Abstract: 

To facilitate increasingly personalized approaches to health and medicine, there is increasing enthusiasm for the collection of high-dimensional datasets on individuals to facilitate population stratification and targeted intervention strategies. However, it is not always clear whether insights derived from studies in unhealthy populations or in controlled trial settings are transferable to the general population. An observational analysis was conducted on longitudinal blood biomarker data from 1033 individuals, generated using an automated, web-based personalized nutrition and lifestyle platform.

First, the longitudinal dataset was used to construct a correlation network as a powerful tool for biological hypothesis generation. Both expected and novel biological correlations were uncovered, including a connection between neutrophil and triglyceride levels that has been previously proposed as relevant to cardiovascular risk but insufficiently investigated to date. Further, biomarker changes from baseline to follow-up were assessed relative to platform use. Across many biomarkers measured, there was a notable change toward normalcy in those who had out-of-range values at baseline. In addition, preliminary evidence was found for the “real world" effectiveness of attempts to increase oatmeal and dairy consumption on LDL cholesterol levels.

Bio: 

Dr. Gil Blander is internationally recognized for his research in the basic biology of aging and translating research discoveries into new ways of detecting and preventing age-related conditions. He leads a team of biology, nutrition & exercise physiology experts, and computer scientists at InsideTracker.

Dr. Gil Blander received a Ph.D. in biology from the Weizmann Institute of Science and completed his Post Doctoral fellowship at MIT, before going on to found InsideTracker. The InsideTracker platform analyzes key biochemical and physiological markers and applies algorithms and large scientific databases to determine optimal zones for each marker. The system then provides nutrition, exercise, supplements and lifestyle interventions that empower people to optimize their markers, increasing vitality, improving overall health, as well as athletic performance and extending life.