Predictive Genomic Test

Genomics - personalised medicine

"It is now possible to define gene polymorphisms that predispose individuals to disease and modify nutritional requirements."
- British Medical Journal, 15 June 2002.

We all know of someone who smoked, drank too much and over-ate the wrong foods and lived to a ripe old age. Why? "It was in the genes."

What if we could know enough about our unique genetic makeup to learn what diet and lifestyle was the very best for our own long and healthy life?

Genes do not control health by themselves but in combination with the environment. If a particular genetic type is exposed to the wrong environment then imbalances and disease are created. If the environment matches our genetic make-up we have good health.

Variations in the genetic code of a particular gene are known as polymorphisms (many shapes) and are largely responsible for our biochemical individuality. The variant information in the code leads to a different action in the cell.

Polymorphisms are not rare. We all have them and up to 50% of the population can have a specific polymorphism. They are not all bad. Some make us resistant to specific diseases and some are beneficial in certain circumstances and detrimental in others, like the 'thrifty gene'. The effects of most polymorphisms are modifiable through diet, lifestyle and specific medical intervention. They allow us to identify those who are more susceptible to developing chronic diseases, and, more importantly, to know what diet and lifestyle alterations can change the outcome.

My own experience of genomic testing has been invaluable. One of my polymorphisms impairs my body's methylation ability. Methylation is a process with many important functions. This means I have a higher risk of a whole host of nasties like, heart disease, stroke, many cancers, dementia and more. The good news is... the injurious effects are completely corrected by a single simple supplement!

The four genomic test profiles available at the Society for Complementary Medicine are:

Osteo Genomic - bone deposition, bone resorption, osteoporosis
Cardio Genomic - cholesterol metabolism, hypertension, coagulation
Immuno Genomic - chronic inflammation, immune response/surveillance, allergies, asthma
Detoxi Genomic - susceptibility to cancer, detoxification capacity

So, who can benefit from predictive genomic tests?

Anyone suffering from, or has a family history of, heart disease, osteoporosis or immune problems. Anyone living in a toxic environment and anyone wishing to take steps to modify their diet and lifestyle to slow or prevent a potential disease process i.e. wishing to match their environment with their genes.

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You can read more in an article on predictive genomics.