Ever wonder why some of us can quaff carbs and stay trim, while others gain weight in the mere presence of bread? Our genes may be the answer.
It may sound futuristic but don't be surprised if your healthcare practitioner mentions nutri- and pharmacogenetics at your next check up. It analyses what works best for a person on a biochemical level.
What is it?
Gene testing looks at what dosages of medication, types of exercise and food suit your genotype. "The tests are another tool - along with family history and blood tests - to help healthcare practitioners gather information," explains registered dietician Helen Gautschi, who works with DNAlysis Biotechnology, one of the innovators in genetic medicine."The genotype is your blueprint, what you are born with. Along with eye, hair colour etcetera it determines how certain biochemical areas work and  their responsiveness to diet and lifestyle. Your genes plus environment (what  you consume) equal a phenotype.
"While we can't change genes, the testing can show us how to repair areas of the environment," explains Gautschi. "An easy way to understand it is that your genes load the gun, but your environment pulls the trigger."
Each of us have variations in our genetic code which affect how we respond to environmental stimuli, says geneticist Sasha Mannion.
How does it work?
My cheek swab was sent off to the lab and two weeks later, a detailed report was created. The results are always deciphered by a medical practitioner, says Gautschi.
In the pharmaceutical tests, your matches and misses are found for more than 200 common medicines, including statins, pain relievers and treatments for blood and heart conditions, diabetes and psychiatric issues.
"For some, metabolising their blood pressure or pain medication may be too quick or too slow," says Mannion. "This can affect the efficacy of the medication and there is a risk of side effects. Instead of experimenting with doses, doctors now have insight into what is likely to be suitable beforehand."
In my case, taking ibuprofen could have increased risk of adverse gastrointestinal effects and morphine's effect is muted, so alternatives or tailored dosages should be prescribed.In the nutrigenetics test, vitamin B12 was found to be poorly utilised, so my supplementation dosage should be higher.
Tolerance of caffeine, fats, proteins and carbohydrates are also measured. "Our response to nutrition is a method of tailoring weight-loss too, but the caffeine test, for example, is an indicator of cardiovascular response," says Gautschi.
Lipid tests show how we metabolise fat and store fat cells. My test showed a risk of obesity in my genotype, although I have avoided it through a (vaguely) healthy lifestyle.
"The ability to maintain weight is different for each gene variation," says Gautschi.
Some genotypes, like my own, were historically good for times of famine but in the modern world they can lead to obesity if the diet is bad. Bad fats and smoking will further exacerbate the risk. So, yes, some people can handle a bad diet and toxins better than others.
The test also assesses how we handle toxins, sleep quality and indicates any predispositions to chronic diseases of lifestyle.
Then what?
A tailored diet, medication scale, sleep hygiene and exercise routine will be prescribed for optimum health and/or weight loss...