New biological age test uses Asian cohort data to measure how quickly you are ageing

A new biological age test developed by Singapore's National University of Singapore (NUS) and precision health company Lucence Group is now available in the market. Unlike chronological age, which counts the years an individual has been alive, biological age reflects the health and functioning of the body. The test, called AgeQ, was created using data from an Asian cohort, making it the first of its kind to be built on a non-Western population.

Current smokers are found to have a biological age 3.6 years older than non-smokers, while obese individuals can be up to 4.2 years older than those with a normal body mass index. Frequent exercise and plant food intake were associated with a younger biological age, with those who exercised often being about 1.25 years younger and those who ate more plant-based foods having a biological age about one year younger.

The AgeQ test measures blood biomarkers associated with healthy ageing and is offered by several private healthcare players in Singapore, including IHH Healthcare. Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng highlighted the value of this data-backed health assessment tool as an example of successful public-private collaboration.

The test was developed using data from more than 5,400 Singaporeans followed by NUS researchers over a decade, showing how lifestyle choices can impact biological age. Lucence Group's CEO Tan Min-Han stated that the AgeQ test will become more precise as Lucence continues to gather user data and refine its model. The company plans to explore additional biomarkers to identify risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer as individuals age. The AgeQ test has already been introduced in Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Indonesia.