Marius Nakrys: Curiosity is the Most Important Trait in Understanding Health

Ask, research, support. These three words sum up my role — or maybe just the nerd face emoji. Currently, I am working as a Scientific Research Lead at Kilo Health. But before that, I’ve always been on a similar path, starting my career as a Chief Public Health Specialist at various governmental agencies (both national and municipal levels).

In this article, I want to explore what it’s like to conduct research every day and share my findings on behavioral strategies, how our products impact customers’ health, and some specific topics like Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. These are used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity and are commonly known through medications like Ozempic and Wegovy.

Did I just start explaining diabetes and obesity medications in the introduction? Oops, sorry about that. Let’s get to the article.

Is being a scientific researcher in a startup right for you?

As I mentioned earlier, I’ve worked extensively on emergency situations and environmental factors like air and noise pollution, researching their impact on public health. In that role, I conducted in-depth research to recommend solutions for government bodies and educate the public on why certain health guidelines are essential and how they prevent serious health issues.

Since then, my focus has shifted. After joining Kilo Health, my team and I have been dedicated to proving that our HealthTech products related to chronic disease genuinely improve customers’ health — because every claim needs solid backing.

We’ve conducted numerous research studies, with six published in scientific journals. One even earned the “Study of the Year” award, which is a not-so-bad recognition in such a critical field.

My workdays are anything but predictable. One moment I’m diving into scientific studies, like the effects of curcumin on diabetes management, and the next I’m mapping out customer journeys, identifying behavioral barriers, and brainstorming ways to overcome them with behavioral strategies.

If someone asked me if they should step into this role, I’d say that having a basic understanding of health topics is key. But above all, curiosity is the most important trait — the drive to understand how different factors affect health and the mechanisms behind them. Of course, a bit of analytical interest also helps.

Exploring natural alternatives to Ozempic

My latest discovery truly surprised me. I knew the U.S. had a major obesity issue, but during a recent workshop, I saw data that stopped me in my tracks: 42% of adult Americans are now obese, nearly double the rate since 1988. Even more alarming, 73.7% of U.S. adults are either obese or overweight.

That means almost 3 out of 4 adults in America are living with unhealthy weight, a major risk factor for chronic diseases. While this isn’t a new issue, seeing these numbers really underscores how serious the problem is.

Despite all the weight-loss options—diet programs, gym memberships, apps, supplements, and medications—the obesity rate has doubled. This shows that none of these solutions are fixing the problem on a large scale. While some work for individuals, the overall trend keeps going in the wrong direction.

This is where medications like Ozempic enter the picture. By now, it seems everyone has heard about it, and its use has expanded beyond just treating diabetes — it’s now being used to address obesity as well.

GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy are popular for managing type 2 diabetes and obesity. Instead of diving into their side effects or how well they work, my focus is on exploring natural remedies that can help boost GLP-1 hormone levels.

Not everyone with excess weight needs GLP-1 agonist medications — they’re prescription-only for a reason. But with the growing hype around the GLP-1 hormone, now’s the perfect time to highlight that certain foods, especially those rich in protein and fiber, can naturally boost GLP-1 secretion.

These foods help the body enhance its natural GLP-1 activity, though they don’t work as powerfully as the medications. It’s worth stressing again: not everyone needs a direct GLP-1 agonist to see results.

Behavioral science in Kilo Health’s products

Right now, I’m focusing on integrating behavioral science into our health products, making sure the features and claims we present to customers are backed by solid evidence. I use existing research to identify potential new offerings and create educational content designed to improve health outcomes or prevent future complications.

I also work on mapping out customer journeys, pinpointing the behavioral barriers that stop users from completing tasks, and exploring how we can solve these issues with strategic behavioral interventions. 

The constant challenge is finding reliable, up-to-date data. Take obesity rates in the U.S., for example — it sounds simple enough to Google, right? But here’s the catch: the data from credible sources, like government agencies, might be from 2018, while the most recent statistics from 2023 may come from less trustworthy sources and might not factor in the effects of COVID-19. 

This makes it tricky to decide which data you should base your hypothesis on.

One of our first big wins using behavioral science was a simple reminder. We wanted to motivate people to check their blood glucose regularly and found that mornings worked best. So, we sent a nudge before bedtime, asking users to place their glucose kit by their toothbrush or nightstand. After 90 days, users who got the nudge logged their glucose levels much more often than those who didn’t.

Do you have an interest in making people live healthier lives? Study our careers page.

Marius Nakrys

Scientific Research Lead

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