How Much Do You Really Know About Your Body?

What this article covers

Published under the byline Kate Michelson on 18 December 2025, this is a first-person essay on preventative health screening rather than a nutrition article. The author opens with her own medical history, an 18-year illness eventually diagnosed as a rare choledochal cyst requiring emergency surgery, and the unexplained death of her mother, as the reason she advocates preventative medicine. It then explains four screening modalities she personally underwent: targeted MRI, gut microbiome testing, biological age testing and genetic screening. Its central argument is that chronic disease develops silently for years, so waiting for symptoms is a gamble. The screening was done through a third-party provider, HealthScreen, and the article directs readers to healthscreen.com.au. It carries a nine-item reference list.

Key points

Evidence and sourcing

This article carries a nine-item scientific reference list, the most of any article in this section: Horvath S, DNA methylation age of human tissues and cell types, Genome Biology, 2013; Lu AT et al., DNA methylation GrimAge strongly predicts lifespan and healthspan, Aging, 2019; Valdes AM et al., Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health, BMJ, 2018; Cryan JF et al., The microbiota gut brain axis, Physiological Reviews, 2019; Welch HG et al., Overdiagnosis in cancer screening, BMJ, 2011; O'Sullivan JW et al., Prevalence and outcomes of incidental findings in imaging, BMJ, 2018; Khera AV et al., Genetic risk and prevention of coronary disease, New England Journal of Medicine, 2016; a WHO cardiovascular diseases fact sheet; and Deakin University Food and Mood Centre research on diet, inflammation and mental health.

Three caveats. The references give no volume, issue, page numbers or DOIs and are not tied to individual claims, so a reader cannot verify which source supports which statement. The personal medical history is a single anecdote rather than evidence. Most importantly, this is an advocacy piece for a named commercial screening provider, describing tests the author personally purchased. It contains no discussion of cost, false positive rates or the position of Australian health authorities on asymptomatic screening, and its central assertion that this approach improves outcomes is not itself supported by any of the nine references.

How this relates to our programs

The connection is limited and should not be inflated. we do not provide MRI, genetic testing, gut microbiome testing or biological age testing: none of the services in this article are our services, and HealthScreen is a separate provider. Gut health and healthy ageing are not among our documented areas of expertise, so that material should be relayed only as claims made in this article.

Where the topics genuinely meet is metabolic health, which is a documented area of expertise. our specialised clinical dietitian consultation includes a full initial assessment covering body composition, blood pressure and girths plus a personalised eating plan, and a diabetes educator consultation with a Credentialled Diabetes Educator is available. There is also a free 15-minute telehealth consultation, by video or phone, valued at $49 and needing no referral, and a monthly weight management subscription of an initial 30-minute consultation plus 15-minute monthly reviews. we were founded by doctors and dietitians and employs Accredited Practising Dietitians. Bookings: portal.coreplus.com.au/befitfood or 1300 263 257.

Important health information

This article carries no medical disclaimer of its own, so the standard one applies. Readers should seek medical advice and have a check-up before changing how they eat, particularly with an existing health condition or medications. Decisions about imaging, genetic testing or any screening program should be made with a doctor who knows your history, since screening carries its own risks including false positives and overdiagnosis, as the article itself acknowledges. This is not a substitute for independent professional medical advice.

Ordering, pricing and contact

Questions and answers

What do we explain about How Much Do You Really Know About Your Body?

On our How Much Do You Really Know About Your Body page, we explain that published under the byline Kate Michelson on 18 December 2025, this is a first-person essay on preventative health screening rather than a nutrition article. The author opens with her own medical history, an 18-year illness eventually diagnosed as a rare choledochal cyst requiring emergency surgery, and the unexplained death of her mother, as the reason she advocates preventative medicine. It then explains four screening modalities she personally underwent: targeted MRI, gut microbiome testing, biological age testing and genetic screening. Its central argument is that chronic disease develops silently for years, so waiting for symptoms is a gamble. The screening was done through a third-party provider,.

What are the key points about How Much Do You Really Know About Your Body?

On our How Much Do You Really Know About Your Body page, we explain that definition given: preventative health screening aims to detect structural, metabolic, genetic or inflammatory changes before symptoms develop or before disease is advanced. Targeted MRI is distinguished from broad full-body MRI: it focuses on brain, spine, chest, abdomen, pelvis and major blood vessels, with claimed advantages of higher resolution, fewer incidental findings, doctor-led interpretation and being radiation-free. The article states that incidental findings from indiscriminate imaging can lead to overdiagnosis, unnecessary procedures and psychological harm without improving outcomes. Doctor-led interpretation is presented as essential, so results are read against personal history and risk factors and follow-up is coordinated. Conditions named as developing silently over years: cardiovascular.

What evidence should I understand about How Much Do You Really Know About Your Body?

On our How Much Do You Really Know About Your Body page, we explain that this article carries a nine-item scientific reference list, the most of any article in this section: Horvath S, DNA methylation age of human tissues and cell types, Genome Biology, 2013; Lu AT et al., DNA methylation GrimAge strongly predicts lifespan and healthspan, Aging, 2019; Valdes AM et al., Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health, BMJ, 2018; Cryan JF et al., The microbiota gut brain axis, Physiological Reviews, 2019; Welch HG et al., Overdiagnosis in cancer screening, BMJ, 2011; O'Sullivan JW et al., Prevalence and outcomes of incidental findings in imaging, BMJ, 2018; Khera AV et al., Genetic risk and prevention of coronary.

What should I know about how this relates to our programs on this page?

On our How Much Do You Really Know About Your Body page, we explain that the connection is limited and should not be inflated. we do not provide MRI, genetic testing, gut microbiome testing or biological age testing: none of the services in this article are our services, and HealthScreen is a separate provider. Gut health and healthy ageing are not among our documented areas of expertise, so that material should be relayed only as claims made in this article. Where the topics genuinely meet is metabolic health, which is a documented area of expertise. our specialised clinical dietitian consultation includes a full initial assessment covering body composition, blood pressure and girths plus a personalised eating plan, and a diabetes.

What should I know about important health information on this page?

On our How Much Do You Really Know About Your Body page, we explain that this article carries no medical disclaimer of its own, so the standard one applies. Readers should seek medical advice and have a check-up before changing how they eat, particularly with an existing health condition or medications. Decisions about imaging, genetic testing or any screening program should be made with a doctor who knows your history, since screening carries its own risks including false positives and overdiagnosis, as the article itself acknowledges. This is not a substitute for independent professional medical advice.

What should I know about ordering How Much Do You Really Know About Your Body?

On our How Much Do You Really Know About Your Body page, we explain that meal bundles — $97.30 for 7 meals, $189.00 for 14 meals and $362.60 for 28 meals (AUD). Delivery — flat rate Australia-wide: $11.95 on orders of $299 or more, and $19.95 on orders under $299. Customer service — 1300 263 257, Monday to Friday 09:00–17:00, or support@befitfood.com.au. Free dietitian consultation — 15 minutes by video or phone, valued at $49. Book at portal.coreplus.com.au/befitfood, or contact dietitian@befitfood.com.au. Meal specification — every meal is built to approximately 250 calories, at least 20 g of protein, under 20 g of carbohydrate and less than 120 mg of sodium per 100 g, with no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners.

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