What are the right foods for you?

You are a unique person with unique needs especially when it comes to food and diet.  A diet that someone else swears by may not work for you (or vice versa). But yet, you see so many “blanket” recommendations on what to eat or which supplements to take and you wonder how much that really applies directly to you. Unlike others, you may be able to enjoy coffee in the evening without any major sleep issues, but have a terrible reaction to gluten (a protein in wheat). Or perhaps, you may need more folate (vitamin B9) than others, but [luckily] sodium doesn’t affect your blood pressure as much.

So why is this? There are genes—and variations of these genes—that can explain why you are unique. And now with recent scientific and technological advances, there is a smarter way to know what nutrition and lifestyle strategies you need to thrive, rather than the old method of following recommendations for the “average person” and seeing how it goes for you as an individual. This opportunity for personalised (or “precision”) nutrition is based on the rapidly expanding field of research that specifically looks for some of your unique needs in your own DNA.

Imagine what you could do with the insight to know which diet, food, or nutrients you should focus on and which won’t likely make any difference to you anyway.

We are talking about the science of nutrigenomics. It’s the combination of nutrition and genomics and helps you choose the foods and nutrients you need more of, based on your unique genetic blueprint. 

Nutrigenomics is a rapidly advancing science that looks at the links between nutrition (the foods and nutrients needed to be healthy) and genomics (how the DNA encoded in your genes acts in your body). It’s a form of personalised nutrition that looks at how your personal set of genes influence the nutrients you need. Nutrigenomics is a very high-tech way of tailoring nutrition recommendations to one single person, based on their unique set of genes.

Here’s how your genes work. You have a set of genes that you inherited from your parents (half from each parent). This is your unique “genetic code.” Siblings (except for identical twins) from the same parents have some similarities, but each are still genetically unique individuals. You may have different hair or eye colours, or be a different height from your siblings. All of these uniquenesses are due to your genes.

Each gene is a piece of DNA that codes for one single protein. That’s why you have thousands of genes—because your body needs thousands of proteins to do all of its cellular and molecular jobs to keep you alive and healthy. There are several variations for each gene. For example, you may be genetically predisposed to having high (or low) levels of cholesterol or a resistance (or easier ability) to losing weight. Perhaps you have a lower (or higher) ability to use folate (vitamin B9), but maybe you are (or aren’t) very sensitive to caffeine or high levels of sodium. And possibly, you are very unlikely (or likely) to develop celiac disease.

By having an accurate genetic test done to look for variations in all of those (and more) genes.

But, it doesn’t stop there. Your genes code for so many areas of health, like metabolism, inflammation, hormones, stress response, moods, detoxification, weight, fitness, cognition, and your ability to use essential nutrients from foods and supplements.

Imagine how you could tailor your food and lifestyle choices if you knew the areas that you as a unique individual should focus on, and which areas you need not worry too much about.

Let’s go through these examples so you can see what you can do when you learn your unique gene profile and take advantage of precision nutrition.

Resistance to losing weight

Imagine knowing if your genes are influencing your ability to lose weight. Some of our reports will show if you are able to utilise fat, or glucose properly – helping you in your weight loss journey. 

High cholesterol levels

High levels of cholesterol can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke. This is partly the result of how your genes allow your body to process fats. If you knew you had genetic variants that made you prone to high levels of cholesterol, you could focus your foods on choosing more plant-based meals, heart-healthy fats, and higher-fibre foods.

Not very sensitive to caffeine

Some people are able to metabolise (process and eliminate) caffeine faster than others. If you know that you are a “fast caffeine metaboliser,” you may be able to enjoy caffeine without having to worry too much about some of the common side effects that happen more often in people who are “slow caffeine metabolisers.”

Lower ability to use folate (vitamin B9)

Folate is found in green leafy vegetables and beans. Supplementation is often recommended for people who are or can become pregnant. If your genes code for a lower ability to use folate, then you may need to eat more folate-rich foods or take a supplement to ensure you get enough folate to compensate for your lower ability to use it so that you could maintain good health.

And remember, these are just a few examples of how the variations in your genetic blueprint can impact your health and wellness, and how you can proactively address them to reach your health goals.

Nutrigenomic testing is very accessible now. It’s never been easier to answer the question, “Based on my genes, what should I eat to optimise my health?”

Science is quickly unravelling the mysteries of the human genome and that is a great opportunity for you to get healthy by following what your genes are telling you.

Use this knowledge to help you. So if you have been wondering why some of your health efforts just don’t seem to make a difference – whilst other people seem to find it easy then Nutrigenomics could be for you. 

This includes: 

Lifecode Gx DNA Test Kit – to collect a sample of cheeks cells from which DNA is extracted and analysed. Quick 1 minute test to obtain the cheek swab sample. Compete and sign the consent form and post back using the return packaging provided.

1. Choose One Report  – Methylation, Nervous System, Histamine, Metabolics, Detoxification etc 

2. Practitioner Support – a thorough interpretation and analysis of your report PLUS  30 minutes telephone/ Zoom call with me to further explain your results, recommend nutrition and lifestyle interventions and answer any questions you may have.

Click the link below to see description and genes tested in each.