Gene Genie?!

Is gene testing the health key to the optimal body?

Answer : possibly

I have been following avidly, the advent of mainstream gene testing. Its such exciting stuff. Like Indiana Jones finding ancient tresures, we can now find the hidden treasured data within our bodies...the blueprint to what our body actually needs and wants to be the best version it can be. How incredible does that sound!? So is it really that good...is it the end of guess work in what the hell new diet or fitness style we need to follow

A few weeks ago I noticed a fairly cheap way to have a few genes tested at my local pharmacy. For $100AUD this test will look at four genes that current research shows have impact on our body and how it processes fat, carbs, what diet the body is better on and what kind of exercise is more effective. Being cheap, it's four genes only, so I was not expecting any ground breaking detail, just perhaps some guidelines.

Let me tell you what I found out

First the genes,

    The ones tested are (with basic descriptions of each),

LIPC - regulates the production of hepatic lipase enzymes. These enzymes are involved with the regulation of cholesterol and triglycerides. Risk variants have less activity of this enzyme, which can lead to increased levels of HDL, LDL and triglycerides

APOA5 - major gene that regulates triglyceride concentrations. Risk variant carriers are more susceptible to higher triglyceride levels than those without the risk variant.

FTO - This little guy has many roles. He participates in the regulation of body size and fat accumulation. Risk variants have trouble controlling eating as they are not sensitive to the satiety alert in the brain. It's also associated with an increased incidence of ALzheimers. If BMI is high their is also an assocaition with developing type 2 diabetes. Generally those with the risk variant are 1-3 kgs heavier than their counterpart , higher BMI, higher fat mass and at risk of obesity. On the bright side it has no association with energy expenditure. So controlling the weight will not be impeded by the body resisting the weight loss...just the mind!

PPARG - What happens with any excess food we eat depends on the workings of these busy genes. Risk variants are far more prone to fat storage than non risk variants. Not only that but this gene shows what sort of sensitivity we have to fat and carb digestion, therefore what kind of diet would be more suitable.

So how does this apply to me?

In point form:

1. I respond best to medium intensity exercise (I agree and am relieved as I always feel bad when I do high intensity and also feel low intensity does little for me)
2. I do better on a diet lower in carbs and also lower in fats, particularly saturated. So potentially look at some digestive enzymes to help my body break these down and also blood sugar controllers, such as bitter melon, to keep the insulin in its place
3. I need to keep my BMI lower to avoid obesity, diabetes
4. I need to keep my brain active and also feed with healthy fats to keep alzheimers at bay
5. My mind doesn't register satiety very well, so I need to work on feeling comfortable at being 80% full and training myself how to know when I hit that stage
6. I should get a lipid blood profile and keep aware of it as I am more likely to have higher LDL and triglyceride levels if my diet isn't on point most of the time
7. I have the gene variant related to obesity (I knew it!), and as such it's important I keep active and aware of my diets health

So was it worth it?!

For me personally, absolutely! I like to be proactive and I also like the fact it has taken a fair bit of guess work out for me. Probably because fitness is my life, I completely over analyse and question what I am doing for exercise and what I am eating....this causes me to go all over the place , trying everything, and changing everything...way, way too often. Now I know why the Keto diet has never felt good to me and I have struggled doing it. For a start I was including too many saturated fats and I never felt satisfied as many people say they do. I'm not scared to add a little carbohydrate to my meals now and I am happy to workout at a medium state predominantly (I add a bit of the low and high intensity to hit all 3 states....got to keep the body balanced)

So what are your thoughts? Would you consider it?

Here's where I got the test, MyDna, I did the health one, they also offer a test which shows how your body responds to many medications.