by Dr. Connie Hernandez, ND
When I saw the test results, I was stunned!
Having enjoyed unusually good health since I was a little girl, I’d always imagined that I had inherited an excellent genetic makeup.
The only issue I was aware of was lipid metabolism genes and the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP, the dreaded ApoE gene that disrupts lipid metabolism and increases by many times the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, the disease that took the lives of my mother and sister-in-law).
Are we the products of our environment or our genetic heritage?
The science of epigenetics has definitively ended the “nature versus nurture” debate. It has also shown that our parents
and our environment both contribute to our health and wellbeing.
I found this conclusively proved when I underwent DNA Life genomic testing to find out more about my body’s genetic variability.
The test results would tell me if my SNP diagnosis would result in low, moderate, or high risk of disturbances in bodily functioning.
Surprisingly, I had issues not only with lipid metabolism, but moderate to severe negative impacts in the areas of general detoxification, estrogen detoxification, inflammation, methylation, and bone health.
I had seen these issues in patients with severe health challenges – but I wasn’t really worried, since I’m a person who breezed through the midlife hormonal changes; I actually built bone density during menopause and have relatively few health concerns.
The DNA Life report suggests supplements and lifestyle modifications that can raise or lower the expression of our genes.
There are suggested lifestyle modifications that match the food plan choices for your particular genetic makeup and indicate the ideal type and amount of exercise that would enhance your health.
The exercise suggestions in my report surprised me, although the supplements and other lifestyle choices were pretty much exactly those I’d followed over the years. Surely it was those choices that had helped keep me healthy, despite the warning signs.
For me, this was a huge affirmation that lifestyle choices and attention to individual supplementation needs are among the best things you can do to achieve optimal health.
Even if nature hasn’t dealt you the best possible hand, wise preventive choices can change the outcome!
Designing a health program that will account for your unique genetic profile is an awesome way to start taking personal responsibility for your health.
For information about the services we offer at Pacific Naturopathic, please give us a call at 650-961-1660, or use the convenient Contact Form to get in touch. Thank you!