|
Nutritional Genetics Frequently Asked Questions
Do not radically alter your diet or lifestyle without first consulting
a doctor or specialist.
How can understanding your
genes give you a longer, healthier life?
Your health is a result of interactions
between your genes and lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise,
stress, smoking and alcohol. It is your genetic make-up that determines
which nutrients are used and how they are used; the way toxins
are removed, what happens to any waste products and how efficient
and effective these key processes are within the body. However,
by adjusting your lifestyle, you can have a great impact on how
your genes work and compensate for areas in which your genes are
not functioning at an optimal level.
Does this test offer any benefit
that I wouldn't get if I followed all the good advice from healthcare
professionals, research organizations, or medical literature?
Even if you follow all of this advice to the letter, it is
still worth knowing your genetic profile. In particular, the people
who will find the service to be of considerable value are those
who need an extra bit of motivation to maintain healthy habits,
or those who find it easier and more realistic to focus on areas
particularly important for them - while still being able to indulge
(in moderation!) in some dietary or lifestyle preferences.
What kind of genetic screening does is performed?
The screening focuses only on gene variations that call for
changes in diet or lifestyle. By learning about the specific nature
of some of your genes from your Advisory Report, you will discover
how to avoid the things that have a negative impact on your metabolism
and learn to focus on factors that are of greatest benefit to
your health. Our DNA analysis does not include genetic diseases
that are not influenced by nutrition and lifestyle.
Are gene variations always bad?
No, not at all. Most of the time, gene variations have no
effect on our body systems or our health, and in certain cases
these variations can even be beneficial. However, sometimes a
variation can make the gene send a slightly 'wrongly worded' message
to the cell. Upon receiving the garbled message, the cell will
manufacture a product - such as an enzyme - that doesn't work
exactly as it should; the variant enzyme may, for example, work
faster or more slowly than is best for the body. Combined with
an unhealthy diet or lifestyle, such a gene variation may make
a person more susceptible to developing illnesses.
If I have variations in my genes, can these be
corrected?
Genes are found in every cell of the body. Therefore, for
the correction to be effective, scientists must find a way to
reach every single cell. This is an enormous challenge for gene
therapy, an experimental procedure that is attempted only in serious
genetic diseases caused by a single defective gene, such as cystic
fibrosis. In contrast, the variations screened for by Genelex
are fairly common in the general population, and their presence
does not mean you will definitely become ill. It would thus be
both impractical and inappropriate to attempt to physically 'correct'
these commonly occurring variations - even if the technology existed
to make this possible. Genelex is not involved in researching
gene therapy, and we do not offer treatment of any kind. Rather,
we provide advice that takes into account the presence of genetic
variations. Our service allows you to maintain good health by
following dietary and lifestyle advice tailored to your unique
genetic profile.
Will anyone outside your company
have access to my DNA results or questionnaire?
No, both your DNA results and your questionnaire will be kept
strictly confidential. We take the utmost care to safeguard your
privacy, and personally identifiable information will never be
disclosed. In particular, we do not provide information to insurance
companies. Once you put the coded label on your DNA sample, your
DNA is identifiable only by that label and even members of Genelex's
lab staff do not know to whom the sample belongs. When the analysis
has been completed, the sample is physically destroyed while the
anonymous DNA record is stored for research purposes only. We
do, however, keep your contact information separately in our databases
for further communication with you. Please note that if a practitioner
has ordered the test on your behalf, the results will be sent
to that practitioner.
Will you decode my complete genome?
Decoding a complete genome is a massive task. The Human Genome
Project has mapped and deciphered the complete genomes of only
a few individuals, and this has taken many years of work and an
international network of research centers to accomplish. We are
lucky to be able to benefit from what has been discovered in this
complex and exciting project, and we can deliver some of the benefits
directly to customers like you in a simple, rapid and economical
service. We examine only a relatively limited number of specific
sections of the whole genome - sections known to code for metabolic
enzymes that are crucial to long-term health and well-being.
Can the test tell me if I will
develop a serious inherited illness, such as Huntington's disease?
No, we don't screen for inherited disorders that are not affected
by diet and lifestyle, such as Huntington's disease. These disorders,
known as single-gene diseases because they are caused by a defect
in only one gene, are relatively rare. People with a family history
of such an illness are likely to be already receiving counseling
and support within the health service system. If you think you
may be at risk for an inherited disease, you should speak to your
doctor.
Genelex's screen is relevant only for the much more
common 'complex' diseases such as heart disease and cancer. In
most cases these diseases are not linked to one specific gene;
rather, your risk of developing them is part of a complicated
equation that involves numerous genes and lifestyle factors. While
we cannot promise that if you take our advice you will never become
ill, we provide you with a 'zebra crossing' for your health, allowing
you to make informed choices about your diet and lifestyle that
give you a better chance of staying well.
Will the testing be able to tell me whether I
am ill?
No, we can only determine what type of genes people have and
how they relate to certain metabolic factors involved in well-being.
In nearly all cases, these genes will be the same whether a person
is well or ill. This is why we ask you in the lifestyle questionnaire
whether you are under medical supervision. If you think you may
be ill, you should consult your doctor.
What should I do if I have questions
about my results or require further information?
In the first instance, you should ask your physician or nutritionist.
If you require further information, you can directly.
Where do I turn for further nutritional counseling?
If you would like to receive further nutritional guidance
after reading your personal report, you should consult a dietitian,
nutritionist or your doctor. We have created a
of these specialists for your convenience. This may be particularly
valid if you have been diagnosed with a food intolerance, an allergy
or any medical condition - or if you simply wish to continue learning
about healthy eating and lifestyle habits.
|
