In the same way that the genetic movement profile, or indeed the movement profile itself, varies from individual to individual, so does the health profile. And this also applies to the diseases which manifest themselves as dementia. According to the latest scientific findings, the APOE (Apolipoprotein E) gene variant is a reliable indicator of whether someone is susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease or not. If we diagnose the APOE4 variant, then the risk of developing dementia rises by a factor of 9.2 compared with the APOE2 variant. It is important that the genetic test is carried out early, because Alzheimer’s dementia may be detected and diagnosed only after it has been developing for around twenty years, by which stage a cure is not possible given today’s knowledge of medicine.
Therefore, prevention is the only way to counter the disease. So when we detect the APOE4 gene variant in one of our clients at an early stage, we recommend cognitive training. Neurologists tell us that, even at an advanced age, people are able to form new neurons. From the genotype, we can identify the part of the brain in which the density of nerve cells will decrease, leading to the development of dementia.
The client then receives from us software-assisted cognitive training which is adapted specifically to his or her genetic structure. The effect is that new neurons are formed in the precise area of the brain where nerve cell density is set to decrease, thereby halting the trend towards dementia. The time that our clients are expected to devote to this is around three minutes per day. The system has been developed by a Swiss university and, taken in conjunction with the gene check, is the only way to prevent the disease.
Monday, December 28, 2015
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Good cholesterol
In recent years, we have had it drummed into us that there is an important distinction to be made between different kinds of cholesterol. On the one hand, there is the so-called “good” variety – high-density lipoprotein (HDL) non-oxidized cholesterol – and we should keep its level high. On the other hand, there is so-called “bad cholesterol” – low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol – the level of which should be kept low.
Consequently, it is not enough to state baldly that someone has a high overall cholesterol level.
Recently, a gene has been identified which provides information about whether we have a genetically determined high HDL level. And we also know what can be done if a person does not have this beneficial gene variant: by taking certain combinations of vitamins, it is possible to increase the level of good cholesterol. As a corollary, it is possible to mitigate the effect of the “less good” genotype by means of a change in lifestyle, i.e. diet or vitamin supplements. But of course, you have to know your genes first.
Consequently, it is not enough to state baldly that someone has a high overall cholesterol level.
Recently, a gene has been identified which provides information about whether we have a genetically determined high HDL level. And we also know what can be done if a person does not have this beneficial gene variant: by taking certain combinations of vitamins, it is possible to increase the level of good cholesterol. As a corollary, it is possible to mitigate the effect of the “less good” genotype by means of a change in lifestyle, i.e. diet or vitamin supplements. But of course, you have to know your genes first.
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Whole food
If someone has a genetic predisposition to diabetes, it means that simple carbohydrates such as potatoes, white rice or pasta may trigger the disease. This sort of person needs to switch to whole-grain products. For others, it is less important. People who are susceptible to obesity, on the other hand, should cut down on fiber-rich products because – for example – a slice of pumpernickel has the same energy density as eight slices of toast and yet they are tempted to consume the same volume as before.
Friday, December 25, 2015
Chronobiology (Slimming while you sleep)
It turns out that nutritional medicine may have to be rewritten. Firstly, due to genetic predisposition, because healthy eating is something different for everyone, and secondly, because of two further key issues.
The first of these is insulin. Insulin is what the pancreas secretes when we eat and digest something.
The other is chronobiology, i.e. timing: When do we eat what? And that’s what is so intriguing, the fact that we have to pay attention to two distinct aspects. First of all, what causes insulin to be secreted? There are a few things here that we simply have to reformulate. Quite a lot has gone wrong on this front in recent years. And the second aspect is quite crucial: at what time of the day should we eat which foods? That’s because the pancreas reacts in different ways depending on the time of day. And this is regardless of our individual daily routine. The science of chronobiology is the science of the body clock.
We humans have time slots for certain wake and sleep phases. We have time slots in which we regenerate ourselves. We have time slots to metabolize certain substances or to consume certain foods. To this extent, we now know when the body is doing what. It’s about the time of day we engage in sport or sit down to eat. Nowadays, we generally manage quite well on this score and are able, for example, to get on top of an existing diabetes condition – that’s partly why this has become so well known. It’s about controlling the pancreas in such a way that it fulfills its chronobiological function. This essentially means carbohydrates in the morning, a balanced diet at lunchtime and mainly protein intake in the evening. At the same time, the genetics of the individual have to be taken into account – which protein, which carbohydrates, etc. We know that, as long as the individual broadly complies with this diet, weight gain can be almost ruled out and the momentum towards diabetes can be halted.
The first of these is insulin. Insulin is what the pancreas secretes when we eat and digest something.
The other is chronobiology, i.e. timing: When do we eat what? And that’s what is so intriguing, the fact that we have to pay attention to two distinct aspects. First of all, what causes insulin to be secreted? There are a few things here that we simply have to reformulate. Quite a lot has gone wrong on this front in recent years. And the second aspect is quite crucial: at what time of the day should we eat which foods? That’s because the pancreas reacts in different ways depending on the time of day. And this is regardless of our individual daily routine. The science of chronobiology is the science of the body clock.
