is just ageing. It is a process that occurs over time – at the time that it’s supposed to. The target consumer, and so audience for this narrative of accelerated ageing, is overwhelmingly women – unsurprisingly. Men and women age roughly at similar speeds, but the language and pictures around anti-ageing treatments suggest that women have far and away the most to worry about. Any online search will reveal a standard picture of a young woman scrutinising her reflection and hastily applying cream to her face. The message is clear: it’s a race against time. Many companies advise women to start using these treatments in their 20s. Men worry about ageing...

‘TIME IS THEIR SECRET WEAPON’: THE HIDDEN GREY ARMY QUIETLY ADVANCING SPECIES DISCOVERY IN AUSTRALIA

Rachael Fowler, The University of Melbourne Each year, many new species of Australian plants, animals and fungi are discovered and described. It’s detailed, time-consuming work, and much of it could not be done without the contribution of older Australians. I’m an evolutionary botanist and I use DNA sequencing to better understand relationships between plant species – a field known as phylogenetics. My job involves collecting plant specimens in the furthest corners of Australia. Time and again I’m helped by older, generally retired Australians with a passion for the plants I’m working on. In their own time and with their own resources, they take it upon themselves to explore and document a particular geographic area or group of plants. Many have a professional scientific background, although not necessarily in the field they now contribute to. For these dedicated men and women, passion is their driver and time their secret weapon. Ron...

AGING WITH PETS ISN’T JUST A SENTIMENTAL CONCERN, BUT A MATTER OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS

L.F. Carver, Queen's University, Ontario Is home somewhere that you feel comfortable? Is it filled with memories of beloved friends and family — some of whom may be furry animals? Researchers analyzed data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, a national study of adult development and aging which recruited more than 50,000 Canadians between the ages of 45 and 85. They found that over one-third of older Canadians are choosing to age with pets and that, for some people, living with pets can increase life satisfaction. My research focuses on social justice and aging, with a special interest in the human-animal bond. I recently collaborated on a report for the federal government on seniors, aging in place and community. When I researched community supports in Canada for this report, I discovered there is no government funding to help older adults care for pets. This is unfortunate because the relationship...

VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN DIET: FIVE THINGS FOR OVER-65S TO CONSIDER WHEN SWITCHING TO A PLANT-BASED DIET

Taibat (Tai) Ibitoye, University of Reading Plant-based diets continue to grow in popularity, worldwide. There are plenty of reasons people switch to a plant-based diet, including ethical and environmental reasons. However, a growing number of people are shunning meat for health reasons. Evidence shows that plant-based diets may help support the immune system, lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, and may be good for overall health. While a well-planned plant-based diet can support healthy living in people of all ages, our nutritional needs change with different life stages, so people over the age of 65 may need to take more care when opting for a plant-based diet. They may have specific nutritional needs and may need certain nutrients, vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. Here are some things over-65s may want to consider when switching to a plant-based diet: 1. Eat enough protein Older adults need more protein...

WATER EXERCISES AS EFFECTIVE AS GYM WORKOUTS FOR PREVENTING CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE – NEW RESEARCH

Markos Klonizakis, Sheffield Hallam University Swimming, aqua-aerobics, and other water-based exercises are popular for people aged 55 and older to keep fit without putting strain on the joints. Studies show that water-based exercises have many benefits, including improving gait, balance and mobility. It’s also thought to offer benefits as part of rehabilitation programmes for peripheral arterial disease, in which arteries in the legs, stomach, arms and head narrow. But while water-based exercises are shown to have benefits for other aspects of health, until now there’s been limited evidence on whether it’s as beneficial on reducing cardiovascular disease risk for older adults and improving their heart health. Our latest study explored the long-term effects of regular, water-based aerobic exercise on cardiovascular health. We proved for the first time that they’re as effective as other types of aerobic exercise for lowering cardiovascular disease risk for older people. Our study enrolled 80 people...

HOW TO EMPOWER OLDER ADULTS TO BECOME DIGITAL CITIZENS IN OUR TECH-DEPENDENT WORLD

Atiya Mahmood, Simon Fraser University; Priscilla Ruth Chyrva, Simon Fraser University, and Rachelle Patille, Simon Fraser University Living in a technology dependent world means we all want to stay connected, regardless of age. And the COVID-19 pandemic was a major catalyst for increasing our technological dependence. It became normal to do weekly online grocery shops, attend doctors’ appointments or work via Zoom and FaceTime family and friends. The reality is however, that not everyone is fortunate enough to have access to the technological devices or skills to operate in our online world — some of the most impacted by this are older adults. This magnified the pandemic for them, especially in terms of isolation. Older adults were left without the main resource that has been keeping many of us connected — technology. But that’s not all the pandemic has laid bare for older adults. A large number of them are...

IS FAKE MEAT HEALTHY? AND WHAT’S ACTUALLY IN IT?

Katherine Livingstone, Deakin University and Laura Marchese, Deakin University The popularity of plant-based proteins, or “fake meat”, has increased in recent years as consumers look to eat fewer animal products. In fact, plant-based protein is projected to be a A$3 billion opportunity for Australia by 2030. Many consumers believe these fake meats are better for their health, as well as better for the environment, but is that right? What is fake meat? It may sound obvious, but the first thing to say is that fake meat is not meat. Referring to these products as meat has been widely criticised by the meat industry, resulting in a recent Senate Committee report recommending mandatory regulation for the labelling of plant-based products. Fake meats fall into two categories: plant-based proteins and cell-based proteins. The plant-based burgers and sausages found on supermarket shelves are made by extracting the protein from plant foods, often pea,...

DIET CAN INFLUENCE MOOD, BEHAVIOR AND MORE – A NEUROSCIENTIST EXPLAINS

Monica Dus, University of Michigan During the long seafaring voyages of the 15th and 16th centuries, a period known as the Age of Discovery, sailors reported experiencing visions of sublime foods and verdant fields. The discovery that these were nothing more than hallucinations after months at sea was agonizing. Some sailors wept in longing; others threw themselves overboard. The cure for these harrowing mirages turned out to be not a concoction of complex chemicals, as once suspected, but rather the simple antidote of lemon juice. These sailors suffered from scurvy, a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, an essential micronutrient that people acquire from eating fruits and vegetables. You can listen to more articles from The Conversation, narrated by Noa, here. Vitamin C is important for the production and release of neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers of the brain. In its absence, brain cells do not communicate effectively with...

CAN SUPPLEMENTS OR DIET REDUCE SYMPTOMS OF ARTHRITIS? HERE’S WHAT THE EVIDENCE SAYS

Clare Collins, University of Newcastle Arthritis is a disease that affects body joints. There are more than 100 types of arthritis, with more than 350 million people affected around the globe, including about four million Australians. Arthritis causes pain and disability and commonly reduces quality of life. In Australia in 2015, about 54,000 people aged 45–64 couldn’t work due to severe arthritis. Their median income was only a quarter of the income of full-time workers who did not have arthritis. So it is not surprising some people want to try different diets, supplements or therapies to see if they alleviate symptoms or help them gain a sense of control over their condition. However, a major review found specific supplements or food components were unlikely to lead to significant improvements in arthritis outcomes such as stiffness, pain and function. The main nutrition recommendation was to adopt healthy eating patterns. Remind me,...

WHAT’S THIS ‘LONGEVITY’ DIET, AND WILL IT REALLY MAKE YOU LIVE LONGER?

Evangeline Mantzioris, University of South Australia You may have heard about the longevity diet, and its promise of an extended life span – but what exactly is it and is it any different to other diets promoting good health? The longevity diet is a set of eating recommendations compiled by a biochemist called Valter Longo, director of the University of Southern California’s Longevity Institute. He is known for his research on the role of fasting, the effects of nutrients on your genes and how these may impact ageing and the risk of diseases. While the longevity diet has been targeted to older adults, it is also recommended for younger people. Longo has said he plans to live to 120 by following this diet. So, what does the diet look like? Foods in this diet are vegetables, including leafy greens, fruit, nuts, beans, olive oil, and seafood that’s low in mercury....

WHY IT’S STILL A SCIENTIFIC MYSTERY HOW SOME CAN LIVE PAST 100 – AND HOW TO CRACK IT

Richard Faragher, University of Brighton and Nir Barzilai, Albert Einstein College of Medicine A 35-year-old man only has a 1.5% chance of dying in the next ten years. But the same man at 75 has a 45% chance of dying before he reaches 85. Clearly, ageing is bad for our health. On the bright side, we have made unprecedented progress in understanding the fundamental mechanisms that control ageing and late-life disease. A few tightly linked biological processes, sometimes called the “hallmarks of ageing”, including our supply of stem cells and communication between cells, act to keep us healthy in the early part of our lives – with problems arising as these start to fail. Clinical trials are ongoing to see if targeting some of these hallmarks can improve diabetic kidney disease, aspects of immune function and age-related scarring of the lungs among others. So far, so good. Unfortunately, big, unanswered...

