Alchemical Wizard 29 : Nutrigenomics
While still considered an emerging science, Nutritional Genomics or Nutrigenomics is already transforming how we eat and how doctors, nutritionists and health coaches recommend diets. Simply put, gone are the days of a one-size-fits-all diet. Nutrigenomics helps us understand how our genes and what we eat interact with each other. Let us take into consideration that we really are what we eat and when we eat it! Food or Fuel for the Body, is Medicine!
Nutrigenomics is the study and branch of genetic research of how foods affect our genes and how, in return, genetic variations affect the way we react to nutrients in foods.
We all have around 3 billion DNA pairs living within our 23 pairs of chromosomes. While 98% of our genes are all the same, our protein-coding genes comprise of around 2% of our genome. It’s this small part known as the exome that contains the genes that define our unique traits, such as lactose sensitivity, lean muscles, or curly hair. These genes instruct our amino acid arrangements for proteins that create our traits. So while we all have the same genes, we each have genetic variants that can impact what we look like, what we’re allergic to and what our biological bodies need to thrive.
Through the studies of the human genome, researchers and scientists have discovered that different people respond in different ways to different diets because the variations in our DNA can have a significant impact on our metabolic efficiency, how or what causes us to lose or gain weight and more.
Nutrigenomics can reveal a number of health-related issues that can help you better understand what fuels your body and what doesn’t. For example, nutrigenomics can help you understand if you’re lactose or gluten intolerant, what kind of diet can help you manage your weight and how your body processes nutrients.
By determining a diet that aligns with your genetic variants and body’s needs, you may find it easier to manage your weight and feel better from what you eat. For example, if you didn’t know you were gluten intolerant, you may not realize that those lethargic feelings and bloating were a result of the bread you were eating at lunch. Or, nutrigenomics may help you determine that you need to eat more healthy fats in your diet, reduce your carbohydrate intake or eat more foods rich in a particular vitamin. With a comprehensive view of your body’s needs, you can ensure you choose the right foods that help you feel energized, healthy and full.
Most Health Coaches will tell you that staying fit and at a healthy weight is only twenty percent exercise and eighty percent diet. Regardless of how much you exercise, your diet plays a key role in your weight and your health, including your risk for type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol, heart disease and cancer.
While we may know we need to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables per day and limit our fried food intake, a well calibrated diet goes far beyond general recommendations. Without taking a deep dive into your biological body’s genetic variants and current health, you may not realize you’re lacking in a particular nutrient or consuming too much protein and not enough carbohydrates.
Today, the power of nutrigenomics can be used by just about anyone with DNA tests, which includes diet guidelines. These test's look at several factors, including our eating behaviors, our food reactions to learn how our body reacts to common foods to understand if we may be lactose intolerant, experience alcohol flush and more. Our matching diets to learn our genetic diet type, including our response to monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and omega-3 and omega-6 levels. Our nutritional needs to figure out which vitamins and supplements we need to optimize with. Our metabolic health to discover how our diet affects our cholesterol, including if we are at risk for decreased HDL cholesterol, elevated blood sugar, elevated LDL cholesterol or elevated triglycerides.
These tests help you uncover your personalized genetic nutrition profile, including the ratio of carbs, proteins and fats for your body, as well as how to make proactive decisions regarding diet, exercise and lifestyle based on your DNA. These DNA tests also will give us insights into our genetic predisposition for exercise to get the most benefit from endurance and strength training.
Here are some of the companies giving health options or more preventative health services!
1. DNAfit - Genetic diet and fitness reports, Your own personal health coach, The DNAfit app with live chat support, Genetically matched training programs, Personalized meal plans and recipes! Two options – Diet Fit & Health Fit. And if you already have 23andMe or AncestryDNA data there is a discount of $60. Also, DNAfit adhere to the UK Data Protection Act 2018 and are ISO 27001 certified.
