Glossary

Health marker

A measurement of your blood that tells us something about your health. Think of it as your body's engine warning light.

Reference range

The normal zone for a test result. If your number falls within this zone, it usually means everything is fine.

Personalized health

Using your unique data — blood, genes, gut — to give you health advice suited specifically to you, not just general guidance.

Multi-omics

Looking at several levels of your biology at the same time — blood, DNA and gut bacteria — instead of one piece at a time.

Longevity

How long and how well you live. Longevity science focuses on staying healthy as you age, not just on living longer.

Personalized plan

A tailored action plan — what to eat, which supplements to take, how to move — based on your results.

Health score

A single number (0–100) that summarizes how your overall health looks based on all of your data.

Trend

How a measurement has changed over time. An upward trend in something good is great; a downward trend in something bad is just as great.

Comprehensive blood test

A set of blood analyses run together. A single draw can measure dozens of different things about your health.

Complete blood count

A basic blood test that counts red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. It shows whether your blood is healthy and balanced.

Hemoglobin

The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Low hemoglobin can make you feel tired.

Hematocrit

The percentage of your blood made up of red blood cells. It tells us how thick or thin your blood is.

Red blood cells

The cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Too few can leave you exhausted.

White blood cells

The soldiers of your immune system. They fight infections. A high count can mean your body is fighting something.

Platelets

Small blood cells that help clotting when you cut yourself. Too few mean you bruise easily; too many can raise the risk of clots.

Cholesterol

A waxy substance in the blood. Your body needs it, but too much of the wrong kind can clog arteries over time.

LDL cholesterol

Often called "bad" cholesterol. It can build up in the walls of the arteries. The lower it is, generally the better.

HDL cholesterol

The "good" cholesterol. It helps remove the bad kind from the arteries. The higher it is, generally the better.

Triglycerides

A type of fat in the blood. The body stores excess calories as triglycerides. High levels can raise heart risk.

ApoB

A protein on the "bad" cholesterol particles. It is a more precise way to measure how many risky particles are in your blood.

ApoA1

A protein on the "good" cholesterol particles. A higher ApoA1 is generally a good sign for heart health.

Lp(a)

A type of cholesterol particle you inherit from your parents. A high Lp(a) can raise heart risk and cannot be changed with diet alone.

Homocysteine

An amino acid in the blood. High levels can damage blood vessels and raise heart risk. B vitamins keep it in check.

Uric acid

A waste product of digestion. High levels can cause gout (joint pain) and put stress on the heart and kidneys.

Cardiovascular

Everything related to your heart and blood vessels — the system that pumps blood throughout the body.

Fasting blood glucose

The level of sugar in your blood after 8–12 hours without eating. It shows how well your body manages sugar on its own.

HbA1c

The average of your blood sugar over the last 2–3 months. Think of it as a blood sugar report card, not just a snapshot.

Insulin

A hormone that helps sugar move from the blood into cells as energy. Too much insulin can mean the body is struggling to manage sugar.

HOMA-IR

A number that estimates how well your body responds to insulin. Higher can indicate cells are responding less well — something to follow over time and discuss with a professional.

Metabolic health

How well your body turns food into energy. Good metabolic health means blood sugar, insulin and fats are all in a healthy range.

Genetics

The study of your DNA — the instruction manual your body is built from. It can reveal tendencies, not certainties.

Genotype

The specific version of a gene you have. Like having brown or blue eyes — it is the genetic code behind a trait.

Genetic variant

A small difference in your DNA compared to most people. Some variants matter for health; most are harmless.

APOE

A gene involved in how the body handles fats and cholesterol. Some versions (like E4) are linked to a higher Alzheimer's risk, but it is not a destiny.

MTHFR

A gene that helps the body process B vitamins (especially folate). Some versions mean you might need more folate or the active form.

Factor V Leiden

A genetic variant that makes blood slightly more likely to clot. Most carriers never have problems, but your doctor should know about it.

Pharmacogenomics

How your genes affect the way the body processes medications. Some people metabolize drugs faster or slower based on their DNA.

CYP enzymes (CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP1A2)

Liver enzymes that break down medications and caffeine. Your genetic version tells us whether you process them quickly, normally or slowly.

Polygenic risk score

A number that adds up the small effects of many genes to estimate your overall genetic risk for something (like diabetes or heart disease). It is a tendency, not a diagnosis.

Carrier

A person who has one copy of a genetic variant. Carriers are usually healthy but could pass the gene on to their children.

Methylation

A chemical process the body uses to switch genes on or off, clear toxins and make brain chemicals. B vitamins fuel it.

Epigenetics

Changes in how your genes behave based on your lifestyle — diet, exercise, stress, sleep. Genes are the cards; epigenetics is how you play them.

HFE gene

A gene linked to iron absorption. Some variants can make the body absorb too much iron, which can build up and cause damage over time.

HLA-DQ2 / DQ8

Immune system genes linked to celiac disease. Having them does not mean you have celiac disease, but you are more likely to develop it.

BRCA

Genes involved in DNA repair. Some rare variants significantly increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Testing is important for family planning.

Microbiome

The community of billions of bacteria that live in your gut (and mouth). They help digest food, support the immune system and influence mood.

