Let’s be honest, taking care of your health can feel like a never-ending puzzle. You’re no doubt doing your best, eating well, exercising, and getting plenty of sleep, yet you’re still battling stubborn issues like fatigue, mood swings, or weight that won’t budge.
What if the answers you’ve been seeking have been hiding inside your genetic code all along?
I’ve had the pleasure of helping a number of clients understand that their unique genetics influence so much more than eye colour or height. Your genes are actually powerful blueprints that affect your mood, how you metabolise food, your energy levels, and even your hormonal balance. Welcome to the fascinating world of Nutrigenomics.
Why Nutrigenomics Matters to You (Yes, You!)
Imagine your body as a complex city. Your genetic code is the detailed city planning document that outlines exactly how everything should run—from transportation (cardiac output) and communication networks (hormones and neurotransmitters) to waste management (detoxification). Small variations in this genetic blueprint can significantly impact your daily wellbeing, causing disruptions you might feel as mood issues, difficulty managing weight, imbalances in sex hormones affecting mood stability, fertility, and menstrual health, challenges regulating stress responses, and struggles with staying calm, motivated, or managing daily stressors effectively.
Everyday Struggles That Could Be Written in Your Genes
Have you ever wondered why:
- Your focus and clarity seem elusive no matter how hard you try?
- Anxiety or feelings of stress pop up without a clear reason?
- You experience digestive issues despite a healthy diet?
- Inflammation seems to constantly flare up, causing aches or discomfort?
These struggles aren’t random. They’re often linked to small genetic variations known as SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms). Understanding these SNPs can offer clarity and real solutions.
Nutrigenomics Testing: Your Personal Health Blueprint
Let’s dive into some key Nutrigenomics reports that can be used to improve your health:
Nutrient Core Report
Think of this as your body’s foundational health map. It identifies genetic factors affecting your sensitivity to foods (like gluten or caffeine), nutrient absorption, blood sugar control, sleep patterns, immune response, and even how your body handles inflammation. With this insight, we can pinpoint exactly why certain diets or supplements haven’t worked for you, making it possible to tailor a truly personalised nutritional plan.
Your Personalised Result
The two letters represent your genotype result. The highlight bar (coloured green and amber here) indicates the potential effect of the SNP on gene function e.g. whether the effect of the variant is negative, somewhat negative or positive. There is also a brief explanation of what this means for you.
Nutition Advice
Relevant meaningful and practical nutrition advice provided. Work with a qualifed nutrition professional to maximise the benefit of this informaiton.
Metabolics Report
Ever wondered why some people effortlessly maintain their weight or energy, while you struggle despite all your efforts? Your metabolic genes play a big role. This report sheds light on how your body manages appetite, sugar and fat metabolism, cholesterol, and energy production. Understanding this can help you break through plateaus and find a sustainable path to better energy, stable weight, and optimal long-term health.
The gut controls the brains feeding behaviour via hunger and satiety signals. These signals are mediated by two opposing hormones – ghrelin the ‘hunger hormone’ as it stimulates appetite, increasing food intake and promoting fat storage. And leptim the ‘satiety hormone’ which inhibts hunger after eating and stimulates metabolism.
Over-expression of FTO, due to genetic variance, is associated with lower leptin levels, higher ghrelin levels, and an increased prefernce for calorie-dense (sweet and high fat) foods. A SNP on FTO has consistently been associated with higher body fat, BMI, waist circumference and obesity (on average 3 kg heavier).
A SNP on MC4R indicates a less sensitive receptor, and weaker satiety signalling and metabolism. It is the signal most impactful genetic polymorphism predisposing to obesity.
Hormones Report
Hormonal imbalances can feel like riding an emotional rollercoaster. This report reveals genetic factors affecting hormone regulation, from oestrogen and testosterone to stress hormones like cortisol. This can profoundly impact your mood, energy, menstrual cycle, fertility, and overall wellbeing. Personalised hormone insights help you finally regain balance, stability, and vitality.
Oestrogen receptors mediate the actions of oestrogens. The ESR2 gene controls the action of the oestrogen receptor beta, one of two main oestrogen receptors which mediate the action of oestrogen in the body. Variants in ESR2 are linked to cardiovascular risk in menopausal women due to increased blood coagulation.
Testosterone is a precursor of oestrogen via the CYP19A1 gene. A SNP on this gene can increase the conversion of androgens like testosterone to oestrogens. Inflammation, high insulin levels, obesity, androgens and alcohol will further increase its activity.
Nervous System Report
Feeling stressed, anxious, or struggling with sleep? Your nervous system genetics might hold the key. This report explores genes involved in neurotransmitter balance, such as serotonin (mood and sleep), dopamine (motivation), and adrenaline (stress response). By understanding your genetic makeup, you can proactively manage stress, anxiety, sleep issues, and mood swings.
Dopamine Pathway
Dopamine is a powerful neurotransmitter sometimes called the ‘feel good’ neurotransmitter. It is not only involved in pleasure but also in reward (motivation) and in motion. Dopamine is produced in differnt areas of the brain. Dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline levels can all be impacted by nutrition and lifestyle aspects such as exercise and sleep. Both high and too low levels can be problematic.
What Else Can You Discover?
Beyond these reports, additional specialised Nutrigenomics assessments are also available, each designed to address unique health areas:
- Detoxification: How your body handles toxins and environmental pollutants.
- Histamine Intolerance: For allergy-like symptoms and digestive issues.
- Methylation: Crucial for energy production, mood, cardiovascular, and fertility health (see image below).
- Thyroid Balance: Exploring genetic impacts on thyroid health and metabolism.
- APOE: Cognitive health, memory, and cardiovascular risk management.
- Athlete: Personalised insights for optimal athletic performance, recovery, and endurance.
Variants on the Bradykinin Receptor Beta 2 (BDKRB2) gene increase sensitivity to bradykinin, so less bradykinin is needed to stimulate vasodilation and improve blood circulation, transport of oxygen and other nutrients.
NOS3 (nitric oxide synthase 3) codes for endothelial NOS (eNOS) one of three NOS enzymes that synthesise nitric oxide (NO). Imparied NO production is a risk factor for several diseases, including high blood pressure, preeclampsia, diabetes mellitus, obesity, erectile dysfunction and migraine.
What to expect from Your Nutrigenomics Assessment
The process couldn’t be easier. A simple, painless cheek swab is all that’s needed—no needles or complicated procedures. Once your results arrive, I’ll interpret your genetic data, translating complex scientific information into clear, personalised recommendations. You’ll receive practical guidance, dietary advice, and lifestyle strategies specifically matched to your genetic profile.
Your Genetic Blueprint: Health Personalised to You
Your genetic code may be fixed, but your genes aren’t static, they constantly respond to your lifestyle and environment. Nutrigenomics explores how your daily choices can upregulate or downregulate gene activity, helping you align your lifestyle and nutrition choices with your genetic blueprint. By understanding this dynamic interaction, you can proactively make changes that optimise your health and wellbeing, transforming how you feel every day.
This isn’t just wishful thinking. It’s exactly what’s possible when you harness the power of your genes.
Ready to Explore Your Genetic Potential?
Your genetics are unique, and your health solutions should be too. If you’re ready to finally understand the hidden story behind your health struggles and unlock personalised solutions that truly work, Nutrigenomics testing is your next powerful step.
Book your free consultation today or explore my nutrigenomics testing package. Your genes have been waiting to share their secrets—let’s hear them out.
Because you don’t just deserve better health; you deserve your best possible health.
