In the Genes
If you feel you’ve tried everything you possibly can but have failed to reach your desired fitness levels, perhaps it’s time to test your genetic predisposition. Mumbai-based Pranav Anam and Shiraz Siddique founded The Gene Box while they were working on creating a recommendation engine for Nutrition and Fitness. “Being from a genetics background, I have always thought that genetics can be an immense help in reaching the accuracy we are aiming for our recommendation engine,” reveals Anam. Genetic testing for a body's predisposition for fitness and nutrition has become hugely popular. Since their launch a little over a year ago, TGB has conducted 600 individual tests. Here Anam tells Simply Mumbai about the procedure and why the test is of significance.
Q. Why is it important that one take this genetic test?
It is important, rather I'll say it is a very intelligent decision that everyone should make. Let me take the example of Taher, my best friend and our operations head. He was one of the first few to take The Gene Box test. Knowing about his intolerances and sensitivities helped him lose weight at a quicker rate. His lactose and gluten tolerance were the core reason for him not losing weight regardless of a proper fitness regime. With The Gene Box, we excluded these from his diet, opted for alternatives and results were extraordinary.
Q. Is the test for a specific body type or would you encourage everyone to get it?
We encourage TGB for everyone.
Q. What does the procedure involve?
We send a saliva sample for genotyping to our labs at Chennai. We sequence and analyse the genetic profile of an individual. Once we get the unique profile of an individual, we process it and it is analysed to determine the likelihood of important lifestyle traits and thereafter an action plan is made accordingly.
Q. Does your report include recommendations?
Yes, we also create an action plan that includes recommendations along with the report. We provide the same as per the need of the users. Our offerings and value propositions are quite unique. We start with the Genetic Test. The Gene Box didn’t stop just there, we went ahead to develop an ecosystem for every individual’s wellness-using genetic testing, qualified Geneticists and Health Counsellors for consultation, tailor-made plans, fast-evolving recommendation engines, ambient devices for tracking, state of the art AI and in addition to that, customised subscription plans for everyone. A wellness ecosystem to ensure a healthier and happier you.
Q. How much does it cost?
We have three panels: Nutrition, Fitness and Health. Each of them alone is MRPed at Rs 13,000, any two of them is at Rs 23,400 and all of them together is Rs 30,000.