Wednesday , June 7 2023

How DNA testing can help you personalize your medicine



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Maybe you've seen it somewhere. Personalized DNA testing is a major trend in medicine. Genetic testing is still somewhat lower in South Africa, but it is booming worldwide.

This DNA test tells us everything.

What diet is the best, and whether we can cope well, perhaps the most important thing can help us understand the medication. It may also help track heritage, but it will focus on the health aspect for the purpose of this article.

Do we ruin our genes?

Most of the results are theoretical, based on correlation and not causal.

And there is a debate about whether some of this information should be shared with consumers. There is a lot of information in the report. Scary, somewhat less. Some experts worry that without proper consultation, patients may be harassed by consulting Google about search results.

Fortunately, DNAlysis's approach takes care of all the information through an hour-long consultation. Some tests may only be requested through an authorized partner.

This means that understanding the meaning of the test and reminding them that the outcome is not only a suggestion but also a high risk of disease X means that it can only be developed through precise steps.

It is also impossible to order a more nuanced test that tells the public about our dangers to the disease.

These are some of the most popular "commercially available" tests.

DNA diet

This test will help you identify the following:

  • How the body reacts to carbohydrates, saturated fats, unsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats.
  • Obesity risk
  • The body's response to exercise and the amount needed to maintain a healthy weight.
  • Whether you are sweet.
  • Your genes are prone to snacking and overeating.
  • That is your circadian rhythm ie. Whether the body clock prefers morning or evening. A one-week cycle rhythm in the evening can have a negative impact on your weight because it is easier to ingest a less healthy option at night.
  • Which diet plan is best for you?

DNA Health

This test will help you understand the following:

  • Lipid metabolism and how it can affect your heart health.
  • Methylation – DNA repair process.
  • Detox – removes harmful substances from your body.
  • Inflammation.
  • Whether oxidative stress and oxidative stress-inducing disorders
  • In particular, bone health is a gene related to calcium absorption and bone loss.
  • Insulin sensitivity is a gene that affects fasting insulin and insulin resistance positively or negatively.
  • Food reactivity – How the body reacts to lactose, caffeine, polyunsaturated fats, salt sensitivity, bitter taste, and alcohol metabolism

What did you find out in my DNA test?

There is an interesting part. Well, its fun for reading, less fun for me. Because my genes are awkward.

This report is easy to read and understand with key codes that reveal how genetic variants are affected. like this

dnaalysis review dna test results dna diet
Photo: TheSouthAfrican.com
dnaalysis review DNA test results
Photo: TheSouthAfrican.com

Some results

In my diet test, my genes are actually okay. Mediterranean diet is best for optimum performance. The bad news is that you can not beat a bad diet. Exercise does not help to lose or lose weight. It does not mean that I should neglect it. However, if I want to stay in shape, the diet should take precedence.

Less pleasant but not surprising, I have found problems with methylation, bone health and oxidative stress. They all belong to the & # 39; high priority list & # 39 ;. To illustrate this result, the nutritionist who worked with me emphasized the importance of working with my genes to create recommendations and achieve optimal health.

DNA testing and personalized medicine

Most important to me was receiving this test to help my psychiatrist adjust my medication to better understand how to handle ADHD. I was diagnosed as an adult only. And anyone who has gone through this process can find (expensive) trial and error to find the right dosage for everyone.

I responded well to methylphenidate (often sold under the brand name Ritalin or Concerta), but it seems to have processed the expansion release much sooner than expected.

As a result, it is not surprising to discover genetic variants that suggest that I can exhibit "adverse" or "less optimal" responses to drugs.

Some undesirable or less optimal methods vary from patient to patient. In my case, I think I mean differently. This variant also means that the carelessness of my ADHD may not respond to medication (do not use it if there is a typo in this article).

"DNA testing does not diagnose ADHD, but it can help your doctor prescribe the drugs that are most appropriate for your particular gene," said Dr. Danny Meyersfeld of DNAlysis Biotechnology. Explain as follows. Genes and your body will metabolize certain drugs. "

Oh, bingo.

This test, called MygeneRx Report, can be ordered from the Medcheck website, but it is recommended that you use this method in cooperation with your doctor. It will help people to test their response to various medications and take prescription medications.

It is also worth considering a larger picture. Dr. Meyersfeld explains mental health and how our genome helps us understand:

I think there is extensive research in this area, but it takes time for the research to move into the realm of clinical usability. Although we have not yet understood much about mind and mental health,
It is always growing.

