Part 3 – Epigenetics

Cartoon by Yuval Robichek

Epigenetics – Originally, epigenetics was studying the clues that led scientists and researchers alike that gene function could be altered by more than just changes in sequence.

Today, a wide variety of illnesses, behaviors, and other health indicators already have some level of evidence linking them with epigenetic mechanisms, including most cancers, cognitive dysfunction, and respiratory, cardiovascular, reproductive, autoimmune, and neurobehavioral illnesses. Known or suspected drivers behind epigenetic processes include many agents, such as, but not limited to: heavy metals, pesticides, diesel exhaust, tobacco smoke, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, hormones, radioactivity, viruses, bacteria, and nutrients.

In the past five years, and especially the past two years, several ground-breaking studies have focused fresh attention on epigenetics. Interest has been enhanced as it has become clear that understanding epigenetics and epigenomics—the genomewide distribution of epigenetic changes—will be essential in work related to many other topics requiring a thorough understanding of all aspects of genetics, such as stem cells, cloning, aging, synthetic biology, species conservation, evolution, nutrition and agriculture.

Many types of epigenetic processes have been identified—they include methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitylation, and sumolyation. Other epigenetic mechanisms and considerations are likely to surface as work proceeds. Epigenetic processes are natural and essential to many organism functions, but if they occur improperly, there can be major adverse health and behavioral effects.

It is important to point out again, that – genetic test results, like bloodwork and other diagnostic testing tools, are part of a complex picture of your overall health.

Clinicians need to tie many components together to interpret these, the studies that the results are based on, the relationships between all the genes tested, and how they interact with other areas of your life and health – this is the blueprint of epigenetics. From what you put in your mouth to your last thought before you sleep, and how you sleep – these are all critical components for your epigenetic being and quality in life.

To learn more about our programs and/or to schedule a consultation.

Part 2: How to Choose a Superior Genetic Test

The saying You get what you pay for – has symbolic meaning when it comes to genetic testing on several levels.
Choosing the right genetic test comes down to key factors – but it is best illustrated by an example:

Let’s say you want to build a house.
You hire an architect and he creates blueprints for you.
You see the blueprints and everything looks impressive – so you feel that it is ok to move forward.
However…
What if there are errors? What if the architect based his decisions on information that was not current or relevant to your needs and reality? What if he did not double check measurements?

Genetic testing is the same way.
Unless you are academically trained in the field (and continue to upgrade your skill-set), it is impossible to fully understand the reality and scope of genetic tests.

The most common genetic tests are for disease and health conditions.

How do tests vary aside from price?
The majority of diseases are caused by several mutations in multiple genes, only rarely are diseases caused by mutations in a single gene.

One can assume a few things here:
1. The cheaper the test – the less genes and SNPs (markers that make up each gene) that are tested per condition;
2. The less relevant data and research is used as larger/current and updated research studies are more expensive;
3. The report most likely will not help you know with certainty what you are at risk for – and what to do about it;
4. Cheaper tests are interested in your genetic data, not your health.

It is important to remember more than 1 gene make-up the majority of disease and conditions. Therefore, a trained professional must be able to read and analyze all your test result, and if necessary, propose further testing.

We begin our work with you by conducting an extensive and inter-active health history. We believe that genetic testing is impactful on you and your loved ones, so it is important to fact gather to determine which test(s) are best for you. The majority of our patients come to us with a test or panel in mind, and more than 50 percent of the time, end up getting another test(s) done after this…

Next, after the test results are available, we sit with you and go over everything and then allow you to go home, reflect, analyze and ask further questions. Our analysis goes beyond what the test states – as we analyze the relationships between the genes, current health status, bloodwork and other diagnostics we may have on hand.

We then, together, make a plan based on the results on what to do to prevent gene expression, help with a goal be it overall health, weight, fitness, athletic performance from our individualized epigenetic plans. In some cases we may recommend testing family members as well. We are also available to discuss results with other members of your medical team.
We continue to support you down the road, and in some cases may update your results as new studies and data become available.

We work with experts around the world. If you need a specific test for a rare disease, we can find it for you, lobby the government for funding if available, and be your advocate.

We are always updating and moving forward with the industry to new tests, new standards, all in your interests.

Genetics is the future of medicine. Current medical models cannot support individual needs for health. We are here to provide that bridge and continue to make it stronger. As technology and testing changes, so do we – our goal is to always offer you the best options available at pricing that makes sense for the superior services we offer.

As always, there is the golden rule we follow: Our testing services are private. No data is sold, shared, or kept on file.

In our 3rd part of our series, we will discuss – Epigenetics and how to use your genetic test results to improve your life quality and longevity.

3 Part Series – Understanding Genetics

In the first of this 3 part series, we present an amazing TedTalk by Richard Resnick. He is a builder of genomic software and was involved in The Human Genome Project.

The takeaway from this talk is that:

1. Genetics is changing the field of medicine;

2. Testing is becoming more affordable;

3. How a person is treated for disease is changing.

Our next part in the series will be how to chose a genetic test – what can be done, what cannot be done – and how to understand the basics of results.