The human body is composed of approximately 50 trillion cells, where the chromosomes are found in the cell nuclei. These are made up of a double helix of DNA that carries the genetic code, our architectural plan. This plan consists of approximately 3.2 billion letters per person, of which 1% is the area we call genes. Each gene is usually a single command for the body with a single function. Some predispose us to blue eyes, others play a role in digestion and the absorption of nutrients in the intestines.
Unfortunately, our genes are not without error, and we are all carriers of some genetic variations that we inherited from parents, or which were created by chance and have a negative impact on our health. These gene variations are common and usually represent only differences in the letters of the genetic code. As a result, they weaken our immunity, increase the risk of heart attack, or lead to vision disorders. We are all carriers of different deviations, variations, and therefore some of us have a higher risk of heart attack and others are more sensitive to lactose. The risk of diseases changes within families and individuals.
These gene variations, however, may not necessarily mean the outbreak of a certain disease, but predict only susceptibility, predisposition, higher risk. The actual onset of illness depends on external environmental and lifestyle factors. For example, lactose sensitivity appears only after milk consumption, or if the gene that impacts iron absorption is impaired, we must intervene to prevent the development of a disease from excessive iron storage, called hemochromatosis.
According to experts, each of us carries about 2,000 genetic deviations, variations that can negatively affect our health and lead to illness. Gene disorders can be caused, for example, by radioactivity, fried food, UV radiation…etc. At the moment of the fertilization of an egg, each fetus inherits half of its genes from the mother and the other half from the father. It may occur that the entire generation or lineage is a carrier, but this may not necessary be the case, and in some individuals it will not manifest at all.
All this means that we are all unique, and because of the variety of gene variations and errors, each of us is a carrier of different health problems. Thanks to the latest technology, we are now able to detect these shortcomings and draw attention to the health risks of the given individual. Thanks to this knowledge of the new generation of preventive medicine, we can intervene in advance, prevent the onset of illness, and aim at maintaining health and well-being.
Here’s what genetic testing can tell us about our bodies.
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Africa Studio
In which areas does the prediction work? What areas can be examined and analyzed?
DNA analysis is used in the field of pharmacogenetics to prevent the side effects of drugs and for more effective treatment. In most medical specialties, we can recommend dosage adjustment and it serves as a recommendation for attending physicians. Within our individuality, each of us breaks down different active substances a little differently, with varying speeds and efficacy, and this is what pharmacogenetics helps us to do. If someone breaks down medication more quickly, he/she needs higher dosages and, on the contrary, if breakdown is slower, lower dosages.
Another important area is the detoxification of the organism, where we can determine the pollutants that the individual should absolutely avoid and whether he/she is able to effectively degrade specific pollutants. We get a clear answer on how our body deals with smoke, burnt or grilled food, heavy metals, pesticides, and what effect nicotine and alcohol have on us.
From the area of heart and vessel diseases, we are able to predict predisposition to higher levels of homocysteine, triglycerides, cholesterol, and whether omega-3 fatty acids have a positive or counterproductive effect on us. We can learn to what extent acylpyrine protects against thrombosis and what the situation is in our case with genes that occur in people with sudden death due to a prolonged QT interval. If the determination of the risk of high blood pressure is timely, it is much better to follow the preventive program than to undergo treatment later.
Our preventive programs address many diseases and areas, and in addition to the diagnosis of susceptibility, we naturally provide a comprehensive proposal for the prevention and procedure in predispositions such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, type II diabetes, glaucoma, macular degeneration, breast and prostate cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Crohn’s disease, hemochromatosis (increased iron deposition), paradentosis, HIV resistance, intolerance to gluten and lactose, hyperactivity, etc. This includes preventive diagnostics in pregnancy and comprehensive examinations for women and others. The list is truly extensive.