STANDING ON ONE LEG IS A SIGN OF GOOD HEALTH – AND PRACTISING IS GOOD FOR YOU TOO

Dawn Skelton, Glasgow Caledonian University Research shows that people’s ability to stand on one leg is an indicator of health and that getting better at standing on one leg can add to fitness and potentially lifespan. Being able to stand on one leg is linked to increased levels of physical activity and decreased risk of falls and is associated with both quality and length of life. Around 37.3 million falls per year worldwide are severe enough to require medical attention. The inability to balance on one leg for 20 seconds or longer is linked in otherwise healthy people to an increased risk of small blood vessel damage in the brain and reduced ability to understand ideas. You are less likely to be able to stand on one leg without a wobble if you have a multitude of medical conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke or Alzheimer’s disease). Pregnancy, menopause, the...

I’M APPROACHING A ‘MILESTONE’ BIRTHDAY. WHAT HEALTH CHECKS SHOULD I HAVE AT MY AGE?

Natasha Yates, Bond University Haven’t had a health check in a while, or ever? You’re not alone. Most people wait until they’re sick to see a GP, so there’s not usually much time in a consultation to also talk about preventative health. So, should you book a check with your GP just to talk about what you can do to stay well? And if so what should you be discussing? It depends on your life stage. Doctors won’t check you for everything It may surprise you there is no evidence that a “general health check-up” will give you better health outcomes. Some preventive checks in low-risk and otherwise well patients have shown no benefit, including some blood tests and imaging investigations, such as whole body CTs or MRIs for cancer screening. As well as being a waste of your time and money, there is another concern with generic health screening:...

JEFF BEZOS IS LOOKING TO DEFY DEATH – THIS IS WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE SCIENCE OF AGEING

Daniel M Davis, University of Manchester Jeff Bezos is on a mission to conquer ageing. He has just recruited Hal Barron from GlaxoSmithKline to help lead Altos Labs, the ambitious new anti-ageing company with billions of investment. So what does science really say about this? Could we beat ageing? You can listen to more articles from The Conversation, narrated by Noa, here. Ageing isn’t just a change in how we feel or look, ageing happens at a cellular level. In a lab culture dish, adult skin cells divide roughly 50 times before stopping. But skin cells from a newborn baby can divide 80 or 90 times. And on the flip side, cells from someone elderly divide only around twenty times. Ageing is also evident in our genes. Our genetic material is modified over time – chemicals can be attached that change which genes are switched on or off. These are...

WOULD YOU PASS THIS FINANCIAL LITERACY QUIZ? MANY WON’T – AND IT’S AFFECTING EXPENSIVE AGED CARE DECISIONS

Henry Cutler, Macquarie University Paying for residential aged care accommodation in Australia is complex. Residents can pay a lump sum payment known as a refundable accommodation deposit (RAD), a rental style payment known as a daily accommodation payment (DAP), or a combination of both. Deciding between the two is an important, complex financial decision and influenced by a host of factors unique to each person. And the stakes are high; it’s common to sell the family home to pay for aged care accommodation. Making the wrong accommodation payment decision could lead to reduced income and wealth, paying more for care, and having less to leave in bequests when you pass away. Many residents get help from loved ones to navigate their way into residential aged care because they are experiencing age-related cognitive decline. So how do people make this decision and what role does financial literacy play? To find out,...

HOW MEMORY ‘CLUTTER’ MAKES IT HARDER TO REMEMBER THINGS AS WE GET OLDER

Alexander Easton, Durham University Memories are a crucial part of what makes us who we are. Yet we all know it can become more difficult to remember things as we get older. From forgetting why you came into a room, to not being able to recall details of a special family event, to forgetting familiar names. Forgetting things can even be a way of defining old age. Many people will cry something along the lines of “oh my goodness, I’m getting old” when they can’t remember something that had previously been easy to recall. This forgetfulness as we get older is easy to demonstrate but harder to explain. An obvious explanation might be that remembering things becomes difficult because something changes in the brain that makes it more difficult to store information. But a paper published recently in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences has presented an alternative explanation for...

HOW TO CHOOSE A LEGAL DECISION-MAKER AS YOU GET OLDER – 3 THINGS TO CONSIDER

Joseph Ibrahim, Monash University and Amelia Grossi, Monash University “It’s my life and I’ll do what I want,” sang Eric Burdon of The Animals to the baby boomer generation. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. As we get older, sometimes we are no longer capable of making our own decisions. Diseases that affect the brain such as dementia, stroke and head injury can impair cognition and thinking. Some people may choose to appoint a medical treatment decision-maker or an enduring power of attorney to make certain decisions on their behalf. Alternatively, a legal tribunal or court may appoint a guardian or trustee to help guide decisions about health care, finances, accommodation and lifestyle. Who is the right person to take on this important role? Is it the family member or partner who knows you best? Or someone with time and energy? Perhaps someone who understands the services you need –...

DO THESE THREE POPULAR ANTI-AGEING SKINCARE INGREDIENTS WORK? HERE’S WHAT THE EVIDENCE SAYS

Szu Shen Wong, Keele University and Neil Grazier, Keele University For people looking to press pause on ageing, it hasn’t always been as easy as it is today. Throughout history people have used all sorts of outlandish anti-ageing skincare techniques – such as bathing in donkey’s milk as Cleopatra supposedly did, or applying mercury directly to the skin, as the Elizabethans did. You can listen to more articles from The Conversation, narrated by Noa, here. While the modern era has certainly seen its fair share of bizarre anti-ageing skincare methods – such as placenta and vampire facials – the latest trend in anti-ageing skincare is using science. But with ingredients such as peptides, antioxidants and acids now commonplace in ingredients lists, it can be difficult for someone without a background in biology or chemistry to know if what they’re putting in their basket really is backed by science – or...

‘I WANT AN ORGASM BUT NOT JUST ANY ORGASM’: HOW TO PLEASE A WOMAN SHIFTS THE WAY WE DEPICT THE SEXUALITY OF OLDER WOMEN

Debra Dudek, Edith Cowan University; Elizabeth Reid Boyd, Edith Cowan University, and Madalena Grobbelaar, Edith Cowan University Australian writer and director Renée Webster’s new film How to Please a Woman turns much of what we think we know about sexual desire – especially for older women – on its head. How to Please a Woman features 50-something Gina (Sally Phillips), who hasn’t had sex with her husband (Cameron Daddo) in over a year because he is no longer interested in sexual relations – with her or anyone. Gina’s main source of intimacy comes from the regular beach swims she has with a group of three women (Tasma Walton, Caroline Brazier, and Hayley McElhinney) and their changing-room conversations that cover everything from peeing on jellyfish stings to the multipurpose use of coconut oil, including as a natural lubricant. When Gina’s friends rent a stripper (Alexander England) to dance for her on...

WE HELPED TRACK 77 SPECIES FOR UP TO 60 YEARS TO TRY TO REVEAL THE SECRETS OF LONG LIFE. AND SOME DON’T SEEM TO AGE AT ALL

Mike Gardner, Flinders University Ever wondered about the secret to a long life? Perhaps understanding the lifespans of other animals with backbones (or “vertebrates”) might help us unlock this mystery. You’ve probably heard turtles live a long (and slow) life. At 190 years, Jonathan the Seychelles giant tortoise might be the oldest land animal alive. But why do some animals live longer than others? Research published today by myself and colleagues in the journal Science investigates the various factors that may affect longevity (lifespan) and ageing in reptiles and amphibians. We used long-term data from 77 different species of reptiles and amphibians – all cold-blooded animals. Our work is a collaboration between more than 100 scientists with up to 60 years of data on animals that were caught, marked, released and re-caught. These data were then compared to existing information on warm-blooded animals, and several different ideas about ageing emerged....

DEATH LITERACY: WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT DYING

Lisa Graham-Wisener, Queen's University Belfast When it comes to talking about death, we have no shortage of euphemisms. This is perhaps most famously illustrated in Monty Python’s dead parrot sketch from 1971. A pet shop worker insists to a customer that his new parrot is “not dead but resting, stunned, pining for the fjords, kipping on his back, tired and shagged out after a long squawk”. The customer responds: “It is an ex-parrot, deceased, gone to the choir invisible, is pushing up the daisies, demised, passed on, is no more, has ceased to be. It’s expired and gone to see its maker, is a bereft of life, late parrot that rests in peace.” You can listen to more articles from The Conversation, narrated by Noa, here. Talking openly about death – and dying – can be difficult. People who have cared for someone who is dying have been shown to...

