If you’ve heard about genetics and genetic testing in the past decade, it’s probably been through the marketing of ancestry companies. There’s the allure of finding out where you came from (or uncovering family secrets!). At-home kits provided by these companies have shown everyday people how easy it is to test their DNA. 

Unfortunately, due to the popularity and widespread marketing of ancestry tests, most people aren’t aware of the other benefits genetic testing can provide. While ancestry testing tells you where your family came from, genetic testing for health and wellness can lead you to an array of insights. These insights can help in optimizing your eating, exercise, and lifestyle choices to achieve better health. 

I use genetic testing with my patients at Healthy Life Approach. Here are a few ways genetic testing can inform your health and wellness. 

How Genetics and Genetic Testing Can Drive  Personalized Care 

Many approaches to health and wellness these days focus on a one-size-fits-all approach. They prescribe everyone the same diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices. But everyone is unique. So, shouldn’t healthcare be tailored to that unique individual? Genetic testing uncovers a person’s genetic variants. This gives us insight into how that person’s cells and systems function. It shows the impact of the types of food you eat, the environment around you, and more. 

Disease at the Root 

In addition to the one-size-fits-all approach to health, many practitioners help their patients combat symptoms of chronic illness. But constantly treating symptoms can be timely and costly, and it never addresses the root issues. Since genetic testing reveals how your body works at the cellular level, it can point to the causes of illnesses generating those symptoms. That way, diseases can be treated at the source. 

Losing Weight Can Be a Struggle for People with Certain Genetics

Those who have struggled to lose weight may spend time, energy, and money seeking new ways to get healthy and lose weight. Yet, their genes can give them all the insight they need. Genes can reveal what types of exercise are best for your body, whether endurance or power exercises. They can show how your body stores fat, which nutrients it absorbs best, and inform which foods to eat. These insights can form a more targeted recommendation plan. 

For example, I found out my adipogenesis pathway (which refers to the body’s ability to make new fat cells and store them) has the potential to have a ‘very high’ impact. That means my potential to store fat readily is highly elevated. How did 3X4 Genetics help? They showed me it is essential to support detoxification and inflammation, prioritize regular exercise, and consider intermittent fasting to help release energy from fat stores.

Your Genetics Can Influence Metabolism 

Your genes can also tell you more about your metabolism. We know metabolism is connected with energy and vibrancy, yet many of us have a “sluggish” metabolism we are unsure how to correct. Knowing your genes can give you insights into how your metabolism is affected by what you eat, how you burn energy, how you store fat, and more. 

Through my 3X4 Genetics test, I discovered that my resting metabolism (the energy needed to carry out important bodily functions) may be slower than optimal. 3X4 Genetics recommended I prioritize fat-burning foods such as eggs, green tea, and spices like chili peppers to increase my metabolism. I should also include regular exercise and strength training.

The Right Exercise for Your Genetics

What if you’ve been hitting the gym and trying to get fit, but doing the wrong exercises all this time? Gaining insights into your genes can show you whether your body is more suited for endurance activities, like running or bicycling. Or, whether your body is more suited for power activities, like sprinting or weight lifting. Knowing more about how your body works means being able to choose the right activities for you. 

Through my genetics blueprint, I discovered I need to increase my VO2 max to improve my fitness. To assist with this, I will work with a qualified exercise specialist to help develop and support a progressive and personalized training program.

Would Genetic Testing Tell Me Appropriate Caffeine Intake?

We’re all affected by caffeine in various ways — some people can drink coffee until bedtime, while others have to cut themselves off mid-morning! But do we know why? Our genes can tell us! Our genes are responsible for how quickly we metabolize caffeine, helping us know whether to have that extra cup. 

 My genetics showed the speed by which I metabolize caffeine is moderate. I am likely to feel the effect of caffeine soon after consumption, including its ergogenic benefit. However, caffeine may negatively impact my sleep or mood when consumed in large amounts.

Better Daily Choices 

As you can see, knowing your genes and how they affect your body can give you insights into many different aspects of your health and wellness. This knowledge allows you to make better daily choices about actions that affect you. For example, did you know that your genes determine how well your body eliminates toxins? This can help you choose what environments to be in. Your genes can also give you insight into your stress levels and flag if you do not sleep enough at night. 

More Than Ancestry 

Knowing your genes can reveal more than what’s stated above. Additionally, as our knowledge continues to increase about how genes work and how they impact our bodies, the blueprint that genetic testing provides for optimal health will only become more detailed. This allows you to build the perfect life of health and wellness. 

Ready to start your personalized health journey?  Thanks to 3X4 Genetics for this guest blog post! Check out a sample 3X4 Genetics report here.

Join the Movement

Stay informed, get inspired, and connect with a like-minded community of women passionate about brain and hormone health. Subscribe to our newsletter below and explore how you can elevate your mind and life. Together, we’ve got this!

Medical and Affiliate Disclaimer

I am not a licensed medical professional, and the information I’ve shared in this blog post is for general informational purposes only. The content of this blog post is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

This blog post may contain affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.