Redefine Ageing Through Epigenetics, DNA Testing and Cognitive Fitness with Dr Denise Furness
Host Tarek Michael-Chouja welcomed special guest Dr Denise Furness, a functional geneticist and global leader in nutrigenomics and epigenetics. The two engaged in a conversation about the importance of personalised health, ageing well, and how lifestyle choices can shape the way our genes express themselves.
What started as a discussion on brain health quickly spiralled into a deeply insightful look at how movement, nutrition and emotional wellbeing aren’t just good habits, they’re levers that pull directly on our DNA. Dr Furness brought clarity to the world of epigenetics, explaining that our genes aren’t fixed fates but flexible systems influenced by the lives we lead. Whether it’s exercise, sleep, stress or grief, each one changes how our body functions at a molecular level.
They spoke about BDNF, a brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein that supports brain function and mental health. Denise shared that exercise is one of the most powerful tools to naturally increase BDNF, lighting up the brain and improving memory, learning and even mood. While biohackers chase nasal sprays and peptides, the evidence still points to movement as the most accessible and effective route.
But it’s not about hammering your body into the ground. Overtraining, as Denise shared from personal experience, can be just as damaging as no movement at all. Our bodies need recovery. And depending on your genetics, some people are more prone to inflammation or struggle to clear free radicals, making rest and nourishment non-negotiable.
The conversation moved through grief, burnout, memory loss and chronic fatigue, drawing lines between emotional experience and biological expression. Denise explained how stress increases the body’s demand for methyl groups, essential parts of our methylation pathways that influence everything from mood to detoxification. When stress strips the system and food isn’t enough, supplementation can become a temporary support but not without proper guidance.
The most compelling part? Her recent healthy ageing study, where participants following a targeted nutrition and lifestyle protocol reduced their biological age by up to eight years in just three months. And these weren’t lab rats, they were real people navigating life, setbacks and holiday seasons.
Throughout, Tarek and Denise circled back to a simple but powerful truth: we have more influence over our long-term health than we’re often led to believe. Movement, food, connection and rest aren’t luxuries. They’re instructions to our DNA. And they matter, more than we’ve been taught.
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About Our Guest: Denise Furness, PhD is a functional geneticist and global leader in nutrigenomics and epigenetics, with over 20 years of experience. Her award-winning research during her academic career focused on gene-nutrient interactions, methylation, and DNA damage. In 2012, she founded Your Genes and Nutrition, bridging scientific expertise with clinical practice. Specialising in fertility, thyroid health, and healthy ageing, Denise has shown how to slow biological aging by optimising DNA methylation through nutrition and lifestyle interventions. Her personal journey overcoming autoimmune thyroid disease and inherited susceptibility to Dementia drives her mission to empower others to achieve better health and longevity.
About Your Host: Tarek is the co-founder of the functional training institute and FitWell Education lab. Tarek is an international educator and speaker who has presented numerous times at the biggest convention in Australia, Asia and the US. In addition, Tarek has presented courses to thousands of trainers throughout Australia, Asia, the Middle East and South America. Tarek is also a best-selling author of ‘Purpose Driven Movement.
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