Could you share the inspiration behind Vieroots’ approach to integrating modern science with ancient wellness practices?
I’ve been involved in the wellness industry for over two decades. After my corporate career, I initially entered the nutraceutical sector, focusing on sales. In 2003, we opened a small doctor-centric clinic, and from there, my journey continued. Alongside this, I engaged in motivational speaking and peak performance events while also building various businesses, as I have liked to be a serial entrepreneur. But my primary passion has always been wellness – promoting good health and helping others achieve it.
Around 2016-17, I became particularly interested in human longevity and peak performance, especially as I too was approaching my 50s. I was curious about how to maintain my energy and performance levels as I approached this crucial milestone in life. This curiosity drove me to explore the aging process and whether it could be reversed. My academic background, with a PhD focused on neuroscience and thought process reengineering, further fuelled my interest. I connected with renowned global experts in human longevity and performance, and discovered the fascinating concept of biohacking – using scientific methods, tools and nutraceuticals to take control of one’s physiology and psychology.
This research inspired me to write a pioneering book on biohacking, titled ‘The Making of a Superhuman’ in 2020. Biohacking was coming of age at that time, transforming itself into an evidence based wellness and performance pursuit. My book gave prominence to the gold-standard in biohacking, called personalized epigenetic lifestyle modifications, and its uniqueness was that it brought together this cutting-edge modern biohacking system with the ancient wellness secrets from the East like ayurveda, yoga, meditation, breathwork and the traditional Indian cuisine.
While this book went on to be a bestseller, I also felt that it was essential to translate this knowledge into practical biohacking solutions for people. At that time, my son, Aditya, had just completed his MBA and was eager to enter the startup ecosystem, and I decided to create this unique company ‘Vieroots’ focused on hyper-personalized health.
Given my experience in the wellness industry, I recognized the sector’s growth potential but also saw the pitfalls – for instance many people were buying supplements without understanding their individual needs. Thus was born Vieroots, where ‘Vie’ symbolizes life and ‘roots’ signifies the roots of life. Our focus is on hyper-personalized lifestyle management.
How does Vieroots enable individuals to take control of their health and well-being through personalized lifestyle management?
When it comes to optimizing one’s health, especially through hyper-personalization, it’s crucial to understand what to eat, what to avoid, and which exercises are best suited for an individual.
Wellness can no longer be generalized; we see people in seemingly good health suffering from issues that may not align with their healthy activities or diets. For instance, while some thrive on a keto diet, others may experience severe consequences from it.
Hence, to achieve true personalization, we need multidimensional data – understanding both genetic and metabolic profiles are vital. That’s why we developed a genetic panel capable of producing risk profiles of around 275 health conditions or diseases based on just a 2 ml saliva sample. This analysis decodes your DNA, identifies gene variants associated with lifestyle diseases, and offers insights into predisposition to develop various diseases.
However, simply identifying genetic risks isn’t enough. Many companies offer this information without providing actionable solutions, which can lead to unnecessary panic. At Vieroots, we delve deeper into the data to determine what can trigger the expression of these genes in the near or distant future and how to mitigate those risks, thereby helping us create a comprehensive set of personalized epigenetic lifestyle modifications for each client. This is the basis of our EPLIMO program.
Participants in the EPLIMO program also complete a metabolic assessment through its own mobile app. Genetic risk factors are further refined using these metabolic inputs to eliminate false positives, and thus arrive at highly probable risks and then to zero in on the most effective and research-validated lifestyle modifications to keep such risks at bay. This comprehensive approach is complemented by preventive counselling provided by genetic counsellors along with a kind of operational manual for yourself detailing best dietary choices, best exercise recommendations, and potential risks associated with certain medications.
The objective of all these is true and full Human Performance Optimization (HPO). If needed, clients are also provided with the services of certified lifestyle coaches to guide them in their lifestyle modification journey.
Apart from programs like EPLIMO, what are the various products and services from Vieroots?
Vieroots has also developed nutritional supplements tailored to the needs of the Indian market, which are based on our findings, as well as other noted research studies. Furthermore, we’re establishing biohack centers equipped with cutting-edge biohacking devices to assist individuals in reversing health conditions. These centers employ specialized protocols for various issues, such as cardiac rehabilitation or diabetes reversal, using the data from genetic and metabolic assessments.
We’re also in the process of launching a Health Super App that will allow users to monitor their health continuously, using IoT based health wearables that monitor everything from sleep patterns to various health metrics. These technologies are now all set to take our Human Performance Optimization (HPO) strategies to a new orbit for our clients.
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How does Vieroots’ methodology differ from traditional wellness practices?
Traditional wellness practices tend to be broad and generic, which is evident in the rapidly growing nutraceutical industry, currently valued at $5.8 billion in India. Many companies are emerging, providing a plethora of supplements as consumer awareness increases. When I first entered the nutraceutical sector, there was little understanding of protein supplementation or similar products, but today people are experimenting with a range of options based on online searches.
Fitness centers have proliferated, yet many fail to recognize that wellness is not one-size-fits-all. The trend of marathons, for instance, has become popular, but I’ve witnessed individuals collapsing during races because they may have genetic predispositions that make such activities unsafe for them.