SUNSCREEN: HERE’S WHY IT’S AN ANTI-AGEING SKINCARE ESSENTIAL

Karl Lawrence, King's College London Every month there seems to be a trendy new product to add to your skincare collection. Lately, a commonplace product that many people already use has taken the top spot, with everyone from dermatologists to influencers swearing by it as the number one way to stay looking youthful through the years: sunscreen. It’s no wonder. It’s thought that solar exposure – also known as “photoageing” – causes up to 80% of skin ageing. So if you’re someone who’s worried about fine lines, wrinkles and uneven pigmentation, limiting the amount of solar radiation you get is one of the most important things you can do. There are thought to be a number of different triggers for photoageing. Most research has linked it to the expression of a group of proteins called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). These proteins are enzymes that break down elastins and collagens in the...

SUICIDE RATES REVEAL THE SILENT SUFFERING OF AUSTRALIA’S AGEING MEN

Rhys Mantell, UNSW Sydney and Adrienne Withall, UNSW Sydney Men aged 85 and older have the highest suicide rates in Australia, but the tragedy has gone relatively unnoticed. This group is growing older, feeling alone and flying under the radar. The tragedy of suicide is recognised as a major public health issue. Yet what may come as a surprise to many is data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing men over 85 have suicide rates more than three times the average rate. Public perception is that men – in particular, young men – have the highest suicide risk. While this is true for the net number of suicides, if we don’t consider age-standardised rates (which account for differences in age distribution across the population) we miss a crucial finding. Adjusting for age Men aged over 85 accounted for a relatively small proportion of all male suicides (3.1%) in...

THE U-SHAPED HAPPINESS CURVE IS WRONG: MANY PEOPLE DO NOT GET HAPPIER AS THEY GET OLDER

David Bartram, University of Leicester On average, happiness declines as we approach middle age, bottoming out in our 40s but then picking back up as we head into retirement, according to a number of studies. This so-called U-shaped curve of happiness is reassuring but, unfortunately, probably not true. My analysis of data from the European Social Survey shows that, for many people, happiness actually decreases during old age as people face age-related difficulties, such as declining health and family bereavement. The U-shaped pattern was not evident for almost half of the 30 countries I investigated. So why the difference? My study corrects a misinterpretation of research methods in previous studies. The U-shaped idea comes from statistical analyses that adjust data to compare people of similar wealth and health in middle and old age. That adjustment is intended to isolate the effect of age from other factors that influence happiness. But...

STRUGGLING TO MAKE FRIENDS AS AN ADULT? WHY YOU SHOULD TRY LOOKING TO OLDER GENERATIONS

Catherine Elliott O'Dare, Trinity College Dublin While loneliness can strike at many points throughout our lives, there are times when it is especially acute. Big transitions like leaving university, changing jobs or moving cities can make us feel isolated and socially excluded from the people around us. You can listen to more articles from The Conversation, narrated by Noa, here. It can be difficult to meet people without the built-in social network of student housing or a graduate scheme. According to researchers, people between the ages of 16-24, and young people who rent are particularly at risk of experiencing loneliness, isolation and depression. When making friends, we usually look for people of similar ages, assuming they will share our worldview and life experiences. But this is not always a reliable indicator for forming friendships. Connections are made with like-minded people, regardless of age. Intergenerational friendships, formed between two or more...

CURIOUS KIDS: WHY DO PEOPLE GET OLD?

Laurie Buys, Australian Catholic University Why do people get old? – Emily, 8 years old, Victoria That’s a great question, Emily! Who do you think is old? Is it anyone older than you, like an annoying older brother or sister? Is it your mum? Your grandpa? Anyone with wrinkly skin? Or is it someone who might have had lots of birthdays and still has lots of fun? Maybe you know an older person who likes using TikTok. Maybe they like dancing or riding a bike? Or maybe they laugh at the same jokes you do. You see, being old means different things to different people. If someone has had a lot of birthdays, they may not actually feel old. The government might call them old and expect them to stop working. Even then, they don’t feel old. In fact, some people who have had a lot of birthdays, learn new...

IS THERE A LINK BETWEEN DIET, OBESITY AND ALZHEIMER’S?

Catherine Itsiopoulos, La Trobe University Alzheimer’s disease is more common among older people but it’s not a normal part of ageing. And as the global population ages, the rate of Alzheimer’s is expected to rise – from 36 million to 115 million sufferers by 2050. The definitive cause of Alzheimer’s disease is still unknown. What we do know is that the brain of an Alzheimer’s sufferer develops abnormal protein build-up that interferes with neurological signals. This causes brain cell death, resulting in progressive and irreversible damage. Recent research and media reports point to diabetes and obesity as contributing factors to the rising prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease. How strong is this link? Type 2 diabetes Research shows that the risk of Alzheimer’s increases by 1.6-fold higher in people with type 2 diabetes. In fact, Alzheimer’s shares the same risk factors as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, such as obesity and...

HEALTH CHECK: SEVEN NUTRIENTS IMPORTANT FOR MENTAL HEALTH – AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

Jerome Sarris, The University of Melbourne Dietary nutrients are critical for brain structure and function, so they have a potentially profound impact on mental health. An increasingly robust body of research points to the detrimental effect of unhealthy diets and nutrient deficiencies, and to the protective value of healthy diets – along with select nutritional supplements as required – for maintaining and promoting mental health. Research literature suggests dietary improvement and nutritional interventions may help reduce the risk, or even arrest the progression, of certain psychiatric disorders. Clinical studies support the use of certain nutrients, which influence a range of neurochemical activities beneficial for treating mental disorders, as medicinal supplements. Evidence from clinical research supports the use of several nutritional medicines for certain psychiatric disorders: omega-3 fatty acids; N-acetyl cysteine (NAC); S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe); zinc; magnesium; vitamin D; and B vitamins (including folic acid). Other natural compounds such as amino...

WHY NUTRITIONAL PSYCHIATRY IS THE FUTURE OF MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT

Joyce Cavaye, The Open University A lack of essential nutrients is known to contribute to the onset of poor mental health in people suffering from anxiety and depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and ADHD. Nutritional psychiatry is a growing discipline that focuses on the use of food and supplements to provide these essential nutrients as part of an integrated or alternative treatment for mental health disorders. But nutritional approaches for these debilitating conditions are not widely accepted by mainstream medicine. Treatment options tend to be limited to official National Institute for Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines which recommend talking therapies and antidepressants. Use of antidepressants Antidepressant use has more than doubled in recent years. In England 64.7m prescriptions were issued for antidepressants in 2016 at a cost of £266.6m. This is an increase of 3.7m on the number of items prescribed in 2015 and more than double than the 31m issued in...

FOODS SUCH AS KIMCHI ARE GREAT TO INCLUDE IN A PSYCHOBIOTIC DIET. NUNGNING20/ SHUTTERSTOCK FERMENTED FOODS AND FIBRE MAY LOWER STRESS LEVELS – NEW STUDY

John Cryan, University College Cork When it comes to dealing with stress, we’re often told the best things we can do are exercise, make time for our favourite activities or try meditation or mindfulness. But the kinds of foods we eat may also be an effective way of dealing with stress, according to research published by me and other members of APC Microbiome Ireland. Our latest study has shown that eating more fermented foods and fibre daily for just four weeks had a significant effect on lowering perceived stress levels. Over the last decade, a growing body of research has shown that diet can have a huge impact on our mental health. In fact, a healthy diet may even reduce the risk of many common mental illnesses. The mechanisms underpinning the effect of diet on mental health are still not fully understood. But one explanation for this link could be...

DO OPTIMISTS REALLY LIVE LONGER? HERE’S WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS

Fuschia Sirois, Durham UniversityDo you tend to see the glass as half full, rather than half empty? Are you always looking on the bright side of life? If so, you may be surprised to learn that this tendency could actually be good for your health. A number of studies have shown that optimists enjoy higher levels of wellbeing, better sleep, lower stress and even better cardiovascular health and immune function. And now, a recent study has shown that being an optimist is linked to longer life. To conduct their study, researchers tracked the lifespan of nearly 160,000 women aged between 50 to 79 for a period of 26 years. At the beginning of the study, the women completed a self-report measure of optimism. Women with the highest scores on the measure were categorised as optimists. Those with the lowest scores were considered pessimists. Then, in 2019, the researchers followed up...

CHANGING YOUR DIET COULD ADD TEN YEARS TO YOUR LIFE – NEW RESEARCH

Laura Brown, Teesside UniversityEveryone wants to live longer. And we’re often told that the key to doing this is making healthier lifestyle choices, such as exercising, avoiding smoking and not drinking too much alcohol. Studies have also shown that diet can increase lifespan. A new study has found that eating healthier could extend lifespan by six to seven years in middle-aged age adults, and in young adults, could increase lifespan by about ten years. The researchers brought together data from many studies that looked at diet and longevity, alongside data from the Global Burden of Disease study, which provides a summary of population health from many countries. Combining this data, the authors were then able to estimate how life expectancy varied with continuous changes in intake of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, refined grains, nuts, legumes, fish, eggs, dairy, red meat, processed meat and sugary drinks. The authors were then able...

