(From left) Dr Shyam, Mike and Leng posing at the Amway Brand Experience Centre at its headquarters in Petaling Jaya.
MALAYSIA is transitioning into an aged nation sooner than anticipated.
According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), 11.6% of the population, or 3.9 million people, are already aged 60 and above. By 2040, this figure is projected to reach 6.4 million — 17.3% of the total population of 37.1 million. By 2057, the proportion is expected to rise to 20.5%, officially categorising Malaysia as a super-aged society.
This demographic shift raises important questions about how Malaysians can not only extend their years but also improve their quality of life.
For Amway, now positioned as a health and well-being company, this evolution reflects its core mission of helping people live better lives — by raising awareness on cellular health as the foundation for healthy ageing.
Nourishing cells with phytonutrients.
Cell health
According to scientist and Amway South-East Asia, India and Taiwan research and development director Dr Shyam Ramakrishnan, our body has 30 trillion cells and each one plays a role in helping us thrive.
“The way we care for our cells makes a significant difference. As we age, they naturally begin to slow down — whether in our bones, skin or heart. By paying attention to cellular health through balanced nutrition and simple lifestyle habits, we can better care for our bodies as they age.”
Dr Shyam highlighted the importance of phytonutrients — plant-based compounds found in fruits and vegetables — in nourishing and supporting cells. “The secret of life is essentially phytonutrients,” he said, citing his 97-year-old father as an example of someone who has practised a simple, nutritious diet throughout his life.
Simple habits
Amway Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines managing director Michael Jonathan Duong (Mike) explained: “We live longer than ever before, but we’re also spending the last 10 to 15 years of our lives unhealthy. That’s the challenge.
“Modern convenience has given us access to food and treatment, but very little focus has been placed on prevention.”
Mike emphasised that prevention doesn’t have to mean drastic changes. Instead, it’s about adopting small, sustainable habits:
> Ensuring adequate protein intake to stabilise blood sugar.
> Eating vegetables first, then protein, before consuming carbohydrates.
> Walking after meals to support digestion and blood sugar regulation.
> Staying connected with a supportive community and maintaining a sense of purpose.
“These are simple, practical changes Malaysians can actually stick to,” he said. “That’s why we emphasise sustainable habits. Within 24 to 48 hours, even your gut microbiome can improve if you make better choices.”
He added that prevention starts with small, simple changes that are sustainable and achievable, and yet impactful.
The science of cellular health
Amway’s scientific focus has evolved from phytonutrients to gut microbiome research and now to cellular health. This progression reflects global research into the “hallmarks of ageing”—12 biological processes that drive the decline of cells over time.
“Every organ in the body can be strengthened with the right diet, nutrients and lifestyle,” Dr Shyam explained.
“The signs of ageing — wrinkles, weaker bones, slower recovery — are surface-level indicators. At the root, it’s the cells undergoing natural changes that affect their function over time. By addressing these hallmarks through nutrition and lifestyle, we can support both lifespan and healthspan.
Amway Malaysia and Brunei general manager Jason Leng stressed the need to shift public perception about ageing. “Surveys show that 60% of Malaysians are worried about ageing. But the real issue is not ageing itself — it’s ageing in poor health. Ageing with vitality, mobility and good health means you can still enjoy life. That’s what matters.”
He pointed out that genetics play a smaller role than most realise. “Only 10–20% of ageing outcomes are linked to genes. The other 80% comes down to our daily choices — what we eat, how active we are and how we care for our health at the cellular level.”
Amway equips its business owner partners with knowledge to inspire Malaysians to make small lifestyle changes, says Mike.
Empowering communities
Amway recognises that education is key. Through programmes, workshops and training sessions across Malaysia, the company equips its business owner partners with knowledge to share with communities.
“These partners are not doctors or nutritionists — they’re everyday Malaysians. But with the right training, they can help others understand cellular health and make informed lifestyle choices,” said Leng. “It’s not about selling; it’s about building awareness that empowers Malaysians to take ownership of their health.”
Mike added that true change often begins with relationships: “It’s usually someone who loves you, or cares about you, who inspires you to make a change. That’s why the community is so powerful in driving healthier habits.”
Mike explained that business owner partners have been mobilised to drive meaningful lifestyle changes across Malaysia.
Scientific partnerships
Amway’s initiatives are backed by a strong foundation of research, supported by a global network of 900 scientists across 75 laboratories worldwide.
Mike noted that Amway currently holds more than 750 patents or patents pending.
Dr Shyam also highlighted that Amway invested six years into developing a functional food. Through the development of the Nutrilite Intelligent Botanical System, Amway’s research team screened over 600 plants and 50,000 plant ingredients before narrowing down to five plant ingredients with valuable phytonutrient properties. This reflects the company’s commitment to advancing nutrition science through rigorous, long-term research.
The company also collaborates with leading educational institutions, including Monash University Malaysia for gut microbiome research and ongoing partnerships with Stanford University and the National University of Singapore for long-term ageing and well-being studies.
“For us, science always leads to the product, not the other way around,” said Dr Shyam. “We focus on evidence-based solutions, validated through research and partnerships.”
As Malaysia moves towards becoming an aged nation, the challenge is clear: ensuring that rising life expectancies are matched with healthier years.
“We don’t just want to add more years to life,” Leng said. “We want to add more life to those years. Ageing is inevitable, but how we age depends on the choices we make. By focusing on cellular health, Malaysians can work towards maintaining vitality, mobility and overall well-being.
Leng also shared that Amway will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting and empowering Malaysians to live healthier.
“Our role goes beyond products,” he added. “We will continue to introduce initiatives that build awareness, helping Malaysians embrace ageing and address health challenges more effectively — empowering people to live better.”
