AYU Partner Spotlight: Muhdo
Head of Physiology at Muhdo, our latest AYU Perk Partner, Chris Collins talks about the exciting DNA and Epigenetic products that are changing peoples lives.
Tell us about the company and how you became passionate in this area?
Muhdo is a DNA and Epigenetics analysis company, primarily focusing on health, performance and lifestyle. The company is a combination of founders from two areas, commercial content creation (magazines etc.) and scientific research. I have worked in this field for over 10 years, starting primarily in sports performance and injury which stemmed from my initial BSc in sports therapy. Since my start I have gained experience and post graduate qualifications focusing more on general health, pathology and machine learning, in 2018 this culminated on the publishing of the paper “Can Genetics Predict Sports Injury? The Association of the Genes GDF5, AMPD1, COL5A1 and IGF2 on Soccer Player Injury Occurrence” which can be found on PubMed. Since this I have been working on furthering the development of algorithms utilising gene variances and epigenetic analysis to better the health of our clients and give them in depth tailored power into their wellbeing.
How is DNA tested?
From a client perspective it is a simple saliva tube, this is then sent off with a pre-paid envelope to the lab. The cells that are located in the tube will contain your DNA sequence, this is then analysed through array technology for both the DNA and epigenetic analysis. What is key for Muhdo is that we take into consideration lifestyle factors and can assimilate users tracking information from fitness trackers which get added into algorithms to bring changeable risks.
What can you learn from a DNA profile?
The list is almost endless on the information we can garner from the analysis, the consumer app (if DNA health is ordered) has around 200 different aspects ranging from performance such as muscle power/stamina traits to health aspects such as type 2 diabetes risk. Each aspect is analysed over multiple gene variances which are calculated into an algorithm based on the current peer reviewed research on each variance. The DNA only products are a one-off test however, the test will not alter, the results are predictive to make the user aware of potential gifts and risks. If the DNA transform is ordered you get everything in DNA health but added on is the novel and exciting epigenetics analysis, this area is changeable and therefore multiple tests can be purchased over time. The epigenetic analysis looks at DNA methylation and measures biological age, hearing age, eye age, memory age and inflammation. This will allow the client to understand if they are ageing well, or if they are actually younger than their chronological age. Those who have accelerated ageing can utilise tailored interventions in an attempt to reduce their age, this is highly beneficial as biological age as worked out through DNA methylation is actually predictive of future pathology.
What products do Muhdo offer?
Muhdo offers DNA analysis through the DNA lite (60~ aspects) focusing on sports performance and diet with some general health aspects. DNA health (200~ aspects) focusing on performance, health, diet and psychology. DNA transform (200~ aspects and DNA methylation) focusing on everything in DNA health but includes biological ageing and the epigenetic aspects.
Once we have our results what happens then?
Muhdo is very consumer orientated, the client will have access to the Muhdo app which contains all the results, questionnaires and trackers. The app is easy to navigate and results have quick outcomes with further reading for those interested. Clients that want in depth discussions about results or have concerns about risks can contact our team and we normally reply the same day. Those on the DNA transform journey often implement interventions (diet, supplements, exercise etc.) and retest after 6 months to see if they have reduced their ageing.
How has Covid affected the industry?
Covid has affected all industries in different ways, from a Muhdo perspective it has shown the power of health and wellness in fighting of infections and the negative affects of lifestyle conditions such as obesity. Muhdo has been conducting internal research on the genes associated with long Covid and the affects Covid has had on DNA methylation.
What's next for Muhdo?
Muhdo has an exciting future with novel products in the works such as direct gene expression from supplements, performance cycling for athletes and a concentration on the early prediction of disease and pathology. Muhdo is also moving rapidly into corporate wellness and health with a powerful practitioner portal known as the helix portal which can give health practitioners an in-depth analysis on client specific conditions, access to algorithms, variance analysis with the associated research and epigenetic management. The portal can also give anonymised macro data on groups with certain gene variances, traits, lifestyle data and conditions, it is an all-in-one powerhouse of wellness, health, lifestyle and aims to improve the wellness of individuals but also the health of populations.
AYU Members currently receive 25% off Muhdo products with AYU Perks, check out the other AYU Perks here.