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‘FOOD SEQUENCING’ REALLY CAN HELP YOUR GLUCOSE LEVELS. HERE’S WHAT SCIENCE SAYS ABOUT EATING SALAD BEFORE CARBS

Leonie Heilbronn, University of AdelaideBiochemist and author of the Glucose Revolution Jessie Inchauspé says tweaking your diet can change your life. Among her recommendations in the mainstream media and on Instagram, the founder of the “Glucose Goddess movement” says eating your food in a particular order is the key. By eating salads first, before proteins, and finishing the meal with starchy carbohydrates, she says blood glucose spikes will be flattened, which is better for you. Scientifically speaking, does this make sense? It turns out, yes, partially. What is a glucose spike? A glucose spike occurs in your bloodstream about 30-60 minutes after you eat carbohydrate. Many things determine how high and how long the peak lasts. These include what you ate with or before the carbohydrate, how much fibre is in the carbohydrate, and your body’s ability to secrete, and use, the hormone insulin. For people with certain medical conditions,...

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HOW MEMORY ‘CLUTTER’ MAKES IT HARDER TO REMEMBER THINGS AS WE GET OLDER

Alexander Easton, Durham UniversityMemories are a crucial part of what makes us who we are. Yet we all know it can become more difficult to remember things as we get older. From forgetting why you came into a room, to not being able to recall details of a special family event, to forgetting familiar names. Forgetting things can even be a way of defining old age. Many people will cry something along the lines of “oh my goodness, I’m getting old” when they can’t remember something that had previously been easy to recall. This forgetfulness as we get older is easy to demonstrate but harder to explain. An obvious explanation might be that remembering things becomes difficult because something changes in the brain that makes it more difficult to store information. But a paper published recently in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences has presented an alternative explanation for this...

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HOW MINDFULNESS AND DANCE CAN STIMULATE A PART OF THE BRAIN THAT CAN IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH

Activating the somatosensory cortex may help us connect to our bodies, develop our sensitivity, sensuality and capacity to feel pleasure. (Shutterstock) Adrianna Mendrek, Bishop's University Like a thick velvety headband, the somatosensory cortex arcs across the top of brain from just above one ear to the other. I fell in love with the brain as an undergraduate student and pursued a career in neuroscience, but for years I had largely ignored this structure, since it appeared to be involved “only” in processing of bodily sensations. In my mind, that meant it was not as fascinating as areas implicated in emotion or higher cognitive function. However, over the past decade, during my training in mindfulness-based interventions and dance movement therapy, I’ve come to realize that a well-functioning and developed somatosensory cortex may help us experience the world and ourselves more deeply and completely. It may enrich our emotional experience and improve...

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WHERE YOU LIVE AFFECTS YOUR DEMENTIA RISK

Yen Ying Lim, Monash University and Emily Rosenich, Monash UniversitySocioeconomic status is a key indicator of health outcomes, including access to, and quality of health care. In 4,656 adults across metro, regional and rural Australia, new research from the Healthy Brain Project showed those living in more disadvantaged areas have poorer memory and a greater risk of developing dementia. Health inequalities in dementia risk Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia. Our rapidly ageing population means without a substantial medical breakthrough, the number of people living with dementia in Australia is expected to double from 487,600 in 2022 to 1.1 million by 2058. There has been a concerted effort to understand and identify risk factors for dementia. These include risk factors we can’t change (such as age or genetics), and others that are more modifiable (such as diet or physical activity). However, dementia and its risk factors...

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NOT FEELING MOTIVATED TO TACKLE THOSE SNEAKY COVID KILOS? TRY THESE 4 HEALTHY EATING TIPS INSTEAD

Clare Collins, University of Newcastle and Rebecca Williams, University of NewcastleIn Australia and around the world, research is showing changes in body weight, cooking, eating and drinking patterns associated with COVID lockdowns. Some changes have been positive, such as people cooking at home more, and eating more vegetables. But many people have also reported snacking more, and eating and drinking in response to stress. As the new year starts, you may be planning to tackle COVID-related weight gain. Before you do, consider that it may be better to focus on your eating patterns, rather than looking to the latest fad diet. Emotional eating and weight gain A survey of 13,829 Australian adults found one in five reported drinking more alcohol during COVID. In a survey of over 22,000 drinkers in the United Kingdom, one-quarter reported drinking more than usual over the previous week. In Italy, of 602 people surveyed about...

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APPETITE DRUG SHOWS PROMISE IN TREATING OBESITY

John Blundell, University of LeedsA recently published clinical trial of the anti-obesity drug, semaglutide, has produced a degree of weight loss which has led some to dub the medication a “game changer” in the treatment of obesity. The trial looked at 1,961 adults who were overweight or obese. Approximately 75% of participants were female. Participants were given a weekly injection of semaglutide, a drug normally used to control blood sugar in the treatment of diabetes. Participants were also advised on how to manage their weight through dieting and exercise. After 68 weeks of treatment, participants lost an average of 15.3kg (around 15% of their body weight) with semaglutide compared to just 2.6kg in those who received the placebo injection, alongside diet and exercise advice. This is the largest effect ever observed with an anti-obesity medication. The weekly dose was administered via subcutaneous injection – which is unusual, as most anti-obesity...

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THESE 4 DIETS ARE TRENDING. WE LOOKED AT THE SCIENCE (OR LACK OF IT) BEHIND EACH ONE

Clare Collins, University of Newcastle; Lee Ashton, University of Newcastle, and Rebecca Williams, University of NewcastleDiets claiming you’ll lose a huge amount of weight in next to no time pop up on social media relentlessly. When a new diet promises dramatic results with little effort, or sells miraculous pills, potions or supplements guaranteed to melt body fat or speed a up sluggish metabolism – with testimonials touting success – then be sceptical. We evaluated four current diet trends to see how their claims stack up against the science. Reverse dieting Reverse dieting, referred to as “the diet after the diet”, involves increasing your energy intake in a gradual, step-wise way after you stop following a reduced energy diet. The reverse diet is popular among bodybuilders and physique athletes trying to return to “normal” eating patterns without gaining extra weight. The theory is that providing a small energy intake surplus may...

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TEN SMALL CHANGES YOU CAN MAKE TODAY TO PREVENT WEIGHT GAIN

Claire Madigan, Loughborough University and Henrietta Graham, Loughborough UniversityBetween the ages of 20 and 55, most adults gain between 0.5 and 1kg a year, which could see some people become overweight or obese over time. This weight gain isn’t usually the result of overeating large amounts of food. Instead, it’s usually caused by eating a small amount – around 100-200 extra calories – more than is needed each day. The good news is that we may be able to prevent ourselves from gaining weight by making small changes to our diet or physical activity. Our recent review found that eating 100-200 calories less, or burning an extra 100-200 calories each day, may be enough to stop ourselves from gaining weight in the long run. This is known as a “small-changes approach”, which was first proposed in 2004 by James Hill, an American expert on obesity, to help people manage their...

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LOW-CARB, NO SUGAR, NO FAT: THE FAD DIETS POPULAR IN THE 20TH CENTURY

Myriam Wilks-Heeg, University of LiverpoolFad diets certainly aren’t a 21st-century obsession. In fact, they were also a popular way for people throughout the 20th century to slim down and improve their health. Though much has changed since then – including what we know about dieting and weight loss – many of the popular fad diets we follow today share similarities with those followed in the 20th century. The early 1900s Regulating body weight became a significant concern in the 1900s, thanks to emerging evidence about the links between obesity and mortality. Like many diets today, early 20th-century diets emphasised low-carb and no sugar. One of the most popular diets in the early 1900s was the Banting diet, invented by English undertaker William Banting in 1863, who had used the diet to help him lose weight when he was obese. The diet appeared in many health manuals and women’s magazines, recommending...

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UNWANTED WEIGHT GAIN OR WEIGHT LOSS DURING THE PANDEMIC? BLAME YOUR STRESS HORMONES

Lina Begdache, Binghamton University, State University of New York CC BY-ND If you have experienced unwanted weight gain or weight loss during the pandemic, you are not alone. According to a poll by the American Psychological Association, 61% of U.S. adults reported undesired weight change since the pandemic began. The results, released in March 2021, showed that during the pandemic, 42% of respondents gained unwanted weight – 29 pounds on average – and nearly 10% of those people gained more than 50 pounds. On the flip side, nearly 18% of Americans said they experienced unwanted weight loss – on average, a loss of 26 pounds. Another study, published on March 22, 2021, assessed weight change in 269 people from February to June 2020. The researchers found, on average, that people gained a steady 1.5 pounds per month. I am a nutritional neuroscientist, and my research investigates the relationship between diet,...

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GRAZING, GORGING OR SKIPPING: WHICH IS BETTER FOR WEIGHT LOSS?

