Optimising Epigenetics For Family Planning

Background

The 38 year old female client initially approached us to optimise her biological age through the TruAge Complete Test. After three months of targeted interventions, her Dunedin PACE, Symphony Age, OMICm Age, and inflammatory profile significantly improved. During follow-up, she revealed plans to conceive. Given her age (partner's age 46) and a family history of autism spectrum disorder (partner's brother), we moved to a preconception optimisation protocol, expanding testing to her partner and incorporating a TruHealth panel for both.

As of now she is 12 weeks pregnant, both had completed a precision approach to support healthy conception and fetal neurodevelopment.

Particular Aeas of Focus

1. Neurodevelopment & Methylation Pathways

Why: Impaired methylation and suboptimal choline/uridine metabolism are linked to neural tube defects and neurodevelopmental conditions, especially in older parents.

Key Biomarkers:

• Uridine (low in mother’s metabolic profile) – essential for phospholipid synthesis in the fetal brain

• Choline, Betaine, Methionine, Pyridoxine, Riboflavin – core methyl donors

• Dopamine Metabolites, Brain Inflammation Markers, Memory Health Protein (TruHealth report)

Actions Taken:

• Introduced methyl-folate and methyl-B12 over synthetic folic acid and B12.

• Supported uridine synthesis and CDP-choline pathways (via precursors, not direct uridine due to pregnancy).

  
  

 2. Mitochondrial Health & ATP Production

Why: Mitochondrial dysfunction increases miscarriage risk and is associated with autism and other conditions like childhood cancer.

Key Biomarkers:

• ATP Synthase, Energy Transport Protein, Energy-Regulating Enzyme

• NAD+ metabolism: Nicotinamide Riboside, Nicotinamide, 1-MNA

• Acetyl-L-Carnitine, ROS Production, Mitochondrial Enzyme Function

Clinical OMICm Insights (father):

• Elevated HBAC1, Glucose, Blood Urea Nitrogen, Vanillactic Acid, Insulin-like Growth Factor-Binding Protein 2, low Liver Albumin, confirmed by his organ system ages and body composition, indicating metabolic dysfunction, even potential redox imbalance and altered mitochondrial stress.

Actions Taken:

• NAD+ precursor introduing Nicotinamide Riboside prior to conception

• Co-Enyzyme Q10 (Ubquinol) and Acetyl-L-carnitine introduced to both partners

• Oxidative stress markers monitored through ROS indicator and glutathione system

• Berberine Pytosome (father)

• R-Stablised Alpha Lipoic Acid (both partners)

• Certain foods in particular were in added in to support mitochondrial function.

 3. Oxidative Stress & Antioxidant Defense

Why: ROS-mediated damage is a key contributor to birth defects, placental dysfunction, and neuroinflammation.

Key Biomarkers:

• NAC, Ergothioneine

• IL-6, CRP, Oxidative Damage Marker, Oxidative Stress Indicator

• Toxins lead and PFAS were high in both partners

• Findings:

• Female showed early signs of improved oxidative resilience, post-TruAge optimisation

Actions Taken:

• Increased dietary polyphenols and NAC

• Detoxification steps were made as well as lifestyles changes

• Strategic supplementation with Ergothioneine and Taurine (father)

• Monitored IL-6 trajectory (down from baseline) inline with Inflammation Age

At 12 weeks into the pregnancy, the mother is awaiting her second TruHealth test to assess how well her antioxidant status, methylation activity, and mitochondrial resilience have held up during the first trimester. Early signs including: stable energy levels, low inflammation, and improved stress markers are promising. Her partner also experienced notable improvements in cardio performance, morning energy, and overall vitality, which are key quality-of-life markers we aim to maintain long term as he prepares for the demands of fatherhood in his late 40s. Both plan to continue working with us throughout the pregnancy and beyond to support optimal health outcomes for themselves and their future child.