Recently I had the experience of taking a gene analysis test. This comprehensive panel tested my overall wellness based on my own DNA and my current lifestyle. I was completely shocked and enlightened about my personal health issues. Based on my family history, I thought I would be a candidate for certain health issues as I aged. Boy was I wrong! What started out as a cheek swab, ended up giving me solid information on ME!
Turns out I need to give my body supplements that I get almost none of through both my genetics and my lifestyle. So now I purchase a few additional supplements from my local health food store and feel like I’m on a specific program that works with my genes. I now have the understanding to guide me on proper supplementation. I don’t necessarily want to live longer, just healthier, so I can enjoy my life to the fullest.
Understanding your genetics and the variants in your own DNA give you the ability to tailor your life through diet, exercise, environment and lifestyle. You can’t change your genes, but you can certainly help them through your everyday living. What can a genetics test tell you?
It depends on the company and the comprehensive panel that the test outlines. This is definitely an area that changes daily. And then there’s the privacy issues associated with these tests. Costs can range from $200 to thousands depending on the nature of the test. Once you and your physician have the information, what do you do with it? Does the test take into account your eating habits, exercise levels and stress? And once you have the information can changing these make you healthier? Absolutely. The whole point in spending money for this test is to gain knowledge. Not only will this knowledge be helpful to you, but it may reveal genetic issues in your family members. You can choose to share this information with your family as it may give them insight into genetics you may share.
Make sure you keep it private. There are many companies that do this type of testing (See listing below). Do your homework and find out what the company’s specific privacy policy before taking any of these tests. Make sure to ask them how the information is stored. Do they keep your sample? If they do, will it be destroyed at some point? Do they share it with researchers? Look for these three things: privacy, confidentiality and security measures used to protect your results and your DNA. If you choose to share this information with your physician make sure that the information will be kept private and not shared with any outside sources unless you have given your permission.
Direct-to-Consumer genetic testing can be considered controversial due to opposition within the scientific community and lack of government regulation. Some states have chosen to ban these tests until further clinical evidence can be found to support the results. So choose your test and company wisely.
If your goal is to unlock the amazing information your genes carry about you this is a worthwhile test. Although it’s not for everyone, it will help you and your medical professional understand what you are working with and how you can target specific lifestyle goals to help protect you in the long run. Remember, these tailor-made gene tests are just another tool in unlocking the key to you!
Companies offering nutrigenomic tests: (Each company offers different types of tests and prices)
www.genelex.com www.quixtar.com www.marketamerica.com* www.genovations.com www.sciona.com (My Cellf panels, available at retail locations) *Offers targeted supplementation based on test results.
References: It’s Not Just Your Genes, Ruth DeBusk, PhD, RD, Yael Joffe, RD (SA) For more information: www.dnapolicy.org Please note: The information is purely the opinion of the author. Charlene Schosser has a passion for health and nutrition and is wellness consultant. Please visit her website: www.marketamerica.com/charlenes. Please direct any comments or questions to
The Weight Loss Stress Connection
by Charlene Schosser
Guess
what? Not all weight is directly related to what you eat. Did you know
stress can actually block your ability to lose weight? What is the
culprit? How about cortisol? Cortisol is a hormone
that is secreted by the adrenal gland. It is often referred to as the
stress hormone. It can do everything from increasing your blood pressure, to elevating your blood sugar levels. It can assist in your immune function as well as help with inflammatory response.
Cortisol
levels shift in your body depending on what time of day it is, which
means you can have more in the body when you wake up and probably deal
with stress better and less at night when you are tired anyway.
It
is also the hormone that helps you when you are under severe stress
like a car accident. It actually helps you because your cortisol levels
rise and help with many of the coping skills needed to survive.
As
good as cortisol is for you, it is important to learn how to relax
quickly and get the body back to “normal”. When you don’t, your body
can actually remain in a stressful state and your situation can become
chronic. When you prolong the stress, your body can start to affect
everything from cognitive thinking to thyroid functions. It can also
decrease bone density, decrease muscle tissue, increase abdominal fat,
and lower your immune system making you much more susceptible to
healing and getting sick.
Who knew cortisol was so powerful?
So
it makes sense that cortisol can also block you from losing weight.
When you put your body under prolonged stress and participate in the
wrong type of diet program, guess what? Your body is under physical
stress. It goes into survival mode and blocks your ability to lose
weight. Eating a balanced and healthy diet will not only teach you
great habits, but be more productive to aid with weight loss. Everyone
secretes cortisol in different levels, however those who are under more
stress also tend to eat more food and eat foods high in carbohydrates.
Sometimes these people can call themselves Carbo Addicts. I think we
all know a few.
The trick in today’s
ever-stressful world is to find something that works for you to slow
down your mind and your body on a daily basis, whether it’s taking five
minutes to breathe or keeping a journal every night. Listening to music
or tai chi might be your cup of tea. Just find something.
Men and women deal with stress differently!
Men
tend to handle stress very differently. A man might turn to alcohol or
intense workouts at the gym to relieve stress whereas women will be
likely to get assistance from a professional when needed. It is
important to remove stress, but not by choosing activities that put you
at risk of both your mental and physical health. Continuing a
fast-paced life is guaranteed to keep you stressed out and take a toll
on your body. The key to dropping those extra pounds and inches may be
all in your head. If you are stressed out, your body puts up natural
defense mechanisms to help you cope. So if you really want to
break the plateau in your weight loss, make sure you’re taking the time
to slow down and give your mind and body a break. Lower your stress
will lower your cortisol levels. The rewards are amazing.
Please note: The information is purely the opinion of the author.
Charlene
Schosser has a passion for health and nutrition and is wellness
consultant. Please visit her website: www.marketamerica.com/charlenes.
Please direct any comments or questions to
