DNA health is the most comprehensive panel in relation to our wellbeing and disease prevention which is focused around 28 genes involved in key physiologic processes.
The genes we are born with may have significant influence on our health, performance and may predispose us to various chronic diseases. Knowing your genes gives you the power to decrease the potential risks through correct and individualised diet and lifestyle choices.
The panel focuses on 8 key areas of our physiology:
· Lipid metabolism: explores the genes that affect metabolism and mobilisation of triglycerides to free fatty acids, the cholesterol metabolism and distribution which are important factors in development of cardiovascular disease.
· B vitamins/methylation: tests for genes involved in methylation reactions. Methylation is one of most important reactions in human body taking place around billion times per second. It affects nearly every aspect of our health but some of most important functions include DNA building and repair, DNA expression, repair and creation of new cells, role in energy metabolism, neural health and its poor function may be involved in conditions such as neural tube defect, cancers, cardiovascular disease and other degenerative conditions. The variation in the genes my alter body use of folate and other B vitamins.
· Detoxification/biotransformation: the way your body metabolises hormones, drugs, chemicals, environmental pollutants and other products of own metabolism is a 2 phase process taking place in the liver. The phase 1 and 2 are very important biological enzymatic reactions responsible for elimination and excretion of waste products and toxins. Efficient function of the enzymes is crucial for good health and prevention of diseases. The test looks and genetic variants involved in some of the most important biotransformation processes.
· Oxidative stress/antioxidant status: free radicals are produced in our bodies all the time as a result of normal metabolic processes and certain amount of oxidative stress is essential to signal our body to start its own production of antioxidants. Nevertheless free radicals can cause damage to our DNA, cellular walls and proteins, particularly when under high stress (physical and emotional) and poor oxidative defence, which has been correlated with various diseases and faster aging. Various foods, especially fruit and vegetables, provide us with antioxidants; however those internal antioxidants produced by the body are most powerful and crucial and the test looks into genetic variants involved in the process.
· Inflammation: inflammation is a natural process in response to injury, infection or allergy and is essential for proper healing. However when it becomes more systemic or low grade chronic inflammation over a long period of time that may lead to disease and has been linked to cardiovascular disease, obesity, neurodegenerative conditions and autoimmunity. Certain genes control inflammatory process, while particular foods and nutrients can help “switch off” the genes and lower inflammation.
· Bone health: looks into genes affecting vitamin D and calcium metabolism and how that may influence bone strength. Dietary and lifestyle choices can significantly affect your skeletal health. Vitamin D has been also shown to play an important role in other aspects of our health like immune regulation and autoimmunity.
· Insulin sensitivity: blood sugar metabolism influenced by insulin plays crucial role in health and disease. Research shows that insulin resistance is one of major factors in medical conditions like obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and heart disease. Knowing the genes involved in insulin and blood sugar regulation may help adjust the diet and lifestyle to support optimal health and disease prevention.
· Food sensitivities: looks into genetic predisposition to lactose intolerance, metabolism of essential fatty acids, iron metabolism, salt sensitivity and its relation to increased risk of high blood pressure.
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