Adam Collins, University of SurreyWhen it comes to diet and health, especially losing weight, most of the focus has been on what you eat and how much you’re eating. While eating fewer calories than you’re taking in is key to weight loss, another important factor is how you eat – such as how many times you eat a day. In recent years, much attention has been put on meal patterns. While some diets suggest that the key to losing weight is to only eat one meal a day, other popular diets suggest people should eat up to six small meals a day. Many of us have also been brought up to eat three meals per day – so which is best? Many diet plans also follow a three-square-meals eating pattern. Having such a rigid approach may leave people feeling hungry between meals. This can lead to people snacking between meals,...

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DIETING MAY SLOW METABOLISM – BUT IT DOESN’T RUIN IT

Adam Collins, University of Surrey and Aoife Egan, University of SurreyWhen it comes to dieting, research shows the majority of people will regain some – if not most – of the weight they’ve lost. While there are many reasons why this weight regain may happen, some popular claims online are that it’s because dieting permanently wrecks your metabolism. But while it’s true that dieting slows your metabolism, it also improves your metabolism in many positive ways. When we talk about metabolism, we’re typically referring to your metabolic rate. This is the number of calories your body burns at rest. Of course, the more activity we do, the more calories we burn. In order to lose weight through dieting, you need to consume fewer calories than you’re using. This forces the body to use its energy stores – like fat – to meet the shortfall. Your metabolic rate will also change...

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GEN Z TEENS DIETING AND WORRYING ABOUT WEIGHT MORE THAN PREVIOUS GENERATIONS

Francesca Solmi, UCL and Praveetha Patalay, UCLThe proportion of teenagers who are overweight or obese has risen over the past 30 years. In parallel, there has been an increase in societal focus on weight loss and dieting – namely in the form of “anti-obesity” public health campaigns, the expansion of the weight-loss and fitness industry, and weight-focused media content – from TV shows to social media trends. We know that these messages have not translated in a decrease in the prevalence of obesity, which has remained relatively stable over the past 15 years. However, what we don’t know is whether dieting behaviours and weight concerns have increased – and what impact this might have had on teenagers’ mental health. Our study found that teenagers born in 2000-2002 (often called “Generation Z”) are more concerned about their weight and losing weight than previous generations. We also found that Gen Z teenagers...

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WEIGHT LOSS: HERE’S WHY THOSE LAST FEW POUNDS CAN BE HARDEST TO LOSE – ACCORDING TO SCIENCE

Peter Rogers, University of BristolSo you’ve done everything you’re supposed to. You’re eating in a calorie deficit, are exercising a few times a week, and are getting close to your weight loss goal. And then you hit a plateau with only a few pounds to lose – and they just won’t seem to budge. It’s long been a complaint that those last five pounds can often be the hardest to lose. And the answer to why this is the case reveals a lot about the dynamic relationship between body weight and appetite (what we feel when we say we’re “hungry”), and about how, as humans, we’re almost always “ready to eat”. When dieting to lose weight, there are two basic reasons why weight loss typically slows down over time. The first reason is that calorie (energy) expenditure decreases with weight loss. This “slowed metabolism” happens because fewer calories are required...

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MICROBIOME: ‘GOOD’ GUT BACTERIA REALLY COULD HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT – NEW STUDY

Ana Valdes, University of Nottingham and Amrita Vijay, University of NottinghamThe trillions of microbes inside of our gut play many very important roles in our body. Not only does this “microbiome” regulate our metabolism and help us absorb nutrients from food into the body, it can also influence whether we are lean or obese. Recent research even suggests that our gut microbiome can influence our ability to lose weight. Researchers from the University of Washington in the US found that the presence of specific “good” microbes in the gut of people dieting to lose weight affected how many pounds they were able to lose. To understand what effect a person’s gut microbes have on weight loss, the researchers looked at 105 overweight people, all of whom were enrolled in a year-long weight loss programme. To track their weight loss, the researchers recorded participants’ starting body mass index (BMI). The scientists...

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CALORIES OR MACROS: NUTRITIONIST EXPLAINS WHICH WORKS BEST FOR WEIGHT LOSS OR BUILDING MUSCLE

Emma Kinrade, Glasgow Caledonian UniversityWhile reducing calorie intake is a proven way to reduce your weight, there’s no shortage of diets promising the same results but with more flexibility. One such popular diet is “If It Fits Your Macros” (IIFYM), which offers users less restriction in what they eat, while still guaranteeing results. Rather than counting calories, IIFYM counts the daily macronutrients (fats, carbohydrates, and proteins) found in the foods and drinks we consume. Many people like the diet because it offers flexibility and allows them to consume any food as long as it fits into their daily macronutrient (“macro”) requirements. However, there’s currently no scientific research that has specifically examined whether counting macros is as effective as other methods in achieving different weight goals. Past research has looked into the effects of reducing or manipulating individual macros for weight loss, such as comparing the effect of consuming a low-fat...

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HOW TO USE YOUR BATHROOM SCALE TO FIND THE RIGHT WEIGHT LOSS STRATEGY

Kerstin Frie, University of Oxford; Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, University of Oxford, and Susan Jebb, University of OxfordPeople who weigh themselves regularly are more successful at losing weight and keeping it off. But standing on a scale, in itself, doesn’t help people to magically lose weight. Rather, standing on a bathroom scale every day may encourage some people to think about their eating and exercise habits, plan ways to lose weight, and help them resist temptation. In other words, the bathroom scale might help people self-regulate. To find out whether this is true, we asked 24 people to record their thoughts during daily weighing for eight weeks. We found that most people didn’t use self-regulation, but those who did were more likely to lose weight. This led us to wonder whether we could teach people self-regulation skills to make weighing more useful. We developed a programme called PREVAIL that aims to guide...

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DO LOW-CARB DIETS HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT? HERE’S WHAT THE SCIENCE SAYS

Clare Collins, University of Newcastle; Erin Clarke, University of Newcastle, and Rebecca Williams, University of NewcastleIn the 1970s, low-carb diets were all the rage. The Dr Atkin’s Diet Revolution book claimed carbohydrate restriction was a “high calorie way to stay thin forever”. Carbohydrates are found in breads, cereals and other grains, fruit, vegetables and milk. They’re also in ultra-processed fast foods, cakes, chips and soft drinks. These days, low-carb diets are promoted as a weight-loss solution, to beat heart disease and as better for diabetes. But how do these claims match up with the latest research? A new review of the evidence found long-term low-carb dieters lost just under a kilo more weight than other dieters. However the review concluded there was no evidence low-carb diets have any additional health benefits. In fact, if you’re on a low-carb diet, you’ll need to pay closer attention to what you eat to...

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RESISTANCE TRAINING: HERE’S WHY IT’S SO EFFECTIVE FOR WEIGHT LOSS

David R Clark, Liverpool John Moores University; Carl Langan-Evans, Liverpool John Moores University, and Rob Erskine, Liverpool John Moores UniversityWeight lifting, also known as resistance training, has been practised for centuries as a way of building muscular strength. Research shows that resistance training, whether done via body weight, resistance bands or machines, dumbbells or free weights, not only helps us build strength, but also improves muscle size and can help counteract age-related muscle loss. More recently it’s become popular among those looking to lose weight. While exercises such as running and cycling are indeed effective for reducing body fat, these activities can simultaneously decrease muscle size, leading to weaker muscles and greater perceived weight loss, as muscle is more dense than fat. But unlike endurance exercises, evidence shows resistance training not only has beneficial effects on reducing body fat, it also increases muscle size and strength. The ‘after-burn effect’ When...

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THREE WAYS BEHAVIOURAL PSYCHOLOGY MIGHT HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT

Claire Madigan, Loughborough UniversityThere’s no shortage of weight loss programmes out there to choose from, each of which claim to have the key to shedding pounds. One of the latest popular weight loss programmes out there is Noom, which claims that behavioural psychology is the key to helping people lose weight for good – including those who haven’t had success in the past. Behavioural psychology aims to understand why we behave the way we do and analyse patterns in our actions and behaviours. Using it to aid weight loss means understanding the many factors that influence weight gain, such as easy access to unhealthy foods. This can help us make changes to prevent this from happening. Although one study has looked at Noom’s effectiveness when it comes to weight loss, it’s still difficult to say whether it’s more successful than other similar programmes in aiding weight loss. But we do...

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CAN YOU HAVE TOO MUCH BOTOX?

Matthew Lin, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiDemand for cosmetic treatments, including botox and fillers, has surged since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons are attributing the boom to patients wanting to put their best face forward for online Zoom meetings, as well as increased time to attend appointments and recover from treatments. Botox is now the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment in the U.S., with a market size valued at $4.7 billion. Over the past 20 years, the number of cosmetic Botox procedures have increased more than 700 percent, with over six million treatments performed every year. Now trending with millennials, preventative Botox involves stopping wrinkles before they have a chance to form. And although women still use the most Botox, more men are trying it, a trend known as “brotox.” As a board-certified dermatologist who frequently administers Botox treatments, I am often asked how it...