Imagine a scene at the doctor’s office in the near future, when it is common for a patient to come in with a chip containing his/her DNA analysis, maybe the complete genome. The physician inserts the chip into a computer and immediately, based on the program analysis, knows how to adjust the medication dosage, what to consider when proposing treatment, and what to draw the patient’s attention to regarding lifestyle. This is partly already happening, but it is not yet widespread and systemic. It can be said that the technique has surpassed the interpretation, because DNA testing is no longer a problem, but it will take a while to connect and decipher all the contexts. It’s a huge jigsaw puzzle. So far, we have been working with mere fragments.
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Maridav / Shutterstock
We’re most interested in – the influence of genes on sports performance. It’s a huge chapter and it’s starting to be a hot topic.
Talented athletes who have “favorable genes” within their discipline have a 5 times greater chance of being among the elite of the world championships or the Olympics. How is it possible? Certain gene variations have a significant effect on body structure, muscle cell structure, collagen fibers, strength, endurance, and maximum oxygen utilization. DNA testing will contribute to the prediction of whether someone is fit for endurance or strength sports, or a mixed type somewhere in the middle, and many other things.
Many factors play a significant role in influencing sports performance! The path to victory is sometimes long and consists of many tiny details we need to know. DNA analysis tells us how the body deals with free radicals, with so-called oxidative stress, how quickly it gets rid of pollutants arising from the metabolism of supplements, drugs, and other substances. How does the body react to inflammation and what regenerative capacity does it have? How prone is a person to injury and how much rest does he/she need? What does an optimal diet and optimal composition of micronutrients look like? What is the optimal caloric distribution and optimum body weight? How can we create a strategic food list for better performance?
By analyzing about fifty genes, we are able to diagnose metabolic deficits that affect the health of the athlete and, of course, his/her performance. Optimal performance requires a diverse caloric distribution according to given disciplines and the individualization of the amount of nutrients and micronutrients. When we buy vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, that is, micronutrients, they are based on a “one size fits all” principle. On the basis of gene analysis, we are able to suggest the tailored composition of these micronutrients for everyone and deliver the product to the client. We call it the “genetic need for micronutrients”. Sometimes we find that it is useless for the client to consume Coenzyme Q10, because thanks to a defect of one gene which is responsible for its activation in the body to ubiquinol, the body is unable to use the Q10, or is able to use it only partially. This accounts for approximately 4% of the population. In such a case, it will be replaced with other antioxidants. We find out the individual need for vitamins A, B2, B6, B12, folic acid, C, D3, E, likopen, lutein, Q10, omega-3-MK, phytosterols, MSM, alpha-lipoic acids, manganese, magnesium, copper, selenium, zinc…
Micronutrients tailored according to DNA analysis are manufactured using microtransporter technology. During production, the vitamins and minerals are placed in small beads, microgranules, from which the active substances are released gradually throughout the day. Each colored ball represents a different active substance. In particular, we prevent substances from blocking each other when being absorbed. Substances that block or neutralize each other do not get into the same bead (for example, calcium-zinc). The interesting thing is that the individual recipe according to a unique code is stored for each person in the database and it really is a composition for a lifetime that changes and adapts only according to age and the new findings of scientific discoveries. The ratio and rate of absorption, purity and compatibility are what is important.
The benefit of microbeads is best illustrated by the example of vitamin C, which usually leaves our body fast due to its 30-minute half-life. This means that in half an hour we always lose half of the contents of vitamin C from our blood. When someone uses the recommended dose according to RDA, which is 80 mg, he/she has only 5 mg after 2 hours. In another two hours it is less than 1 mg, which is negligible in terms of efficacy. Here is where the enormous advantage of microbeads comes in, which are produced to provide a full day’s supply of micronutrients.
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The eternal theme — ”obesity and weight loss.” How does DNA analysis affect this area?
For our hunter-gatherer ancestors, the storage of excess calories was justified for better survival. Due to radical changes in lifestyle and eating habits, these genetic dispositions have become more of a burden. Lack of movement and excess food are risky factors that our genetic equipment either neutralizes or emphasizes. Research has shown that the disposition to be overweight is equally dependent not only on the composition of our diet but also on the calories content. The weight is higher if, in addition to a high content of unsaturated fatty acids, the diet does not contain enough vitamins and minerals. Lifestyle is a determining factor, but the role of genetic disposition is also becoming clearer. According to the latest findings, genetic disposition plays a role in 70% of overweight people. Optimal weight and its retention are key because excess weight carries many risks in the form of a variety of accompanying diseases, which also stimulate the metabolic processes of visceral fat in the abdominal cavity.
