South Africa: Put the power back in your hands – unlock your DNA
February 2013: “My parents were overweight, so chances are I’m going to be overweight.” This is a widely accepted myth when it comes to understanding the relationship between genetics and weight loss. This is, however, just that – a myth! Advances in genetic science have progressed so far that we can now not only disprove this common misconception, but go so far as unlocking each individual’s unique DNA profile. Scientists believe that this invaluable information has far-reaching potential for improving our health because, for the first time, we are able to make precise decisions concerning diet and lifestyle changes based on a profile of our individual genetic make-up.
What makes a gene unique?
Each cell in your body contains 46 chromosomes, intricately arranged into 23 pairs to craft the microscopic strands of DNA that make up the human genome. The DNA is a double helix, consisting of four building blocks – bases called adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C) and guanine (G). What makes an individual unique is the pattern or combination of these A, T, C and G bases, and their variations from the norm, where one of the pairs is different, dropped or repeated.
“Human DNA is 99.9% the same. It’s the 0.1% variation we all have that makes us unique,” explains Dr Daniel Meyersfeld, CEO of South African biotechnology company DNAlysis. “The gene variations we inherit can make us more susceptible to certain diseases, respond well to particular foods, or be better sprinters than marathon runners. Whatever our luck, research and clinical trials tell us that we can ‘switch’ these genes on or off if we make the right lifestyle adaptations.”
Switching on DNA
An estimated 1.3 billion people are overweight worldwide, with approximately 300 million of these people being obese. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity in South Africa is high, with 29% of our male population and 56% of our female population being classified as overweight or obese.
A gene test provides data that can be used to optimise weight loss and to create personalised exercise regimes that lead to higher fitness and performance levels. A patient’s genetic variation profile can also indicate susceptibility to certain diseases before they manifest, allowing the health practitioner and patient to set out a plan for monitoring and prevention. Health practitioners can now go beyond the “one-size-fits-all” model of medicine and make more accurate and tailored clinical decisions for each individual patient.
These advances have led to a new science that explores the relationship between your genes and your diet – Nutritional Genomics. Nutrigenomics, as it is also known, is used as an umbrella term for two complimentary approaches: how nutrients affect gene function, and how genetic variation affects food intake and eating behaviours.
It used to be believed fact that a lack of physical activity, bad food choices and incorrect eating behaviour were the only factors that contributed substantially to the development of obesity. Fortunately the understanding of molecular processes has increased dramatically over the past 10 years, with the study of genetics contributing significantly to this body of knowledge.
Research has shown that people are more likely to follow advice based on genetics than if they are given general dietary advice. A 2012 Toronto Nutrigenomics and Health study showed that 93% of participants who received dietary recommendations based on their DNA agreed that the information would be useful when considering their diet, 95% of these participants wanted to know more about their test results and genetic recommendations.
You have the power
“A gene test can provide each of us with vital information about our bodies that we have never before been able to access. This information can assist us to make smarter lifestyle choices that can positively impact current and long-term health,” says Dr Daniel Meyersfeld.
Like the DNA Health and DNA Fit tests developed and available from DNAlysis Biotechnology, all the DNA Diet test requires is a swab from the inside of your cheek in order to identify specific gene variations. The gene variations that are revealed during testing have high scientific credibility. These variations are reliable intervention tools that can be used to tailor unique ‘remedies’ that can assist to lessen genetically related effects or support desired outcomes. DNA Diet specifically tests for the thirteen genes that impact metabolism and exercise. The genes involved in the DNA Diet test have associations with body weight and the body mass index, and all meet the most stringent criteria to justify their inclusion in the test.
For more information on DNAlysis and its various products, visit www.dnadiet.co.za or call (011) 268 0268.
