nutrigenomics - how does it work?
Did you know that nutrients can change the behaviour of your genes?
Nutrigenomics INVESTIGATES the role of diet & nutrition in genetic expression & health
Our DNA is like a long switchboard of genes, switching on & off continually in response to our environment.
This is the effect of ‘epigenetics,’ where our environment influences gene expression, and is mediated by nutrition, exercise, sleep, pollution, toxins, emotional or physical trauma & stress.
The effect that the food we eat has on our bodies is much more complex than we ever thought; food isn’t merely fuel for energy and a source of vitamins & minerals, it is biological information
The macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins & fat) and micronutrients (such as vitamins, minerals & phytonutrients from plants) we consume in our diet have the unique ability to trigger the genetic switches in our DNA.
Nutrients trigger genetic expression that controls essential biochemical processes such as cell growth & division, DNA repair, hormone & neurotransmitter formation and energy production. The DNA switches activated by the biological information in food subsequently influence wellness, disease risk & our longevity.
Nutrigenomic testing assesses clinically researched genes involved in key metabolic processes, where genetic variations (REFERRED TO AS SNPs) have been studied to have a significant effect on health & susceptibility to chronic disease.
These genes have key roles in:
Cardiovascular health, hormone balance, detoxification, inflammation & oxidative stress, neurotransmitter balance, mitochondrial function, appetite & blood sugar regulation, methylation, vitamin metabolism & food responsiveness, e.g. salt, alcohol & caffeine sensitivity, lactose & gluten intolerance - there are so many areas of health that Nutrigenomics can provide actionable insights into.
We all have small variations in our DNA makeup, which affects our ability to absorb & utilise vitamins, minerals & nutrients. Knowing how our unique genetic make-up affects our nutritional needs allows us to understand our own personalised requirement for nutrients, as well as where nutrients deficiencies may be contributing towards certain symptoms.
This allows us to make better daily eating choices & incorporate relevant foods & supplements into our diets, to optimise our genetic expression, support overall wellness & combat the risk of chronic disease,
Your results will provide you with a ‘blueprint’ for life about your own personal genotype & the NUTRITIONAL & LIFESTYLE CHANGES you can Make to optimise your genetic expression.
As your genes are a set structure & do not change, DNA testing is an investment in your health you only need to make once - there is no need for follow-up DNA testing.
HOW MIGHT NUTRIGENOMICS BE USEFUL FOR ME?
You want to understand more about your body’s optimal nutrient requirements & how to make smarter eating choices
You are looking to refine your health routine with a tailored approach to supplements, to take out the ‘guess work’
You want to enhance your healthspan - that is, the portion of your life spent in good health, without chronic disease
You have chronic disease in your family - such as Type 2 Diabetes, cardiovascular disease or obesity - that you would like to help mitigate the risks of developing
You are burnt out and want to find a path to better health
You want an indication of your level of genetic susceptibility to the detrimental effects of carcinogens from environmental & dietary exposure
You would like to gain insight into your genetic predispositions to oestrogen metabolism & detoxification pathways
You are looking for insights to address stress & anxiety levels and optimise your mental health
You are struggling to address the root cause of problematic health symptoms such as digestive & gut issues
You have just have received a medical diagnosis that you want to support with nutritional therapy
You want to generally mitigate your risks of developing chronic disease
You are fatigued & have problems with sleep & relaxation
You are interested in how your genetics may influence weight management & responsiveness to weight-loss interventions
You are interested in how your genetics may influence individual response to exercise, to personalise training programmes & help optimise recovery strategies
You want to enhance your ability to age well and stay healthy & active
You would like to fine-tune your health routine with a personalised approach to diet, lifestyle & nutraceuticals
You ‘just don’t know what is wrong’ with you and would like to see if Nutrigenomics can provide some insight
What conditions can Nutrigenomics help with?
Understanding our individual genetic blueprint can be profoundly helpful in identifying underlying physiological & nutrient imbalances that may be contributing to symptoms & impacting health, such as:
Digestive or gastrointestinal symptoms & food intolerances
Blood sugar imbalances, insulin resistance & weight gain
Hormone imbalances & fertility problems
Cholesterol, blood pressure & lipid imbalances and cardiovascular issues
Mood imbalances, stress & anxiety issues
Cognitive health concerns
Disturbed sleep, fatigue & energy issues
Poor immunity & skin conditions
Nutrigenomics provides insights both for improving existing health concerns & maintaining optimum health as a preventative mechanism.
It can also act as a screening tool, directing us to key areas or pathways that may require further investigation.
How is the test carried out?
The DNA test is a simple, non-invasive sample of cheek cells via a mouth swab that is simple to do at home or at work.
The only requirement is to refrain from eating/drinking for at least 1 hour before testing.
DNA testing is not affected by any medications, nutritional supplements, HRT, medical conditions or any other environmental factors.
Whether you are ordering one or several nutrigenomics reports, only one sample is required & additional reports can be ordered up to 6 months from the date of the original test.
Test kits are posted worldwide & returned in the prepaid envelope. International orders are responsible for arranging & paying for return postage. There are no special storage or transport requirements & you can return any day.
Results are ready approximately 2 weeks after sample receipt at the lab.
Children can be tested at any age with a parent or guardian’s consent.
Genetic information security & disposal
The DNA testing carried out for Lifecode Gx® reports are not a full genome sequencing, meaning that we do not identify every single gene in your body. Rather, we are only looking at a number of clinically researched genes (around 40 or so out of your 23,000 or so genes in total) involved in key metabolic functioning essential for day-to-day cellular health and linked to overall wellness & longevity.
From a privacy perspective this means having only a very small fraction of your DNA collected & precludes anyone from ‘cloning’ you, as a full sample of your DNA is never collected.
DNA samples are stored & protected under the highest industry standards. Genetic data is anonymised & reports are shared externally only with the authorised practitioner, accessed via a secure on-line portal.
All DNA samples are destroyed within 6 months of sample collection.
No genetic or personal data is shared with, or sold to, any third party.