Here’s my twist to the old “health is wealth” wisdom: health preservation is the new wealth preservation, and it’s vital if you want to continue living the life you want. So, how do you preserve your health? You could start by getting acquainted with the most sophisticated trends that are redefining health and wellness.

Wellbeing – the most precious commodity today

Wellness is the new luxury. All over the world, people are dedicating more time, attention and resources to wellness and self-care – even social media feeds are filled with personal posts about keeping fit, feeling good, eating clean, sleeping like a baby and so on. 

Those with a huge appetite for better wellness don’t bat an eyelid at paying a premium for top-tier experiences. Why not? After all, investing in your health pays the best dividends. As life expectancies continue to increase, it could be the key to longer “healthspans” (a term to describe illness-free years) so we can keep doing what we love. Furthermore, it's a proactive way to address our main concern about ageing: poor health¹.

Bespoke precision experiences – the gold standard in health and wellness

The buzzword in today’s wellness industry is personalised, holistic approaches shaped around your entire being – and it’s all about attention to detail, right down to the teeny genes within the chromosomes in your cells. We’re seeing not just artificial intelligence-driven tools, but also specialised, scientific approaches to wellness and bespoke treatments tailored to individuals’ genetics. The result is highly customised solutions moulded to fit the deepest crevices of your every need, be it weight loss, detoxification, general wellness or medical treatment.

The level of pampering and customisation has never been higher. You can expect to be cocooned in luxury, immerse yourself in gemstone healing and benefit from treatments that practically have your name on them – all for enhanced health and wellbeing.

Want to live your best life? Here are some next-level nutrition, medical and wellness trends that are revolutionising personal health to keep on your radar...

#1 Artificial intelligence in precision nutrition and fitness

From sophisticated nutrition apps that count calories and plan meals to 3D printed food packed with specific nutrients, it’s exciting to see how data and cutting edge-technology are being harnessed to help you eat better and control what goes into your body.

Researchers in the US are reportedly working on creating the first wearable device that can monitor eating behaviour the same way a pedometer tracks steps, guiding and empowering people to optimise their health. Over in Australia, meanwhile, researchers have found a way to boost protein and vegetable intake among aged residents with swallowing difficulties using 3D food printing. It's brilliant!
 

Can’t be at your loved one’s side 24/7 to monitor their eating patterns in hospital? Don’t worry. Some hospitals in Singapore have started using a special food tray scanner to track patients’ food consumption and nutrient intake to about 95% accuracy – which can be helpful when evaluating a patient’s recovery progress. Meanwhile, a new app motivates pre-diabetics in Singapore to improve their lifestyle and reverse their condition. It works by analysing the nutritional value of food based on photos and charting how much exercise they do daily, and offering real-time feedback.

2. Elevated privacy and club privileges for health screenings

Fancy getting your annual health check in a plush suite with a meal, parking and exclusive wellness club perks thrown in? That’s the “first-class experience” DA MedSuites by Doctor Anywhere promises. Here, health screenings are less intimidating with luxe details and utmost privacy – turning a commonly dreaded task into a more enjoyable lifestyle experience.

Screenings are done in one of 17 private pods or three VIP suites in the 12,000sqft space nestled within the opulent COMO Orchard (COMO Group is known for its integrated approach to luxury living).

At S$14,169 (including GST), the premium Sequoia health screening package comprises a comprehensive range of tests done in a VIP suite that’ll make you forget the time. Upping the ante in customer comfort, the team employs highly advanced techniques, such as LucenceINSIGHT, a multi-cancer screening test that uses DNA fragments in the blood. The package includes exclusive Club Privileges – a complimentary wellness package at COMO Shambala Singapore, 14-day complimentary access to the COMO Shambhala Anywhere app, and a food and nutrition masterclass by a renowned chef or nutritionist.

Trying to convince a loved one to get a health check? The COMO x MedSuites Holistic Health retreat might do the trick as it cleverly fits a health screening into three days of rejuvenation for the mind, body and soul.