Interestingly, some of us are slim despite living in an unhealthy lifestyle, while others tend to gain weight even though they do their best to maintain the principles of a healthy lifestyle. Some people get thinner thanks to sports activities, while others obtain minimum results with the same efforts. The causes of these individual differences are concealed in our genes and explain why what works for some is fat-reducing diets, and for others it is sports. Thanks to modern DNA diagnostics, we can already determine if the most successful method will be the reduction of fat, carbohydrates or overall calories, and for whom the primary solution will be sports activity. Thanks to this knowledge, we are able to draw up an individual diet plan that, according to previous studies, is more than 2.5 times more successful than other similar efforts to create menu choices. Let’s not forget that we are all different and therefore we must reveal our genetic weaknesses through an individual approach.
A certain group of people can genetically leverage fats and proteins better than carbohydrates, and gain weight slightly when consuming too many carbohydrates. Another group has the opposite situation and the problem for them is fat. Where do we belong? Is our excess weight caused more by carbohydrates, fats or proteins? Discovering this is always exciting, but then we also have to determine what to do about it.
Next, we find out how the so-called yo-yo effect works on us, whether we tend to store fat in the internal organs (so-called intra-abdominal or visceral fat). Whether the feeling of hunger in us is weaker or stronger and how our feeling of saturation is. Do we prefer extra calories or sweets? Furthermore, we are able to estimate how much muscle mass we lose in reduction diets and whether we should opt for reduction or rather sports activities.
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Natalia Lisovskaya
Nutritional recommendations based on our gene analysis is called nutrigenomics…What does it tell us about what we eat and what kind of links to genes does it reveal?
Gene variations affect the response of the body to individual nutrients and components of the diet and, of course, to their metabolism and utilization. Because our eating habits have a decisive impact on health, we can evaluate the DNA analysis performed and, thanks to the information gathered, minimize negative impact by means of recommendations and prevention.
If we find a higher diet risk in association with a disease, we try to eliminate the components that support the disease and prioritize the more favorable ones. There are cases where, based on a certain genetic variation, the given micronutrient is positive, but in the case of another variation, it is negative, we have to consider both and evaluate them in a comprehensive way.
There is no such thing as a universal diet plan. Since genes do not change during our lives, we do not need to analyze the same genes again because we would achieve the same results. Only an upgrade is performed based on new discoveries and contexts.
In addition to the previously mentioned micronutrients and classical foods, we analyze the impact of many components on health (alcohol, alpha lipoic acid, arachidonic acid, cholesterol, cysteine, fructose, unsaturated fatty acids, coffee, lactose, methionine, MSM, oxalic acid, phytosterol, alpha linolenic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid…etc).
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Mina De La O / Getty
What does it look like in practice? What happens when someone decides…okay, I’ll do it, I want to get my DNA analysis done, whether it be for the purposes of disease screening, eating and weight loss, or sports?
The DNA sample from our clients is ideally obtained after awakening by scrubbing the oral cavity with the designated swab, or 60 minutes after the last meal, drink, oral hygiene…
After completing the initial interview, a routine anamnesis and the signing of formalities, the sample goes to the laboratory where a DNA analysis is performed. The speed of the analysis depends on the quality of the collected swab (the quality and amount of captured cells). After receiving an extensive report, everything is analyzed and evaluated with the client point by point and measures are taken and recommendations made. There is a need for the client to learn how to work with the results and the resulting possibilities, so that they don’t end up in the drawer in a couple of weeks, but rather become an integral part of their lifestyle, in the form of a kind of life recommendation bible for a particular person.
Dr. František Zámola, MD, is a doctor at the Czech Olympic Medical Center, Central Military Hospital Prague and FITGEN SE executive director. He is a sports medicine, sportgenomics, and nutrigenomics expert and an IFBB international judge.
