Outsmart Your Genetic Predisposition to Disease Through Nutrition

Are you concerned that a disease, such as heart disease or breast cancer, which runs in your family is in your future?  Can you outsmart your genetic predisposition to some diseases?  Yes, through nutrition and lifestyle changes!  “Do you mean, there are things I can do to prevent getting the disease that runs in my family?”  Several research studies show that there are nutrition and lifestyle changes you can make to prevent or minimize some diseases.

For instance, in the recent American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiovascular Science Conference (July 20-23, 2009), researchers reported that curcumin (from the herb turmeric) and hesperidin (from orange juice) have beneficial antioxidant effects preventing buildup of plaque on the arterial walls.  Two French research teams have shown there is modification of gene expression of arterial plaque development in mice from curcumin and hesperidin.  In light of the fact that heart disease is still the number one cause of death in the U.S., this is quite remarkable.

Nutrigenomics refers to how nutrients influence genetic expression.  Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of the person.  That is the fixed genes the person was born with.  You can’t change your genotype, but you can change the expression of those genes through nutrient and lifestyle influences.  For example, you have a genotype that predisposes you to heart disease, but by making positive dietary and lifestyle choices, your heart disease would not progress to be fatal.  In other words, while you have a genotypic predisposition to a heart disease, the genes for the heart disease are not expressed because of the good nutritional and lifestyle choices you made.

Genetic predisposition to diseases can be significantly modified by nutritional, lifestyle and environmental factors.  Being aware of specific genetic predispositions to disease enables the patient-physician partnership to make early interventions without waiting for symptoms to appear.

“How do I do that?” It involves two steps:

1. Get genetic tests done.
2. Consult a trained clinical nutritionist and functional medicine doctor for a nutrition and lifestyle program tailored to your genetic test results.

We provide genetic testing and consultation in our office. We can test genetic predispositions for:

1. Likelihood of heart attacks – It measures genes that modulate blood pressure regulation, lipid balance, nutrient metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress.
2. Impaired detoxification capacity – This is particularly valuable for those susceptible to adverse drug reactions and sensitivity to environmental toxins.
3. Increased risk for breast cancer and pathogenic estrogen metabolism.
4. Immune system imbalances – This is useful in evaluating the likelihood of autoimmune disorders and chronic inflammatory conditions.
5. Likelihood of neurological impairment in aging – Early intervention for prevention of genetic expression of dementia is invaluable.
6. Bone formation and breakdown, inflammation and impaired calcium/vitamin D metabolism – This is highly beneficial for knowing your propensity to osteoporosis.

For testing and early nutritional and lifestyle interventions for modifying your genetic risk factors for disease, fill out our contact form.

Read more about the news on Genetic Activity of Antioxidants in the U.S. News & World Report here.