Nutrigenomics is the study of the relationship between our genes, nutrition, and health. Looking at your genetic traits can provide information on the way your body breaks down and uses nutrients and can inform your health decisions.
Have you ever wondered why your friend can eat anything they want and not gain weight, or why you can exercise every day and still not lose weight? Or maybe you wonder why you are eating a healthy nutrient dense diet and still have low levels of some vitamins and nutrients. You might have a tendency to blame your genes “it is just my family history,” and you may be partially right. Our genetics definitely play a role in our health when it comes to weight, nutrient status, and mental health among other things. However, often a health result is the consequence of both genetics and environment, and epigenetics is the intersection of these two. This means you can make changes that affect the way your genes are expressed; in other words, your genetics do not have to be your destiny.
Examples of information that can be obtained from a Nutrigenomic Report:
- Neurotransmitters and genetic variants that affect metabolism
- Type of exercise that is most beneficial
- Traits affecting detoxification
- Serotonin and Dopamine production affecting mood and memory
- Tendency toward vitamin and mineral deficiency
- Caffeine Metabolism
Understanding how your genes affect the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein, fat, and nutrients will allow creation of a nutrition plan tailored specifically to you. Using your genetics to create an individualized health plan is one of the advances being made in personalized medicine.
The process of completing a nutrigenomic test consists of a few simple steps. A test collection kit will be shipped to your home. Once you have collected a saliva sample and returned it to the labs, the lab will analyze the sample and results will be sent to your provider within 3 weeks. Your provider will review the results with you and create a personalized plan for your health.
If you have already collected your genetic data through another service such as 23andMe or Ancestry DNA, the raw data obtained through that process can be used, and you will not need to submit another sample.
Book a discovery call today to get started with Nutrigenomics and get your personalized health plan!
References:
https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/standardized-diets-dont-work-patient/