nir-vana innovation network

As health and wellness grow in importance, so does both the academic knowledge about them and products and services supporting them. There is a trend for ever more individual approach and there are some good tools already out there. It is possible to learn about one’s genetic predisposition and the possible risks. One can find nutrition plans that adjust themselves to individual lifestyle. All in all, the segment is still in its infancy. There are two problems. Too many offered solutions contain “everything that’s good for you”. The other is, what will people have to do exactly, given their individual risks or habits? A UK startup has now combined latest nutritional and genomic (single nucleotide polymorphisms) data and created an app that allows people to solve the above problems. First, a DNA test is taken that comes with ethical data handling promise (or a pre-existing test from 23andMe or Ancestry forwarded). Upon results, the app prompts to answer questions about lifestyle and fitness. The algorithm then creates a unique profile and set of recommendations. It covers not just cardiac and obesity related predispositions but also thyroid and hormonal health, the types of sleep and of fitness that the person currently has. There is evidence that genetics plays a role in how one’s fitness and exercise should be approached. At this point it is worth mentioning that some good schemes and apps have failed in the past because they have been perceived by the public and the commercial partners as one-offs. The new algorithm is more dynamic. The user is encouraged to start and continue on a journey, as the recommendations will change in time. The way one eats and exercises will have to change. Also, the startup will shortly launch a service of mixing together individually recommended supplements. Again, these will change over time. Despite its recent launch the app is being downloaded at an increasing rate (in English-speaking territories). The startup has a dedicated partner approach and is now seeking foreign clinics, be it obesity, nutrition or wellness clinics. Another group who have started working it in the UK are fitness clubs and individual trainers. A third group is corporates but also SMEs who see this as a better way of looking after their colleagues. Last but not least, the company seeks proposals from other developers of individualised genetic data, recommendations and supplements they could include in their portfolio .