My Personal DNA Wellness Journey To Health: How To Use Nutrigenomics To Find Your Weakest Health Links – and Fix Them!

Sometimes in your quest through this life, you get a bolt of lightning wisdom from out of the blue and in the twinkling of an eye, the once hopeless puzzle which has been plaguing you all your life is suddenly reframed into view – and becomes “Actionable”.

There’s a very old saying: “If you don’t know where you came from, you’ll never know where you’re going” – and that’s true with your health as well. Health is the quality and the vitality of our very existence. Many diseases do not present symptoms until late-stage and can be confused for other conditions. Doctors routinely misdiagnose health conditions, prescribing counterproductive and possibly dangerous drugs and treatments. Iatrogenic deaths, otherwise known as “death by medicine”, are the third leading cause of death in the U.S. accounting for approximately 250,000 deaths per year. When not resulting in death or adverse effects, misdiagnosis also wastes valuable time in which proper life-saving treatments can be given. Even natural health practitioners often have trouble assessing clients that come to them for help.

We all know our lifespans have increased – but what about our healthspans? Do you want to have better health, lose weight, build endurance, improve your focus and clarity, and stay out of the hospital in the Age of Covid? We all know that we can eat better and exercise, but do we really know what we need on a personal and individualized basis? What’s actually right for YOU? How do you get answers to these questions?

Do you know your DNA – the basic blueprint of your body, your genetics inherited from your parents, and how it affects your life and health? We now know that if you know your DNA and your genetic weaknesses – then you can know what you need to improve for your health conditions. We have a substantial amount of data from peer-reviewed PubMed studies and case histories of the power of supplementation and lifestyle to repair and improve health for these conditions.

Nutrigenomics — “nutri” for nutrition, “genomics” for the study of genes — is a new field of study that maintains that your genetic profile can give you unique insight to change your fundamental health. “The hope is that once you understand someone’s underlying predispositions, you can then create a personalized program that incorporates a variety of vitamins and addresses potential deficiencies,” according to Dr. Richard Firshein, a leading expert in integrative and precision-based medicine and founder of the Firshein Center.

DNA was discovered in 1953 by James Watson and Francis Crick, and led to modern molecular biology, which is largely concerned with understanding how genes control the chemical processes within cells.

“In 1990, The Human Genome Project (HGP) was launched to become one of the great feats of exploration in history. Rather than an outward exploration of the planet or the cosmos, the HGP was an inward voyage of discovery led by an international team of researchers looking to sequence and map all of the genes — together known as the genome — of members of our species, Homo sapiens. Completed in April 2003, the HGP gave us the ability, for the first time, to read nature’s complete genetic blueprint for building a human being.” 

Taking advantage of this research, several groups began to start using this data and related clinical studies to further research and develop products for people using DNA testing. This has now culminated in ÜFORIA, a company which has developed a personalized DNA supplementation program based on your DNA.

Joel Guerin, Director of the Practitioner Program at ÜFORIA, has been working with several of these researchers since 2008. ÜFORIA Science was formed just a few years ago to put all these pieces together to develop a sophisticated testing and customized supplement program and is just now ramping up. This program has demonstrated significant results for participants.

The program starts with the testing of your DNA gene variants or SNPs (also called “Dirty Genes” by Dr. Ben Lynch in his superb book by the same name). “SNP” (pronounced “snip”) stands for Single Nucleotide Polymorphism. These gene variants naturally occur in genes, causing changes in their functions. Some SNPs determine characteristics such as hair and eye and skin color. Other SNPs, the ones ÜFORIA tests for, have functionally significant effects on the gene product, and therefore can tell you how well your body performs key functions that can affect your health, wellness, and aging long term. The testing involves those SNPs on “actionable genes” – those most researched and supported by science with over 100 clinical studies.

Actionable genes are genes where there is some “action” you can take if you find one or more SNPs that have potential impact on those genes that affect your optimal health. For instance, if a gene SNP indicates your body doesn’t use a particular nutritional ingredient efficiently, you could increase your intake of that ingredient, take another form of that ingredient, or if that were not practical or effective for any reason, substitute some other ingredient. In the case of all of the genes assessed by ÜFORIA, there is some “action” you can take to compensate for the changes in the biochemical pathway effected by the SNP.

