What Is Genome Testing and How It Is The Future of Healthcare

Modern super-specialty hospitals in India have made significant strides, rivalling the best hospitals worldwide with state-of-the-art diagnostics and high-tech interventions. However, there's something even more advanced in the world of healthcare: Health 5.0. This new global healthcare standard revolves around a novel concept called personalisation, aiming to provide patients with better predictive power and precision in preventing diseases rather than treating them at a later stage.

Dr Biju KS, Head of the Department of Personal Genomics, Vieroots Wellness Solutions, explained what is genome testing and how it is the future of healthcare. 

Moving Beyond Health 4.0

Currently, mainstream healthcare operates under Health 4.0, where the focus is on treating diseases after they have already manifested and been diagnosed. This approach carries immense risks, pain, hardship, and financial burden for patients undergoing surgeries, chemotherapy, and organ transplants. Health 5.0, on the other hand, marks a paradigm shift, emphasising prevention through personalised approaches, and genomic testing lies at its core.

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The Power of Genomic Testing

Many lifestyle diseases have both genetic roots and environmental triggers. From diabetes and hypertension to cancer and cardiovascular diseases, the risk of developing these conditions can be inherited from parents or ancestors. Genomic testing is the key to identifying these disease-encoding genes, even when they are silent or dormant, potentially years or decades before they manifest as diseases. For instance, Vieroots' EPLIMO offers a saliva-based genomic test that can detect risks for over 250 common and rare lifestyle diseases in a single examination.

Epigenetics - Fortifying Genes through Lifestyle Changes

The future of healthcare lies in genomic testing, as it not only identifies disease risks but also enables positive lifestyle changes to fortify genes against potential triggers. Epigenetics, a remarkable mechanism, allows lifestyle modifications to influence gene expression without altering the DNA level. Embracing personalised lifestyle changes, backed by research, can help prevent the development of diseases in individuals prone to specific conditions.

Also read: Researchers Identify Gene That Could Help With More Targeted Cancer Treatment

Vieroots EPLIMO - A Comprehensive Solution

Vieroots EPLIMO goes beyond genomic testing, offering personalised lifestyle modifications for identified disease risks. These modifications encompass research-validated changes in diet, nutrition, supplements, exercise, yoga, meditation, breathwork, de-stressing, and detoxing. By fortifying genes with epigenetic changes, this approach guards against the triggering of identified diseases, ushering in a new era of preventive healthcare.