Doctor's Corner: a new take on genomic analysis - holistic medicine at it's best!

By now most of us are aware that genetic factors play a role in dictating predisposition for a multitude of diseases and syndromes. Although there have been tremendous advances, the study of the interplay between genetic mutation and disease is still in its infancy. It has only been since the late 1970’s that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) came on the scene as a target for disease risk assessment.

Since then the field of genomic analysis has rapidly expanded leading to the discovery and sequencing of genes associated with disease as well as the mapping of the complete human genome in 2003.

So how does this fit into the paradigm of natural medicine? Epigenetics! It’s clear that our environments, starting with the one that we were exposed to in the womb, interact with our genes leading to certain traits as well as disease predispositions – an interaction termed epigenetics.

You can think of your genes as having little ‘on’ and ‘off’ switches that are persuaded to flip one way or another based upon certain environmental factors. One of the most critical environmental factors is the availability of or over abundance of nutrients. What’s truly fascinating is that it now appears that providing the body with specific nutrients and constituents isolated from foods and herbs act to trigger changes in the activity of our genes. Nutrigenomics is the study and application of nutritional therapy to the treatment and prevention of disease.

It’s still uncommon for us to have access to any pertinent genetic information about ourselves.

Mainstream medicine often tests for specific SNPs and gene sequences once a disease has already surfaced – take the BRCA 1 and 2 genes and breast cancer for instance. Not only is genomic analysis rarely used or offered but genetic counseling can be totally cost prohibitive.

Recent breakthroughs in personalized medicine – genomic analysis

The dawn of holistic assessment of gene SNPs is finally upon us with a new, powerful piece of genomic analytics software, OPUS 23, designed by the preeminent naturopathic glycobiologist Dr. Peter D’Adamo. OPUS 23 takes genomic information from a sample collected by the private lab 23andMe and offers a wallet-friendly opportunity to gain crucial information that can be utilized to resolve health concerns and prevent future ones. OPUS 23 allows naturopathic and holistically minded physicians to explore upwards of 400,000 single nucleotide mutations and the genes that house them to assess an individual’s risk of developing disease. This can point to both the underlying causes of current diseases and symptom patterns that may have not been considered previously and offers an ever-expanding menu of natural treatment options.

If you have been suffering with chronic disease, are concerned about inheriting conditions or are simply looking to live a longer, healthier life then nutrigenomic analysis may be the right choice for you!

To learn more: http://generativemedicine.org/portal/465-2/