myDNAhealth, a health tech start-up from Norwich, has won valuable EU funding to develop a personalised nutrition life-changing digital application.

The innovation voucher from the INCluSilver Project (www.inclusilver.eu), means the myDNAhealth could save thousands of lives. To create the application myDNAhealth will work with digital platform Quisper® (https://quisper.eu/), and Norwich-based RWD Systems and Quadram Institute of Bioscience. It’s expected the app could also save the NHS and similar organisations millions of pounds a year.

“Too many of our ageing or silver generation are at risk from preventable lifestyle diseases. Preventable means just that and we aim to do something about it. The application will allow individuals to make informed decisions about what they eat. Meaning it can steer users away from future health problems. We believe personalised nutrition combined with e-coaching can work better than a one-size-fits-all dietary approach. The app also provides targeted nutrition advice and meal plans. The aim being, a proactive and positive change in behaviour. The upshot being a healthier ageing population and less stress on health services.” Berenice Williams, co-founder & CEO myDNAhealth.

Assisting myDNAhealth in this international collaboration are two other Norwich-based companies, RWD Systems and Quadram Institute of Bioscience.

“We’re excited to see the app in practice. This will be the first Quisper® Server Platform linked digital application tested with real users and scrutinised by the independent advisory board.” – Paul Finglas, Quadram Institute.

The funding for the project comes courtesy of EU based INCluSilver.

INCluSilver champions innovation in personalised nutrition for the ‘Silver Economy’ and helps bring these ideas to market. The organisation is part of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme.

myDNAhealth won funding thanks to its unique science-backed service. Dedicated to tackling preventable lifestyle diseases through personalised nutrition intervention. Driven by data, the company combines bioscience, technology, behaviour, and nutrition to highlight the risk of preventable health problems. The application then provides tailored advice to foster long-term change and health benefits.

myDNAhealth’s approach to personalisation is based on biological evidence of differential responses to foods/nutrients.
The application is fuelled by a variety of data sets. These include genotype and/or physical and biochemical characteristics, food behaviour, preference, demographic, and lifestyle choices. The myDNAhealth App will sync to the Quisper® Server Platform, to combine different sources of accurate information. This personalised nutrition service, will be overseen by the independent Quisper Scientific Advisory Board (QuiSAB).

From a single login, individuals can access reliable nutritional advice and a wealth of related resources. This trove will include a vast searchable database of meal plans and recipes to help keep anyone at risk on the right track.
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The BETA version of the App will collate and analyse behavioural data gleaned from in-depth questionnaires. It will also feature a bar code scanner, so users can identify potentially hazardous foodstuffs on the fly. It will also be compatible with numerous wearables and other smart devices.