OVER THE COUNTER: Genetic testing can open new windows into health

One of medicine’s most quickly advancing specialties, genetic testing, can mean many things to many people.

For some of us, when we think of genetic testing, we think of discovering our ancestry, possibly as far back as the Neanderthals. For others, the testing is equated with spotting chromosomes that could cause disorders in their future children, or gene variations that could signal likelihood of disease down the road. Still, for a few of us, the tests could mean finding out when we might go bald, or even why we don’t like the taste of spices such as cilantro.

More than 1,000 genetic tests are now in use, and new ones are in the works. Some of these may help predict likelihood of developing types of cancer, assist in the diagnosis of autoimmune conditions such as celiac disease and even help confirm mental health issues such as bipolar disorder or forecast the potential of developing early-onset severe obesity.

While we don’t advise getting tested for every possible ailment, we feel many common, affordable tests now available can open up interesting windows into our health. We also believe that when used properly and holistically, this medical tool can help us improve our lives in significant ways.

But let’s take a step back, for those who forgot their high school biology. The genes we got from mom and dad are made up of DNA. That’s the hereditary material – stored as code – that’s found in virtually every cell in our body. While most of our genes are the same as those of everyone else on the planet, less than a percent are slightly different. By studying genes and their differences, researchers have been gaining a clearer picture of our individual history, why we’re the way we are, and even, to some extent, how our bodies may change in the future.

What does this mean for you? A lot.

We’re particularly interested in nutritional metabolic DNA testing. This tool can help us better understand how our bodies use energy, electrolytes and other nutrients such as types of B vitamins.

Here’s an example: A genetic mutation in many people prevents them from properly processing folate, which our bodies need to work properly. Certain mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and possibly even attention deficit disorder, may be linked to low levels of folate because of this mutation. With testing, doctors can spot the problem, and often times, recommend treatment that includes supplementing with methylfolate, as opposed to the more common used vitamin B-9, or folate.

But testing can also be used as a way of explaining a variety of conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and acid reflux. We see people who, despite eating all the right foods, are baffled as to why they can’t shake these problems without medications. The answer may be inside their DNA. Researchers have identified dozens of genetic variations related to high blood pressure. They’ve also identified a genetic heart disease that can cause high cholesterol. Even a genetic link to some cases of gastroesophageal reflux disease – or GERD – has been found. But the only way to identify these genetic factors – and to better treat them – is through a test.

Understanding our genes can also help us improve how we take medications. We know that drugs as widely used as antibiotics can work better or worse for some people. This is true for several other types of medications. Doctors traditionally had to use trial and error to get to more precise prescriptions for particular patients, but with genetic testing, some therapies can be ruled out before they are even prescribed. In some cases, doses can be made more exact when based on how a patient would respond to a drug according to their genetic findings. This can reduce the risk of side effects.

Fortunately, the risk of testing itself is negligible and often requires only a simple saliva sample. Our main concern when it comes to testing is making sure it’s performed by professionals who know how to interpret the results using other exams and take into account the lifestyle and history of each patient.

Taking the right tests for the right reasons can go a long way in your lifelong effort to understand your body and keep it running well.

Gary Kracoff has a degree in naturopathic medicine and is a registered pharmacist and John Walczyk is a compounding pharmacist at Johnson Compounding & Wellness in Waltham, Mass. For more information, visit www.naturalcompounder.com. Readers with questions about natural or homeopathic medicine, compounded medications, or health in general can e-mail gary@naturalcompounder.com or call 781-893-3870.