Nutrigenomics Testing in Connecticut

It is no secret that everybody’s genes are different. What you may not fully realize, though, is that your genetic makeup can affect virtually every aspect of your health and wellbeing, including how your body processes certain nutrients and what types of medical treatments may work or not work on you.

Identifying your genetic strengths and vulnerabilities can go a long way in constructing an optimal dietary and exercise plan to maximize your personal health and wellness. If you would like to know more about your genetic predispositions, nutrigenomics testing in Connecticut may be worth considering.

How do Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Affect Your Genome?

Human DNA is strung together by molecules called nucleotides, each of which is made from a combination of phosphates, sugar compounds, and one of four nucleobase molecules: adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), or thymine (T). The unique ways in which these nucleotides are strung together are what makes a human being vulnerable to certain diseases and conditions.

The most common type of genomic variation between humans stems from nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which occur when one nucleotide within a particular DNA strand is substituted with another (i.e. a C nucleobase molecule may be substituted for a T nucleobase molecule). According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, every person’s genome can have anywhere from four to five million SNPs in total, each of which represents a genetic divergence in how their body functions compared to someone else’s.

While many SNPs do not have any noteworthy effects on a person’s health or wellbeing, some are correlated with increased or decreased risks of developing certain diseases. SNPs can also predict how a person’s body will react to certain medication and even what types of food and exercise are best for them. Through nutrigenomics testing, Connecticut patients could learn more about how their health is being impacted by the unique combinations of SNPs in their genome.

What Can Nutrigenomics Testing Help With?

There are a variety of conditions and medical issues that nutrigenomics testing at out clinic could help identify. For instance, a generalized wellness panel could highlight genetic markers associated with dopamine or serotonin deficiency, chronic fatigue, mood disorders, and immune disorders, as well as nutritional strategies that may work for a particular person.

However, more focused panels can address specific issues, including those which are unique to both men and women (i.e. decreasing testosterone levels and infertility risks, respectively). SNPs may also be associated with the development of conditions like chronic pain, various neurological disorders, developmental issues, and even Type II diabetes.

Dr. Edward Jacobson could help you understand how nutrigenomics testing can give you a comprehensive portrait of your personal wellness. Once the test results come back, he could then go over their implications in detail and help structure a comprehensive plan for maximizing your health and fitness.

Ask a Connecticut Doctor about Nutrigenomics Testing

Maintaining proper nutrition can be difficult even under the best circumstances, but sometimes your own body refuses to cooperate when you try to make positive changes to your diet and wellness. If you are struggling with chronic health problems or symptoms that seem resistant to other forms of treatment, it may be worth exploring whether your genetic makeup is the root cause.

Nutrigenomics testing in Connecticut can identify the genetic markers that uniquely impact your body, so you can figure out exactly what you need to do to get healthier and stay that way. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call our Greenwich office today and speak with Dr. Jacobson.