Interview with the founder of DNA4fit: Pavol Pavlovič

What you can learn: There is a lot of talk these days about health, immunity and prevention. A personalised approach is becoming more and more common in all areas of life and health. DNA analysis is one way to easily apply this approach to health and healthy lifestyle. Through genetic analyses, it is possible to find out the requirements for detoxification, metabolism, sports prerequisites or even cardiovascular health and much more. We interviewed DNA4fit CEO Pavol Pavlovic, an experienced project manager of projects in the field of science and research, environment, ecology, bioproducts and a former top youth coach, about their importance and benefits for ordinary people.

What is a genetic test or, more simply, DNA analysis?

A genetic test or also a DNA analysis and especially its result is a personal guide for each person to a proper lifestyle. This guidance is based on facts regarding personal genetic predisposition for different areas of life. It reveals information that you were previously unaware of. It is a tool for you to get to know your body more intimately and help you to more easily strengthen your health and immunity, adjust your weight, gain a youthful appearance and better fitness. Genetic testing is a type of medical test that identifies changes in chromosomes, genes or proteins. The results of a genetic test will give you information about your genetic status. Genetic testing is voluntary and personal. There are currently more than 1,000 types of genetic tests, which are being used around the world, and developments are progressing rapidly. Our testing uses the most advanced method currently available, whole genome scanning, and we interpret the results in the form of easy-to-understand lifestyle information.

Why are genetic test results so important?

The results provide precise answers to questions in the form of more than 60 specific analyses. You'll learn about your body's functioning, the impact of diet on weight, nutrient requirements, metabolism, cardiovascular health, athletic performance, recovery, skin rejuvenation, detoxification, and more. With each analysis, clients also receive a set of recommendations on how they can start making positive changes right away based on their results.

What kind of people is DNA analysis for?

Especially for those people who care about their health and the health of their family or doubt that they are doing enough for their health. It is also highly desirable for children of any age, so that parents know what adjustments they can make to their children's daily routines or how to steer their lives in a positive direction. It is also recommended for busy managers, top and performance athletes, but especially their coaches, people with various intolerances, but also for those who want to change their lives and live healthier. In today's challenging times, they are also a health benefit for employees and employers.

How does the DNA analysis process work?

DNA collection is simply done from saliva in a few minutes at home using a collection kit, which you will receive with instructions to your address. Once the collection is done, you place the collection device into an envelope and take it to your nearest post office. Once it is delivered to us, one of our 3 international partner laboratories will get to work, analyse your sample and you will have your results within 40 days (usually faster).

How do DNA analysis results help people in real life?

In the world the DNA analyses are used much more than in our country. There are many concrete examples from life or even, for example, from the world of sport, where specific world sport clubs have used this method as a part of the care of their players and have achieved better results than their rivals in the long term. Our customers inform us about the findings from the results of the analyses, which help them, for example, to solve the problem of overweight, to determine the exact type of diet, to find out the facts about intolerances, to regulate the supplementation of vitamins and trace elements, to set up a sports plan or even about surprising findings about their sleep cycle. We also have a special analysis for skin care focused on skin health, beauty and nutrition. Of course most of us don't have time to prepare meals that are suitable for us, but many of us prepare them at home so we also have a personalised dietary programme based on your genetics that correlates exactly with the result of the analysis of your diet type. From our experience using our analyses in the UK so far, we see that everyone who gets results changes their approach to looking after their health and over 70% of people even change their approach in a significant way.

Which analyses from the DNA analyses are the most interesting in your opinion?

They are all equally important because together they create the "big picture" and therefore a comprehensive view of the body's functioning. I will highlight at least the ones that have interested our customers the most, such as weight regain, overweight risk, alcohol dependence, insulin sensitivity, blood sugar, lactose and caffeine metabolism, and gluten intolerance. We have 10 assays specifically for athletes, but athletes are most interested in the muscle structure, warrior gene and muscle volume gene assays, while I think the VO2max and post-exercise recovery assays are also a key. Here I would draw attention to professional coaches, who have a unique opportunity to prepare true individual training plans for their charges based on the results of the analyses. I was personally very interested in the sleep cycle analysis and in all 9 analyses of cardiovascular health.

Is it possible to consult your results with different experts afterwards?

If customers feel the need, they can consult the results with the experts of their choice, who can then tell them very precisely what other recommendations are right for their individual genetics. We have and are continuing to expand our network of expert consultancies in Slovakia.

You have also tried the genetic analysis. How has it affected you personally?

I, especially as a father, have been applying my knowledge of healthy lifestyle and genetic facts to my family for the last few years. Two things happened to us 4 years ago - our daughter was born and at the same time my wife was diagnosed with cancer. So we were experiencing two strong emotions at the same time, but they had one thing in common for me. To ensure their health as best I could. After experiencing the processes of caring for cancer patients, I decided to do things differently. Today, I can say that we don't talk about illness at home and instead we only talk about what we are going to do for health. We have changed our lifestyles from the ground up, from diet to physical activities. My wife is completely fine, the medical record of my now almost 4 year old daughter with her pediatrician weighs practically nothing. I personally don't even know what my general practitioner looks like. We just don't and won't go to doctors and hospitals. The results of the analyses have helped us to take the whole health care and healthy lifestyle to the highest possible level.

Is it safe to use the tests? What is the assurance that there cannot be an error somewhere?

You register your sample using a unique personal account code that you create in a secure client area. The personal code ensures that the whole process is anonymous and your data cannot be misused. The customer's sample is marked with a unique ID code and analyses are performed in accordance with EU directives and standards. Data security is in accordance with ISO standards and GDPR regulation. Exceptionally, it may happen that an analysis has to be repeated for biological or technical reasons, but if you follow the instructions you will definitely get your results.

What you have learned today: Health, immunity and prevention are and will continue to be important concepts. However, in order for them not to remain just concepts, but to become a philosophy of life, it is important to start from the essence of each and every person. DNA analysis is one way to apply this philosophy to health and healthy lifestyle.