Here at Living Wellness Medical Center, we offer a genetic panel called the Kashi genetic test. But first, let’s start with the basics…
What are genes?
Genes are pieces of DNA that we inherit from each of our parents. Our genes are the blueprint of who we are and help us make important proteins to carry out important bodily functions. Genes have SNPs, or single nucleotide polymorphisms, which is a variation in the gene structure. Some SNPs are “normal” and some can affect function by either increasing or decreasing risk for a certain condition or disease. We used to think that once we had a “bad” genetic mutation, or a “bad gene”, there was nothing we could do about it. However, the concept of epigenetics tells us otherwise! Epigenetics is the change in gene expression or activity as a result of lifestyle factors – aka we can turn genes on or off just with our lifestyle (diet, exercise, stress, etc.). So, we actually have more control over things than we thought! With that being said, just because someone has a “bad gene” doesn’t mean they will get the disease they’re at risk for if they have a healthy lifestyle – for example, someone who is at risk for type 2 diabetes, might never have diabetes because they eat healthy, exercise and manage their stress. Conversely, just because someone has a “good gene” doesn’t mean they won’t get a disease – for example, someone who is not at risk for type 2 diabetes but has an unhealthy lifestyle, like eating fast food daily and not exercising, can still develop type 2 diabetes.
What does the Kashi test do?
So what do we do with all of this information? Genetics is very complex, but the Kashi test allows us to simplify genetics and make it clinically relevant to your care. Now what do we do with these results? We break down our action items into 3 main categories: lifestyle modifications, screening tests/imaging, and supplementation. We personalize your treatment plan based on your genetic results and your current lifestyle, screenings, and labs. So, what lifestyle modifications can we make to decrease your risk? What screening tests or imaging can we add into your lab order (i.e., vitamin D or a DEXA bone density scan)? And, if necessary, what supplements do we need to add in?
Here is a sample report of the Kashi genetic test:
It divides a bunch of genes into 5 main categories – weight, heart, vitamin, graceful aging, and methylation. The far left column is the gene name, followed by the allele result in the second column (alleles tell us what variation of the gene you have) and then what risk level the gene is associated with (columns 3-5).
The weight section tells us about how someone regulates their appetite, cravings, and fat and carbohydrate utilization. Here are a few examples of action items we can take:
- Home in on diet and exercise: increase fiber and/or protein intake, increase cardiovascular and strength training
- Screening: hemoglobin A1c, fasting insulin, cholesterol panel, advanced cholesterol markers (NMR, oxidized LDL, etc.), cardiovascular inflammation markers (hsCPR, homocysteine, LpPLA2, ADMA, etc.), specialty testing (i.e., gut testing), body composition scan
The heart section gives us a good idea of risk for plaque formation in the vessels, likelihood of poor nitric oxide production which can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure), elevated cardiovascular inflammation markers, fat and cholesterol transport, and (need be) if someone is a good candidate for a statin (a medication for high cholesterol).
- Diet and exercise: reduce processed foods, increase fiber, stop eating 1-3 hours before bed, etc.
- Screening: cholesterol panel, advanced cholesterol markers (NMR, oxidized LDL, etc.), cardiovascular inflammation markers (hsCPR, homocysteine, LpPLA2, ADMA, etc.), coronary artery calcium score
- Review previous lab results to tailor your treatment
The vitamin section tells us if you are at risk for certain vitamin deficiencies and any conditions or diseases associated with those deficiencies.
- Labs, labs, labs!! This section is a big one for us to make sure we’re testing some of the items that you might be deficient for, especially vitamin D
- From labs, we can tailor your treatment plan and supplement dose based on your results
The graceful aging section gives us good information on risk of low bone mineral density, drug and hormone metabolism, and plaque formation in the brain tissue. Please note, that mutations in the ApoE gene are correlated with elevated risk of early onset Alzheimer’s disease (early onset = before 65) – if you do not want to know your risk, then this test is not for you.
- Diet & exercise: always our starting place!
- Screening: cholesterol panel, advanced cholesterol panel, inflammation factors, coronary artery calcium score
And finally, we have methylation. Methylation is a natural process in our body where there is an addition of a “methyl group” (1 carbon and 3 hydrogens). Methylation plays many roles in the body and can help to activate or inactivate certain molecules or pathways. This panel, in part, measures how well someone is methylating their B vitamins. This is a complex biochemical process that results in byproduct which, if they build up or are not used up efficiently, can be inflammatory in the body.
- Labs: can test for B vitamins and/or the byproduct inflammation markers, like homocysteine
- Supplements: methylated B vitamins!
The test itself is super simple to complete and done in office in a matter of 5 minutes. You are given 3 swabs to brush on the inside of your cheeks. We package up the swabs, ship them out a wait for the results! Once the results are in, you can go over them with your doctor to take a peak under the hood and personalize your treatment plan to your genetics!