Bupa makes genetics testing kit available to businesses
‘Bupa SmartDNA’

Highlights how employees' bodies might react to food groups and physical activity
A genetics testing kit designed to allow employees tailor their approach to a healthy lifestyle has been made available to businesses by Bupa.
Using a saliva swab test, ‘Bupa SmartDNA' provides individuals with a personal overview across three categories - diet, fitness and mental wellbeing - as well as insights into how their body might react to aspects such as caffeine, alcohol, stress or lack of sleep.
Available as an enhancement to a Bupa Health Assessment, results are available online within 15 days and employees will receive a follow-up call from an expert lifestyle coach trained in behaviour change who will explain the results, provide a personalised wellbeing plan and a 12-week diet with suggested recipes.
‘Holistic'
"Businesses are now rightly much more engaged in their employees' health - they want to empower their workforce to make the right lifestyle choices and ensure they are as healthy and productive as possible, so this is a big step towards giving employees a more holistic view of their health," said Alaana Linney, director, Bupa Health Clinics.
"What's important is not just knowing about your health and how your body works, but also getting the right support to make any necessary changes. By using the information from the Bupa SmartDNA test alongside the findings of a health assessment, we can help employees understand more about the potential impact of their lifestyle and provide real-time support to help them be healthier in the long term."
According to Bupa, almost half (48%) of British adults would make lifestyle changes immediately if they knew more about the genetic links between food, drink, exercise and sleep and their health and wellbeing.
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