NUS professor, 47, becomes own test subject in longevity study, cuts biological age to 32

A 47-year-old professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS) professor, Dean Ho, recently became his own test subject in a longevity study. His goal was to cut his biological age to 32, nearly 15 years younger than his actual age. The study, known as DELTA, published in PLOS One on August 12, seeks to explore how our bodies change over time beyond traditional health measurements.

Ho used a custom AI copilot to track daily changes in his body through fasting, nutrition, and exercise routines since mid-August 2024. Before starting the study, Ho consumed high-calorie, unhealthy foods and had irregular sleep patterns. However, after buying a blood test kit in 2021, he began experimenting with intermittent fasting, diet adjustments, and exercise.

His regimen included around 20 hours of fasting daily, 48-hour fasts, and 90 minutes of strength or cardio training each morning. He also followed a Mediterranean-style diet with limited drinks. Results from the study showed Ho's biological age dropped to 32, and his metabolic switching became faster, his resting heart rate improved, and his sleep quality and gut microbiome health also enhanced.

Ho likened the experience to playing a game, as he adjusted his lifestyle and watched his progress in real-time. He hopes others will feel empowered to engage with their own health data to make better lifestyle choices.