What is DNA?
Our DNA is what makes us who we are. It is a library of instructions that provides the blueprint for our body’s development, functioning and growth. Our genetics can play a vital role in our overall health and wellbeing, but our genes are not our destiny.
Let’s think of this as nature versus nurture. We inherit our DNA, but our health is not simply predetermined by it. Instead, our genes interact with biological, nutritional, lifestyle and environmental factors throughout our lives. Understanding our individual genetic variations can therefore give us valuable insight into our predispositions and help us make more informed choices about our nutrition and lifestyle
Understanding our genetic predispositions can be a useful aid in understanding how we can manage our health on a day-to-day basis. Having a particular genetic variation does not necessarily mean that a particular outcome will occur. To understand why, it helps to look at gene expression.
Gene expression is the process through which our bodies use the information contained within our genes. For example, a useful analogy is that of a light bulb switching on and off. Turning the light on represents the activation or expression of a gene. Turning it off represents the suppression or inhibition of gene expression.
In reality, gene expression is more sophisticated than a simple on/off switch. A dimmer switch is another useful way to think about it, as gene activity can increase or decrease. Nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress and our wider environment can also interact with processes involved in gene regulation and expression.
The light-switch analogy is a useful way to understand gene expression, although the reality is more nuanced. Our genetic variants remain part of our DNA. However, biological, nutritional, lifestyle and environmental factors can influence how our genes are expressed. Our genes do not act in isolation. Understanding our genetic predispositions can therefore help us identify nutrition and lifestyle choices that may positively support our health and wellbeing.
DNA Genetic Test Sample Collection Home to Laboratory Testing Kit
COMT – A Real-World Example
The COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) gene helps the body process dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline. It also plays a role in the metabolism of certain oestrogen metabolites.
Genetic variations in COMT can affect how efficiently these processes work. This makes COMT relevant to areas such as mood, cognition, stress response and hormone metabolism. It may also influence how an individual responds to certain nutritional, supplemental and other external factors.
Understanding your COMT variation can therefore provide useful information when personalising nutrition and lifestyle.
What is Nutrigenomics?
Nutrigenomics explores the relationship between nutrition, our genes and gene expression. A closely related area is nutrigenetics. This looks at how differences in our genetic makeup may influence the way individuals respond to nutrients and dietary factors.
Together, these areas of science help explain something fundamental to personalised nutrition: we are not all biologically identical and we may not all respond in exactly the same way to the same diet, nutrients or lifestyle factors.
Genetic variations may be relevant to differences in areas such as nutrient metabolism, digestion, caffeine response, stress response, exercise and sleep. Knowing about these variations gives us another layer of information that can help us consider nutrition and lifestyle in a more personalised way.
What are SNPs?
Small variations in our DNA help make each of us genetically unique and can influence how we respond to nutrition, lifestyle and our environment.
One common type of genetic variation is a single nucleotide polymorphism, or SNP. SNPs occur at individual points within our DNA and some have been studied for their relationship with nutrition, metabolism and lifestyle.
DNA testing can identify selected SNPs, providing insights into areas such as nutrient requirements, metabolic pathways and individual responses to diet and lifestyle.
These genetic insights are most valuable when considered within the wider context of the individual, alongside nutrition, lifestyle, environment and other factors that influence health.
How does DNA testing work?
YourGutMap DX offers a simple at-home saliva swab, which you send to their laboratory for analysis. The laboratory analyses selected SNPs (genetic variations) that have been researched within the nutrigenomics field.
DNAMap explores your personal genetic profile within the context of 8 elements of health and wellbeing: digestion, metabolism, stress, immunity, nutrients, stimulants, exercise and sleep.
These areas can provide insights into individual genetic differences and help build a broader picture of how your genetic makeup may be relevant to your nutrition and lifestyle.
DNA SNP’S MEASURE
What do DNA Results Look Like?
We know it can be difficult to understand DNA tests, but YourGutMap DX provides an insight into aspects of your DNA, whilst explaining their role in how your body functions.
YourGutMap DX will then highlight your genetic variations using colour-coded results, whilst offering a page reference within the Nutrition & Lifestyle Guide (NLG), which provides guidance on how to manage your diet and lifestyle in accordance with your genetic makeup.
Your insights range from basic information, like your caffeine tolerance, to how your genes influence digestion, micronutrients, exercise and much more.
EXAMPLE DNA GENETIC TEST REPORT AND NUTRITION AND LIFESTYLE GUIDE
DNA Genetic Testing with Charlotte Fraser Naturopathic Nutrition
At Charlotte Fraser Naturopathic Nutrition, you can purchase a DNA genetic testing kit with different levels of professional support available depending on how deeply you would like to explore your results.
For those wanting a more personalised approach, we offer additional professional interpretation and a personally curated report. This helps place your genetic findings within the wider context of your nutrition, lifestyle and individual health picture.
This gives you the flexibility to choose the level of support that is right for you, whether you primarily want access to your genetic information or would like to explore your results in greater depth.
How is my DNA data protected?
Your privacy is very important to us and to YourGutMap DX. They destroy each DNA sample after testing and keep your data anonymous using a unique barcode ID.
Explore DNA Genetic Testing Options
Visit the Appointments page to view our current DNA testing options, levels of support and pricing.
Disclaimer
DNA genetic testing provides information about selected genetic variants. It does not diagnose, treat or prevent disease, predict future health or replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.