Nutrigenomics and genetic testing

The link between genes and nutrition

Having had the privilege and honour of being trained by two traditional naturopaths, who came from a long lineage of traditional naturopaths, I have been taught how to interpret a case history and presenting symptoms without the need for numerous expensive lab tests (Functional Medicine). Over my many years of practising I have also studied various medical disciplines, each of which has enhanced my understanding of disease and of the constitution of the clients with whom I work. This training includes Ayurvedic medicine, Tibetan medicine, Unani medicine, Homotoxicology and Iridology.

I will very occasionally order a lab test if I need additional clarity regarding a particular set of symptoms which are not improving with a traditional naturopathic approach, or if a client wishes to have a lab test as confirmation of what is causing their symptoms. However, the majority of lab tests, including blood tests carried out by conventional medical GPs, are just a ‘snapshot’ of a particular point in time.

One test that does interest me though is genetic testing and nutrigenomics. Nutrigenomics studies the relationship between our unique genetic code (our genome) and how it influences our health and interactions with our environment. Conversely, it also gives us information about how we can influence gene expression and improve our health via changes to our diet, nutrient intake, and lifestyle. As it is a genetic test the results never change, and the various reports provide the ‘blueprint’ information of an individual’s genetic code and how and why they react to various life events. I find this information invaluable alongside a traditional naturopathic interpretation because it can provide clarity in many areas including:

• Absorption and utilisation of various vitamins such as vitamin C, D, K and B12 and folate: https://www.lifecodegx.com/nutrient-core-report
• Whether a person contains the genes that are associated with coeliac disease and therefore predisposed to potential issues with gluten: https://www.lifecodegx.com/nutrient-core-report
• Lactose intolerance susceptibility: https://www.lifecodegx.com/nutrient-core-report
• Methylation: imbalances can increase the susceptibility to many different health conditions: https://www.lifecodegx.com/methylation-report
• Hormone degradation and how this can potentially result in many hormonal imbalances: https://www.lifecodegx.com/hormones-report
• Neurotransmitter degradation and how this influences the central nervous system and an individual’s response to their environment. Genetic information could help explain and provide support for conditions such as ADHD for example: https://www.lifecodegx.com/nervous-system-report
• Our individual reactions to stress and our ability to clear adrenaline form the body. A slow breakdown of adrenaline can contribute to continuing to feel very stressed, angry, or anxious about events that our friends and family seem to navigate with ease: https://www.lifecodegx.com/nervous-system-report

So why might this information be helpful?

It is important to note that our genes do not dictate our health, they only show us our individual risk factors. We cannot change our genetic makeup, but science has shown that we can influence how our various genes are expressed. Small, but important differences in our genetic make-up termed SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms), can have significant impacts upon our life and health, including hormones, cardiovascular health, basic metabolism and mental health. In simple terms this means that by changing our diet and lifestyle to support our genome, we have the opportunity to achieve optimum health. Our genetics is our potential, but it is our lifestyle, dietary choices, levels of toxicity, food allergies, or stressful life events, which cause these genetic changes to occasionally wreak havoc in our lives.

Genetic testing can therefore be an extremely useful tool to understand and address our potential weaknesses and provides us with the opportunity to maximise both physical and mental/emotional health.

I work with Lifecode GX https://www.lifecodegx.com/ which is the UK’s leading practitioner only provider of clinically relevant genetic testing applying the latest nutrigenomics research to enable practitioners to provide a lifelong and personalised approach to health and well-being for their clients.

Lifecode GX Nutrigenomics Practitioner training programme 2024
Lifecode GX Genes in Mind masterclass 2024