DNA Health

Tests for:

Gene variations associated with metabolic and biological processes

Analytes measured:

Lipid Metabolism

LPL:  Removes lipids from the circulation by hydrolysing triglycerides into free fatty acids.
CETP:  Plays a key role in the metabolism of HDL and mediates the exchange of lipids between lipoproteins.
APOC3:  Plays an important role in cholesterol metabolism.
APOE:  Is essential for the normal catabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein constituents. Affects antioxidant requirement.

B Vitamins/Methylation

MTHFR:  Directs folate from the diet either to DNA synthesis or homocysteine re-methylation.
MTR:  Catalyses the re-methylation of homocysteine to methionine.
COMT:  Catalyses the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine to catecholamines, including the neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.
MTRR:  Catalyses methylcobalamin, which is essential for maintaining adequate intracellular pools of methionine. It is also responsible for maintaining homocysteine concentrations at non-toxic levels.
CBS:  Catalyses the conversion of homocysteine to cystathionine and is directly involved in the removal of homocysteine from the methionine cycle.

Detoxification

CYP1A1:  The cytochrome P450 enzyme converts environmental pro-carcinogens to reactive intermediates, which are carcinogenic.
GSTM1:  Influences Phase II detoxification. It is responsible for the removal of xenobiotics, carcinogens, and products of oxidative stress.
GSTP1:  Influences the metabolism of many carcinogenic compounds.
GSTT1:  A member of a super family of proteins that catalyses the conjugation of reduced glutathione.
NQO1:  Quinone Reductase is primarily involved in the detoxification of potentially mutagenic and carcinogenic quinones derived from tobacco smoke, diet and oestrogen metabolism.

Inflammation

IL-6:  Plays a crucial role in inflammation by regulating the expression of C reactive protein (CRP).
TNF-A:  TNFa is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, secreted by both macrophages and adipocytes, which has been shown to alter whole body glucose homeostasis, and has been implicated in the development of obesity, obesity-related insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.

Food Responsiveness and Sensitivity

MCM6:  Associated with adult hypolactasia.
FADS1:  Influences blood fat concentrations by affecting desaturase enzyme efficiency.
CYP1A2:  This detoxification enzyme influences the ability to metabolise caffeine.
ACE & AGT:  Part of the renin-angiotensin system and response to salt.

Iron Overload

HFE:  Regulates iron absorption by regulating the interaction of the transferring receptor with transferrin. Hereditary haemochromatosis results from defects in the HFE gene.

Oxidative Stress

eNOS:  Influences vascular tone and peripheral vascular resistance. It also has vaso-protective effects by suppressing platelet aggregation, leukocyte adhesion and smooth muscle cell proliferation.
MnSOD/SOD2:  Has vital anti-oxidant activity within the cell, especially within the mitochondria.  It destroys the radicals that are normally produced within cells.

Bone Health

VDR:  Has a profound influence on bone density.
COL1A1:  Influences the ratio of collagen-alpha chains produced by bone cells, affecting bone mineralisation of bone and bone strength.

Insulin Sensitivity

PPARG:  Involved in adipocyte differentiation. It is a transcription factor activated by fatty acids, and is also involved in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism.
TCF7L2:  Influences blood glucose homeostasis – both insulin secretion and resistance.
FTO:  Influences susceptibility to obesity and risk for type 2 diabetes.
SLC2A2:  Facilitates glucose induced insulin secretion and is involved in food intake and regulation.