Description
DNA Health optimises health and wellness through gene-based personalised nutrition. It tests 23 genes involved in 7 key biological processes. The results provide individual recommendations that include: a gene-based healthy eating plan, dietary goals for relevant vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and foods, and requirements for nutritional supplementation, where required.
The genes we carry significantly affect our health and susceptibility to various chronic diseases. Nutritional genomics—otherwise known as personalised nutrition—explores the relationship between your diet and your genes. These interactions have far-reaching potential in preventing diet-related disease.
DNA Health tests for variations in genes that play crucial roles in a number of metabolic processes which are all key factors in the onset of chronic disease. Many diseases are preventable through the correct diet and lifestyle choices. DNA Health is designed to help you make the best diet and lifestyle choices based on your unique DNA.
Lipid Metabolism
Nutrition, especially the metabolism of dietary fat, is important in preventing cardiovascular disease. By identifying the way the fat in your diet interacts with your genes, you can change your dietary intake to achieve optimum heart health.
Vitamin B metabolism
B vitamins, especially folate, play an essential role in energy metabolism, building and repairing DNA, and in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neural tube defects. Variations in your genes can alter how efficiently your body uses these vitamins, potentially increasing your daily requirements.
Detoxification
Identifies genevariations affecting enzyme functions in phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification.
Oxidative stress
Antioxidants are the body’s defence against free radicals. Free radicals are a normal by-product of the body’s energy processes. However, these molecules can damage DNA and proteins in the body and have been linked to various chronic diseases. Anti-oxidants are found naturally in the body in the form of enzymes, but can also be consumed in a wide variety of foods.
Bone Health
Our bodies break down and rebuild bone constantly. Our genes, diet and lifestyle (including exercise, stress, smoking, and alcohol consumption) are all important factors in these processes. By identifying how your genes affect your body’s calcium and Vitamin D metabolism, you can change your diet and lifestyle to keep your bones strong.
Inflammation
Inflammation is the way our bodies respond to injury, infection, or allergies. The inflammation process is controlled by genes, switching them on and off as needed. But sometimes a genetic variation causes a gene to stay switched on for longer than required. Low-grade inflammation over a long period has been linked to cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. Certain nutrients can help “switch off” these genes.
Insulin Sensitivity
Under normal conditions, food is absorbed into the bloodstream in the form of sugars such as glucose. The hormone insulin is then released to enable glucose to move from the bloodstream into the cells to be stored or used for energy. Where insulin resistance is concerned, the body’s cells do not respond as effectively to insulin. According to researchers, insulin resistance may play an important role in many health conditions such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
Test type: DNA: Gene, health, nutritional genomics, metabolism
Sample required: Saliva
Average processing time: 18-21 days
