What if you could know what nutrients your body may need more of or which conditions you are predisposed to get? Knowing more about our genetic risk factors can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it might carry an emotional weight. On the other, knowledge leads to choice, which can lead to empowerment to act in ways that will reduce these risks and improve health.
Genetics is only one part of the complex puzzle of cause and effect in health. However, it is a useful piece for personalizing treatments and preventative care.
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What is Genetic Testing?
Genetic testing is a way of looking at the DNA that lives in the center of our cells. In all practical medical applications, only one or a few dozen very specific stretches of DNA are being investigated. Sometimes there are non-standard versions of different genes, and the changes in the genetic code can change the protein that is made and thus impact how this functions in the body.
We have learned that very specific changes in specific locations on the DNA strands can tell us about particular risk factors for health. Many of the commonly available genetic tests used in medicine can show potential vulnerabilities and areas of increased risk for illness, whether developing celiac disease, processing caffeine slowly, gaining weight, or developing Alzheimer's or cardiovascular disease.
Who Benefits from Genetic Testing?
Most people could benefit from the opportunity to personalize their lifestyle based on the knowledge obtained from genetic testing. It really is a question of the degree to which one may be interested in optimizing their strategies for their own health maintenance and if they are in a life situation in which the choices and resources to act helpfully based on this knowledge are available to them.
Everyone has some genetic patterns that will create areas of vulnerability. Genetic testing may be a useful choice if one is comfortable looking at these and taking actions based on this knowledge to mitigate these risks.
Reasons for Genetic Testing
Based on the current knowledge of genetic variants and the availability of tests, some of the common reasons someone may want to have genetic tests completed would be those for which there are one or more known genetic variants and either personal health challenges or a family history of health challenges in a particular area.
Despite the propaganda that has been put out for years about being overweight being simply a matter of eating less and moving more, it is, in fact, far more complex than that. Many people who struggle with weight struggle despite great efforts in these aspects. For these individuals, insight into one’s metabolism may clarify particular things to focus on in the process of losing or maintaining a healthy weight.
People who struggle with mental health often recognize a familial pattern of similar struggles. While some of this is often intermingled with transgenerational trauma and family patterns, there are genetic variants that can play a significant role in mental health. Often, these can be addressed by fairly simple changes in one's lifestyle and nutrition.
Histamine issues are also commonly associated with genetic variants. Given that they can be complex to manage, any additional information that may provide clues for targeted actions is useful.
Some people are genetically more vulnerable to developing celiac disease, if you know your genetic variants with regard to this, this can help to streamline testing for any digestive concerns where gluten sensitivity/celiac may be on the list of possible contributing factors.
In addition, there are strong associations between particular genetic variants and increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's. In all of these cases, knowing one's status may provide motivation to take extra care with lifestyle risk factors for these diseases.
The Best Functional Medicine Labs for Genetic Testing
3x4 Genetics and Blueprint
This is a good test to consider if one is looking for a broad vision of one's genetic variants and specific ways to adjust lifestyle for optimal health. It tests 36+ different genes, and the results are clearly organized in an easy-to-visualize action plan. These genes influence weight management, mental health, histamine responses, and chronic disease risk.
Other Tests for Preventing/Managing Heart Disease
If one either already has or has identified risk factors for heart disease, in addition to the tests above, there are genetic tests that can further aid in targeting treatment.
Statins are commonly used to prevent or manage cardiovascular disease, but not everyone responds the same. People with the KIF6 genetic variant benefit more from taking a statin drug for prevention. One of the most common reasons people discontinue statin drugs is because they are causing muscle pain (myopathy). This is more of a concern for those with the SLCO1B1 genetic variant. For these individuals, knowing they have this variant can help to direct the selection of a different statin that may be less likely to cause myopathy.
Cell Science System's MethylDetox Profile
This test focuses on a handful of possible gene variants involved in the methyl detox pathways. These are MTRR, COMT, AHCY, Mental health, CVD, MTHFR (also available alone), and MTR. This pathway is especially important for mental health and cardiovascular health.
Additional Labs or Tests to Look for
Based on clinical presentation and genetics, it may often be a useful step to follow up with micronutrient, gluten allergy, more complex lipid panels, and glucose testing. In some cases, micronutrient testing can be bundled with specific genetic tests.
Personalized Functional Medicine Treatment Plans
The nature of personalized functional medicine treatment plans is that they are based on personal factors, such as one's known genetic variants.
Diet for Healthy Living
Genetics changes the conversation around what kind of diet is best, as it can really depend on the individual to some degree. With that said, a baseline template for a healthy diet for most everyone will be high in fresh fruits and vegetables, plant-based, low in sugar, refined carbs, and alcohol.
Those with genetic vulnerability to celiac disease may want to be very aware of symptoms that could indicate they are developing celiac disease, as early cessation of gluten can reduce the risks of additional complications.
A diet for cardiovascular, metabolic and brain health will have a somewhat higher emphasis on antioxidant compounds in addition to healthy fats.
Individuals genetically prone to histamine challenges may want to pay particular attention to discovering and avoiding any food allergies.
Supplements & Herbs for Healthy Living
People with the MTHFR and related genetic variants and depression may benefit from supplementation with L-methylfolate. Supplementation with L-methylfolate may be particularly important in the prenatal period and shows a preventative effect against congenital heart disease in the babies born of mothers with less effective variants of the MTHFR gene. Supplementation with B-12 and L-methylfolate can help reduce homocysteine in these individuals, thus also reducing cardiovascular risk.
Those dealing with histamine issues may also benefit from supplementation, which might include diamine oxidase (DAO) to help break down dietary histamines as well as histamine blockers quercetin and curcumin. Other commonly used supplements include B Vitamins, Magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics.
Weight issues with a genetic root may also be helped through targeted supplementation, which might include fiber, probiotics, multivitamins, Vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidant support.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Healthy Living
One study showed that three weeks of regular yoga practice upregulated the expression of the MTHFR gene by more than five times. This study was done in men experiencing infertility, and the outcome was potentially improved capacity to create a pregnancy. But the upregulation of the MTHFR gene would be relevant in all individuals with this mutation.
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Summary
We now have the ability to know so much information about our personal risk factors for diseases. While this has the potential to feel like a heavy burden to someone who may not be in a position in which they feel capable of adjusting lifestyle factors to influence risks, if the capacity to adapt is present, this knowledge can have a significant influence on healthy lifespan and quality of life.
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