Once you swab and send your samples to the lab, you receive a 47-page report on what it all means. The company then creates a custom supplement blend based upon your SNPs. ÜFORIA starts with a core base of supplements in every formula to which they add other ingredients to help address your own SNPs. For example, if you have one SNP from one parent on a gene, your formula will have an increased amount of certain supplements which support that SNP. If you have two SNPs on the same gene, you receive an even larger dose of these supportive ingredients. The DNA Healthy Aging Report tests for 18 SNPs and is most important for overall health, but ÜFORIA also offers reports for Weight Management, Skin, and Sports & Fitness.

If you sign up for the supplements it’s actually a significant cost-saver for most people now using multiple supplements as they source over 100 organic, wild crafted, non-GMO Ayurvedic and Chinese herbs, vitamins, mineral,  superfoods and other nutraceuticals and assemble them using a state-of-the-art production machine (see video). Combining all of these nutritional components in the right concentrations, quantities, and combinations into your diet would be overwhelming and very expensive (with all the possible variations there are over 400 million combinations). One of the key ingredients they use in all formulas is AC-11, an extract of Cat’s Claw, which has been demonstrated in studies to help repair DNA strands and sustain cell telomere length to aid in anti-aging. These telomeres naturally get shorter as we age and their importance has been well established. Telomeres are the tip of the DNA, kind of like the plastic tip on the end of a shoelace holding it together. Think of the DNA strand as a ladder. Every time a cell replicates that ladder loses a rung and this rung is part of the telomere. Eventually you run out of rungs and the cell can’t replicate so it dies. It would also appear that there is a link between telomere length and stem cells.

• AC-11 effectively removes lesions from damaged DNA caused by oxidative and non-oxidative stress
• AC-11 promotes DNA repair functions within the cell
• AC-11 also stimulates collagen III production, the form of collagen associated with soft, supple skin
• As we age, we lose collagen rapidly. By age 30, our collagen production has already decreased by almost 50%.
• Laboratory studies show significant, measurable increased in collagen III production in adult skin cells treated with AC-11
• AC-11 also normalized the expression of NF-KB in the cells, thereby regulating cellular response to inflammation (an over-expression of NF-KB heightens inflammation.
• AC-11 has a positive effect on Lymphocytes, increasing their life span and enhancing the body’s immune system.

Here are some studies demonstrating the above claims.

As the saying goes, “Genes load the gun, environment pulls the trigger.” This is the essence of epigenetics. Scientists now estimate we have about 20,000 genes.

I found out from my DNA test reports that I have a variation on my key MTHFR gene. Turns out I’m one bad MTHFR!

MTHFR genes affect methylation, which is the ability of your body to methylate. It is key to at least 250 biochemical functions in the body including detoxification. It is estimated that up to 50% of the population has some variant that affects methylation and researchers suspect there are at least 30 different types. The two I was tested for, C677T and A1298C, are the most well-studied and tested MTHFR mutations.

As I have a variant from both my parents on the C677T gene, the research indicates I have as much as 70% reduction in my methylation! This can cause folate deficiencies and dangerous increases in homocysteine, which can lead to heart disease, among others. Homocysteine overload is also known as the silent heart attack killer. Poor methylation can also cause serious hidden B-12 deficiencies if people are not taking the methylated form of B-12 (methylcobalamin), which is not commonly used. People with this condition also need to be concerned with diet. According to clinical studies, supplementation with TMG, choline, and methylfolate can help improve methylation and the effects of poor methylation.

Methylation also plays a large and important role in pregnancy and the odds of healthy conception. Knowing and addressing a methylation issue prior to pregnancy could make a world of difference for prospective parents and their children. Along with cardiovascular diseases, stroke, blood clots, leukemia, colon cancer, nerve pain, and insomnia, MTHFR mutations are also linked to mental health disorders. These include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Essentially, depression can result from the folate deficiency caused by this particular gene mutation.

The Connection Between the MTHFR Gene Mutation, low BH4, and Depression

“There is a complex relationship between MTHFR genes and depression. One of the primary problems is that a MTHFR mutation can cause folate deficiency, which can cause low BH4, a cofactor that produces enzymes vital to healthy functioning neurotransmitters. The low BH4 can lead to low serotonin and dopamine levels. BH4 is needed to support the conversion of tryptophan into serotonin, so when BH4 levels are decreased, the folate cycle is negatively impacted, which can cause depression due to the low serotonin and abnormal dopamine levels.”