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WHAT’S AUTOPHAGY? IT’S THE ULTIMATE DETOX THAT DOESN’T YET LIVE UP TO THE HYPE

Tim Sargeant, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute and Julien Bensalem, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute“The anti-aging MIRACLE.” “Strengthen your immune system.” “Lose weight fast.” These are some of the promises of autophagy, the silver bullet wellness influencers are saying is backed by Nobel-winning science. In many cases, influencers say the best way to boost autophagy – the body’s way of recycling molecules – is with a product available from their online store. While autophagy sounds too good to be true, the scientific reality may cross over with the hype – at least in laboratory mice and some other organisms. Here’s where the science is up to and what we still need to find out to see if boosting autophagy helps humans. Autophagy is the ultimate detox Autophagy is a vital process that removes and recycles unwanted or damaged molecules from your cells. The process begins with...

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CAN AGEING REALLY BE ‘TREATED’ OR ‘CURED’? AN EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGIST EXPLAINS

Zachariah Wylde, UNSW SydneyAs time passes, our fertility declines and our bodies start to fail. These natural changes are what we call ageing. In recent decades, we’ve come leaps and bounds in treating and preventing some of the world’s leading age-related diseases, such as coronary heart disease, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. But some research takes an entirely unique view on the role of science in easing the burden of ageing, focusing instead on trying to prevent it, or drastically slow it down. This may seem like an idea reserved mainly for cranks and science fiction writers, but it’s not. The Fountain of Youth, a 1546 painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder. The famous fountain is a mythical spring that supposedly regenerates anyone who bathes in or drinks its waters. Stories of its power have circulated for thousands of years. Wikimedia Commons The futurist’s quest There have been myriad scientific research...

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ANTI-AGEING TREATMENTS: THESE TWO DRUG TYPES ARE BEING INVESTIGATED

Richard Faragher, University of BrightonWhile more people may be living longer than ever before, this increase in life expectancy is accompanied by the development of age-related diseases – such as cancer or type 2 diabetes. This is why the a major new parliamentary report has been published in the UK, advocating greater investment in novel treatments that slow ageing, in a bid to bring people five more years of healthy, disease-free life. The hope is that such treatments would either shorten the period of disease we experience at the end of our life, or extend our total lifespan while keeping the disease period the same. Ageing is so far known to be caused by nine biological mechanisms, sometimes called the “hallmarks of ageing”. In order to prevent ageing in our tissues, cells, and molecules, we need to be able to slow or prevent these hallmarks of ageing from taking place....

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‘ANTI-AGEING’ PROTEIN SHOWN TO SLOW CELL GROWTH IS KEY IN LONGEVITY

Charalampos (Babis) Rallis, University of EssexHumans are living longer than ever before. But alongside these increases in life expectancy are an increase in the occurrence of age-related diseases such as cancer and dementia. But understanding the biology of ageing, and knowing the genes and proteins involved in these processes, will help us increase our “healthspan” – the period that people can live in a healthy and productive state, without age-related diseases. In a recent study, our team identified a novel anti-ageing protein, called Gaf1. We found that Gaf1 controls protein metabolism, a process that has been implicated in ageing and disease. We also found that without Gaf1, cells have a shorter lifespan. Ageing and diet Ageing is a complex process and depends on both genes and environmental factors, such as diet. It’s widely known that calorie-restricted diets can prolong lifespan. This holds true for a variety of organisms, including yeast,...

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IS 150 YEARS REALLY THE LIMIT OF HUMAN LIFE SPAN?

Richard Faragher, University of BrightonWhile most of us can expect to live to around 80, some people defy expectations and live to be over 100. In places such as Okinawa, Japan and Sardinia, Italy, there are many centenarians. The oldest person in history – a French woman named Jeanne Calment – lived to 122. When she was born in 1875, the average life expectancy was roughly 43. But just how long could a human actually live? It’s a question people have been asking for centuries. While average life expectancy (the number of years a person can expect to live) is relatively easy to calculate, maximum life span estimates (the greatest age a human could possibly reach) are much harder to make. Previous studies have placed this limit close to 140 years of age. But a more recent study proposes that the limit to human life span is closer to 150....

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HOW LONG CAN HUMANS LIVE?

Anthony Medford, University of Southern Denmark; James W Vaupel, University of Southern Denmark, and Kaare Christensen, University of Southern Denmark Humans are living longer around the world. While there have been obvious ups and downs, life expectancy at birth overall has been steadily increasing for many years. It has more than doubled in the last two centuries. This increase was previously driven by reductions in infant mortality. But since around the 1950s, the main driver has been reductions in mortality at older ages. In Sweden, for example, where national population data have been collected since the mid-16th century and are of a very high quality, the maximum lifespan has been increasing for almost 150 years. Increasing lifespans have been observed in many other countries, including in Western Europe, North America and Japan. Margaret Neve in 1902, aged 109. Wikimedia Commons This has contributed to a rapid increase in the number...

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WHY (AND HOW) ARE WE LIVING LONGER — AND WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?

BY SARA LAUXHEALTH & MEDICINE OPTIMAL AGING & MOBILITYIf death is a finish line, that line has continually moved farther and farther away over the past century. In fact, we’re not sure if we’re running a 10-kilometre race or an ultramarathon, or whether there’s an end to the race at all.It’s this phenomenon – why and how we’re living longer – that internationally recognized biologist Tom Kirkwood explored in a recent lecture at McMaster.Kirkwood, professor emeritus and the former Associate Dean for Ageing at Newcastle University’s Institute for Ageing as well as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, is a member of the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging’s International Scientific Advisory Committee.He, along with the other members of the committee – all global experts in aging across a variety of disciplines – visited McMaster recently to participate in a two-day meeting designed to explore both scientific...

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LIFE EXTENSION: THE FIVE MOST PROMISING METHODS – SO FAR

Exercise is still one of the best ways to boost longevity. Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock Richard Faragher, University of Brighton and Lynne Cox, University of Oxford Most people want to live a long and happy life – or at least avoid a short and miserable one. If you’re in that majority, then you’re in luck. Over the last decade, a quiet research revolution has occurred in our understanding of the biology of ageing. The challenge is to turn this knowledge into advice and treatments we can benefit from. Here we bust the myth that lengthening healthy life expectancy is science fiction, and show that it is instead scientific fact. 1. Nutrition and lifestyle There’s plenty of evidence for the benefits of doing the boring stuff, such as eating right. A study of large groups of ordinary people show that keeping the weight off, not smoking, restricting alcohol to moderate amounts and eating at...

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THE SONOEYE SOLUTION: THE LIGHTEST HANDHELD POINT OF CARE ULTRA SOUND

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ENTITY- NUTRACEUTICALS & HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS

We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all kind of approach in health supplements. At Entity, we’ve harnessed the latest advancements in science to bring you a line of the finest nutraceuticals individually targeted to a wide range of conditions – all so you can feel your very best in a real,...

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1. Introduction

1.1. The website Futuresmartasia.com and its associated microsites, mobile versions, and mobile applications (“our site”) are operated by Odo Solutions & Enterprises Pte Ltd UEN: 202209460W (“OSE”, “we”, “us” or “our”).
1.2. These Website Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) constitute a legal agreement between you (“you” or “your”) and OSE in relation to your use of our site. We provide our site to you subject to these Terms.
1.3. By using our site, you confirm that you accept these Terms and agree to comply with them. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use our site.
1.4. These Terms refer to the following additional terms, which also apply to your use of our site: https://futuresmartasia.com/
1.5. You are responsible for ensuring that all persons who access our site through your internet connection are aware of these Terms and other applicable terms and conditions, and that they comply with them.
1.6. We may amend these Terms from time to time without any prior notice to you. You should check these Terms occasionally to ensure you are aware of the most recent version that will apply each time you access our site. It is deemed that you have read and understood this Policy by your continuing usage of our site.

