GENETIC TESTS
People can eat healthy, exercise, and maintain a healthy weight but still carry genetic risk factors that put them at increased risk of disease. However, knowing your genetic makeup can help us tailor lifestyle and medication choices to your unique risks/needs and help you diminish the effects of these inherited risks. As Dr. Robert Superko stated, “Genetics are the gun; lifestyle is the trigger.”
1- APO E
A gene that affects the way our body processes fat and alcohol (sometimes referred to as the “Alzheimers” gene) The Apo E 4 variant confers a higher risk of both dementia and heart disease. This gene helps us understand what type of diet could best lower your cholesterol levels and assist with weight loss (low fat, low carbohydrate, or low calorie).
2- MTHFR
A gene that affects the body’s ability to detoxify and utilize folate and other B vitamins (a process called methylation). MTHFR function is especially important for brain, heart, and infant health. Knowing this information can help determine which supplements might help improve attention, mood, and memory.
3&4- Prothrombin Mutation & Factor V Mutation
Two different genes that increase the risk of developing blood clots. These genes can help identify who should avoid estrogen (in contraception or hormone replacement therapy) or who might benefit from daily aspirin therapy.
5- Haptoglobin
A gene that can determine which diabetic patients would benefit from vitamin E supplementation to lower cardiovascular risk. Diabetics with a Haptoglobin variant are 3-5x more likely to have cardiovascular disease. Those with the 2/2 variant are particularly at risk for accelerated oxidative damage but vitamin E supplementation can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in these individuals. This gene can also help determine who could benefit from following a gluten-free diet.
6- SLOCO1B1
A gene that can identify who is at increased risk of side effects from statin cholesterol drugs.
7- KIF 6
A gene that increases the risk of heart disease and can determine who would particularly benefit from statin cholesterol drugs (and which type would work best).
8- 9P21
A gene that can identify individuals who may be at increased risk of premature heart disease (sometimes referred to as the “heart attack” gene).
9- 4Q25
A gene that can identify who is at increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation (a potentially dangerous arrhythmia of the heart).
10- CYP2C19
A gene that determines if the blood thinner “Plavix” (clopidogrel) is metabolized normally or whether this medication could lead to an increased risk of clotting or bleeding.
Your genes do not determine your destiny - you have more control over your health and future than you may realize! But at Kadima Center, we gather genetic information on every patient so we can better stratify each person’s health risks and personalize treatment recommendations to help lower their risk of activating any “bad genes.”