From an early age, I have always been plagued by depression. I lost my father when I was less than a year old in a tragic accident and my mother had to sacrifice her promising acting career to take care of me. While I always felt I was no different from others and was greatly inspired by my mother’s amazing strength and spirit – the fact was that I never fit in and always felt alone growing up. It wasn’t until much later in life when I began to invest in my own health and wellbeing that I was able to come to find some peace with myself in this world. But now I know that much of that feeling was due to an unknown condition that I could not have known about – until now with the power of genetic testing.

Folate deficiency is a real condition that has been directly tied to depression through clinical studies. The good news is that it can be mitigated with proper supplementation and diet. If you have issues with eating too much protein at a meal, the rising homocysteine from this condition due to poor methylation could be giving you a case of the “meat sweats” – and cause your heartbeat to rise rapidly.

The other variants I have from both my parents is on the PON1 gene, which affects LDL, the “so-called” bad cholesterol. In my opinion, having high LDL levels aren’t actually that harmful on their own, but LDL can oxidize and when it does, it can damage blood vessels and cause the health conditions that are associated with high cholesterol issues. Because I have this variant from both parents (a homozygous mutation), I’m at a much higher risk for LDL oxidation and its effects. As it turns out, having double SNPs on both the MTHFR and PON1 genes is a bad combination as they both affect methylation – compounding those issues. The PON1 gene can be supported by supplementation with mushroom extracts and Vitamin E, among others.

My conclusion from my DNA wellness journey is that it’s like I’ve just found out I’ve been fighting an invisible silent enemy all my life on an uphill climb against the wind. Against myself. I have also had a recent bout of a mysterious illness – which I have largely resolved, thanks in part to this information and supplementation. And now I feel armed with the knowledge and determination to make myself better.

Because I have studied and have practiced natural wellness for many years, I have assumed I was in optimal health – but I was not aware of my genetic weaknesses and how these can lead to disease conditions that often only show symptoms in advanced stages. I only wish I had known this years ago! 

I do have other single variants from one parent such as the VDR SNP, which affects critical Vitamin D absorption, which can also contribute to depression and lower lung infections (both of which I’ve had problems with) – and the CYP1A2 SNP which makes caffeine much more difficult to metabolize (which now makes sense from when I was a coffee addict). I am continuing research on these. But in the meantime, at least I know that by taking my personalized custom Utrition supplement blend each day, I will be addressing these – and I have already felt the difference. Just knowing that I’m on the right track has also given me a huge feeling of peace of mind – which is also essential for healing and well-being.

One of the best reasons to get your testing and supplementation through ÜFORIA is that you are addressing all of your genetic weaknesses at once with your Utrition. Many of my practitioner friends who have also gotten involved with ÜFORIA are very happy with their own results and have already begun to use this to help their clients. There have been many amazing health success testimonials using Utrition and I can provide some of these to you.

If you are interested in learning about your DNA through this testing, I can order your test kit and you can have your report and your customized Utrition supplement blend within 30 days. There are other DNA testing companies out there, but none that customize a formula just for you. This company also anonymizes your information which is assessed at a CLIA and CAP compliant laboratory. There are no human identifiers, only a bar code number. Your tests are held in strictest confidence, in a program that is HIPAA-compliant (the federal regulations governing the confidentiality of all medical information) and provided only to you. The only way anyone else would get your genetic information from these DNA reports is if you share your results. Privacy is a big concern these days and ÜFORIA takes care to ensure it. Please reach out to me and I will answer all your questions or get back to you right away.

I have always said that “It’s never too late to have a happy childhood”. Now, I would add that, “It’s never too late to really know yourself – and to make yourself better!”. The best days of the rest of your days are just waiting for you to embrace them. May they be long and many – and as my mother Joy always says, “Be healthy, happy, and out of harm’s way”!  

DISCLAIMER: I am an Independent Utritionist with Üforia Science. The information provided herein should not be considered as a substitute for the advice of a medical doctor or other healthcare professional. Any products shared in this advertisement have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nor by Health Canada. This product is not intended to diagnose treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary. If you are under medical supervision for any allergy, disease, taking prescription medications, or you are breastfeeding contact your medical provider before adding any new supplements to your daily regimen.