When I started learning about Epigentics when I entered the world of naturopathic nutritional therapy & my intergrated approach at Health 4 U I am finally finding the answers to those questions & have been able to help so many clients to not only finding their answers but supporting them to optimal health.

My name is Sinéad O Flynn, a passionate Gut health advocate, Registered Nurse & Registered Nutritional Practitioner & for the next few of my Find out fridays Im going to explain to you the role your genes play in your health.

Genomics has been changing the future of health and medicine, it looks in detail at our DNA. DNA are the chemical instructions in our cells which make us who we are and tell our body how to function.

DNA is not just about our gender, height, and eye colour. It informs our body how to do everything, including how well you absorb and use specific nutrients like vitamins. These chemical messages impact our production of sex hormones, reproduction and fertility, and neurotransmitters, influencing thinking and emotional wellbeing. It manages how your cells grow and repair, how efficiently we produce energy, or how readily you store excess energy as fat.

We all have common variations in our genetic code, which are called Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, these are what create our individuality & how our body functions. SNPs can affect our energy, mental wellbeing, how we detoxifiy and contribute to development of specific health conditions.

Nutrigenomics looks at how nutrition and other lifestyle factors within our environment can impact our genes. While we can’t change our genes, we can change how we support them & that is what optimises our health & wellbeing as epigenetics allows us to modify the epigenome leading to beneficial outcomes for you & the generations ahead of you.

How does it work

Tests include:

Hormone Report - The Hormones test analyses genes involved in the regulation, synthesis, signalling, transport and metabolism of corticosteroids and sex steroids hormones. It looks at how gene variants affects hormones imbalance and details the nutrients and environmental factors that can influence and improve their balance.

Nutrient Core - This test analyses how gene variants can affect food tolerance (and intolerance), appetite control and blood sugar balance, vitamin and mineral needs, detoxification ability, and susceptibility to inflammation and infection.

Nervous System - It analyses gene variants that impact serotonin (contentment) and melatonin (sleep), dopamine (motivation), noradrenaline and adrenaline (fight or flight); glutamate (the major excitatory neurotransmitter); GABA (the major inhibitory neurotransmitter) which is critical for relaxation; and endoCannabinoids (AEA/ anandamide) which regulate other neurotransmitters. The report provides detailed recommendations for nutritional support to alleviate symptoms and to optimise mental health.

Histamine Intolerance - The Histamine Intolerance test analyses the genes and nutrients needed to breakdown and remove histamine, showing where disruptions occur and how to support optimal function. Diamine oxidase (DAO), which primarily breaks down histamine in the gut, can be impaired by gastrointestinal disease or ‘blockers’ such as alcohol, smoked or fermented foods, black tea, green tea and some medications such as non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen or aspirin).

Oestrogen Balance - Oestrogen imbalance can contribute to female gynaecological issues including fibroids, PMS, and heavy menstrual bleeding, skin-related issues including acne and rashes, and ER positive breast cancer.

The Oestrogen Balance test analyses genes involved in the oestrogen lifecycle. It looks at how gene variants affects production, activation and elimination of oestrogens as well as detailing the nutrients and environmental factors that can influence and improve their balance.

Metabolics - The comprehensive Metabolics report presents the genes that can powerfully influence key pathways driving human metabolism. It incorporates over 40 genes and 50 SNPs across 6 pathways, including appetite regulation, nutrient sensing, sugar and fat metabolism, cholesterol and bile, mitochondria and inflammation.

Methylation - The Methylation test examines genes involved in five sub-cycles - folate, methionine, neurotransmitter, transsulphuration and urea. Genetic results will inform whether someone is likely to be poor or overly efficient at processing cofactors - B6, B9 (folate) and B12 (cobalamin), methionine, betaine, choline, zinc and magnesium; and inhibitors - chemicals, moulds, drugs, hormones and heavy metals and provide guidance on how to support or bypass bottlenecks or weaknesses.

Detoxification - Poor detoxification can cause symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, allergies, skin disorders, weight gain, bloating, acid reflux and heartburn, excessive sweating, chronic infections, subfertility, low libido, poor mental function and low stress tolerance. The Detoxification test examines genes which impact Phase I reactions in the liver, including the cytochrome P450 oxidases, Phase II conjugation, including the UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and the Phase III antiporter gene ABCB1, which affects the transport of medicines and other substances into and out of cells. It also include genes that help to neutralise ROS - due to toxic intermediates (generated in Phase 1). The report identifies personalised nutritional support required to optimise detoxification.

Thyroid Balance - The Thyroid Balance report analyses the genes involved in the thyroid hormone lifecycle: synthesis - centrally (in the thyroid) and in activation in peripheral tissues, transport and metabolism, processing of cofactors (vitamins D and A) and inhibitors (stress and toxins). It also examines genes that confer susceptibility to inflammation and autoimmunity.

APOE - The Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is best known for its role in lipid (fat) metabolism by helping to remove cholesterol from the bloodstream. It can exist in three main forms known as E2, E3 and E4. The E4 form of the APOE gene has been associated with increased plasma cholesterol and triglycerides and susceptibility to cardiovascular disease - heart attacks or strokes due to atherosclerosis, insulin resistance and Alzheimer’s disease. However, having an E4 genotype is one of many risk factors and does not mean you will develop any of these conditions.

Athlete -

The personalised genetic results are grouped into three topic areas:

Train - tailor a programme that will be most effective for you to support cardio-vascular adaption, strategic fuelling and structural strength

Recover - build resilience and reduce your risk of injury and illness by controlling inflammation, reducing oxidative stress and optimising sleep

Perform - balance stress and stimulation when it matters most - to achieve your personal best