When individuals seek advice on weight loss, they often receive generic recommendations, such as adopting a keto diet, without consideration of their genetic makeup. Certain gene variants can hinder fat metabolism, and following a high-fat keto diet could jeopardize their health. At Vieroots, we emphasize the importance of personalized recommendations rather than generic advice.
As the saying goes, “one man’s food can be another man’s poison.” With modern science and technology, we can now accurately identify what works for one person and what may be harmful.
How is Vieroots utilizing AI and IoT technologies, and how do these technologies enhance its personalized approach to wellness and lifestyle management?
When you undergo genetic testing through our EPLIMO program, you receive a detailed report that integrates into our app. You can also upload a metabolic report from a blood test, using your mobile device. Our AI based app can read and interpret these joint results. Such a combination of genetic and metabolic data provides a comprehensive view of your health.
Our AI is designed to answer personalized health queries effectively. For example, if someone experiences discomfort in their abdomen and seeks advice, instead of receiving a vague answer from a search engine, they can ask our AI based app, which will analyze their genetic predispositions and recent health data to offer specific guidance.
For instance, if the AI identifies a higher genetic risk for fatty liver disease alongside certain blood markers, it can suggest further tests or a consultation with a doctor, making the diagnostic process more efficient.
This app also comes in handy during special situations like traveling. Recently, during discussions with a colleague in Dubai who creates concierge services for affluent seniors, I noted that many of them want tailored advice, especially when traveling. I tested our AI by asking for travel precautions based on my genetic and metabolic profiles, and it provided precise, actionable insights.
This is what we mean by hyper-personalization – leveraging AI to deliver individualized recommendations that account for both genetic and current health data, which set apart Vieroots in the wellness industry. It also sets apart our clients, as they will be truly enabled with Human Performance Optimization (HPO).
The term ‘superhuman’ holds significant weight in the wellness space. How does Vieroots interpret this concept in relation to personalized health?
When I was writing my book, I contemplated what title would best convey my ideas, and that’s when the concept of ‘superhuman’ emerged. My definition of a superhuman is not someone with extraordinary powers or abilities but rather someone who has taken full charge of their life. This means they have a deep understanding of their body at the geno-metabolic levels and are completely responsible for their health, well-being, mind, and awareness. When you achieve this level of self-awareness and control, you start to experience what I refer to as superpowers. In other words, they would be individuals who have perfectly optimized their human potential to superhuman levels. At Vieroots, we strive to empower individuals to harness this potential by utilizing tools that range from genetics to IoT and AI technologies.
How does Vieroots promote sustainable, long-term lifestyle changes among individuals?
We’ve observed that individuals who adopt our lifestyle modification approach tend to sustain these changes effectively, as we backup our suggestions with actionable data as well as research-validated and personalized lifestyle suggestions. Just like how you receive a user manual when purchasing a car or a laptop or a refrigerator, our bodies too need a user manual. We often don’t know how to navigate the issues in our complex bodies or brains.
For instance, many people struggle with emotions like depression or frustration simply because they aren’t trained to manage their varying mental states. Our focus is on teaching people how to take charge of their overall health – mind and body included. We empower individuals with knowledge about their bodily functions, encouraging them to monitor their well-being continuously. Our data-driven approach allows for improved accuracy over time, perfecting our Human Performance Optimization (HPO) strategy.
However, many people also need more personal handholding than such tech-enabled or automated support. Hence, we also offer the services of Certified Lifestyle Coaches. Our academic & training division, Viegyan, offers a certification program in lifestyle coaching in partnership with the Indian Association of Functional Medicine, which has till now trained over 250 coaches. These coaches provide the necessary support and accountability for individuals undertaking significant lifestyle changes, particularly for those who may need guidance in changing long-standing habits.
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With the ambition to assist 1 billion people in living long and healthy lives, how is Vieroots utilizing technology to scale this vision?
We’re tackling this goal from three angles: digital, human, and physical. On the digital front, we are about to launch a Health Super App that will help users regularly measure and monitor their health, using health wearables as well as the advanced AI based analytical tools featured in the app. These tools include an AI personal trainer to assist with posture and exercise techniques and an AI facial scanning feature that assesses 15 health parameters, including blood glucose levels, heart rate variability and biological age. Users can integrate wearables from various brands to collect comprehensive health data, which we believe is crucial – since, if something can be measured, it can be managed. We are also coming out with our own ecosystem of wearables like smart ring and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).
Our focus on the human aspect is by encouraging users to connect with wellness practitioners or lifestyle coaches who can access their health parameters through the app without needing to meet or share these details. This allows for personalized guidance based on real-time data. We’re also developing physical infrastructure with biohack centers opening in locations like Kochi and Pune. To reach our target of 1 billion, we’ve designed unique health protocols for various conditions, including cardiac rehabilitation and diabetes reversal, which incorporate medical interventions and biohacking equipment. These biohacking and wellness protocols for specific conditions are also being made available for other such centers, so that maximum people benefit from our efforts. Our IT team has transformed these proven protocols for accessibility through a scalable portal, allowing any center in India to implement them effortlessly, supported by our backend medical team. This comprehensive ecosystem of digital, human and physical infra will enable us to impact a billion lives effectively in the years to come, by enabling true Human Performance Optimization (HPO).
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