2. Website Terms

Access
2.1. Our site is available to you free of charge. As electronic websites are subject to interruption or breakdown, access to our website is offered on an "as is" and "as available" basis only. We do not guarantee that our site, or any content on it, will always be available or be uninterrupted.
2.2. We may suspend or withdraw or restrict the availability of all or any part of our site for business and operational reasons. We will try to give you reasonable notice of any suspension or withdrawal. We will not be liable if for any reason our website is unavailable at any time or for any period.
2.3. We may in our sole discretion restrict your access to our website. If we do this, you may be prevented from accessing all or parts of the website, your account details or other content contained in your account. We will not be liable to you or any third party for doing so.
2.4. We may update and change our site from time to time to reflect changes to our products, our users' needs and our business priorities. We reserve the right to amend any prices or product information at any time without prior notice to you.
2.5. We grant you a limited license to access and make personal use of our site. No right, title or interest in our materials is conveyed to you. This license does not include any resale or commercial use of our site or its materials; any collection and use of any product/services listings, descriptions, or prices; any derivative use of this site or its materials; any downloading or copying of information for the benefit of another party; or any use of data mining, robots, or similar data gathering and extraction tools.
2.6. You may not modify our site, or any portion of it, except with our prior express written consent.
2.7. You agree that you will not:
- 2.7.1. use our website in any way that breaches any applicable local, national or international law or regulation or is unlawful or fraudulent, or has any unlawful or fraudulent purpose or effect;
- 2.7.2. use our website to knowingly transmit any data, send or upload any material that contains viruses, Trojan horses, worms, time-bombs, keystroke loggers, spyware, adware or any other programs or similar computer code which (whether by design or effect) adversely affects the operation of any computer software or hardware or any services on our website;
- 2.7.3. use our website to disseminate any unlawful, harassing, libellous, abusive, threatening, harmful, vulgar obscene or otherwise objectionable material;
- 2.7.4. use, develop or otherwise support software, scripts, bots or any other means or processes (including but not limited to browser add-ons, plugins or other technology) to harvest or scrape our website or otherwise copy data from our website; or
- 2.7.5. use crawling or other data-mining technology to search or link to our website or download, cache, print, copy or store any content from our website
2.8. Any unauthorised use terminates your limited license, and we may revoke this limited license at any time for any or no reason. In the event of a violation of these Terms, we reserve the right to seek all remedies available by law and in equity. We retain the right at our sole discretion to deny access to anyone to our site, at any time and for any or no reason, including, but not limited to, for violation of these Terms.
Security
2.9. We do not guarantee that our site will be secure or free from bugs or viruses.
2.10. We cannot guarantee that any data transmission is totally secure, free from viruses, fault or other conditions which could damage or interfere with your computer systems and we do not warrant that your access to the website will be uninterrupted, error free or that any defects will be corrected. Whilst we and our third parties take precautions to protect information, we do not warrant and cannot ensure the security of any content or information you transmit via the website. You therefore transmit to the website at your own risk.
2.11. You are responsible for configuring your information technology, computer programmes and platform to access our site. You should use your own virus protection software.
2.12. You must not:
- 2.12.1. misuse our site by knowingly introducing viruses, trojans, worms, logic bombs or other material that is malicious or technologically harmful’
- 2.12.2. attempt to gain unauthorised access to our site, the server on which our site is stored or any server, computer or database connected to our site;
- 2.12.3. attack our site via a denial-of-service attack or a distributed denial-of service attack.
2.13. By breaching Clause 2.12, you would commit a criminal offence. We will report any such breach to the relevant law enforcement authorities and we will co-operate with those authorities by disclosing your identity to them. In the event of such a breach, your right to use our site will cease immediately.
Links
2.14. You may link to our home page, provided you do so in a way that is fair and legal and does not damage our reputation or take advantage of it.
2.15. You must not establish a link in such a way as to suggest any form of association, approval or endorsement on our part where none exists.
2.16. You must not establish a link to our site in any website that is not owned by you.
2.17. Our site must not be framed on any other site, nor may you create a link to any part of our site other than the home page.
2.18. We reserve the right to withdraw linking permission without notice.

3. Use of Website Content

General
3.1. The content on our site is provided for general information only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
3.2. Although we make reasonable efforts to update the information on our site, we make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content on our site is accurate, complete or up to date.
Third-Party Content
3.3. Where our site contains links to other sites and resources provided by third parties (the “Third Party Sites”), these links are provided for your information only. None of such links should be deemed to imply that we endorse or approve the Third Party Sites or any content therein. We do not control and are not responsible or liable for any Third Party Sites or any content, advertising, products, or other materials on or available from such Third Party Sites. Access to any Third Party Sites is at your own risk and we will have no liability arising out of or related to such websites and/or their content or for any damages or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with any purchase, use of or reliance on any such content, goods, or services available on or through any such Third Party Site.
3.4. Our site may include information and materials uploaded by third-parties. This information and these materials have not been verified or approved by us. The views expressed by third-parties on our site do not represent our views or values.
3.5. Our site may include information and materials uploaded by third parties or other users of the site. This information and these materials have not been verified or approved by us. The views expressed by other users on our site do not represent our views or values.
3.6. Whenever you make use of a feature that allows you to upload content to our site, or to make contact with other users of our site, you warrant that any such contribution does comply with reasonable and legal standards, and you will be liable to us and indemnify us for any breach of that warranty. This means you will be responsible for any loss or damage we suffer as a result of your breach of warranty.
3.7. Any content you upload to our site will be considered non-confidential and non-proprietary. You retain all of your ownership rights in your content, but you are required to grant us and other users of our site a limited licence to use, store and copy that content and to distribute and make it available to third parties.
3.8. We have the right to disclose your identity to any third party who is claiming that any content posted or uploaded by you to our site constitutes a violation of their intellectual property rights, or of their right to privacy.
3.9. We have the right to remove any posting you make on our site if, in our opinion, your post does not comply with reasonable and legal standards.
3.10. You are solely responsible for securing and backing up your content.
3.11. We do not store terrorist content.

4. Exclusion of Liability

General
4.1. We do not exclude or limit in any way our liability to you where it would be unlawful to do so. This includes liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence or the negligence of our employees, agents or subcontractors, or liability for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.
4.2. Our site and all information, content, materials and services included on or otherwise made available to you through our site are provided on an ‘as is’ and ‘as available’ basis, unless otherwise specified in writing. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation of our site or the information, content, materials or services included on or otherwise made available to you through our site, unless otherwise specified in writing. You expressly agree that your use of our site is at your sole risk.
4.3. We do not warrant that our site, information, content, materials or services included on or otherwise made available to you through our site, their servers, or email sent from us are free of viruses or other harmful components.
For Vendors
4.4. We exclude all implied conditions, warranties, representations or other terms that may apply to our site or any content on it.
4.5. We will not be liable to you for any loss or damage, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty, or otherwise, even if foreseeable, arising under or in connection with:
- 4.5.1. use of, or inability to use, our site; or
- 4.5.2. use of or reliance on any content displayed on our site.
4.6. In particular, we will not be liable for:
- 4.6.1. loss of profits, sales, business, or revenue;
- 4.6.2. business interruption;
- 4.6.3. loss of anticipated savings;
- 4.6.4. loss of business opportunity, goodwill or reputation; or
- 4.6.5. any indirect or consequential loss or damage.
For Consumers
4.7. We have no liability to you for any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, or loss of business opportunity.
4.8. With respect to products on our site that are sold by third parties, we do not give any warranties. To the fullest extent permissible by applicable law, we disclaim all other warranties, whether express or implied.
4.9. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we, our related entities, and third parties connected to us hereby expressly exclude:
- 4.9.1. all conditions, warranties and other terms which might otherwise be implied by statute, common law or the law of equity;
- 4.9.2. any liability for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage incurred by any user in connection with our website or in connection with the use, inability to use, or results of the use of our website (whether through use of goods or services purchased via the website or otherwise), any websites linked to it and any materials posted on it, including, without limitation any liability for: loss of income or revenue; loss of business; loss of profits or contracts; loss of anticipated savings; loss of data; loss of goodwill; wasted management or office time; and for any other loss or damage of any kind, however arising and whether caused by tort (including negligence), breach of contract or otherwise, even if foreseeable.

5. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify us and keep us indemnified, each of our related entities and other persons involved in the creation and operation of our site from any and all damages, losses, penalties, fines, expenses and costs (including legal costs) which arise out of or relate to your use of this website, any information that you provide via this website or any damage that you may cause to this website. This indemnification includes, without limitation, liability relating to copyright infringement, defamation, invasion of privacy and trade mark infringement. This does not affect our liability for death or personal injury arising from our negligence, nor our liability for fraudulent misrepresentation or misrepresentation as to a fundamental matter, nor any other liability which cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

6. Data Protection

6.1. We collect and process your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference into these Terms accessible.
6.2. Where applicable, you agree and consent to our collection, use, processing and disclosure of your personal information as described in our Privacy Policy.

7. General Terms

7.1. Transfer/Assignment: You may not transfer or assign any rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may transfer or assign our rights and obligations under these Terms to third-parties, including but not limited to subsidiaries, associated companies, affiliates, agents, contractors, and third party suppliers. We will always tell you in writing if this happens and will ensure that the transfer will not affect your rights under the contract.
7.2. Severability: Each of the paragraphs of these Terms operates separately. If any court or relevant authority decides that any of them are unlawful, the remaining paragraphs will remain in full force and effect.
7.3. Waiver: Our rights under these Terms may be waived only in writing, and delay in the exercise or non-exercise of any right is not a waiver of that right.
7.4. Governing Law: These Terms, their subject matter and their formation, are governed by the laws of Singapore. You and we both agree that the courts of Singapore will have exclusive jurisdiction.
7.5. Dispute Resolution: The courts of Singapore shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear, settle and/or determine any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms, including any question regarding their existence, validity or termination.

