You are not a victim of biology ..................Catherine Stack

You are not a victim of biology Taking wellness into your own hands

BY CATHERINE STACK

Think your genetic outcome is set in stone? Think again. Many believe DNA to be the sole determinant of who we are and what we will become. Not only can this leave you feeling doomed by family history, but it’s also not nearly this simple. While DNA contains instructions for traits like hair and eye color, research has found that it is also influenced by outside sources. This fascinating field of study, known as epigenetics, provides great insight.

According to the Center for Disease Control, “Epigenetics is the study of how your behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way your genes work. Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic changes are reversible and do not change your DNA sequence, but they can change how your body reads a DNA sequence.” In short? We can influence our health, quality of life, and lifespan through environment, diet, lifestyle, and beliefs. Understanding this relationship helps researchers identify life factors that may help prevent or treat diseases like obesity, diabetes, coronary artery disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s.

There has been a tremendous amount of study on how beliefs affect outcomes—you’ve probably heard of the placebo effect—and, while mindsets are just one piece in the larger puzzle of factors that influence health, they do have an impact. A 2000 Yale research study found that older individuals with positive selfperceptions of aging lived up to seven and a half years longer than those with less positive self-perceptions.

There are many testing companies that can help define your origins and common physical traits. However, there are also companies taking things further by looking at your future rather than your past. When it comes to helping individuals achieve health and wellness goals, any good practitioner knows that one size does not fit all. Having genetic information can help isolate target areas, maximize health potential, and help avoid possible disease. This information, in combination with a provider trained to interpret the findings, is a powerful health navigation tool.

What can genetic testing uncover for you?

Heart health. Are you at risk for cardiovascular disease or predisposed to high blood pressure? These conditions can be caused by issues with methylation, the biochemical process of repairing and making new DNA to ensure proper and optimal cell function. Methylation is not only responsible for DNA repair, but also for energy creation, stress and inflammation response, cell detoxification, and brain chemistry function. Methylation also turns genes on or off, so optimizing it can reduce risk of certain diseases and cancers. Do so by focusing on foods with B-complex or high-quality (not high-cost) supplements like magnesium and choline. Genes can also impact the integrity of arteries and veins. A polyphenol-rich diet, stress management, and exercise are advised.

Weight. Genes play a large role in how the body manages weight. Genetic testing can offer insights as to how your body metabolizes food and what forms of exercise will and won’t work for you. If blood sugar and insulin issues are high, inflammation is a concern. Selenium and chromium, along with an antiinflammatory diet, can help those struggling to lose weight.

Hormones. Should you avoid taking synthetic hormones? Some individuals have reduced ability to balance hormones required for female bodily processes. Such individuals should prioritize stress management and insulin, and limit toxin exposure.A diet that incorporates cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, etc.) daily provides additional support and protection.

Immune system. How well do your genes work to help fight off viruses? What specifically can you do to optimize your immune system? Histamine is produced during immune processes, allergen removal,

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and in response to injury and toxins. Genetic test results may or may not indicate a likelihood to experience histamine overload when histaminegenerating foods are consumed, which can impact immune strength.

Exercise. Some do better with aerobic training whereas some do not. Insights regarding endurance, power, and response to training can be gleaned to identify what kind of physical activity is best for you.

Diet. How well do you process certain items such as gluten, vitamin D3, and caffeine? What supplements should you make a priority? What foods should you eat more or less of? For example, if you metabolize caffeine well, then you may be able to enjoy more than a cup of coffee per day. If you find you’re predisposed to a B12 deficiency that would negatively impact endurance and brain function, there are easy adjustments to make.

Brain health. Are you predisposed to cognitive decline as you age? I was surprised to find out that I was and have incorporated some supplement adjustments—omega 3s specifically— to play a proactive role in protecting my brain. Brain games also help maintain proper function.

While there are hundreds of companies populating this space, some are more legitimate than others, making it hard to really know whom to trust. If you are considering genetic testing, do your homework: make sure the company is backed with a team of experts that includes practitioners who are trained in result interpretation.

Our genes are not our destiny. Genetic testing can help make use of specific information to optimize lifestyle and nutrition interventions and help people thrive. FY

Catherine Stack is owner, facilitator, and Doctor of Naturopathy at Journey II Health. She specializes in colon health and bio-identical hormone replacement and is a practicing staff midwife at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. Her books, Free Yourself from a CONSTIPATED Life and PUSH, Labor & Delivery from the Inside Out are available on amazon.com. Visit cathistack.com for more info.

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