Genetic Testing

There are 23 pairs of chromosomes in every cell. Those chromosomes have genes that determine things like your body’s hair and eye color. Therefore, those genes can also help identify the need to take steps to prevent diseases like breast cancer or obesity. 

23andMe, a personal genomics company, shared the following genetic testing story about one of their customers:

“Growing up, Sarah didn’t have the benefit of thinking about Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease in a abstract way. She had a personal connection to both diseases — her grandfather’s battle with Parkinson’s and her grandmother’s struggle with Alzheimer’s. Sarah turned to 23andMe to explore her own genetic risk for these conditions. She discovered that she did not have the variants associated with Parkinson’s disease. However, she did test positive for dispositions of Late-Onset Alzheimer’s disease.”

As we can learn from Sarah’s experience, genetic testing can help identify mutations that may be present in our body. Genetic testing can also identify genes that may result in conditions for ones future self and posterity. 

Benefits of using a genetic testing kit:

• Early Detection
• Causation of Condition (exact mutation)
• Prediction (will the disease get worse over time?)
• Family Connection (are family members at risk?)

Genetic Testing Available:

23andMe:

• BRCA1/BRCA2
• Age-Related macular Degeneration
• Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
• Celiac Disease
• Hereditary Hemochromatosis
• Hereditary Thrombophilia
• Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Sickle Cell Anemia
• Hereditary Hearing Loss

Vitagene:

• Diet (Gluten Sensitivity, Fat intake, Sodium Intake, risk of weight gain, alcohol metabolism, cholesterol levels)
• Fitness (Customized Exercise Plan, Muscle Strength, Exercise behavior, muscle cramps, blood pressure response
• Skin
• Supplementation (Tailored Supplement Recommendations)

To learn more about Sarah and her journey, click here.