Functional Genomic AnalysisTM

Now you can understand your DNA with this new service at MindBody Medicine Center.

Your DNA contains the genetic instructions to make enzymes that govern every life sustaining event in your body.  Moods, concentration, focus, energy production, detoxification, immunity, digestion, heart health and much more are all directed by your DNA.  However, our DNA is under assault from the toxins in our bodies to the emotional stress that we create for ourselves. Also, your parents may have given you some defective genes.  The foods you eat and the stress your experience are influencing your DNA (hard drive) through the epigenome which is the software that determines which genes will be active.

All in all, DNA science is complex and confusing, even to most doctors.  However, now you can navigate this key topic and better understand the root causes of disease.

MethylGenetic Nutrition Analysis is a ground-breaking web-based software program to educate you on how genetic information can improve your health. The program is taking functional medicine and health care into a new paradigm, and finding answers not available before.

Harnessing Your DNA for Optimal Health

Extensive research has shown that the root cause of most illness is inflammation, usually due to the presence of free radicals and oxidative stress. The most potent free radicals are superoxide and peroxynitrite, both of which are naturally produced by oxygen in the process of aerobic metabolism. To compensate for these free radicals, your body makes antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione, and uses folate to rebuild and repair damaged cells. But your inherited genetic issues may inhibit you from making enough antioxidants, cause you to produce too many oxidants, and suppress your ability to create enough folate for cell repair, which can cause cellular damage and inflammation, leading to slower rebuilding and repair of cells and ultimately faster aging and more optimal conditions for disease.  Also, histamine, glutamate and ammonia can produce disturbing symptoms, as well as damage cellular health and contribute to many disease processes.

There are many diseases related to free radicals and oxidative stress, including:

  • ADHD
  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Anxiety
  • Arthritis
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Cancer
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Dementia
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Heart Failure
  • Learning Disorders
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Stroke

Thanks to new advances in technology, a simple saliva test today can measure 602,000 pieces of your DNA. This is an important development because everyone has some level of genetic variation in their DNA, even though it was once thought to be a rare occurrence. Because variants can impact your ability to make and use different nutrients critical for circulatory, immune and even emotional health, everyone is susceptible, in their own unique way, to potential health implications.

Why do these variations occur? Genes are passed from parent to child—one copy from the mother and one copy from the father—with each cell containing a set of genetic instructions. When an existing cell divides to make a new cell, it copies its set of genetic instructions. However, sometimes these instructions are copied incorrectly, like a typo, which leads to variations in the DNA sequence. This is called a single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP (pronounced “snip”). Most SNPs do not cause any observable differences. But the location and total number of SNPs a person has may influence their susceptibility to disease or impact how they react to certain drugs or even specific foods.

The MethylGenetic software combines DNA data from 23andme.com with a symptom questionnaire and laboratory data to create reports that identify your nutritional weaknesses and then create your custom nutritional protocol. This protocol will supplement your missing nutrients and antioxidants, or use nutrients and herbs to aid in the production of needed enzymes to ultimately reduce the damaging oxidants and support healthy cells.  This forward-looking approach is gaining momentum within the health care industry. In fact, supporting BH4 and glutathione production with a nutrient called NADH has been hailed by Harvard Medical as the first “anti-aging nutrient.” (NAD is another ground-breaking treatment offered at MindBody Medicine Center)

Now through genetic saliva testing, we can measure your ability to make and use enzymes that are critical components of your health. Some of the more significant enzymes include:

GLUTATHIONE – detoxifies the body and controls inflammation
SOD – neutralizes the superoxide free radical
BH4 – supports the neurotransmitters and helps the body detox ammonia
NEUROTRANSMITTERS – aids emotional health
CHOLINE – enhances liver health
FOLATE – stimulates cell and neurotransmitter health
SAMe – supports many bodily functions
B12 – makes blood cells and supports a healthy nervous system

When in balance, these enzymes can control free radicals, keep your cells healthy, and rebuild new cells effectively. Thus, you may look and feel younger and remain healthy and vibrant as you age. You’re never too young or old to optimize your nutritional and antioxidant status.

To better understand how your DNA impacts your health, watch the introductory video at  www.GetToKnowYourDNA.com.

And call us at MindBody Medicine Center if you want to use MethylGenetic Nutrition Analysis to improve your health and well-being.