3. Gene-based therapy

Wellness isn’t just about preventive care. Even if we do fall ill or meet with accidents, new remedies and ways to check our risk level keep emerging. Treatments today are judged by how accurately they can meet individuals’ needs.

This explains why personalised and precision medicine – we’re talking genetic-level precision – is replacing one-size-fits-all cancer treatments. In recent years, the use of genetic testing has expanded, transforming the approach to cancer care – from diagnosis to treatment planning and monitoring, and assessing recurrence risk. This enhances the exactness and customisation of treatment plans based on the type and stage of cancer, and the patient’s health and personal preferences.

According to a spokesperson at Icon Cancer Centre, one of the latest developments in this area is Next-Generation Sequencing, a type of gene-based therapy which allows oncologists to now prescribe a customised treatment plan to target specific gene mutations in cancer.  

Through genomic profiling, the oncologist can pinpoint a specific gene that is behaving abnormally and use targeted therapy to treat the cancer. A key benefit of targeted therapy is improved accuracy and the ability to kill cancer cells without damaging healthy cells.

4. Confinement “sanctuaries” for mums
 

Pregnancy and childbirth put immense stress on a woman, so the slew of premium confinement centres for recuperation that’ve opened up in recent years have been warmly received. The newest postpartum centres are akin to upscale idyllic retreats for the ultra-wealthy.

Postpartum mums and their newborns can now check into luxurious resort-like centres where they can expect things like:

• 24-hour care by a nursing team
• infantcare specialists
• doctors and TCM physicians for consultations
• postnatal physical evaluations
• herbal baths and massages for mum and baby
• educational and fitness workshops
• meals planned by a dietitian and prepared by a hotel executive chef

Top-tier centres are located in prestigious addresses away from the city’s hustle and bustle and enveloped with a tropical oasis vibe. If you book with a centre in a hotel or country club, you may also have access to the full set of facilities there.

One such centre is located in a five-star hotel in Sentosa that’s popular with society’s well heeled. Opened in 2023, it offers various accommodation types, starting with a 170sqm apartment. At the highest end of the spectrum is a 524sqm three-bedroom manor with private pool that can accommodate up to three accompanying family members, even pets. A 56-day stay costs S$328,800 and includes things like art therapy, private yoga sessions, a full-month celebration for baby and limousine service. It’s money well spent for the mother and child’s comfort.      

5. Gemstone therapies that engage the seven senses

Gemstones are believed to have healing frequencies that aid overall wellness. While there’s no scientific proof of their ability to affect our energy levels, emotional wellbeing or state of mind and gemstone therapy should certainly never replace medical treatments for health conditions, if you feel that including them in your wellness routine benefits you, there’s no harm in it – even if it’s just a placebo effect and not the result of any specific properties of the gems.

Some high-end spas use gemstones in their wellness treatments. For instance, the signature Heavenly Gemstone Journey at Heavenly Spa by Westin uses energy-balancing massage gemstones together with an organic massage balm from France to conjure calm, euphoric bliss or body-mind balance. If you’re fatigued due to stress, frequent travelling or inadequate sleep, this 90-minute session could help restore equilibrium and bring out a natural glow.

The award-winning spa endeavours to “touch” guests across seven senses (the five physical senses and the psychological senses of emotion and meaning), so be ready for serious pampering. Elevating every luxurious experience is the million-dollar view of the city from the relaxation lounge on the 35^th floor, which promises to wash your cares away.

Conclusion

If you’re trying to improve your overall health, you’ll find a plethora of resources and advice out there. But as the wellness industry keeps evolving, knowing the latest trends shaping approaches to health and wellbeing is important. Whether you’ve been looking for more comfortable and discreet health screening options, or seeking cutting-edge treatment alternatives for a relative with cancer, I hope my overview of these top-tier health and wellness game-changers will point the way to better health all around.

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^Notes

^{1. Source: The Straits Times© Singapore Press Holdings, extracted with permission, “Poor health is topmost concern about ageing but looking good is also important: S’pore survey”, 5 August 2024.}