By Christopher Fuzy, MS, RD, LD 

 

In the past it has been difficult to determine whether a patient’s diet, fast-paced lifestyle (stress), or genetic makeup was contributing to their diseases or prediseases.  

 

By introducing DNA testing to a nutrition program based on lifestyle choices, it is now easy to formulate a whole food-based, mostly-organic nutritional supplement based on your patients’ DNA results and lifestyle factors. 

 

By providing 60 to 90 different whole food ingredients into personalized nutritional supplements, a patient can achieve optimum results by combining what they eat, how they live, and genetic predispositions. 

 

The goal is to teach and counsel doctors as well as patients to incorporate healthy foods and quality nutritional supplements into their lives and clinical practices, and to reduce risks for diseases with successful results. 

 

Many clinical nutritionists agree that the vitamin and mineral content of our food supply has decreased significantly and been replaced with hidden sources of sugar and fat. The average individual would need approximately six to nine high-quality (vine-ripened) fruits and vegetable servings per day for optimum health — which very few individuals achieve.

How it works

 

With a short quick DNA test — a swab inside the mouth of a patient — one may learn the genetic flaws that may lead to poor quality of health and the flaws contributing to risks for aging, disease, and prediseases.

 

A genetics laboratory specializing in genetics for disease prevention and nutritional supplementation (or nutrigenomics) is able to take the DNA for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) which are biochemical markers for health and disease. Each of these SNPs is well researched by many public/private universities and institutions worldwide, and are listed at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), which lists approximately 200,000 gene SNPs and their functions. 

 

The genetic tests could find potential inherited risks that include: Cancer and inflammatory risks, vitamin D absorption, osteoporosis, insulin resistance, pollutants, and pesticides.

 

It can also test for the vitamin D receptor or VDR gene, which accounts for 75 percent of the genetic influence bone density and protein synthesis in tendons and ligaments. People with variations in this one gene tend to have lower bone mineral density and weaker muscle strength. People with lower bone density have increased risks for osteoporosis. 

 

This gene may also influence young adult growth, parathyroid hormone production, normal cell division, and

blood sugar regulation.  

 

Then, using a software program and a metabolic rate analysis with body composition analysis, you can provide individualized clinical meal plans for weight management, anti-aging, sports nutrition, and disease management and prevention. These programs are also based on your patient’s lean mass, metabolic rate, food preferences, and lifestyle without food restrictions.  

 

DNA is the blueprint we inherit from our parents. When people are born, their genetic code or DNA is virtually pristine. Every cell in the body is formed based on DNA, and each cell holds the entire genetic blueprint. 

 

As they grow and age, damaging environmental elements such as the sun constantly bombard their bodies and DNA. This damage can also manifest itself as the cause of various ailments, diseases, and prediseases. 

 

Throughout life, DNA continually reproduces and replaces itself. In optimal conditions, DNA copies itself over and over again, making nearly perfect reproductions. But if DNA is damaged through continual bombardment by excess free radicals, it begins to reproduce poorly and ultimately may stop reproducing at all. 

 

For example: If you copy an original document on a well-maintained machine, it reproduces an excellent copy. But if the machine is poorly maintained, it will begin to produce poor copies. If you continue to make poor copies of copies, the degradation worsens with each copying cycle.

Improving patient compliance  

 

Meal plans and a nutritional program for weight management, anti-aging, sport nutrition, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions are provided to each patient.   

 

Customized nutrition programs and services based on DNA and lifestyle factors are well received by most patients today and market well with many health-conscious individuals. 

 

Patient compliance is substantially increased when you include the patient’s preferences.

 

For example: Number and size of meals, goal weight, and metabolic rate based on lean mass. 

 

Adding DNA testing to your practice can be a win-win situation. Patients who seek effective, nonrestrictive food programs will recognize that this program is less costly and more individualized than commercial weight loss programs. You will find that DNA testing and a healthy diet program can be a positive uplifting experience to your practice’s bottom line.