FEATURE possible disease. This information, in combination with a provider trained to interpret the findings, is a powerful health navigation tool.
You are not a victim of biology Taking wellness into your own hands BY CATHERINE STACK
T
hink your genetic outcome is set in stone? Think again. Many believe DNA to be the sole determinant of who we are and what we will become. Not only can this leave you feeling doomed by family history, but itâs also not nearly this simple. While DNA contains instructions for traits like hair and eye color, research has found that it is also influenced by outside sources. This fascinating field of study, known as epigenetics, provides great insight.
According to the Center for Disease Control, âEpigenetics is the study of how your behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way your genes work. Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic changes are reversible and do not change your DNA sequence, but they can change how your body reads a DNA
sequence.â In short? We can influence our health, quality of life, and lifespan through environment, diet, lifestyle, and beliefs. Understanding this relationship helps researchers identify life factors that may help prevent or treat diseases like obesity, diabetes, coronary artery disease, cancer, and Alzheimerâs.
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There has been a tremendous amount of study on how beliefs affect outcomesâyouâve probably heard of the placebo effectâand, while mindsets are just one piece in the larger puzzle of factors that influence health, they do have an impact. A 2000 Yale research study found that older individuals with positive selfperceptions of aging lived up to seven and a half years longer than those with less positive self-perceptions. There are many testing companies that can help define your origins and common physical traits. However, there are also companies taking things further by looking at your future rather than your past. When it comes to helping individuals achieve health and wellness goals, any good practitioner knows that one size does not fit all. Having genetic information can help isolate target areas, maximize health potential, and help avoid
What can genetic testing uncover for you? Heart health. Are you at risk for cardiovascular disease or predisposed to high blood pressure? These conditions can be caused by issues with methylation, the biochemical process of repairing and making new DNA to ensure proper and optimal cell function. Methylation is not only responsible for DNA repair, but also for energy creation, stress and inflammation response, cell detoxification, and brain chemistry function. Methylation also turns genes on or off, so optimizing it can reduce risk of certain diseases and cancers. Do so by focusing on foods with B-complex or high-quality (not high-cost) supplements like magnesium and choline. Genes can also impact the integrity of arteries and veins. A polyphenol-rich diet, stress management, and exercise are advised. Weight. Genes play a large role in how the body manages weight. Genetic testing can offer insights as to how your body metabolizes food and what forms of exercise will and wonât work for you. If blood sugar and insulin issues are high, inflammation is a concern. Selenium and chromium, along with an antiinflammatory diet, can help those struggling to lose weight. Hormones. Should you avoid taking synthetic hormones? Some individuals have reduced ability to balance hormones required for female bodily processes. Such individuals should prioritize stress management and insulin, and limit toxin exposure. A diet that incorporates cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, etc.) daily provides additional support and protection. Immune system. How well do your genes work to help fight off viruses? What specifically can you do to optimize your immune system? Histamine is produced during immune processes, allergen removal,
