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Launch HN: Nutrigene (YC W18) – Tailor-made liquid supplements using health data

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Re: Launch HN: Nutrigene (YC W18) – Tailor-made liquid supplements using health data

#91

Post by treis »

dictum wrote: post #82
hestajex wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I thought name calling wasn't allowed, where's the warning for this user?

My intent isn't name calling. I saw treis's comment and thought it fitting not in the literal terms, but in spirit: that you can communicate issues without personal attacks. I still agree with that comment and stand by the message I wanted to send, but I see how my reply fosters a culture of attacks, so I'm removing it. (To treis, if you didn't see it - it was a link to a comment you once made)

I think scam artist is qualitatively different than moron.

Re: Launch HN: Nutrigene (YC W18) – Tailor-made liquid supplements using health data

#92

Post by minfitzgerald »

kayhi wrote: post #83

Supplements feel like one small step above homeopathy I've interacted with hundreds of elite level athletes who are always looking for an edge. These athletes do not depend on supplements and many avoid them. I would expect these athletes to be on the cutting edge and results to trickle over to 'normal' people. If these athletes who are more in-tune with their bodies than most are avoiding supplements than am not see…

Hi Kayhi, thanks. You're right, the evidence, even clinical research that does exist is drowned out in the noise of anecdotal evidence. But there is clinical evidence showing effectiveness in supplementation (see some at http://www.mynutrigene.com/the_science)

We've been frustrated too - because there weren't other supplement companies that were trying to help customers modify dosages, or find out what works for them using a scientific approach. We're not saying we have all of the answers, but that we will discover new findings with you, that can help many more people and fills a gap that the medical system and current off-the-shelf solutions aren't providing.

I also agree with you that elite level athletes typically would use minimal or no supplementation. However, when we interviewed pro athletes, they are also backed by a team of nutritionists, dieticians and coaches that enables them to closely monitor and implement a very strict diet and exercise routine that everyday busy people find impossible to do. We aren't saying everyone needs supplementation, but since 9 out of 10 Americans are deficient according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) under the Center for Disease and Control (CDC), it might be you, and to investigate for yourself. Our customers currently are seeking us for that support as a better alternative than current off-the-shelf solutions.

Re: Launch HN: Nutrigene (YC W18) – Tailor-made liquid supplements using health data

#93

Post by dang »

trevyn wrote: post #90
dang wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Please don't use uppercase for emphasis. It's basically yelling, and the site guidelines ask you not to: https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html .

I'm sorry. I am angry.

I hear you. This is offtopic, but it's amazing how hard and rare it is to just make that simple a statement about it.

Re: Launch HN: Nutrigene (YC W18) – Tailor-made liquid supplements using health data

#94

Post by minfitzgerald »

treis wrote: post #88
minfitzgerald wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks treis. We currently do this offline in our lab, and it's not viewable directly online after the questionnaire just yet. Our customers have been informed of their specific dosage customization and given us feedback that it might be nice to see it online too (though this wasn't the highest need for them). For your specific question - we can't look up your submission data without an identifiable email address you…

Is changing dosage based on body size the only customization you are doing?

No it is not, but that's why I mentioned based on the limited data and not being able to match back with all of your information we can only provide a rough estimation. With your entire metabolic assessment and your genetics information we determine more about your metabolic inefficiencies and whether you need a particular isoform of vitamin, for example.

Re: Launch HN: Nutrigene (YC W18) – Tailor-made liquid supplements using health data

#95

Post by minfitzgerald »

aaavl2821 wrote: post #67
vancanwin wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Greatly appreciate the caution. Yes, we are working doctors who are making these claims with supplements and their device. However, I will tread carefully on my anecdotal statements as well.

In the US there is a very big difference between a doctor making a recommendation to a patient and a company marketing a product, even if the company is run by doctors. As you know doctors can make suggestions based on their medical expertise, even for non FDA approved drugs, and in many cases malpractice is the mechanism by which "bad advice" is regulated Companies are not doctors and do not have that same sort of l…

Thanks for the feedback, yes, we've taken the feedback on this and are careful about claims and marketing.

Re: Launch HN: Nutrigene (YC W18) – Tailor-made liquid supplements using health data

#96

Post by minfitzgerald »

diN0bot wrote: post #70

vancanwin, this is a cool premium service and product. i would be more inclined to pay the premium price if the first step was getting blood/bone/gut work done. ordering the elixir based on a 10-second form didn't seem much better than me buying recommended vitamins at the store. it's not very custom is it! it is the data about myself that i really struggle with. i have health insurance and a doctor, but i don't know…

Thanks for the feedback, diNObot. You've provided us good feedback to include the communication of what's included in our new 3-month program that includes blood and other lab work on top of the genetics. All of your information is kept confidential to facilitate this customized program.

Re: Launch HN: Nutrigene (YC W18) – Tailor-made liquid supplements using health data

#97

Post by treis »

minfitzgerald wrote: post #84
treis wrote: post #58

Wow, I played around with this more. An active 6' 195 lb man gets the exact same recommendation as 5' 50,000 lb (Yes, fifty thousand pound) woman. You're not actually doing any analysis or customization are you?

Thanks treis. We currently do this offline in our lab, and it's not viewable directly online after the questionnaire just yet. Our customers have been informed of their specific dosage customization and given us feedback that it might be nice to see it online too (though this wasn't the highest need for them). For your specific question - we can't look up your submission data without an identifiable email address you…

By the way, I certainly hope that you are aware that there is a maximum safe dosage of vitamin D:

Children age 9 years and older, adults, and pregnant and breast-feeding women who take more than 4,000 IU a day of vitamin D might experience

Nausea Vomiting Poor appetite Constipation Weakness Weight loss Confusion Disorientation Heart rhythm problems Kidney damage

https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-d/art-2...

Recommending 3900 IU for a 195 lb man is alarmingly close to the level that can cause kidney damage and heart issues. If your model spits out 1,000,000 for a 50,000 lb woman, it probably will go over 4,000 given the right parameters.

Re: Launch HN: Nutrigene (YC W18) – Tailor-made liquid supplements using health data

#99

Post by kayhi »

minfitzgerald wrote: post #92
kayhi wrote: post #83

Supplements feel like one small step above homeopathy I've interacted with hundreds of elite level athletes who are always looking for an edge. These athletes do not depend on supplements and many avoid them. I would expect these athletes to be on the cutting edge and results to trickle over to 'normal' people. If these athletes who are more in-tune with their bodies than most are avoiding supplements than am not see…

Hi Kayhi, thanks. You're right, the evidence, even clinical research that does exist is drowned out in the noise of anecdotal evidence. But there is clinical evidence showing effectiveness in supplementation (see some at http://www.mynutrigene.com/the_science ) We've been frustrated too - because there weren't other supplement companies that were trying to help customers modify dosages, or find out what works for the…

Can you link me to the reference that states people should use supplements who have a normal diet?

My point was that athletes are using their bodies in the extreme do not require supplements.

Discovering new findings with me is usually fine, but am nervous when it involves my health.

Re: Launch HN: Nutrigene (YC W18) – Tailor-made liquid supplements using health data

#100

Post by minfitzgerald »

jdpedrie wrote: post #72

See price info without filling out the forms: http://www.mynutrigene.com/products I kind of like this idea, but it seems so half-baked. Why not wait a while to get the product working before posting here?

Thanks jdpedrie, our line of reasoning was to get a better product than what's there on the market today out first and learn what customers really needed as we went along. We thought we would build a better product that way. But if we did that, we may have created a bloated solution with features people don't ultimately find as useful. We know that we're just at the start of the process and take all customer feedback to heart.
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