Taiwan will become a super-aged society by 2025, with at least 20% of the population aged 65 and above. This demographic shift, coupled with the impact of the pandemic, has caused the average life expectancy to fall below 80 years, with an “unhealthy life expectancy,” during which a person is dependent on the care of others, of up to eight years.

Achieving longevity and wellness requires fundamentally cultivating a foundation for health. Amway, with its corporate vision of “helping a billion people improve their health span,” aims to assist Taiwanese people in achieving a longer, healthier life amid its aging society. Amway Nutrilite combines plant nutrition with advanced scientific research to develop comprehensive health foundational solutions, helping to extend healthy life expectancy and aligning with President Lai Ching-te’s vision of fostering a “Healthy Taiwan.”

“In addition to diet and nutrition, the pursuit of health among our people increasingly emphasizes the concept of ‘prevention over cure,’” says Michelle Lin, Amway Managing Director of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. “Amway continuously promotes maintaining a balanced diet and establishing good habits as the most important foundations for a healthy life, and our goal is to extend people’s health span, or the number of years they are healthy, happy, and feeling their best.”

Improving people’s health span starts with building a health foundation

Building a solid health foundation is crucial to extending people’s health span. According to reports from Common Health Magazine, genetic predispositions account for only 10% of health impacts, while gut microbiota has a 90% influence, affecting inflammatory responses, cognitive function, skin health, metabolism, weight management, the immune system, and cardiovascular health. Hence, extending life expectancy starts from the foundation of gut health.

A joint report by Amway’s Nutrition Innovation and Science team, recently published in the peer-reviewed food science journal FOODS, describes how different nutritional combinations can optimize gut function, offering a new perspective on maintaining gut health. The report also highlights how various dietary nutrients can condition the gut microbiome. Once gut resilience is established, it dramatically enhances overall health and wellbeing.

Paul Seehra, Ph.D., Amway Vice President of Nutrition Innovation & Science, says a balanced and resilient gut is paramount to health and wellbeing, encompassing digestion, nutrient absorption, and excretion. The gut is home to 70% of immune system cells and microbiota, impacting the function of other organs and systems.

“Gut priming sets the entire body up for success,” Seehra says. “This involves long-term, daily consumption of functional foods like fermented greens, herbs, fruits, and vegetables, as well as foods and dietary supplements that provide digestive enzymes, dietary fiber, and prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics. Diversity and regular consumption make all the difference.”

The research by Amway also offers valuable directions for developing functional foods and nutritional supplements. “This review of emerging science will enrich the future development of Amway products that promote gut health,” Seehra says. “Balancing and strengthening the gut microbiome is crucial, especially as we age. We continually discover new ways to prime the gut, building resilience and supporting overall health and wellbeing.”

To age healthily and extend healthy life expectancy, preparation is essential. Nutrilite Health Institute President Sam Rehnborg, Ph.D., now approaching 88 years old, has benefited from Nutrilite nutrients even before he was born. He was once considered a “medical anomaly” by doctors due to his rapid recovery from a skiing accident years ago.

Full of vitality and humor, he continues his global travels, including a visit to Taiwan last year, where he exemplified the spirit of optimal health through his physical wellness and dynamic interpersonal interactions.

“I was introduced to Nutrilite products in the womb, and as I grew up, I inherited my father’s passion for researching plant nutrients,” says Dr. Rehnborg. For him, optimal health is a journey, not a destination. He looks forward to seeing Amway and Nutrilite continue to harness the power of plants to help everyone achieve an ideal healthy life.