Using gene info to optimise health in the workforce

The Star ^ | 15-06-2010 | Workplace Staff

[Diapason]

Chronic disease, obesity and absenteeism in the workplace significantly affect companies around the world.

And South African companies are no different. In fact, recent national statistics translate into a grim picture for the health and longevity of working South Africans, and ultimately the economy. In 2007, it was estimated that absenteeism cost the South African economy R20 billion for the year.

However, the good news, according to Ashley Galliard of Physicorp Corporate Wellness, is that more South African companies are starting to recognise the importance of a healthy workforce and are creating opportunities for their employees to access wellness services by bringing these services to the office.

Traditionally, executive wellness programmes focused on diet, exercise and lifestyle interventions, says Galliard.

But it is now well-established that an individual's genes play a significant role in their response to diet, and their risk for chronic disease.

"By including nutrigenomic testing in executive wellness programmes, Physicorp provides the missing link, taking corporate wellness to the next level by enabling the best information to be used in planning the most effective diet, exercise and lifestyle interventions for each individual," Galliard says.

For this reason, Physicorp recently teamed up with South African genetic testing company DNAlysis, to provide genetic testing for workers in the corporate environment.

DNAlysis has developed two genetic tests, DNA Health and DNA Diet, that provide the missing link in health and wellness.

"In recent years, scientists have proved that no single diet or weight management lifestyle is optimal for everyone," says Yael Joffe of DNAlysis.

"Understanding your own genes gives you the power to maximise weight loss and optimise your health by adjusting your diet and lifestyle to your own unique set of genes.

"One-size-fits-all is out, and personalised nutrition is in. Weight loss and optimal health today are all about designing lifestyle habits for your unique genetic make-up."

While 98 percent of the Fortune 500 companies in the US have comprehensive employee wellness programmes that take into account individual needs, Physicorp is the first corporate wellness company in South Africa to incorporate genetic testing into its service offering, with the ultimate goal of improving the health status of the company.

DNA Health tests several genes involved in seven key biological processes, including cholesterol regulation, bone health, vitamin B metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

The results provide information on an individual's risk factors for various lifestyle diseases, as well as individual recommendations on diet and nutritional supplementation.

DNA Diet incorporates a simple genetic test that tests for specific genes that impact metabolism and fat loss. From this comes a set of personalised dietary recommendations, an eating plan to achieve optimal weight loss for that particular individual, and guidance on the type and amount of exercise required, based on the individual's unique genetic make-up.

"DNA Diet and DNA Health provide specific information for each individual, which fits perfectly in our model for success," says Galliard.

"This provides a valuable tool for each individual for the prevention of chronic lifestyle-related illnesses - heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and related diseases - and helps us to improve the overall vitality within the workforce.

"Genetic testing is the missing link between educated guesswork and personalised wellness programmes, tailored to each individual's unique requirements. Recognising our diversity and varied needs is the key to a healthier company all round, including the bottom line."

For more information visit www.physicorp.co.za or www.dnadiet.co.za

[Diapason]

This is the first time I'm starting a thread (although I've been on FR for a few years) so I hope I'm doing it right!

I was surprised to see this in one our local South African newspapers/website. Seems we are heading for the same sort of "Big Brother" things that I read about on FR. Could one eventually be excluded from the job market because one's grandmother had breast cancer or a heart attack, or...............?

[Bronzy]

With Obamacare we will probably all have a DNA profile.

[Diapason]

This may be of relevance to your ping lists! South Africa seems to admire everything American - we’re rapidly catching up you in terms of control and socialised medicine.

[ransomnote]

Is it possible we are falling behind so quickly (civil rights/freedom) that it appears to others that they are catching up quickly.(losing their rights almost as quickly as we are?)

[ransomnote]

*looking around the thread*
*looking up at the [ Report Abuse | Bookmark ] tags*

“Uhmmmmm hmmmm...right where they should be”
*looking down at the [ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies | Report Abuse]*

“Yeeeeeeup.....looks good....Post Reply is aligned properly”

*bangs on horizontal line dividing individual posts first with a fist, then with a hammer....the line stays strong*

Yes - you done good. Your first post is first rate and likely to last a looooong time. Congratulations.
*saunters off to inspect another new thread*

[Myrddin]

This company is capitalizing on a demand for DNA typing for the "metabolic type" diet. You can go through a 10 page questionnaire to get a pretty close lock on your correct metabolic type. The DNA testing can take it further and fine tune the results. See Metabolic Typing. Many years ago, Peter D'Adamo wrote books about the "Blood Type" diet. He has refined that into the "Genotype Diet". The "Genotype Diet" parallels the "Metabolic Type" diet in many ways. There is much merit in the work of D'Adamo and William Wolcott.

You can go through the free questionnaire in your browser here

[Diapason]

Interesting site you refer to. The question, though, is, does your employer have the right to insist on having this info? Can we end up in a situation where they insist on controlling your diet, and where does this sort of thing eventually lead?

[neverdem]

Thanks Diapason

[hennie pennie]

This is really really really creepy, having the "Boss Man" dictate your 'optimal' diet according to genetic testing. There's so much potential for misuse of this information..... and it's not like any of this stuff is PROVEN fact.

This is also reminescent of the employers in the U.S. who have fired people who smoke cigarettes at home, NOT on the job.

This kind of practice, if it becomes widespread could lead to a large number of new small businesses by people who'd rather be self-employed than have a boss who inspects their grocery bill and refrigerator contents.

[Myrddin]

I don’t want my employer accessing the info. It
is there to help me optimize my health. The damn
nanny state needs to be reined in.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks hennie pennie.