Optimize Your Health: Learn About Your Genes

Today I want to share with you some important nuggets of information on human genes and what I learned from “Interpreting Your Genetics” and the “Dirty Genes” summits. In one of my blogs last year, I briefly touched on the subject of NutriGenomics and Epigenetic and DNA testing, you can find it on blog posts inside the website.  

First let me cover the basics. 

Human cells consist of the following:

• cell membrane = outer cell skin
• cytoplasm = cell “soup”
• mitochondria = power stations swimming inside the cell, 
• nucleus = large sac holding our 23 pairs of non-identical chromosomes
• chromosomes contain inside double helix DNA strands
• DNA strands made up of genes, approximately 30,000 genes

Genes are the coding producers that instruct every function in our our body in every second of our existence.

To achieve the highest possible state of health, we need all cells in our body to function to their highest functional pattern. We are not talking here about diseases!  We are switching gears from Diagnosis to a Prognosis mind set.

Dr. Jeffrey Bland, PhD known as a Father of Functional Medicine,  guides us into a proactive approach to our health and well-being. 

The approach that is based on four functional patterns, Four Ps:

1. Predictive 
2. Preventive
3. Personalized
4. Participatory

Predictive pattern is gathered via DNA/genetic testing.

You can order raw DNA data at one of the popular consumer labs, like “23and me”, “AncestryDNA” or FamilytreeDNA”. 

It is only done once in a lifetime.

Once you have the results, we can plug them into one of the few trusted websites for extensive interpretations to obtain actionable steps/plans for different approaches to environment, lifestyle and diet. 

The other three Ps come to play: preventive, personalized and participatory actions.

Here you definitely need a knowledgeable coach to guide you through the maze of SNPs.

SNP= single nucleotide polymorphism, or gene variation/spelling.

While we have around 20 thousand genes, we have over 10 million known gene variations up to date, and one person can have over one million of SNPs. The raw DNA tests can provide info on ~ 40 thousand of SNPs, that are known to potentially alter our genetic function. They are called actionable SNPs. 

And here come the science of Epigenetic - the study of gene regulation via environment: nutrition, sleep, stress, toxic exposure. Please understand, it is not about changing the DNA, but switching its “dirty genes” off or clean them up.  

This term  “dirty genes” is used by Dr. Ben Lynch in the same title book, where he explores the most researched “laundry” list of 7 genes and their many variations on our health. He offers natural solutions that can ultimately allow us to rewrite the unwanted genetic destiny.

As I  mentioned, NutriGenomics and EpiGenetics are new and fast growing sciences with tons of new information coming everyday.  As I keep learning, I will share with you all of the new findings. 

I will be glad to work with you on your actionable steps based on the findings of your gene variations in the DNA test, if you decide to take one. 

The steps that help you to create the most beneficial environment for your health with 

1. proper food intake - will call it diet (even though I prefer healthy food choices)
2. sleep 
3. exercise  
4. personalized supplements 
5. stress reduction programs
6. elimination of toxic exposure

My Take: Epigenetics & Nutrigenomics

Let us talk about Epigenetic and Nutrigenomics - my newest study interest. Just last month I listen and learned so much through the summit of 32 leading experts on “Interpreting Your Genetics” subject.

Epigenetics -the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself. 

Nutrigenomics - the scientific study of the interaction of nutrition and genes, especially with regard to the prevention or treatment of disease.

In 2012 I did genetic test for myself and Nicholas through lab called smartDNA Check it out here and since then have been studying it intensely. The cost of this test is $500, which comes with a thorough interpretation and suggestions for nutritional and lifestyle modifications. I do offer it to my clients and quite a few of you took me up on this offer and had it done.  

One of my gifts to my daughter Marianna last year was “23 and me” genetic test, the cost is $210, the cons - it does not provide you with interpretations and lifestyle modifications, so it is up to you to dig deeper, using other sites to interpret the raw data.

One of the new fascinating book on my read list today is Dr. Dale Bredesen’s book The End of Alzheimer’s – The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline. It came highly recommended by the well respected neurologist David Perlmutter, MD - one of the speakers from the Genetic Summit. 

Either way, we can work together to help you incorporate important lifestyle changes to prevent/or slow the cognitive decline that affects so many of us.

My aunt passed away at 93, “living” with Alzheimers for last 13 years of her life. No one wants such a life. She was a prominent doctor in Ukraine, head of the hospital in her prime years, still… You do not know, what you don’t know and when you know better, you do better, right?!