DNA Genetic Testing
Thanks to new advances in technology, a simple saliva test today can measure 602,000 pieces of your DNA. This is an important development because everyone has some level of genetic variation in their DNA, even though it was once thought to be a rare occurrence. Because variants can impact your ability to make and use different nutrients critical for circulatory, immune and even emotional health, everyone is susceptible, in their own unique way, to potential health implications.
Gaps in your DNA can impact:
- Digestion
- Detoxification
- Gluten tolerance
- Lactose tolerance
- Blood sugar regulation
- Mitochondrial function
- Free radical production/ premature aging
- Master antioxidant production
- And many other things
Why do these variations occur?
Genes are passed from parent to child—one copy from the mother and one copy from the father—with each and every cell containing a set of genetic instructions. When an existing cell divides to make a new cell, it copies its set of genetic instructions. However, sometimes these instructions are copied incorrectly, like a typo, which leads to variations in the DNA sequence. This is called a single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP (pronounced “snip”). Most SNPs do not cause any observable differences. But the location and total number of SNPs a person has may influence their susceptibility to disease or impact how they react to certain drugs or even specific foods.
Functional Medicine… A New Approach to Wellness
DNA researchers have discovered that the root cause of most illness is the presence of free radicals and oxidative stress. These free radicals are superoxide and peroxynitrite—basically the “gorilla” that’s causing you problems. And there are other unwelcome friends too, including the damaging agents of glutamate and ammonia. Your body naturally produces all four of these agents, but genetic variations can cause you to have too much of them.
When out of balance, these free radicals can cause cellular damage and inflammation, leading to slower rebuilding and repair of cells and ultimately faster aging and more optimal conditions for disease. To compensate for these free radicals, your body makes antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione, and uses folate to rebuild and repair damaged cells. But your inherited genetic issues may inhibit you from making enough antioxidants, cause you to produce too many oxidants, and suppress your ability to create enough folate for cell repair, which can negatively impact your health.
Now through genetic saliva testing, we can measure your ability to make and use enzymes and nutrients that are critical components of your health.
Some of the more significant ones include:
- GLUTATHIONE – detoxifies the body and controls inflammation
- SOD – neutralizes the superoxide free radical
- BH4 – supports the neurotransmitters and helps the body detox ammonia
- NEUROTRANSMITTERS – aids emotional health
- CHOLINE – enhances liver health
- FOLATE – stimulates cell and neurotransmitter health
- SAMe – supports many bodily functions
- B12 – makes blood cells and supports a healthy nervous system
Harnessing Your DNA for Optimal Health
If you’ve been searching for answers to your health issues without resolution, testing your DNA should be the next step. Doing so can allow you to identify your SNPs as well as the related potential nutritional weaknesses occurring in your body. If nutrient weaknesses due to these SNPs are contributing to health challenges, we can create your custom nutritional or herbal protocol to aid in the production of needed enzymes to ultimately reduce the damaging oxidants and support healthy cells.