We humans have time slots for certain wake and sleep phases. We have time slots in which we regenerate ourselves. We have time slots to metabolize certain substances or to consume certain foods. To this extent, we now know when the body is doing what. It’s about the time of day we engage in sport or sit down to eat. Nowadays, we generally manage quite well on this score and are able, for example, to get on top of an existing diabetes condition – that’s partly why this has become so well known. It’s about controlling the pancreas in such a way that it fulfills its chronobiological function. This essentially means carbohydrates in the morning, a balanced diet at lunchtime and mainly protein intake in the evening. At the same time, the genetics of the individual have to be taken into account – which protein, which carbohydrates, etc. We know that, as long as the individual broadly complies with this diet, weight gain can be almost ruled out and the momentum towards diabetes can be halted.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
The interaction of genes and diet, taking broccoli as an example
Today, we explore a fascinating topic, namely the interaction of genes and nutrition. Everyone can do something about their diet. For a start, we have a genetic predisposition which determines what diet really suits us and keeps us slim and healthy.
But we now know that it goes the other way too, with nutrition affecting the genes. Namely, whether genes activate themselves or stay inactive. This is a fascinating story, and colleagues from Johns Hopkins University in the USA have made a great discovery. Take, for example, a patient with a chronic lung condition in whom a particular gene is inactive and this inactivity means that fewer toxins are excreted from the body. Now we have this sensational discovery: substances found in broccoli can activate this gene and thus promote the excretion of the toxins that are the root cause of this disease.
There are many more examples where diet influences the activity of genes. Healthy eating is different for each individual because of his or her genes.
But we now know that it goes the other way too, with nutrition affecting the genes. Namely, whether genes activate themselves or stay inactive. This is a fascinating story, and colleagues from Johns Hopkins University in the USA have made a great discovery. Take, for example, a patient with a chronic lung condition in whom a particular gene is inactive and this inactivity means that fewer toxins are excreted from the body. Now we have this sensational discovery: substances found in broccoli can activate this gene and thus promote the excretion of the toxins that are the root cause of this disease.
There are many more examples where diet influences the activity of genes. Healthy eating is different for each individual because of his or her genes.
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
How do we keep ourselves healthy and fit?
The decisive factor is attitude! I recently held an event attended by around 100 people and asked them what was the most important thing for them in life.
There are obviously different responses to this question: my car, my children, my partner or spouse etc. The answers could be divided into three groups. One group responded spontaneously and without hesitation: “My health, of course.” Without good health, nothing else matters much anyway. The second group (almost all Spaniards) replied: “My family.” The third group came up with a range of different answers.
Very important: If you want to stay healthy in a systematic way rather than simply by chance, then this issue cannot be ignored. We sometimes even ask potential clients who are considering us as health advisors how important this matter is to them and the extent to which they are willing to invest time and money in it. So, consider your own attitude first and weigh up how important your health is to you.
There are obviously different responses to this question: my car, my children, my partner or spouse etc. The answers could be divided into three groups. One group responded spontaneously and without hesitation: “My health, of course.” Without good health, nothing else matters much anyway. The second group (almost all Spaniards) replied: “My family.” The third group came up with a range of different answers.
Very important: If you want to stay healthy in a systematic way rather than simply by chance, then this issue cannot be ignored. We sometimes even ask potential clients who are considering us as health advisors how important this matter is to them and the extent to which they are willing to invest time and money in it. So, consider your own attitude first and weigh up how important your health is to you.
Monday, December 21, 2015
Detoxification
Pollution in the air, in water and in food is absorbed by the body and must be neutralized. That’s on top of all the toxins that we take in through choice, such as tobacco smoke (both active and passive) or smoked/grilled meats. Added to which we have numerous harmful substances in our body that arise from metabolic processes.
The vital detoxification functions are controlled by our own genetic structure. We all detoxify in a different way. Everyone has his or her own genetic detoxification profile and produces different amounts of certain detoxification enzymes or, in the worst case scenario, none at all.
I therefore advise my clients as to how they should compensate for lack of detoxification enzymes by adopting a certain diet or by taking supplementary vitamins.
For example, if a client has one particular existing genotype, too few cancer-preventing enzymes are being produced, or possibly none at all. In such a case, I recommend the consumption of cruciferous plants such as red or green cabbage, broccoli, parsley and watercress, or even taking broccoli capsules if the client does not like these vegetables. In this way, the client achieves the same detoxification effect as if he or she had the so-called “good” gene variant. It is therefore important for the client to know his or her genetic profile. Only then can we supply the missing genetic protection – e.g. by nutritional balance – and prevent the onset of diseases.
The vital detoxification functions are controlled by our own genetic structure. We all detoxify in a different way. Everyone has his or her own genetic detoxification profile and produces different amounts of certain detoxification enzymes or, in the worst case scenario, none at all.
I therefore advise my clients as to how they should compensate for lack of detoxification enzymes by adopting a certain diet or by taking supplementary vitamins.
For example, if a client has one particular existing genotype, too few cancer-preventing enzymes are being produced, or possibly none at all. In such a case, I recommend the consumption of cruciferous plants such as red or green cabbage, broccoli, parsley and watercress, or even taking broccoli capsules if the client does not like these vegetables. In this way, the client achieves the same detoxification effect as if he or she had the so-called “good” gene variant. It is therefore important for the client to know his or her genetic profile. Only then can we supply the missing genetic protection – e.g. by nutritional balance – and prevent the onset of diseases.
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