Can Genetic Testing Help You in Making Informed Decisions About Your Health?

The answer is YES.

Genetic testing can help you in identifying your genetic predisposition for various health conditions and traits related to your overall well-being. It can enable you and your physician to:

• Understand your genetic tendencies for different health conditions
• Plan a strategy to prevent, or delay the onset of health conditions for which you have a high genetic risk.
• Observe the relevant signs and symptoms of health conditions you are predisposed to
• Customize the health checkups for early diagnosis and effective management of theseigh risk health conditions
• Personalize you diet, fitness, and entire lifestyle to keep you healthy

You need genetic testing because your genes can’t lie!

Your genetic makeup consists of the story of your health and wellness. Understanding this story can empower you to personalize your complete lifestyle and improve the quality of your life. Your genetic test results are encapsulated in a report that help you to make

informed decisions about your:

• Health
• Nutrition
• Fitness
• Habit

Know the science behind your genetics

Your genes are built of different combinations of four nucleotides(A, T, G, C). Any difference in the sequence of these nucleotides as compared to normal are genetic markers called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Such small differences or gene variants are identified by a state of the art technique called genotyping. A genetic test uses your DNA from your saliva sample to identify these SNPs that influence your genetic predispositions for various health conditions and other traits.

How many times do you need a genetic test done?

There are different kind of genetic tests and each of them have a different purpose. Your genetic predispositions are determined at the time of your conception and your genetic information is unlikely to change with time. Therefore, for any one type of genetic test, you just need to give your sample only once. You don’t need to repeat that specific genetic test again - it is once in a lifetime test. It is however important to note that these tests report your genetic tendencies based on your genotype at various genetic markers (SNPs) as per the latest scientific knowledge. The results are therefore unlikely to change when the test is repeated with the same markers and technology platform used in this test. However, genetics is an evolving field and as genetics research progresses, more and more gene-disease associations (genetic markers) are discovered. Also, the technology for genetic testing is ever improving. The test results and interpretation may or may not change when newly found genetic variants or upgraded technology is used in a more extended genetic test.

What health related genetic predispositions can you discover about yourself with a genetic test?

• Bone and Joint Disorders: Ankylosing Spondylitis, Gout, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Cancer: Breast Cancer*, Endometrial Cancer*, Lung Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, **Prostate Cancer
• Cardiovascular and Cerebral Diseases: Atrial Fibrillation, Coronary Artery Disease, High HDL (Good) Cholesterol Levels, High LDL (Bad) Cholesterol Levels, Hypertension, Hypertriglyceridemia, Myocardial Infarction, Stroke
• Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders, Hypothyroidism, Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes
• Eye Conditions: Age-related Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma
• Gastrointestinal Disorders: Celiac Disease, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis
• Gynecological Disorders*: Endometriosis, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• Neurological Disorders: Alzheimer's Disease, Migraine, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease
• Respiratory Conditions: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Skin Conditions: Psoriasis

(in females only)

(in males only)

Interested in finding out about your genetic susceptibilities and health traits? Contact us now.