Gut flora

The specific bacteria that live in your gut. A diverse and balanced flora is linked to better digestion, immunity and even mental health.

Diversity index (Shannon)

A score that measures how many different types of bacteria you have. The higher the diversity, generally the healthier the gut flora.

Akkermansia muciniphila

A beneficial gut bacterium that strengthens the gut wall. Higher levels are linked to better metabolic health.

Bifidobacterium

A "good" gut bacterium that aids digestion and fights harmful bacteria. It is found in yogurt and fermented foods.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii

One of the most important gut bacteria. It produces butyrate, which feeds the gut wall and reduces inflammation.

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

A bacterium present in everyone's gut. Most strains are harmless, but too much can signal an imbalance.

Butyrate

A fatty acid produced by the good gut bacteria when they eat fiber. It feeds the cells of the gut wall and helps reduce inflammation.

Pathobiont

A normally harmless bacterium that can cause problems if it grows too much or if the immune system is weakened.

Relative abundance

What percentage of your total gut bacteria a specific type makes up. It helps us understand whether something is out of balance.

16S sequencing

A lab method that identifies which bacteria are in your gut sample by reading a specific piece of their DNA. It is like a roll call of the bacteria.

Shotgun sequencing

A more detailed lab method that reads all the DNA in your gut sample — not just the names of the bacteria but what they are capable of doing.

Oral microbiome

The bacteria that live in your mouth. A balanced oral microbiome protects teeth and gums; an imbalance can cause gum disease.

Porphyromonas gingivalis

A harmful mouth bacterium strongly linked to gum disease. High levels are a warning sign for periodontal health.

Streptococcus mutans

The main bacterium that causes cavities. It feeds on sugar and produces acid that erodes tooth enamel.

Tannerella forsythia

A mouth bacterium associated with gum disease, especially in deeper gum pockets. It is often found together with P. gingivalis.

Fusobacterium nucleatum

A mouth bacterium that acts as a bridge — it helps harmful bacteria attach to the gums. Keeping it in check supports oral health.

Periodontal

Relating to the gums and the bone that hold the teeth in place. Periodontal disease means the gums and supporting structures are inflamed.

Testosterone

A hormone important for energy, muscles, mood and libido in both men and women. Levels naturally decline with age.

Estradiol

The main form of estrogen. Important for bone health, mood and reproductive health in both men and women.

Cortisol

Your body's stress hormone. It should peak in the morning and fall during the day. Chronically high cortisol can disrupt sleep and immunity.

SHBG

A protein that carries hormones in the blood. A high SHBG means less free testosterone and estrogen available to your body.

TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone)

A hormone that tells the thyroid how hard to work. A high TSH can mean the thyroid is underactive (hypothyroidism).

Free FT4 / FT3

The active thyroid hormones that control metabolism, energy and body temperature. T4 converts into the more active T3.

Thyroid

A butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that controls how fast the body burns energy. It affects weight, mood and energy levels.

Inflammation

Your body's response to injury or stress. Short-term inflammation heals you; long-term (chronic) inflammation silently damages the body.

CRP / hs-CRP

A protein produced by the liver when inflammation is present. High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) detects even small amounts.

ESR

A test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a tube. Faster = more inflammation somewhere in the body.

Immune system

Your body's defense network — white blood cells, antibodies and organs that protect you from infections and diseases.

ALT

A liver enzyme. When liver cells are under stress or damaged, ALT spills into the blood. Slightly elevated values are common and often linked to lifestyle.

AST

Another liver enzyme, also present in the heart and muscles. A high AST together with a high ALT usually indicates liver stress.

GGT

A liver enzyme sensitive to alcohol and certain medications. Often the first marker to rise when the liver is under stress.

Bilirubin

A yellow pigment produced when old red blood cells break down. High bilirubin can cause yellowing of the skin (jaundice).

Creatinine

A waste product of muscle activity that the kidneys filter out. High creatinine can mean the kidneys are not filtering well enough.

eGFR

An estimate of how well the kidneys filter the blood. The higher, the better. Below 60 for a long time can signal kidney disease.

Urea

A waste product of protein digestion that the kidneys remove. High urea can mean the kidneys need attention or that you are dehydrated.

Vitamin D

The "sunshine vitamin". The body makes it from sunlight. It is essential for bones, immunity and mood. Most people do not have enough.

Vitamin B12

A vitamin involved in nerve function, red blood cell production and energy metabolism. If your value is low, it is something to discuss with a professional.

Folate (Vitamin B9)

A B vitamin essential for cell growth and DNA repair. Particularly important during pregnancy. Low folate can raise homocysteine.

Ferritin

A protein that stores iron in the body. Low ferritin means iron reserves are running out, even if you do not feel anemic yet.

Iron

A mineral the body uses to carry oxygen in the blood. It is involved in energy levels, and very high or very low values are something to discuss with a professional.

Transferrin saturation

The percentage of your iron-carrying protein that is actually loaded with iron. It helps us understand whether you have too little or too much iron.

Magnesium

A mineral involved in over 300 body processes — muscle function, sleep, stress response and heart rhythm. Most people have slightly low levels.

Zinc

A mineral that supports the immune system, wound healing and the sense of taste and smell. You need it in small amounts every day.