Everyone’s talking about
DNA testing
More commonly associated with crime scenes and paternity tests, DNA testing is becoming mainstream. Julie Cramer finds out what this means for spas
Fuelled by the growth of popular companies such as US-based 23&Me, DNA testing is more readily available to consumers than ever before. And it’s also becoming a service offered by health and wellness providers.
DNA testing involves a simple saliva swab which can be analysed to deliver powerful health information directly into the hands of the consumer. UK-based firm Chronomics has taking things a step further by launching one of the world’s first consumer epigenetics testing kits and we take a closer look at that on p20.
But what should people do with this data once they receive it? Is this where spa facilities should be stepping in as the experts to prescribe lifestyle changes and assist with their implementation? What sort of services are spas offering?
The good news is that, with the growth of third party DNA testing providers, spas don’t need to have a medical component onsite as everything can be outsourced, with specialist training provided for staff. But how do they choose a credible partner?
There are caveats to consider too. How can such sensitive data be protected, and how can spas deal with the delivery of often life-changing information? And with the extra infrastructure a spa might need, will the service be profitable?
We talk to leading wellness providers and industry experts about how spas can tackle these issues.
The future of wellness is based on genetics. Soon there will be no ‘standard' detox or wellness programmes. Instead, they'll be customised according to genetic tests.
We chose to partner with Gene Predictis (GP) because of its expertise. It's tests are based on the most recent validated knowledge in the field of health and genetics and proprietary algorithms.
GP developed genetic testing panels specifically for Clinique La Prairie, which launched in December. A saliva swab is sent to the GP labs for DNA analysis and in three days a personalised report giving an overview of inherited risk factors is made available to our doctors for review and health recommendations.
Our physicians, who have also been trained by GP scientists, can identify risks of developing certain diseases, for which a treatment or preventive care is available. In addition, they can help by giving guidance on how to improve quality of life by focusing on things like nutrition, stress reduction, better sleep etc.
The genetic test has been added to our renowned Revitalisation programmes and the Master Detox programme, and will soon be integrated into Weight Management offering and maybe more programmes in the future. Prices for these all-inclusive, multi-night packages start at CHF14,900 (US$14.7k).
So far clients are keen and very impressed that they can get such personalised medical information and advice.
I'd say the main success of our DNA tests is that they promote an increased awareness for prevention and give greater motivation to adopt a better lifestyle. Recently we had a patient who was hesitating in doing further cardiological investigations, even though the medical consultations indicated a need for it. But when his DNA results showed an increased genetic risk for heart attack, he decided to go further into preventive care.
Gibertoni joined Switzerland's Clinique La Prairie in 2016. He's worked in the luxury, cosmetics and industrial sectors for 20-plus years
I can see a number of advantages and disadvantages to spas offering DNA testing, for both the consumer and operators.
Tests usually only require a saliva sample, which is easy to collect, and spas could be seen as a one-stop shop for this kind of service (instead of going to the doctors). This will allow customers to find out about health markers they otherwise might never have known about.
Offering DNA testing could help set the spa apart from other facilities, increase their standing as a wellness provider and even increase occupancy.
But there are potential downsides too, of course. Important psychological factors must be taken into consideration. Is it the place of a spa practitioner to deliver certain kinds of results and what kind of impact might that have on them psychologically – for better or worse? On the other hand, they are the best placed to help clients achieve the lifestyle modifications that might be needed.
There’s also a debate that DNA blood samples may have less impurities than saliva. If blood is to be taken, it’s likely that the spa will have to employ a phlebotomist. Who will interpret the findings? Will there be a need for a doctor on the premises? And how will the spa protect the privacy of the information?
The added costs could end up outweighing the extra revenue these tests bring. Spas might have to consider extra personnel costs, more space, and increased insurance against potential mistakes or misinterpretation.
In addition, while personalised nutritional approaches may be a step in the right direction, few scientific organisations believe we even have enough current genetic information to assist in diet effectiveness. It’s clearly a complex matter.
Huddleston Tabacchi has a PhD in biochemical nutrition, biostatistics, and a specialist knowledge of the global spa industry
I’ve long been aware of DNA testing as a tool, not only to discover ancestry but to identify individual health markers and biological influences. I’ve always wanted to use it personally, but it was initially expensive.
I found DNAFit to be a very affordable and excellent choice. After testing it on our team, we’re just about to launch it to our 380-plus SenSpa members at a cost of £149 (US$194, €172).
Our fitness team have completed 23 DNAFit training modules and four exams so they can now programme PT sessions using the DNA tool.
Although the reports are user friendly and self-evident in the way information is presented, our team is able to interpret genetic markers that determine the body’s functionality. For example, am I better built for power or endurance, am I likely to suffer injury and how quickly might I recover from a workout?
The reports help us to home in on the most effective means to achieve wellness goals without wasting time, energy and resources on activity or nutrition that adds little or may even be detrimental.
We’re seeing now, especially with the treatment of disease, that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work. We’re in an era of personalisation and there‘s nothing more personal than DNA testing to tailor and eliminate activities or foods that aren’t beneficial.
We may already be doing what’s good for us. For example, I instinctively prefer a lower carbohydrate diet – which is exactly what my DNA says is right for me. But I also gained a huge amount of insight that I can put to practical use every day.
Lotto is a senior executive at Greenclose Hotels, UK, and has overseen its SenSpa at Careys Manor for 15 years
We see the huge value of DNA testing. It’s something that can have a highly personalised influence on lifestyle interventions that can be used to reduce the expression of a ‘bad’ genotype.
We chose to partner with the Greek firm Eucrasia, whose experts have been studying human metabolic function for more than 20 years, producing a significant track record of over 15,000 clinical cases.
One of the tests we offer is 3GL, which costs €110 (US$124, £95). Through a simple finger prick blood test, we measure the levels of glutathione, the master protection cell for our metabolism. We also measure blood glucose levels. From this we can we determine a person’s precise antioxidant nutritional needs and identify the ideal isoglycemic diet to keep blood glucose balanced. Balanced sugar levels promote wellness, longevity and metabolic homeostasis.
Our advanced seven-night Nutrigenomics Programme, priced at €3,471 (US$3,925, £3,000), measures the influence of your lifestyle and nutritional habits in the expression of your genetic code.
Using a blood panel that measures around 200 parameters, our scientific team can assess a person’s cellular respiration, gut flora, general detoxification and how they metabolise macro and micro nutrients.
We use this information to prescribed diet and exercise, but nutrigenomics is so much more than that. It also encompasses elements such as recovery, psycho-emotional balancing, detoxification and meditative therapies.
This is a life-changing approach which, at a scientific level, goes right to the core of the nucleus of the cell – ie DNA and expression, and it’s why Euphoria is fundamentally changing clients’ health for the long term.
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