Below is an interview with TV personality and Doctor, Michael Mol on his experience with DNA testing from DNAlysis which is available through Seven Star Energy Centre.
Why did you do the screening?
Conventional medicine looks for signs of disease that are already present, but genetic profiling looks at potential indicators for certain diseases that have not yet appeared. We’ve always only treated what was there (existing pathology) – but now we can treat what’s not there yet, by preventing it. Prevention is better than cure… we’ve said it for so many years, now we can actually practice it – and that’s nothing short of a Wellness Revolution.
What was the process?
We used a company called DNAlysis – and the test simply entailed a swab from inside each individuals cheek … imagine a long earbud, that swipes the inside of your mouth and then goes into a labeled plastic tube and gets sent off to the lab. A week later – the results are available online through a secure login process and comes with a detailed report explaining the results and suggesting lifestyle modifications that are personalized to each individual.
What did you learn from the results?
Interesting results, and I quote: “We have identified a variation in your gene profile that indicates you have a tendency to gain weight easily and your weight-loss may be slower than you like.” No kidding – after 6months of exercising between 10-15 hours a week in preparation for the Epic, I lost a grand total of 4kgs … all of which came back within two weeks of no riding!
There’s more … “You also have a gene variation that is involved in the mobilization of fat from your fat cells for burning up as energy. It also helps regulate your body’s energy expenditure. This variation has been linked to overweight and obesity in individuals who consume a high carbohydrate diet.” What!! By rights, if my gene testing is accurate (and it is) – I should be the size of a small planet!!
But I’m not … yet! Why? Surely if it’s in my genes, there’s nothing I can do – so I should just roll over and accept my fate!? That’s called determinism and there’s no case for it in genomics! After all, half of all people in the world have a genotype that makes them genetically predisposed (by sixteen-fold) more than the other half to commit crimes like murder. Those are the people with a Y Chromosome – males!
The good news is that a healthier lifestyle can turn off disease-provoking genes and turn on the good ones. In other words, my genes are not my fate. They are predispositions to certain conditions, but if I make appropriate lifestyle changes I can change the way my genes are expressed – which means my DNA is not my destiny … thank goodness for that!!
So what was the bottom line … this specific test indicated that my genetic make-up meant I was more likely to lose weight by consuming a low carb, high protein diet together with a high intensity exercise program – based on further genetic testing that showed my best exercise potential was Power, strength and sprint – and not long, slow, endurance. Guess that exlpains why I wasn’t on the podium for the Cape Epic 😉
Would you advise others to do the test?
Right now it’s an expensive test, but as technology improves, prices will drop, tests will become more detailed and more inclusive – and overall genetic testing is going to become much more common place. I would recommend you jump in at whatever point your budget allows because never before have we been given such an amazing opportunity to be so pro-active about a preventative and personalised approach to our health.
How did you explain it to your kids?
Something along these lines … As your parents, there’s a bit of Mom and Dad in you – that’s what makes you our children, and we’ve passed on some characteristics to you. Josh you’ve got some annoying allergies, just like your Dad had – Rachael you’ve got beautiful dark eyes just like your Mom. There are also other things that you’ve got from us that are not so obvious … and I’m not about to share that with the rest of SA ; )
What were their reactions or comments?
Fascination and understanding that led to them eating vegetables they wouldn’t normally touch because now they actually know WHY they need to be eating them as opposed to the usual generic parental rhetoric: “Because it’s good for you!”
Some medical institutions are against genetic testing of children for adult-onset diseases. What is your take on it?
In instances where nothing can be done to prevent or curb the onset of the disease then I’d agree that genetic testing of children is not something I would recommend – but in instances where I’m able to affect the outcome, then absolutely!
Isn’t it too overwhelming, especially for kids, to know that they are predisposed to developing certain conditions such as diabetes or breast cancer?
It really depends on the age of the child. At a stage in their lives when understanding and insight into their health can be a motivating factor for practicing a preventative approach, then it’s not overwhelming. Before that – its’ enough for parents to know and to manage the information they have through lifestyle changes with their kids without the child’s knowledge of any predispositions.
Shouldn’t we be telling parents and kids to engage in healthy habits regardless of whether they have this genetic susceptibility?
Absolutely – genetic testing should never cause anyone to put on blinkers and only respond to what the test results indicate (there aren’t nearly enough tests to cover all aspects of our health!) – they’re an adjunct to an already healthy lifestyle. What point is there in eating more cauliflower so that your bodies better able to deal with free radicals but then smoke at the same time – that’s a no-brainer!
Future of Genomics?
In the clinic of the future, a person’s genomic information will be a routine part of their medical record, no more exotic than height, weight and family history. The unique genetics of each patient will be employed by the doctor and his computer to custom-tailor treatments for every condition imaginable, from HIV and cancer to allergies and weight gain. Most of the guesswork will be removed, as physicians can prescribe drug doses that maximize effectiveness and minimize side effects for each individual, rather than playing the averages of research results.
Conclusion
We’re at thetipping point of a Wellness Revolution around personalized healthcare. The paradigm shift is moving from treating existing disease, to preventing potential disease, and that prevention is not through medication, but through nutritional and lifestyle changes.
For the first time in the history of the world we have a scientifically grounded glimpse into our future – and the means to change it for the good!!
That’s the best news I’ve heard all year!!