The genetic profile of vital substances

We can tell from the genes how certain vitamins, minerals, trace elements and secondary phytochemicals affect the body. The response to these substances is different for every person. For some, they are necessary for staying healthy, while for others, they have no effect. And for yet another group, they can actually prove to be harmful.
Here is one example: Cardiologists often recommend taking fish oil capsules, the so-called omega 3 fatty acids. The reasons given are that they

• reduce cholesterol;
• protect against atherosclerosis;
• prevent cardiovascular diseases.

This is true in many cases. But for someone who has the APEG2G gene variant, taking fish oil capsules will reduce their level of “good” HDL cholesterol (which ideally should be high), thereby raising the risk of cardiovascular disease and thus achieving the exact opposite of the desired effect.
Conclusion: Never take vitamins on limited evidence but only in targeted fashion after a genetic test. Because it is only then that you will know whether they are useful and safe.

The genetic nutritional profile

It is possible to determine from an individual’s genes what food and drink he or she is actually metabolizing. This enables us to say what foods are fattening for that person and what will help him or her to slim. This diet is specific to the individual. One person loses weight from eating potatoes while another puts it on.

We can also tell from looking at an individual’s genetic nutritional profile which foods are a health hazard and which are beneficial.

For example, tomatoes may ward off cancer in one person but be carcinogenic to another; it all depends on the genes. The same applies to the consumption of meat; it can make you sick, but also healthy.

Many foods have health benefits while at the same time also leading to disease. Genetic predisposition decides the direction they will take.

The genetic health profile

Genes tell us whether an individual has special resistance to a certain disease. For example, an existing gene variant may create considerably more detoxifying enzymes than the standard variant of the gene, thus ensuring that the individual has only a minimal chance of succumbing to a particular cancer.

But there are not only good gene variants: we all have genetic protection mechanisms as well as genes that lack such protection. This need not have a tragic outcome, however, because bad gene variants do not automatically lead to disease. Such variants indicate only a susceptibility to certain diseases. These genes are in a “switched-off” state by default. It is only a misguided lifestyle that causes the genetic susceptibilities for a disease to be activated.

With the knowledge of the genetic profile and having identified the lack of a certain genetic protection mechanism, we can simulate this by means of an adjustment in lifestyle, e.g. a change of diet. The effect is the same as if you had had the good gene variant in the first place. It is therefore important for each and every one of us to be informed about our genes.

The result of a gene check-up

You need to set aside around four hours for discussing the result of your gene check-up. This generates a lot of information about your individual genetic health profile including:

• your genetic nutritional profile
• the vitamins you should take
• your genetic exercise profile
• your genetic stress profile
• The discussion proceeds to an individual genetic care plan

This is brought together in the form of a personal “user guide” for your life aimed at maintaining holistic health – long-lasting health. Providing you adjust your lifestyle to your own genetic predisposition, you can retain vitality and stay in good shape.

Gene check-up

Everyone gets off to a different start in life. This is determined on the one hand by our genetic predisposition which is fixed at birth and remains unaltered until the end of our life. Secondly by our personal circumstances which are the result of the way we have lived our life so far. The two factors combined serve as the basis for a personalized health maintenance strategy.

Using genetic data obtained in the laboratory, we know what sort of diet represents a benefit or a risk to health for the individual and what sort of diet will cause weight loss or gain.

We also obtain information on which nutrients will be beneficial. The same is true of phytochemicals and amino acids. We likewise know what sports activities and types of physical exercise are optimal for reducing weight and stress. The gene check-up itself involves taking a saliva sample.