Combining genetic screening with lifestyle and nutrition intervention

 

One often overhears somebody saying “I cannot help having a high cholesterol level (or being overweight or diabetic), it is in my genes.”  

Is it true that we inherit these “bad” genes from our parents?  Would genetic screening (“testing”) identify these “bad” genes? If we did indeed inherit these genes, what can we do about it?

All our genes are inherit from our parents, but some of these inherited genes may have a built in “spelling error”, also known as a mutation.  Various medical conditions that may develop will depend on what genes you inherited, and their interaction with the environment (such as lifestyle and nutrition).  By modifying these various lifestyle factors, one can actually switch various genes on or off, thereby reducing the potential risk.  In essence it is often explained as follows:  “Genes load the gun, while lifestyle pulls the trigger!”

Genetic screening can be combined with lifestyle and nutrition assessment, to more accurately identify risk factors, as well as the level of risk (high risk or low risk) for chronic diseases in an individual. These results can then be used to determine far more effective intervention in terms of nutrition and lifestyle.

The combination of genetics and nutrition is a highly specialized research field and is called “nutrigenomics”.  Nutrigenetic applications are of particular interest in chronic disorders such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, certain cancers, neurological disorders, and many inflammatory disorders.

The Wellness genetic testing, presently offered by several labs in SA, utilizes the nutrigenetic approach.  This is truly the first step into personalized medicine and optimal health.  Health Insight supports this approach, and offers facilitation of genetic screening and interpretation of genetic reports, with integration of nutritional and lifestyle interventions.

HEALTH INSIGHT
MARCH 2017

 

 

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