Your genetics and brain function are more connected than you might think. In this article, we touch on what genes are, break down how they interact with your brain chemistry, and discuss how genetic testing with 10X Health can help support your mental health.
The Roadmap to Better Health
It is well known that mental health can affect our physical health, but did you know our genetic makeup can play a role in how we feel too? The human body is composed of interconnected systems that all work together to keep us healthy, happy, and functioning the way we should be. This means if one area is unwell, it can throw off the rhythm of other sections as well.
Think of your body like an interstate system. There are freeways, highways, rest stops, fuel centers, and yes, sometimes even construction sites. If one part of the road isn’t holding up well — maybe it’s full of potholes, has been washed away by a storm, or covered under debris from a landslide — it is our job to clear it, patch it, and ensure those who need to use the road can do so safely and efficiently.
Although transportation metaphors might seem like a strange way to describe our physiology, they are actually a great way to explain certain aspects of the human body, especially when it comes to genetics. You see, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the genetic roadmap uploaded into the nucleus of every cell in the human body. DNA tells our cells what to do, how to do it, and where to go in order to get there.
Like a road foreman on a construction site, DNA holds the blueprints detailing your unique design and making sure molecules get where they need to be. But what happens when the map has an error and leads your workers astray?
From eye color to blood type, and even certain diseases, many of our characteristics are inherited or handed down via the DNA we get from each of our parents. While physical traits like hair color or nose shape are visible signs of our genetics, there are other aspects that remain hidden and could be the unknown culprit for certain health issues lurking in our own DNA. This is where DNA mutations, or gene breaks can be found.
Identifying Potholes in Your Genetic Code
If DNA is the roadmap for our bodies, then gene breaks are like potholes that change to the structure of the road that can create small annoyances or sometimes larger complications.
Gene breaks, also known as gene mutations, are changes to your DNA sequence. These changes occur during cellular division when your cells make copies of themselves. They can also be present at birth, as many of the most common gene breaks are.
While genetic variation is necessary for the evolution of our human species, some gene breaks can prevent your cells from functioning as well as they should. We will delve more deeply into how to identify gene breaks further in the article. Although not all gene breaks are harmful, some genetic breaks can lead to diseases and mental health conditions based on how your body methylates nutrients.
What is Methylation and How Does it Relate to Mental Health Conditions?
Methylation is a chemical reaction in the body in which a small molecule called a methyl group gets added to DNA, proteins, or other molecules. While methylation is a simple chemical process, it can have wide-reaching effects.
Methylation happens billions of times in the body and is essential for life to continue. It can alter gene expression, convert raw materials into usable nutrients in the body, and support many other vital bodily functions. When talking about gene mutations, methylation is crucial because it has the ability to repair DNA and switch genes on and off, thereby regulating the production of proteins that the gene encodes.
If the methylation process isn’t working properly in your body, it has the ability to negatively affect important physiological functions all over the body. You may experience a number of symptoms both mental and physical, including anxiety, heart problems, depression, sleep issues, gut complications, weight gain, poor mood, brain fog, and many more.
For this reason, analysis of your DNA methylation profile could be a routine method for preventing certain diseases, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and other mental health conditions. In order for us to keep our bodies working optimally for years to come, we have to take care of our mental health just as much (if not more) than our physical wellness.
Factors That Can Affect Your Mental Health
Mental health as a category encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Equally important as physical health, it drives and affects the way we perceive, think, feel, and manage life. We have all had days where we don’t feel our best. Maybe we are sad, irritable, or simply overwhelmed with a growing number of life concerns. When moments like this happen, we shouldn’t ignore them. It’s vital to have a plan in place to support our emotional well-being before infrequent moments or turbulence become everyday occurrences.
While a mental health disorder may be connected with a specific event or memory, the majority arise from a combination of factors. Some of the factors that affect mental health are generally broken into three categories: biological factors, psychological factors, and social factors. You will find examples of all three below.
Biological Factors:
- Physical health
- Genetics (family history)
- Diet
- Sleep
- Age
Psychological Factors:
- Beliefs
- Mental health diagnoses
- Perception
- Addictions
Social Factors:
- Relationships
- Family
- Culture
- Work
- Money
- Housing
Threats to your mental well-being, even if small, can create roadblocks that prevent you from feeling your best. There are a number of therapies and exercises that have shown to be effective in addressing each of these areas of concern.
Genetics and Mental Health Conditions
One of the areas gaining momentum in recent years for its connection to mental health and mental illness is genetic testing. While there is not one specific gene for anxiety, OCD, or ADHD that can be turned on and off light a light switch, there are many different genes that interact to form a mind-body connection. Let’s dig into how specific genes and mutations in those genes can impact our overall mental health.
GNB3 – Involved in various cell signaling and communication pathways, GNB3 is a protein-coding gene that is important to brain function. Certain variants of this gene have been found to play a role in seasonal mood disorders, especially among women. The same study found similar connections with body weight, energy levels, and appetite.
