Nordic Genex: The key to a healthier life is written in your genes

By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Nordic Genex

What if the solution to sustainable weight loss and long-term well-being is not the latest fad diet or high-intensity fitness trend, but a deeper understanding of your DNA?

While traditional weight-loss programmes often base their recommendations on factors like age, gender, height, and daily activity, Finnish biotech company Nordic Genex goes beyond surface-level data. Its approach is rooted in nutrigenetics – how our genes affect the way we respond to food – and epigenetics, which explores how lifestyle and environment influence gene expression.

Together, these fields offer a more nuanced and personalised pathway to better health. “What works for one person might be completely ineffective for another. We now have the science to explain why, and the tools to tailor our choices accordingly,” says Annika Kalvia, CEO and co-founder.

Nordic Genex: The key to a healthier life is written in your genes

Personalised health, powered by science

The recent surge in popularity of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic has reignited conversations about weight loss. While such medications can offer benefits for some, they are not universally effective. “Underlying contributors, like chronic inflammation, hormone metabolism or disrupted sleep all play a key role in weight management. These may go unaddressed in medication-driven approaches,” Kalvia says.

With Nordic Genex’s at-home testing kit, customers simply submit a saliva sample by post and receive a detailed report outlining personalised diet, lifestyle and supplement recommendations. The DNA Weight Management test package with add-ons analyses over 100 genetic markers, and helps determine which lifestyle and diet types, such as low-fat, high-fat, high-protein, or high-carbohydrate, are most compatible with your unique genetic profile.

For example, someone with a predisposition to insulin resistance might respond better to low-carb foods, while another person may achieve better results if focusing on foods rich in healthy fats. “Our bodies are still wired like those of our ancient ancestors, which makes navigating today’s world, filled with processed foods and sedentary habits, a real challenge,” Kalvia says.

She likens the process to playing a game of cards. “You might be dealt a strong hand and still play it poorly, or get a weak hand and play it well. The same goes for your genes. It’s not just about what you’re born with, but how you use that knowledge to make informed choices.”

At the core of the company’s mission is a belief that well-being is not a one-size-fits-all model. “Understanding our bodies on a molecular level can be incredibly empowering. It gives meaningful insights into how to best work with our body, not against it, and how to create lasting results,” the CEO concludes.

Nordic Genex: The key to a healthier life is written in your genes