Genomics Testing for Personalised Nutrition and Better Health
Nutrigenomics (also known as nutritional genomics) is a relatively new, exciting and rapidly developing field which examines the relationship between nutrients, diet and gene expression. It can help you understand, for example, why your friend can sip endless cups of coffee through the day and feel fantastic, while your heart starts racing even after one cup in the morning. It provides insights into how your body metabolises various nutrients depending on certain variations in our genes. People with a variation of the CYP1A2 gene metabolise caffeine more slowly and are at an increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease if they drink more than a cup of coffee a day. Your DNA makeup is unique to you, and so will be your relationship with certain foods.
Moving from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to personalised dietary recommendations empowers you to navigate a complex maze of dietary trends, fads and conflicting advice. Your genetic differences present a personal health blueprint, offering a detailed insight into your unique biological strengths and weaknesses and a deeper understanding of your health.
However, our genes are only codes for certain predispositions that we inherit and they don’t have to be our destiny. They can be turned on or turned off by many outside influences like dietary habits, sleep, stress, toxic chemicals, nutrient deficiencies, gut bacteria and exercise. The choices we make every single day can be either beneficial or counterproductive to the state of our health, and they can affect how our genes are expressed. Genomics test results can help us make the right daily choices.
You can zoom in to a particular area of health that is of interest to you:
Nutrient Core Genetic Test
This test analyses how gene variants can affect food tolerance (and intolerance), appetite control and blood sugar balance, vitamin and mineral needs, detoxification ability, and susceptibility to inflammation and infection.
Nutrient Core will help you understand the fundamental genetic interactions with diet and lifestyle and indicate whether specific functions require further genetic testing. It includes genes that have been shown to affect:
food response - gluten (coeliac) and lactose intolerance
caffeine - sensitivity and metabolism
microbiome - diversity
vitamin need - vitamins A, B9 (folate), B12 (cobalamin), C, D and K
blood pressure - sodium-potassium balance & salt sensitive hypertension
detoxification - glutathione
metabolism - blood sugar control (insulin), appetite (leptin)
inflammation - specific (infection response) and systemic
circadian rhythm - early bird or night owl predisposition
Genes Included
Food Response: HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1 and LCT
Caffeine: CYP1A2 and ADORA2A
Microbiome: FUT2
Vitamins: BCO1, MTHFR, FUT2, TCN2, SLC23A1, COL1A1, GC, VDR and VKORC1
Blood Pressure: ACE and AGT
Detoxification: GSTM1
Metabolism: FADS1/2, FTO, TCF7L2, PGC1A and LEPR
Inflammation: TNF and IFNG
Circadian Rhythm: CLOCK and PER1
Hormones Genetic Test
The Hormones test analyses genes involved in the regulation, synthesis, signalling, transport and metabolism of corticosteroids and sex steroids hormones. It looks at how gene variants affect hormones imbalance and details the nutrients and environmental factors that can influence and improve their balance.
This test is suitable for people that suffer with conditions affected by hormone imbalance such as:
Fertility Issues
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Endometriosis
Menstrual irregularities
Excess facial hair in females
Excess breast tissue in men
Osteoporosis
Cardiovascular disease
Acne
Mood swings
Weight gain
Sexual dysfunction and low libido
Poor memory
Hormone sensitive cancers such as breast and prostate cancer
Stress and fatigue
Genes Included
Genes involved in sex and stress hormone metabolism: AKR1C4, CYP17A1, GABRA2, HSD11B1, SRD5A2, SULT2A1
Genes involved in oestrogen metabolism: COMT, CYP1A1, CYP1B1, CYP3A4, CYP19A1, ESR1, ESR2, MTHFR, NQO1
Genes involved in hormone detoxification: ABCB1, GSTM1, GSTP1, SULT1A1, SULT1E1, UGT1A1
Genes involved in the stress response: ADRB1, ADRB2, FKBP5, MTNR1B, OPRM1, TCF7L2
Genes involved in the reproductive axis: ESR1, ESR2, FAAH
Note: The test doesn’t measure the actual levels of hormones in either blood, urine or saliva. It looks at genes involved in production and metabolism of hormones. It is sometimes also useful to do Adrenal Stress Profile, Thyroid Panel, DUTCH Complete or DUTCH Cycle Mapping tests alongside genomics tests.
Methylation Genetic Test
The Methylation Genetic Test looks at your DNA to find tiny genetic variations called SNPs, which can affect your body’s ability to carry out a process called methylation.
Methylation is involved in almost every metabolic process in the body, occurring billions of times every second in our cells and contributing to numerous crucial functions.
Imbalances in methylation can increase susceptibility to chronic health conditions, as well as cancer and premature ageing.
This test examines genes involved in all the different parts of the methylation cycle and provides information on whether you are likely to be over- or under-methylating and which nutrients you may require to support this important pathway.
This test is suitable for people that suffer with conditions linked to methylation imbalance including:
Anxiety and depression
Neurodiversity
Autoimmune conditions
Mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
Cancer
Cardiovascular disease
Chronic fatigue
Neurodegenerative conditions and cognitive decline
Inflammatory conditions
Infertility and hormone imbalances
Premature ageing
Genes Included
Folate Cycle: DHFR, FOLH1, MTHFD1, MTHFR, RFC1, SHMT1 and TYMS
Methionine Cycle: AHCY, BHMT, CHDH, FUT2, MAT1A, MTR, MTRR, PEMT and TCN2
Neurotransmitter Cycle: COMT, MAOA, MAOB, MTHFR, PNMT, QDPR and VDR
Transsulphuration Cycle: CBS, CTH, GSS, MUT and SUOX
Urea Cycle: BDKRB2, NOS and SOD
Detoxification Genetic Test
Detoxification is the physiological removal of toxic substances from the human body. It is mainly carried out by the liver, and to a lesser extent the gut, kidneys and lungs.
During detoxification substances such as food additives, pesticides, medications, air pollutants, alcohol and hormones are transformed by enzymes, allowing them to be more easily excreted from the body.
This test looks at your DNA to find tiny genetic variations (SNPs), which can affect your body’s ability to detoxify. The specific genes that the test looks at are related to the enzymes that carry out the detoxification reactions within your cells.
Poor detoxification can cause symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, multiple allergies, digestive problems, skin disorders, weight gain, bloating, acid reflux and heartburn, excessive sweating, chronic infections, subfertility, low libido, poor mental function and low stress tolerance.
Genes Included
CYP450s: CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP1B1, CYP2A6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4
Alcohol: ADH1B, ADH1C and ALDH2
Pesticides: PON1
ROS: SOD2, GPX1 and NQO1
Glucuronidation: UGT1A1, UGT1A6
Methylation: COMT and TPMT
Sulphonation: SULT1A1, SULT1E1 and SULT2A1
Acetylation: NAT1 and NAT2
Glutathione: GSTM1, GSTP1 and GSTT1
Antiporter: ABCB1
Note: The test doesn’t measure the actual levels of toxins in either blood or urine, but instead looks at your body’s weak points when it is trying to get rid of toxic substances. It is sometimes also useful to do other tests such as Chemical Sensitivity Screen (Cyrex Array 11), ToxDetect, Mycotoxin Profile, Metabolomix+ or Hair mineral analysis alongside genetic tests.
How Does the Test Work?
Each test is a simple cheek swab you can complete at home. It’s then posted back to the lab for analysis. You’ll receive a comprehensive report and tailored recommendations, with the option to book a consultation to help interpret your results and take action.
