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 of organisms.
Our genetics can play a vital role in our overall health and well-being, but are not
your destiny! Let’s think of this as Nature vs Nurture, life’s biggest challenge. What
can we do personally to try and work with our body to prevent longer term health
conditions. I am sure if you were told how to avoid this you would do it, right? Well
DNA is the answer to this first instructional step to understanding your body’s
fundamentals.
Understanding our genetic predispositions can be a crucial aid in understanding
how we can manage our health on a day to day basis; but if we were able to adopt
better habits and integrate them into our way of living it would allow us to keep
our mutated genes at bay. Mutated genes are those that may have a negative
impact on our health. A useful analogy is that of a light bulb switching on and off.
Turning a light switch on represents the activation or expression of a gene, while
turning it off represents the suppression or inhibition of gene expression. With genes activated or repressed in response to changing conditions, we can adopt lifestyle
changes that keep the ‘lightbulb’ switched off, preventing the mutated gene from
turning on and avoiding negative effects.
For example, a mutated COMT gene leaves individuals more susceptible to stress
meaning if not addressed, could lead to adrenal fatigue, increased inflammation,
higher blood pressure and chronic heart disease. However if we were to exercise
more, wear less irritable clothing, adopt stress management techniques such as
meditation and breathe through situations that make you angry, then the
mutated COMT gene remains switched off. Therefore leaving you less susceptible
to the health conditions listed prior.
How does DNA testing work?
YourGutMap offers a simple at home saliva swab that is sent to their Lab for
analysis. Through complex genetic analysis, YourGutMap identifies your genes.
YourGutMap specifically measures 30 SNP’s (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 well-being: digestion, metabolism, stress, immunity, nutrients,
stimulants, exercise and sleep.
DNA SNP’S MEASURE
What do DNA Results Look Like?
We know it can be difficult to understand DNA tests, but YourGutMap provides
an insight into the aspects of your DNA, whilst explaining its role to your bodily
function. YourGutMap will then highlight whether you have a genetic mutation
(RED) 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.
DNA EXAMPLE REPORT AND NUTRITION AND LIFESTYLE GUIDE
How is my DNA data protected?
Knowing what happens with your data is very important to YourGutMap and they
take your privacy seriously. Each DNA sample is destroyed after testing, and your
data is completely anonymous, with a unique barcode ID.
