Genetic Testing
Analysis Services

Have you heard about genetic testing, and wondered what it could do for you?

Curious about what secrets your DNA holds?

Do you want to achieve a state of optimal health?

If so, the Mindful Healing Clinic can help.

What Is Genetic Testing Analysis?

Genetic testing is becoming increasingly popular with people looking to improve their health. You may have heard of solutions like 23 andMe or Ancestry.ca.

How does it work? All humans share the same DNA, but within that DNA are all sorts of variations. In a similar way, everybody has eyes and ears, but each set is unique.

Modern medical science has made great strides in better understanding the human genome.

In particular, we’ve discovered the most common type of genetic variation, which is what’s called a single nucleotide polymorphism, or SNP. There are more than 100 million different types of SNPs, and many of them are associated with symptoms or states of disease or genetic predisposition to disease.

We’ve discovered that certain of these SNPs can indicate a predisposition for many different illnesses, including:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Parkinson’s disease
• Celiac disease
• Cystic fibrosis
• Heart disease
• Certain types of cancer

The science of epigenetics tells us that we can modify external factors and avoid these diseases, even though they are in our genetics. With this information, you can build a health and wellness lifestyle more specifically geared toward your unique needs.

Genetic Testing For Other Factors

More than just your risk for developing certain diseases, genetic testing can reveal much more about how your body is put together.

By looking at your DNA, we can better understand your SNPs for the following as examples:

Genetic Testing For Sleep Patterns

Caffeine is metabolized in your liver by an enzyme called CYP1A2.

The rate at which you’re affected by caffeine is determined by how active your CYP1A2 enzyme is – the more active, the less you’re affected. Several factors impact your CYP1A2 enzyme, including age, gender, and the use of certain contraceptives. But a major factor is your genetics.

If you frequently feel “jittery” after drinking a cup of coffee, you may have a genetic predisposition to caffeine sensitivity.

On the other hand, if you’re the type who can drink a cup of coffee a couple hours before bed with no negative effects, you’re probably on the lower end.

Either way, caffeine sensitivity can affect your sleep patterns.

Genetic testing can also reveal your average level of vitamin D. Among other things, vitamin D has been associated with better quality sleep. And there are certain genetic markers that can leave you more predisposed to vitamin D deficiency than others.

Vitamin D deficiency is not uncommon in Canada anyway, so it’s good to know if you have a genetic predisposition to it.

We’ve even identified an SNP associated with a higher risk of insomnia.

Your sleep quality is one of the most important factors for your health. By better understanding these and other genetic factors which may be contributing to your sleep quality, you can take the steps you need to enjoy a healthier, more restful sleep.

Food Allergies And Intolerances

Do you experience digestive discomfort after eating certain foods?

Are you sensitive to lactose, gluten, eggs, nuts, or other common allergens?

If so, there may be a genetic reason for your reactions.

Some of us are aware of the types of food we’re allergic or sensitive to. But others only recognize the occasional flare-up. Still others may have lived with a sensitivity to something that’s a common part of the diet. This is common with those who have non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Your symptoms may have occurred for so long that it just became normal to deal with.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

There are many SNPs which have been associated with a greater risk of sensitivity to a variety of different foods. These can range from a mild intolerance to a full-blown allergy. Knowing the foods to which you have the greatest sensitivity can help you optimize your diet.

It can also help you decrease your risk of the following disorders, or reduce flare-ups of their symptoms:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD, or heartburn)
• Celiac disease
• Stomach cramps
• Autoimmune conditions

Nutrient Deficiencies

On top of this, genetic testing can reveal your risk of deficiency in a variety of different nutrients. This includes vitamin D, as mentioned above, as well as vitamins A, B12, calcium, iron, and iodine, among others. These are some of the most common nutrient deficiencies.

The Mindful Healing Clinic can help you understand more about your genetic disposition to reactions from certain foods. With this information, you can put together a diet that meets your unique health needs.

How Does This Information Help?

If you’re adopted and have never met your birth family, genetic testing can reveal much about your background. But there’s much more to it than that.

Your DNA is static and doesn’t change. If you’re found to be at greater risk for prostate cancer, for example, or have a sensitivity to certain foods, there’s not much you can do to change it. But you can modify your lifestyle and environment to change your destiny; by empowering yourself with this information, you can take other measures in your life to reduce your risk.

At the Mindful Healing Clinic, Dr. Maria can help you not only understand your genetics, but also build a health and lifestyle plan that works toward your optimal health.

Contact us today to find out more.