What if part of the secret to living past 100 wasn’t found in a supplement or high-tech therapy, but on your plate? Around the world, people in the Blue Zones (regions with the longest-lived populations) share one common trait: they eat mostly plants.

There are quite a few technical terms that are commonly used in longevity-related content. We’d like to break down what some of these mean and why they’re important, to help you be better-informed as you navigate your longevity journey.

VO₂ max is a measurement of your body’s ability to take in and use oxygen during exercise. Higher VO₂ max is strongly associated with a longer lifespan, as well as improved athletic performance.

Uric acid is a natural waste product that’s created by the breakdown of many foods as well as by normal cellular metabolism. High uric acid levels in our bodies may be caused by overproduction of uric acid due to dietary factors, alcohol consumption, or medical conditions. 

When people think about longevity, they often focus on diet, exercise, or regular medical check-ups. But one factor is usually overlooked: mental health.

Your heart is at the center of your health. In Singapore, heart disease is the top cause of death and disability. If your heart isn’t working well, you may not just live a shorter life, you may also spend your later years struggling with daily activities.

Small daily habits matter more for a longer, healthier life than one-time fixes. What you eat, how you move, how you manage stress and how you sleep directly influence aging and disease risk. 

Vitamin B9, also known as folate, is an essential nutrient that’s important for many different body functions, including red blood cell production and nervous system function.

Magnesium is involved in many different processes throughout the body, including energy production, nervous system and muscle function, bone health, the regulation of blood sugar and blood pressure, and DNA repair.

Insulin is a hormone that’s crucial for regulating blood sugar levels. The pancreas releases insulin in response to a rise in blood sugar levels, which usually occurs after eating.

Vitamin B12 is needed for DNA and RNA synthesis, nervous system function, and the production of blood cells by the bone marrow.

Studies suggest that social connections are as vital to longevity as diet and exercise. Strong relationships reduce mortality risk according to meta-analyses and long-term studies.

The true power of a CGM lies beyond just numbers on a graph. It’s about what those numbers can tell you about your lifestyle, diet, exercise, and metabolic health. 

Dr Peter Attia, a physician and longevity expert, introduced the concept of the “Four Horsemen of Chronic Diseases” – these are the four chronic diseases that are responsible for the majority of morbidity and mortality worldwide.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a key hormone of the reproductive system in both men and women. FSH triggers the development of mature eggs or sperm in the ovaries or testes.

Testosterone is a steroid hormone that’s important for the function of many different body systems. Both men’s and women’s bodies produce testosterone, though the levels are much higher in men.

Triglycerides are a type of fat that the body uses to store energy. Some triglycerides are absorbed from the diet, and the liver also makes triglycerides whenever the body has excess energy available.

High-density lipoproteins, or HDL, act to scavenge excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and return it to the liver to be processed and eliminated.

LDL, also known as “bad cholesterol,” serves to carry cholesterol to the body’s tissues. High LDL levels cause excess cholesterol to accumulate in the blood, where it can cause damage.

NOVI Assessment Max provides a comprehensive and easy-to-understand cholesterol test in Singapore, allowing you to gain insights into your heart health and receive expert recommendations for improvement.