An artificial intelligence assessment of the results of an 8-month DELTA experiment conducted by Professor Dean Ho on himself to test the effect of personal lifestyle changes on biological age showed a rejuvenation in his body.
According to scientists at the National University of Singapore's Faculty of Medicine, most people assess their health based on annual medical checkups, which only provide a static picture. Therefore, they propose a different approach—focusing on bodily functions and tracking changes in real time, which is what Professor Dean Ho underwent.
For eight months, the 47-year-old professor followed a strict regimen: fasting for approximately 20 hours a day, intermittent fasting for 48 hours, exercising for 90 minutes daily, and adhering to a structured diet (leafy greens, seeds, olive oil, and lean protein). He wore three devices—a Whoop device, a Garmin device, and an Apple Watch—which allowed him to track changes over the long term. The researchers also developed an AI-powered assistant to estimate biological age based on the body's dynamic responses to psychological stress, rather than static indicators.
The results showed an acceleration in metabolic shift—the body's ability to quickly switch between burning sugar and fat—from over 24 hours to 16.5 hours (for comparison, this process takes an average of 36 to 72 hours in people of average age). The smart assistant estimated his biological age at 32, about 15 years younger than his actual age. His resting heart rate decreased from 65 to 46 beats per minute, and his sleep pattern improved—he went to bed at 9 p.m. instead of midnight, his sleep duration increased from 5 to nearly 8 hours, and his sleep became deeper. His gut microbiome also showed positive changes.
The professor says: "We started this study to move beyond fixed indicators and focus on how the body works and changes in real time. Because health is a journey, not just a fleeting image."
The research team hopes that Project Delta (DELTA) will help people use their health data effectively to make personal changes, rather than following stereotypical recommendations.
