Dr Carys Sonnenberg is trained in nutrigenomics and can work with a clinic and a nutritionist to offer you completely individual approach to your health. What is Nutrigenomnics?
Genomics is changing the future of health and medicine. Developments in genetic testing enables us to look in detail at our DNA – the chemical instructions present in every body cell that make us who we are and drive every body function.
This biological code tells the body how to do everything, including how well you absorb and use specific nutrients like vitamins, affecting your nutrient needs. It impacts production of sex hormones, reproduction and fertility, and neurotransmitters, influencing thinking and emotional wellbeing. It regulates how well your cells can grow and repair, even how efficiently they produce energy, or how readily you store excess energy as fat.
Common variations in our genetic code, called SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms), result in small but important differences in function, affecting, for example, how much of a chemical in the body is made, how well it works or how our cells respond to it. These SNPs don’t create ill-health in themselves, but in combination they can affect our energy, mental wellbeing, detoxification and beyond, impacting health and contributing to development of specific health conditions. Looking at your genetic differences unlocks a personal health blueprint, offering a detailed insight into your unique biological strengths and weaknesses and a deeper understanding of your health.
The environment plays a big part too. What we do and what we are exposed to interacts with our body’s ability dynamically.
Nutrigenomics looks at how these nutrition and lifestyle factors impact our genetic potential. We can’t change our genes, but we can change what we do to make them less significant. Nutrigenomic testing gives us an understanding of how our life choices interact with what makes us tick, so we can make positive changes that align with our genetics and optimise our health and wellbeing.
There are thousands of potential genes and SNPs, this is complex. Dr Carys Sonnenberg has completed the training with LifecodeGX and she can advise you about this, referring you to a reputable clinic and nutritionist to give you a completely individual approach to your health. Common nutrigenomics testing questions.
These nutrigenomics reports give you an individual assessment of your body, your DNA:
- The Nutrient core report – this test analyses how gene variants can affect food tolerance (and intolerance), appetite control and blood sugar balance, vitamin and mineral needs, detoxification ability, and susceptibility to inflammation and infection
- The Metabolics report – This presents the genes that can powerfully influence key pathways driving human metabolism. It incorporates over 40 genes and 50 SNPs across 6 pathways, including appetite regulation, nutrient sensing, sugar and fat metabolism, cholesterol and bile, mitochondria and inflammation.
- The hormones report – this analyses genes involved in the regulation, synthesis, signalling, transport and metabolism of corticosteroids and sex steroids hormones. It looks at how gene variants affects hormones imbalance and details the nutrients and environmental factors that can influence and improve their balance.
- The Methylation report – Methylation is the process of adding methyl groups, consisting of one carbon and three hydrogen atoms, to other molecules. It is involved in almost every metabolic process in the body, occurring billions of times every second in our cells and contributing to numerous crucial functions. Imbalances in methylation – too little or too much – can increase susceptibility to chronic health conditions such as heart disease, circulatory problems, chronic fatigue, infertility, immune and autoimmune conditions, food and chemical sensitivities, and mood and psychiatric disorders, as well as cancer and premature ageing. The Methylation test examines genes involved in five sub-cycles – folate, methionine, neurotransmitter, transsulphuration and urea. Genetic results will inform whether someone is likely to be poor or overly efficient at processing cofactors – B6, B9 (folate) and B12 (cobalamin), methionine, betaine, choline, zinc and magnesium; and inhibitors – chemicals, moulds, drugs, hormones and heavy metals and provide guidance on how to support or bypass bottlenecks or weaknesses.
- Histamine intolerance report – This test analyses the genes and nutrients needed to breakdown and remove histamine, showing where disruptions occur and how to support optimal function.
- Oestrogen balance report – This test analyses genes involved in the oestrogen lifecycle. It looks at how gene variants affects production, activation and elimination of oestrogens as well as detailing the nutrients and environmental factors that can influence and improve their balance. The Oestrogen Balance report is recommended for women who suspect oestrogen-linked conditions.
- The Detoxification report – this report identifies personalised nutritional support required to optimise detoxification.
- The nervous system report – this analyses gene variants that impact serotonin (contentment) and melatonin (sleep), dopamine (motivation), noradrenaline and adrenaline (fight or flight); glutamate (the major excitatory neurotransmitter); GABA (the major inhibitory neurotransmitter) which is critical for relaxation; and endocannabinoids (AEA/ anandamide) which regulate other neurotransmitters. The report provides detailed recommendations for nutritional support to alleviate symptoms and to optimise mental health.
- APOE report – the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is best known for its role in lipid (fat) metabolism by helping to remove cholesterol from the bloodstream. It can exist in three main forms known as E2, E3 and E4. The E4 form of the APOE gene has been associated with increased plasma cholesterol and triglycerides and susceptibility to cardiovascular disease – heart attacks or strokes due to atherosclerosis, insulin resistance and Alzheimer’s disease. However, having an E4 genotype is one of many risk factors and does not mean you will develop any of these conditions. In addition to APOE, this test examines genes involved in methylation, inflammation, toxicity and neuroprotection, to enable individuals to take preventative action by adopting personalised nutrition and lifestyle changes to optimise their future, long term health.
- Thyroid balance report – This report analyses the genes involved in the thyroid hormone lifecycle: synthesis – centrally (in the thyroid) and in activation in peripheral tissues, transport and metabolism, processing of cofactors (vitamins D and A) and inhibitors (stress and toxins). It also examines genes that confer susceptibility to inflammation and autoimmunity.
We highly recommend you watch some of the crowdcast videos from LifecodeGx as they are absolutely fascinating.
Do make an appointment if you would like to talk more about this.
Dr Carys Sonnenberg Rowena health