AGT – AGT is part of the hormone system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance. Recently, various genetic polymorphisms (a variation of the gene DNA sequence) in AGT have been discovered which show an association with various diseases including cardiovascular disease, obesity, liver disease, and depression. This variant increases the level of circulating AGT in a person’s blood leading to an exaggeration of the effects produced by AGT.
MTHFR – We spoke in depth about methylation in the previous section. The gene that is responsible for controlling this cycle is called MTHFR. This is where one of the most common types of mutations occurs, affecting a whopping 44% of the world’s population.
A mutation in this MTHFR gene may result in brain fog, anxiety, depression, weight gain, high blood pressure, and many other symptoms. MTHFR also plays a role in the activation of folate to support the body’s many methylation reactions. Evidence suggests that folate increases DNA methylation in certain areas of the body and could be used to modify the risks of certain cancers and diseases.
MTR & MTRR – Two other genes that are connected with the methylation cycle are MTR (methionine synthase) and MTRR (methionine synthase reductase). They are important enzymes in the production of methionine and subsequent methylation reactions. Both MTR and MTRR are also vital in the production of proteins, which do most of the work in the cells in our bodies. They are responsible for the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs. Simply put, the MTR and MTRR genes are necessary for our bodies to survive and function optimally.
If there is a problem with either of these genes, the body will not work as it should. Some symptoms that could occur if methylation is not working properly include insomnia, depression, anxiety, allergies, IBS, muscle pain, headaches, and more.
COMT – COMT inactivates and initiates the breakdown of catecholamines, such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine, as well as estrogen and other drugs. It plays a vital role in the prefrontal cortex where dopamine transporters are relatively sparse, helping to regulate dopamine signaling.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for feelings of pleasure, satisfaction, and motivation along with other important functions relating to movement, sleep, and memory. As such, high or low levels of dopamine have been closely linked with several neurological diseases and mental health conditions, including ADHD.
AHCY – A gene important to anxiety is called Adenosylhomocysteinase, more commonly referred to as AHCY. When expressed properly, this gene creates an enzyme that helps break down methionine, a key amino acid found in meat, fish, and dairy products. However, AHCY mutations usually present in the form of psychiatric symptoms, like anxiety, depression, or addiction.
When it comes to hidden genetic variables and mutations that can impact your mental health, sometimes it can be in your best interest to start an investigation. Unlike the ones you see on your favorite crime show, however, this case doesn’t involve police or any eyewitnesses. Just you, a DNA sample, and our team of genetic experts.
How To Figure Out if You Have a Genetic Mutation
The best way to investigate your DNA and any genetic breaks is by completing a genetic test. Getting genetic testing can uncover areas in your genes that may not be functioning the way they should be, identify areas of improvement, and so much more.
Depending on your family history, you may have more genetic risk than others. According to estimates, each person has about 2,000 genetic defects which negatively affect their health.
The signs can be easy to overlook as not all defects have obvious implications. Some may stay dormant forever, while others manifest in common symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, or anxious thoughts.
Here is how getting a 10X Health genetic test works:
- Step 1: Order your test!
- Step 2: Once you receive your package in the mail, you’ll collect a sample of saliva by swabbing the inside of your mouth then place the sample in the mail for our lab to analyze.
- Step 3: After the analysis is complete, you’ll get the results of your test along with a comprehensive wellness optimization roadmap which includes 10X Precision Nutrition and Weight Management insights and recommendations to help you balance your mind and body to perform at an optimal level.
With a 10X Precision Genetic Test, we analyze over 53 genes (including the seven detailed above) that can help shed a little light on why you may be feeling less than optimal. And by a little, we mean over 400 pages of comprehensive insights into your genetics, areas your mind and body need support, and our science-backed recommendations to remedy deficiencies!
When it comes to physical and mental wellness, we all deserve to feel our best. Our newly revamped genetic test was created to help you understand your body like never before and give you the tools and support to reach your full potential.
Genetic Testing for Mental Health
Genetic testing for mental health has come a long way in the past decade. Every year we are able to make more connections and reexamine other genetic markers. While there’s still further research and plenty to be discovered 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 brains, and what to do when something isn’t working as it should.
Despite these achievements, genetic testing should never be used to diagnose depression, anxiety, ADHD, other mental health conditions or to predict the future health of you or your family members. Mental illness is a serious concern that requires accurate diagnosis. We advise all patients experiencing mental health symptoms to meet with an informed team of clinicians. Talk with your doctors about utilizing genetic testing as helpful building blocks for developing a treatment plan to reach your mental health goals.
How 10X Health Can Support Your Mental Wellness
With 10X Health Precision Genetic Testing, we can help you discover the root cause of a mental health disorder and provide a more natural path to feeling better. Knowing what illnesses you might be prone to can guide you in creating a personalized diet and supplement plan, and determining the appropriate level of exercise.
Taking the initiative to understand potential health vulnerabilities and mental illnesses based on your family medical history and genetics is an important first step. Armed with this knowledge, you can make more informed choices to help your body function at its best, bringing your wellness dreams closer than ever before.
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Finding out how your genes are functioning provides the key to optimal wellness. Order a Precision Genetic Test today and find out how we can help 10X your mental health game!
