You are not your genes the power lies within your lifestyle as to whether they are expressed or not.
One of the greatest technological accomplishments of the last 100 years has been the complete mapping of the human genome, completed in 2003. This has given scientists a greater understanding of the mechanisms of health and disease at a molecular level, forever changing the face of clinical diagnosis and treatment. Over 25 000 different genes were identified and linked to various health conditions.
Genetics can be seen as:
An inward voyage of discovery rather than an outward exploration of the planet or the cosmos; an international research effort to sequence and map all of the genes – together known as the genome – of members of our species, Homo sapiens. Completed in April 2003, the HGP gave us the ability, for the first time, to read nature’s complete genetic blueprint for building a human being.
The genes we carry significantly impact our health and susceptibility to various diseases.
By understanding the specific influence of certain food components on metabolic pathways we are able to determine our long-term risk for disease. As more genetic information about individuals becomes available, such data is able to redefine the current concept of preventive medicine.
Nutritional genomics (nutrigenomics) has tremendous potential to change the future of dietary guidelines, it provides the basis for personalized dietary plans based on an individuals genetic makeup.
These tests, which are among the first of their kind in the world, provide the opportunity to personalize diet and exercise interventions.
Biotechnology determines an individual’s unique genetic identity, thereby gaining intimate knowledge about physiological processes that may not function optimally.
The results provide the clinical foundations upon which to make individual–specific recommendations of a preventative or performance optimising nature. The value of these findings lie in the creation of a gateway for individuals to maximise their health and wellbeing.
DNA nutrigenomics tests available:
DNA Diet explores the exciting field of nutritional genomics (nutrigenomics), challenging dietary guidelines and nutritional recommendations. DNA Diet is designed to assist individuals to optimise weight loss and weight management by guiding the planning of diet and exercise programmes based on genetic differences in metabolism, lipolysis and fat absorption.
DNA Health is concerned with optimising energy, wellbeing and health by making better lifestyle and diet choices and using supplements tailored to offset any particular nutritional deficit or genetic shortcoming. The DNA health approach establishes the optimal nutrition necessary for good health, energy, longevity and risk mitigation.
DNA health tests for 27 genes involved in the following biological processes:
Cholesterol regulation
Bone health
Vitamin B metabolism/methylation
Inflammation
Detoxification
Antioxidant status
Insulin sensitivity
DNA oestrogen
Oestrogen hormones affect the growth, differentiation and function of a number of target tissues. Improving oestrogen metabolism is of benefit to women who suffer from oestrogen-dominant conditions such as endometriosis, premenstrual syndrome and uterine fibroid tumours, or where there is a family history of breast, uterine or ovarian cancer, or prostate cancer in men.
The importance of both oestrogen and progesterone in breast cancer development is well established. However, considerable inter-individual variability has been observed in carcinogen metabolism, metabolism of steroid hormones, and phase I and phase II detoxification.
Variations in genes involved in these biological processes help identify a sub-population of women and men with higher lifetime exposure to oestrogens, oestrogen metabolites and other carcinogens. Understanding an individual’s genetic variability will allow for targeted diet, lifestyle and appropriate hormone supplementation.
The DNAlysis Oestrogen Metabolism and Detoxification test includes 10 genes involved in oestrogen biosynthesis, oestrogen metabolism, and phase I and phase II detoxification.
DNA Fit/Sport
The Human Genome Project confirmed significant variability in an individual’s potential for success in different sports and the associated training response attained from exercise regimes. Variation in genotypes, as expressed through our DNA, has been estimated to account for 66 % of athletic success.
Despite the strength of genetic research data and the obvious notion that we are all different, most exercise programmes follow a similar formula: aerobic training for cardiovascular health and weight loss and weight training for muscle strength and weight gain. However, we now have enough scientific understanding to realise that in order to attain the most successful training outcomes, the ratio between the power training and aerobic exercise that constitutes a training programme should vary widely between individuals. This notion even applies within the same goal structure, such as fat-loss or muscle gain.
The Power and Endurance section tests genes that code for physiological factors such as circulation, blood pressure control, strength, cardio-pulmonary capacity, mitochondrial synthesis, muscle fibre type specialisation, muscle fibre hypertrophy, cardiac output, muscle metabolism and adaptability to training.
The Tendon Pathology section examines genes that are involved in the structural integrity of soft tissues in the body. Certain polymorphisms implicate predisposition to tendon injuries, plus ligament, cartilage and bone pathology. (Includes Achilles tendonitis)
The Recovery genes are the best example within this genetic panel of the need to integrate training and nutritional advice when supporting an athlete’s health and fitness. The featured genes consider disposition to inflammation and free radical stress within the body, which may imply the need for more focussed nutritional support, along with extended recoveries between training repetitions and sessions.
BENEFITS OF DNA TESTING – why is it important to know your genetic makeup?
The results provide unique information to guide personalized dietary recommendations for optimal health and disease prevention. The outcomes of these tests provide opportunities to manage wellness by:
- Optimizing energy, wellbeing and health
- Making better lifestyle and dietary choices
- Using supplements tailored to offset a particular deficit
in nutrition or genetic predisposition.
Francis Collins, the director of NHGRI, noted that the genome could be thought of in terms of a book with multiple uses:
“It’s a history book – a narrative of the journey of our species through time. It’s a shop manual, with an incredibly detailed blueprint for building every human cell. And it’s a transformative textbook of medicine, with insights that will give health care providers immense new powers to treat, prevent and cure disease.”
Genetic testing is a ‘once off’ test, but the results can forever impact your health outcome.
Please contact me for the pricing and ordering of these tests.