And the good news is that research is going on. Although understanding of some gene variants may be limited, our understanding of the interaction with the environment is well established.

"In my opinion, this is an exciting part of this: the very notion that our genes are not our destinies, but the ability to control and regulate gene expression through our chosen environment. We are more actively responsible for our health, "Dr. Meyersfeld adds.

Like other tests, the DNA Mind test looks at factors related to mental health. In particular, we are investigating genes associated with risk for mood disorders, cognitive decline, and addictive behavior factors. These risks can be important clinical tools for healthcare providers and provide insight into intervention strategies as well as diagnostic aspects.

DNA information overload risk

The results indicate that there are many genetic variants associated with many risk factors (mutations, mutations if scientists are angry, or sounds like those belonging to X-Men, or polymorphism if desired). Note the use of the words & # 39; Risk & # 39;.

If this marker requires action or appears to be "high priority" (as it did for me), there is a risk of potentially scary rabbit holes if you start searching the internet frantically.

That's why DNAnalysis works in a very specific way, and why you can not order all the possible tests. Dr. Meyersfeld explains:

"These genes do not cause disease by themselves. They are a risk factor for disease / disability, but they may or may not appear depending on environmental exposure.

"The report is overwhelming, but working with trained health workers is definitely easier to manage. It is important to keep in mind that testing focuses on correctable risk factors, This means that you can give the patient the necessary changes in helpful diets, nutrition and lifestyle.

However, even if all of these measures are taken, there is always the risk that patients will still be able to surf the Internet because of their curiosity.

One of the test leaders for these "consumers" has caused a great uproar in the United States over the last few years.

Reported by AFP Earlier this year:

The US regulatory authority granted biotechnology companies 23andMe clearance and was the first to introduce to the market a report showing the health risks of a customer based on genetics.

Private companies have focused on providing ancestry information as a result of FDA's efforts to provide genetic-based health information four years ago.

The FDA said 23andMe was licensed to market its "Genome Health Service Genetic Health Hazard" test for 10 diseases or conditions to the market as the first service to directly offer it to consumers.

Is DNA safe?

This is another concern for many people. Some sites (but not all) that provide these tests are at risk because they store their data online. Sometimes, it can actually help catch the bad guy. But it is not that simple. Also AFP Report earlier this year:

Detectives in California used DNA left on the scene of a crime to combine with genetic information from relatives who joined online genealogy services to get a murder suspect who did not convince the authorities for 40 years.

The arrest of 72-year-old Joseph James DeAngelo, considered "Golden State Killer" responsible for 12 murders and more than 50 rape cases in the 1970s and 1980s, I was welcomed with an old-fashioned victory. Detective.

"The answer was in DNA, and it will always be," said Anne Marie Schubert, the Attorney General of Sacramento County.

It's a pretty good idea, but concerns about privacy and ethics have increased.

Joseph Turow, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Communication School, said, "What if the genetic tests are harmful?

The FBI has a database of millions of convicted criminals, but DeAngelo did not commit a felony and his DNA was not disclosed. The police went to the public genealogy site and forced them to find matches.

Collection of intimate personal data is never limited to genealogy services such as Ancestry.com, 23andMe or GEDmatch which are used to track DeAngelo.

Yes, things are complicated. But in the larger plan of things, knowing as much as you can about how your body works is getting more and more accessible.

How does DNA testing work and how much does it cost?

DNAlysis offers the following tests such as DNA regimens, DNA health, DNA estrogen, DNA sports, DNA skin, DNA laparoscopic disease risk tests and My Gene Rx.

Tests can be ordered through the website and can be tested in a clean box. It is not possible to order online. In some cases, you may need to go through a certified practitioner – remember what we say about what the expert needs to explain.

There are swabs and plastic tubes inside. Please read the instructions carefully – it is best to avoid food, drinks and smoking / vaping before taking samples.

DNA testing
Photo: Supplied

Samples are simple and painless. Wipe the cheeks for a while and put the swab into the tube. Attach the label with care, and send it again. Tests can be sent or received via courier, and the entire process is simple.

Processing can take 2 to 6 weeks. You will receive an email from the designated DNA Explainer as soon as you prepare a one hour session to handle all the results. These consultations can be done by phone or via Skype.

You also need to get ready to do what you can to improve your diet / lifestyle based on the prepared summary and genetics that describe the most important results.

The cost depends on the test you receive, but depending on the DNA testing option you selected, you will see thousands of lanes between the R2500 and R4300.

After all, in the long run this will be worth the price for the benefit of well-being.

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