Published Mar 11, 2026 | 11:00 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 11, 2026 | 11:00 AM
Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre aims to personalise lifestyle advice using genetic insights. (Supplied)
Synopsis: Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre in Chennai has launched Genomic Lifestyle Counselling (GLC), a programme that uses genetic testing to personalise diet, exercise and treatment advice. By analysing saliva samples for metabolic markers, doctors aim to tailor lifestyle guidance to each individual’s biology, helping prevent or manage diabetes, obesity and heart disease through precision medicine rather than one-size-fits-all recommendations.
Why does a strict diet help some people lose weight while others struggle despite following the same advice? Why can one person drink several cups of coffee without problems while another loses sleep after just one?
Doctors say the answer lies in our genes — Genomic Lifestyle Counselling (GLC) launched in Chennai by Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre, aims to personalise lifestyle advice using genetic insights.
The initiative reflects a growing shift in healthcare towards precision medicine, where prevention and treatment strategies are tailored to an individual’s biological profile rather than relying on broad, one-size-fits-all recommendations.
Speaking to South First, diabetologist Dr. V. Mohan said traditional diet and lifestyle advice often assumes that everyone responds in the same way — which is not always true.
“Until now we have been giving lifestyle advice assuming everybody is the same. But everybody is not the same,” Mohan said. “Just like fingerprints are unique, every individual has a unique genetic profile.”
According to him, understanding this genetic variation can help explain why some people respond well to certain diets or exercises while others do not see the same results.
“When we have a genetic profile, we can identify which foods suit a person, which type of exercise works better, and even how they may respond to certain medicines,” he said.
Mohan added that the programme aims to personalise treatment for conditions such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease rather than treating everyone identically.
Explaining the scientific framework behind the programme, endocrinologist Dr. R. M. Anjana said the model combines genomic testing with structured lifestyle planning.
“The programme integrates genomic risk assessment with personalised lifestyle interventions such as diet optimisation, physical activity recommendations and behavioural guidance,” Anjana said.
The goal, she explained, is to move from generic advice to evidence-based guidance tailored to an individual’s genetic predisposition.
“This helps identify risk earlier and empowers individuals to make informed decisions that can delay or even prevent metabolic disorders,” she said.
Advances in genetic technology have made such approaches more practical, doctors noted. Earlier, testing was expensive and time-consuming, but newer tools allow faster and more accessible analysis.
Patients enrolling in the programme receive a small testing kit delivered to their homes. The kit contains equipment used to collect a saliva sample, which is then analysed for genetic markers related to metabolism, diet response and disease risk.
Explaining the process, a member of the medical team involved in the programme told South First that the kit includes a swab used to collect saliva, along with a test tube to store the sample.
“Once the patient registers, we send a kit to their home. It contains the consent form and the equipment needed to collect a saliva sample,” the team said.
“The patient uses the swab to collect saliva and places it inside the test tube provided in the kit. The sample is then sealed and sent back for laboratory analysis,” he added.
According to the team, the genetic analysis takes around two to three weeks. After the results are ready, trained counselors review the report and explain the findings to the patient.
Nutrigenomic counsellor Dr. Geeta Dharmatti said the programme draws on nutrigenomics, a field that studies how genes interact with nutrients in food.
“Nutrigenomics helps us understand how genes interact with nutrients. Based on that, we can customize diet plans that align with a person’s metabolic profile,” Dharmatti said.
She explained that genetic information can reveal how individuals process substances such as caffeine, fats or carbohydrates differently.
“For example, some people metabolise caffeine slowly and may experience sleep problems or gastric issues if they drink too much coffee, while others tolerate it easily,” she said.
By analysing such genetic markers, doctors can recommend dietary patterns that suit each person’s biology rather than relying on general guidelines.
Doctors say the programme could help a wide range of people — including those already living with diabetes as well as individuals trying to prevent metabolic diseases.
“Pre-diabetic patients can benefit, people with diabetes can benefit, and even those who are overweight and trying to lose weight can benefit,” Dr Mohan told South First.
He added that the test is a one-time assessment, since a person’s genetic profile does not change over time.
The centre is also working to keep the programme more affordable than similar genomic testing services currently available, Dr Mohan mentioned.
As genomic science and digital health tools continue to evolve, doctors believe personalised approaches such as genomic lifestyle counselling could become an important part of preventive healthcare — helping people make lifestyle decisions guided by their own biology rather than trial and error.
