SLEEP & LONGEVITY
specifically by looking at a number of markers present in their DNA. The results will tell us more about patients’ genetic heritage and their lifestyle. In some cases, there can be a difference of up to fifteen years between the resulting age and their age in real years. However, it’s important to note that this ‘age’ is not a life sentence; the fact is that behavioural changes can affect these markers. We provide patients with a review of the risks they face; they and their practitioner can then work on these together. Our approach actually offers plenty of hope. Yes, but not directly. Our solutions have been developed mainly for healthcare professionals, doctors’ surgeries and clinics specialising in preventive medicine and longevity that focus on improving physical health, diet and stress management. They prescribe tests for their patients and then work with them in the light of the results; the role of our laboratory is to analyse the data. Anyone interested in our tests can contact us to find out which practitioner or institution they should approach. Are your tests accessible to the general public ? It’s a rapidly-expanding field. We’ve had a lot more requests in recent months. Why is that ? There are many different reasons. Partly, there’s increased awareness in the wake of Covid; indeed, the pandemic revealed that some people’s lifestyles put them more at risk of mortality from the disease. Another factor is that in countries with quite a good health system, patients live longer but don’t necessarily enjoy the best possible health and wellbeing. Diet, exercise and alcohol intake all play a role in that, as does chronic stress, which can have an effect on longevity. Is there a lot of demand for these tests ?
Sébastien Nusslé is an expert in biostatistics and evolutionary biology and the co-founder of Genknowme.
Are you saying that it’s possible to die from chronic stress ? When we’re stressed, our bodies release stress hormones. This neuroendocrine process releases substances that impact our organs, with physiological effects; that’s a natural defence mechanism. However, if things don’t go back to normal, this stress becomes chronic, leading to long-term physiological changes that in some cases may have significant effects on longevity and chronic diseases. The impact of these reactions can be measured, and the effects mitigated accordingly. Is sleep important in all this ? Of course; sleep management forms part of our health review; sleep is also one of the factors that can increase our biological age. Here too, lifestyle and of course bed systems can have an impact. Unfortunately, we don’t yet have enough data to study all the related causes and understand them more fully. That said, we do hope to develop an epigenetic test for sleep once we have more reliable research in this field. With that in mind, we’re very open to setting up partnerships to support the development of this innovative project.
genknowme.com Genknowme S.A. Bat. Alanine / Startlab Rte de la Corniche 5 1066 Epalinges Switzerland
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