What is Epigenetics?
Epigenetics is an exciting and rapidly developing field of science that explores how lifestyle and environmental factors influence gene expression. Unlike genetic changes, which are permanent and inherited, epigenetic changes are reversible and can be influenced by various external factors such as diet, exercise, stress and toxins. These changes can turn genes on or off, affecting cell gene expression without changing the underlying DNA sequence.
What are epigenetic tests?
Epigenetic testing analyzes these changes to provide insights into a person’s biological age, stress levels, and overall health. Genknowme, a leading Swiss company in this field, offers state-of-the-art epigenetic tests that measure the effects of lifestyle on DNA. In collaboration with Genknowme and our Well-Being Partners, we offer highly personalized preventive and corrective solutions. Our service includes biological age assessment and an epigenetic stress profile for various physiological systems such as cardiovascular, metabolic, immune and neuroendocrine systems, as well as profiles related to smoking and air pollution, alcohol, diet and exercise. These profiles are designed to help you make informed decisions about your health and well-being and track the results of interventions over time.
Biological age vs. chronological age
While your chronological age simply counts the years since you were born, your biological age provides a more detailed picture. This scientifically validated measure reflects your body’s actual age based on epigenetic markers and essentially predicts your life expectancy and overall health. With a healthy lifestyle, your biological age can be lower than your chronological age, making you functionally younger. A balanced diet, regular exercise, avoiding smoking, moderate alcohol consumption and managing stress are the basic tools to slow down the biological clock. Genknowme’s biological age assessment measures the short- and long-term effects of lifestyle choices on your DNA and allows you to assess the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions. This test can help you make informed decisions to reduce your biological age and improve your life expectancy. Through interventions in the area of longevity in collaboration with our well-being partners, further improvements and a significant reversal of the biological clock are now possible. We measure not only your biological age, but also how stress and certain lifestyle habits affect your DNA and influence the delicate balance between health, disease and the aging process.
The epigenetic lifestyle profile
The epigenetic lifestyle profile evaluates how certain lifestyle choices such as physical activity, diet, tobacco and alcohol affect your DNA and biological age using various epigenetic markers. These insights allow us, in collaboration with our Well-Being Partners, to address and potentially reverse negative impacts through targeted interventions. The Epigenetic Stress Profile evaluates the effects of stress overload in various areas such as cardiovascular health, metabolism, immune function, mood and stress response. Prolonged stress can accelerate the aging process and impair health, often leading to chronic illnesses and reduced well-being. By identifying these molecular effects, we can enable tailored interventions to mitigate these effects.
How epigenetic testing works
The process of epigenetic testing is simple and involves several important steps.
Advice
The journey begins with an appointment with us, followed by an online questionnaire focusing on lifestyle aspects.
Blood collection
A venous blood sample will be taken and sent to the Genknowme laboratory.
analysis
The anonymized sample is processed and the DNA is analyzed using advanced technology to identify specific epigenetic markers.
Result
The results will be sent to us and shared with you.
Personalized program
Based on the results, a personalized health program is developed.
Test repeat
The test can be repeated to monitor changes and improvements over time.
Holistic approach
Although they cannot be measured directly with specific genetic markers, other factors such as pre-existing conditions, medical history, genetic predispositions, sleep patterns, mental health and the quality of interpersonal relationships are crucial for a comprehensive assessment. You can either reduce or improve your overall youth capital. Our evidence-based approach helps you invest wisely in your youth capital and combat or reverse the effects of accelerated epigenetic aging. While we can’t change your genetic code or stop aging altogether, we can influence gene expression through informed and improved decisions. By monitoring your epigenetic changes, we can see how these decisions affect you over time. Our ultimate goal is to improve your health, longevity and overall well-being.
Advantages of epigenetic testing
Epigenetic testing offers several benefits that can significantly improve your health management.
Personalized insights
Understanding how your lifestyle habits affect your DNA will help you make more informed decisions about diet, exercise, and stress management.
Preventative health care
Early detection of adverse epigenetic changes enables timely interventions that can prevent the development of chronic diseases.
longevity
Healthier lifestyle habits based on epigenetic insights can reduce your biological age and increase your life expectancy.
Stress management
When you recognize how stress affects your body, you can take targeted measures to mitigate its effects and improve your overall well-being. If you would like to find out more about our well-being partnerships, which include coaching, mental and physical wellbeing, exercise, relaxation, nutrition and much more, you can book an appointment here!