2. 23andMe – 23andMe has three options with two Health options. Health+Ancestry and a VIP Health+Ancestry. Their Genetic Health Risk and Carrier Status reports meet FDA criteria for being scientifically and clinically valid, All saliva samples are processed in CLIA certified and CAP accredited labs, Their DNA collection kit is FDA cleared for use with their Genetic Health Risk and Carrier Status reports, Genotyping is a well established and reliable platform for analyzing DNA. When it comes to your health and traits, DNA is only part of the story. Other variables come into play, such as your environment and lifestyle! They will not share your individual data without your explicit consent, A federal law (GINA) provides protection from employer and health insurance discrimination based on your genetics, They do not provide information to law enforcement unless we are required to comply with a valid subpoena or court order.
3. Vitagene – Vitagene has three options being, Health+Ancestry DNA tests and reports, a Premium and Premium+supplements plan. A personal wellness plan scientifically tailored to your genes, lifestyle and goals. No pseudo-science, fad diets or magic pills. If you Already Have DNA Data you can continue your genetic journey by uploading your DNA data to discover your optimal diet, exercise, and supplementation. Simply order a Health Report, upload your DNA data, and complete your lifestyle questionnaire. Within 1-2 days, you will receive your results. Their clinical labs meet the standards set by The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) and College of American Pathologists (CAP), ensuring the accuracy and reliability of your test results. Your unique DNA is run through our sophisticated algorithm that compares it to a comprehensive database of the world’s latest peer-reviewed research on genomics, nutrition, and exercise. Your unique health traits are then mapped to the diet, nutrition, exercise, and supplementation plans that match your exact health needs, so you can begin making meaningful changes to your health, today. Privicy - Your results and DNA sample are stored without your name or any other common identifying information. Vitagene destroys your physical DNA saliva sample after it has been analyzed. They don’t share your information with any third party without your explicit consent.
4. FoundMyFitness – Dr. Rhonda Patrick has two options if you have your 23andMe or Ancestry.com DNA data. A Comprehensive Report and a Membership Comprehensive Report with lifetime updates! Upload your DNA data and in less than 5 minutes you'll discover the most impactful genes and what research suggests may be the most impactful nutritional and lifestyle insights specific to those genotypes. Her report includes ApoE Report, Circadian Report, Longevity Report, Cholesterol Report, Methylation Report, a Micronutrient Report, Fitness Report, Telomere Report, and a Metabolism Report! Also she has an excellent YouTube channel that is highly informative to help you understand more about Epigenetics and Nutrigenomics!
https://www.foundmyfitness.com/genetics
Blessings Everyone as we continue with Holistic frameworks and tools to inspire confidence as we unlock resources to make this Ascension shift more meliorative! We are Sovereign and We are most defiantly Freeing Ourselves!
Travis Carper - Ascension Health Coach / Alternative & Holistic Health Service https://www.facebook.com/traviscarper888/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/traviscarper888/
Additional References :
Finding the Best DNA Health Test - https://www.innerbody.com/dna-testing/dna-health-testing
What consumer DNA data can and can’t tell you about your risk for certain diseases - https://www.sciencenews.org/article/health-dna-genetic-testing-disease
Genetics vs. Genomics Fact Sheet - https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Genetics-vs-Genomics#:~:text=All%20human%20beings%20are%2099.9,about%20the%20causes%20of%20diseases
5 Best At-Home DNA Tests for Health and Wellness in 2024 - https://www.dnaweekly.com/best-test/health-and-wellness/
I took an at-home DNA test. Is my health information safe? - https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/living-well/i-took-an-at-home-dna-test-is-my-health-information-safe/
The Privacy Problems of Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing - https://www.consumerreports.org/health/dna-test-kits/privacy-and-direct-to-consumer-genetic-testing-dna-test-kits-a1187212155/
Audio References :
DNA Today -
Genetic testing is becoming more accessible — and it's raising difficult questions - https://www.npr.org/2022/05/10/1098014773/genetic-testing-is-becoming-more-accessible-and-its-raising-difficult-questions
Discovering True Health - Episode 87: The Power of DNA Testing: Prevent Chronic Illness, Reverse Aging & Improve Relationship -