Concussion Predisposition for Children – Would you want to know?

We recently sat down with Cat Aulakh, Genomic Health Practitioner to discuss this relatively new test and its impact on sports.

Cat, given all the bad press with the NFL in particular, aren’t you afraid that offering tests like this will affect the future of the sport?

“Not at all. In fact, the testing done is private and confidential, with only the parents knowing the results. Therefore, at least from our perspective, the goal is to determine very early on whether or not contact sports can have an effect on the health outcomes for a child. We think this is huge, and avoids a lot of harder decisions and consequences down the road, when a child is already involved in a sport and reaches a level where it is an integrated part of their life and identity.”

How old are the average children that get tested?

“Primarily young under 3 years old. We also are working a lot with retired players in Canada and the United States, as well with former athletes and their families.”

Could this be considered a way for some parents to keep their children away from sport?

“Absolutely – we have some Mothers who have come as they do not want their child in a contact sport and feel a test outcome will end the discussion with the Father. However, in over 80 percent of these cases to date the child tests negative – so the parents can use this as an unbiased dialogue to sit down and have the conversation on a different level.

We do a comprehensive health history with the parents before testing. Data is data, and often emotion creates these decisions to have decisions without a neutral outcome.”

What is being tested?

“1st Act Prevention determines what variation of the APO E gene a child or adult carries. APO E is also related to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Children and adults who carry the E4 variation of the gene have a harder time recovering from head injuries and are more likely to suffer serious consequences from them. If you were would have injury, whether sports-related or automobile, or any fall or any head injury, you’ll be more likely, eight times more likely, to have long-term problems from the injury which are generally in the area: impaired cognition, memory, brain processing, attention, concentration.”

Can adults get tested?

“Absolutely. Anyone can get tested. All information is private and never shared or sold – this is not a government or sponsored study test – so you are assured of complete confidentiality. We have worked with our lab to keep the testing price is nominal as possible as well.”

If you want further information or to set up a test in Canada or the USA – please call us today: 844-DNA-GENE or email us directly: info@dnatestscanada.com

TEST ONCE; TEST RIGHT.

Hair Mineral Diagnostic Test – An Overview

In addition to genetic testing, one of the most informative and useful tests we run is the HMT – Hair Mineral Test. Although named Mineral this test also detects toxic metals build-up. Here is a brief overview as to why:

• A stable biopsy material. Hair is a stable biopsy material that remains viable for years, if needed. It also requires no special handling, and can be mailed easily.

• Easy to measure mineral levels. Mineral levels in the hair are about ten times that of blood, making them easy to detect and measure accurately in the hair.

• Rapidly growing tissue. Hair is a fairly rapidly growing tissue. This enables one to obtain a recent biochemical picture of soft tissue metabolism.

• A non-essential, excretory tissue. The body often throws off toxic substances in the hair, since the hair will be cut off and lost to the body. This is very helpful to identify toxic metals, for example, and other things.

• Wide variation in the readings. Mineral levels are kept relatively constant in the blood, even when pathology is present. This must be done because blood touches all the body tissues, and too much variation is dangerous. This is the reason many people have normal blood tests even when they are quite ill.

• Hair minerals do not circulate, and pose no threat to the body. Values often vary by a factor of ten or much more, making measurement easier and providing a tremendous amount of accurate knowledge about the cells and the soft tissue of our bodies.

• Easier detection of toxic metals. Toxic metals are easier to detect in the hair than in the blood. The body quickly removes toxic metals from the blood, if it can. For this reason, most toxic metals are not found in high concentrations in the blood, except right after an acute exposure.

• In contrast, many toxic metals accumulate in the soft tissues such as the hair because the body tries to move them to locations where they will do less damage.

• A longer-term reading. Hair testing provides a long-term reading, while blood tests and urine tests provide a more instantaneous reading of the body. Both types of readings have value. For example, blood tests can vary from minute to minute, depending upon one’s diet, activities, the time of day and many other factors. This is beneficial in some instances, but is often less helpful when seeking an overall metabolic reading. At this time, (2015) blood tests do not work for nutritional balancing assessment.

This test can be run in conjunction with other diagnostic testing or as a standalone for use in our epigenetic programs or simply to provide a patient with a “blueprint” of what is going on inside at present.

The Genetics of Obesity & Health

Oxford Journal – Human Molecular Genetics Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary diseases (such as sleep apnoea), metabolic diseases (e.g. diabetes and dyslipidaemia), osteoarticular diseases, for several of the commonest forms of cancer and for serious psychiatric illness. Furthermore, childhood obesity is associated with early onset type 2 diabetes and with an increased mortality risk for coronary heart disease in adulthood.

In our quest to develop and offer practical diagnostic panels, we continue to study their relationship and interplay with other genes and the impact that has on one’s health in both the short and long-term. Our epigenetic programs are developed with ongoing research to provide patient’s with easy to understand and implement life-style modifications or changes based on results and health history.

To read the entire study click here.
For a list of the associated genes used in the study click here.