This website (“our site”) is brought to you by Odo Solutions & Enterprises Pte Ltd, UEN: 202209460W (in short “OSE”, “we”, “us” or “our”). We ask that you read this Privacy Policy (the “Policy”) carefully as it sets out the basis on which we may collect, use, disclose and/or otherwise process your personal data in accordance with Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (No. 26 of 2012) (the “PDPA”). Throughout this Policy, the meaning of the term “personal data” is as defined in the PDPA.

1. Collection of Personal Data

1.1. We may obtain personal data about you whenever you use our site, or when you voluntarily provide such personal data to us via our site or by various modes of communication. Personal data we may collect about you includes but is not limited to your name, contact number, last 4 alphanumeric characters of NRIC, date of birth, e-mail address, and location details.
1.2. We may monitor your use of our site through cookies and similar tracking technologies, including but not limited to how many times you visit our site, which pages you go to, traffic data, location data and the originating domain name of your internet service. This information helps us to build a profile of our users. Some of this data will be aggregated or statistical, which means that we will not be able to identify you individually.
1.3. If you voluntarily provide us with your personal information, you will be consenting to our processing it for the purposes set out in Clause 2 of this Policy.

2. Use of Personal Data

2.1. We may use, combine and/or process your data for the following purposes:
- verifying your identity;
- administrative purposes (e.g. responding to, handling, and processing your queries, complaints and/or feedback);
- managing your relationship with us;
- research, statistical analysis and behavioural analysis;
- sending news and updates via emails and newsletters;
- marketing and advertising any goods and services to you by us or by any of our related companies, agents, contractors and third party suppliers that may be of interest to you;
- fraud prevention and detection;
- improving our services;
- any other purposes for which you have voluntarily provided your personal information; and
- any other incidental purposes related to or in connection with the above.
2.2. We may continue to use, combine and/or process your personal data for the purposes listed in this Clause 2 after your relationship with us (e.g. pursuant to a contract) has been terminated or altered in any way for a reasonable period thereafter (including, where applicable, to enable us to enforce our rights under any contract with you).

3. Marketing and Opting Out

If you have granted us permission, we may use your personal data to send emails and newsletters, and to market products, services, initiatives, promotions, special offers, lucky draws, membership and rewards schemes, charitable causes or other promotions by us or by any of our related companies, agents, contractors and third party suppliers that may be of interest to you. If you prefer not to receive any direct marketing communications from us, you may opt out at any time. Please see Clause 9 of this Policy for more information.

4. Disclosure of Personal Data

We may disclose your personal data to:
- our agents, contractors and third party suppliers;
- our vendors, consultants, marketing partners, research firms, and other service providers or business partners; and
- our legal advisors, law enforcement agencies and government officials, where it is necessary in the public interest or to respond to an emergency or in connection with any investigation into unlawful activity; and
- third-party sellers.

5. Protection of Personal Data

5.1. We will take reasonable legal, organisational and technical measures to safeguard your personal data from unauthorised access, collection, use, disclosure, copying, modification, disposal or other similar risks, including:
- storing your personal data on secure servers;
- limiting our employees’ access to your personal data on a need-to-know basis; and
- requiring those processing your personal data to do so in an authorised manner and to treat your information with confidentiality.
5.2. While we will make reasonable efforts to safeguard your personal data, you acknowledge that the use of the internet is not entirely secure and for this reason we cannot guarantee the security or integrity of any personal data that is transferred from you or to you via the internet.

6. Retention of Personal Data

6.1. We may retain your personal data for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfil the purposes for which your data was collected, or as required or permitted by applicable laws.
6.2. We will cease to retain your personal data or remove the means by which the data can be associated with you, as soon as it is reasonable to assume that such retention no longer serves the purpose for which the personal data was collected, and is no longer necessary for legal or business purposes.

7. Personal Data of Other Individuals

If you provide us with the personal data of other individuals, you represent and warrant that you have obtained their consent for their personal data to be collected, used and disclosed in the manner set out in this Policy.

8. Transfer of Data out of Singapore

We generally do not transfer your personal data to countries outside of Singapore. However, if we do so, we will obtain your consent for the transfer to be made and comply with our legal and regulatory obligations in relation to your personal data.

9. Our Contact Details

If you have any queries or feedback on our personal data protection policies and procedures, or if you wish to make any written request under this Policy, please contact us at:
Odo Solutions & Enterprises Pte Ltd
1 Essex Road 19-02
Singapore 309329
Or:
john@odoplatforms.com

Malaysia works on a federal system so the rules in the states of Peninsular Malaysia differ from those of Sabah and Sarawak (which have their own ownership legislation)

Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) is a special avenue for property purchase.

Provides a renewable five-year maximum, multiple-entry visa
Provides certain benefits such as discounts on certain properties available on the market

States are allowed to charge levies for foreign residential property purchases.

Currently only Penang, Malacca and Johor impose levies
- The percentage of levy is 2% for Malacca

For Singaporeans, they will need to meet a minimum occupation period before buying a second home five years)

Foreign Property Ownership Limits

State	Minimum Price	MM2H Price
Malacca	RM 1 million (landed title) RM 500,000 (high-rise/strata title)	RM 1 million (landed title) RM 500,000 (high-rise/strata title)
Kuala Lumpur	RM 1 million	RM 1 million
Genting Highlands (under Pahang)	RM 1 million	RM 1 million
Kuantan (under Pahang)	RM 1 million	RM 1 million

Properties Singaporeans can/cannot buy in Malaysia

Properties Singaporeans can buy in Malaysia	Freehold commercial, industrial properties, vacant land, condos, bungalows, terrace houses, semi-detached, orchard/farm houses
Properties Singaporeans cannot buy in Malaysia	Bumi (Bumiputera) lots, Agricultural land, Malay reserved land, Property with a valuation below RM 1 million

Three main types of properties that foreigners (any non-permanent resident) are not able to purchase

Properties built on Malay reserved land
Properties defined as low-cost or medium-cost affordable units as defined by the state
Properties allocated to Bumiputera groups as part of a development project

Stage 1

Explore properties

Stage 2

Submit intention to buy through a Letter of Offer or developer’s sales form with intent to purchase + agreed upfront payment (usually 2 to 3%)

Stage 3

Apply for financing of property if required
- Under MM2H, usually 80% of total purchase price
- Without MM2H, usually maxed out at 70%
- Individuals can consider sourcing home loan overseas as well

Stage 4

Provide lawyer with relevant documents, including:
- Photocopy of passport
- Correspondence address
- Contact details
- Income tax details
- Location of tax payments for purchase of secondary market properties

Stage 5

Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) will be signed within 14 days of the letter of offer. The SPA will include the terms and conditions of what is covered in the sale.
- 10%% down payment is required at this stage (inclusive of 2 to 3% paid in Stage 2)

Stage 6

Solicitor will apply for final state authority consent. The property must meet the noted requirements by state prior to this point. Submission documents include:
- 1 certified true copy of SPA
- 1 certified true copy of passport
- 1 certified true copy of company constitution (if applicable)
- Latest quit rent assessment receipt for the property
- Application form as per section 433B of National Land Code

Stage 7

Pay the remaining balance of 90% on the property purchase price as defined under SPA or Schedule H Housing Development (Control and Licensing)(Amendment) Regulation 2015

Stage 8

Developer delivers vacant possession within 24 months for individual title or 26 for strata title properties under development.

Stamp duty

Residential property purchases in Malaysia are subject to payment of stamp duty at the point when the SPA is stamped

Residential Property Price	Stamp Duty
First RM 100,000	1%
RM 100,001 – RM 500,000	2%
RM 500,001 – RM 1 million	3%
Over RM 1 million	4%

Standard Legal costs

Residential Property Price	Legal Cost
First RM 500,000	1% (subject to minimum fee of RM 500)
RM 500,001 – RM 1 million	0.8%
RM 1,000,001 – RM 3 million	0.7%
RM 3, 000,0001 – RM 5 million	0.6%
Over RM 5 million	0.5%
Over RM 7.5 million	Negotiable (will not exceed 0.5%)

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Homes & Living

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NOT FEELING MOTIVATED TO TACKLE THOSE SNEAKY COVID KILOS? TRY THESE 4 HEALTHY EATING TIPS INSTEAD

APPETITE DRUG SHOWS PROMISE IN TREATING OBESITY

THESE 4 DIETS ARE TRENDING. WE LOOKED AT THE SCIENCE (OR LACK OF IT) BEHIND EACH ONE

Solutions for
your Future Life