Genetics and health: what’s the connection?
Since the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, genetics has become the center of some amazing scientific studies that have taught us a lot about our genes and how they impact our overall health.
While the most obvious connection between your genetic makeup and your health is through hereditary diseases, where you inherit certain conditions from your family, there are several other ways that your genes can impact your health and wellness.
Genetic testing has become incredibly accessible over the past decade or so, and it’s a great way to get a snapshot of your current health and learn what’s functioning, what’s not functioning, and, most importantly, how you can make fundamental improvements to your health and quality of life by addressing the core issues plaguing you as you grow older.
What is genetic testing?
In the simplest terms, genetic testing analyzes your methylation cycle. The methylation cycle is how your body takes nutrients from the environment and processes them into usable forms, a process in which your genes (and the enzymes they work with) are heavily involved.
It may seem complex, but conducting a genetic test is actually quite simple. With an at-home genetic test, like the ones we offer here at 10X Health, you’ll swab your mouth, and ship the sample to a lab where an expert will process and analyze your results. From there, you’ll receive a comprehensive report detailing the results of your test and providing customized recommendations to improve your health and optimize your system.
By looking at how specific enzymes in your system are affected by your unique genetic makeup, a healthcare professional can assess if your body is running effectively and how to help it run more efficiently, too.
What can genetic testing tell you about your health?
Your methylation cycle is the process that helps your body detox, repair damage, produce energy, regulate hormones, and keep your immune and nervous systems in working order (among other things) – basically, the methylation cycle plays a part in nearly every crucial bodily function, making it extra important to make sure it functions properly.
As you can imagine, if this process isn’t working to its full potential (or just simply isn’t working at all), your body may be deficient in certain nutrients, possibly leading to other health problems or longer-term conditions. And this is a more common issue than you might think – about 44% of the world’s population has a genetic mutation that makes it challenging for them to create enough of the 5-MTHF gene, meaning their methylation cycle won’t work properly.
The 5-MTHF gene is not just a key part of the methylation cycle, but this gene also aids in the production of serotonin and melatonin and the synthesis of DNA. Mutations in this gene can also lead to several health conditions, including heart disease and even cancer, making it even more important to know if this gene is working properly.
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Genetic testing has come a long way in the past decade or two, and while there’s still plenty to be discovered and learned about how our genes play a role in our health, current technology can give us a pretty good glimpse into how this relationship plays out in our own bodies and what to do when something isn’t working as it should.
We often recommend genetic testing as the introduction to the 10X Health community, because it’s a simple and easy way to get a snapshot of your body’s current health and help you make data-driven decisions to improve or optimize your system, whether that be through additional supplements or other treatments.
Ready to take control of your wellness and optimize your health to its full potential? Why not start with a comprehensive genetic test from 10X Health System? Learn more about our approach to gene testing and order your own, at-home test kit to get started on your journey to better health!
