Your genes interact with your diet and lifestyle to influence your susceptibility to diseases. You can use your genetic data here in a couple of ways:
Where to start in Disease Prevention?
Essential tremor (ET) is a neurological disease causing involuntary shaking in places of the body while performing tasks such as writing or eating. Learn more about this disease and discover the genetic causes of ET.
Do you suffer from dry eyes? Learn about current research-backed solutions and the genetics links that could increase your susceptibility.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a life-altering condition that damages the bile ducts, thus impacting the liver. Learn about the research and heritability of this disabling disease.
Do you know someone that suffers from prostate problems? Learn more about this important gland and how your genes affect your risk.
New research shows that hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR) may be more common, especially in people of African ancestry. Understand your genetic risk before irreversible damage.
Phenylketonuria, also called PKU, is a genetic metabolic disorder that can cause neurological issues if left untreated.
The MSH3 gene helps protect the body from cancers. Learn more about MSH3 and the possible genetic variants that impact cancer risk.
Genetic variants can significantly increase your risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Learn more about the current research on sudden sensorineural hearing loss, including links to viral and vaccine causes.
Heat shock proteins are activated by cells in response to a stressful condition, such as exposure to high heat. Learn more about the essentials of heat shock proteins, including how to activate them and the genetic variants that impact how well they work.
Often referred to as ‘fish odor disease’, trimethylaminuria causes a strong odor in sweat, urine, and breath. This article explores the FMO3 gene, which encodes the enzyme that breaks down trimethylamine.
Being a carrier of a cystic fibrosis mutation increases the risk of several diseases including pneumonia from respiratory viruses, pancreatitis, and male infertility. (Member’s article)
A genetic mutation in the SERPINA1 gene causes alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. This increases a person’s susceptibility to COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and, in some cases, cirrhosis of the liver. Knowing that you carry this mutation can be a great incentive to avoid smoking and to be kind to your liver.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and many forms are highly treatable if caught early. Learn more about the different types of skin cancer, your genetic risks, and lifestyle changes to help reduce risk.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness in the elderly. You will find supplements specifically promoted for preventing AMD. This article explains age-related macular degeneration, delves into the genetic risks, and then explains which supplements are likely to be protective and which may do more harm than good.
Lynch Syndrome increases the risk of certain cancers. The cause relates to inherited mutations in the genes responsible for stopping the replication of cancerous cells. Learn how cancer occurs, risks involved with this particular syndrome, and prevention strategies to implement for risk reduction
Depending on their processed meat intake, people who carry certain genetic variants are at an increased risk for colon cancer. You can check your genetic data to see if processed meat will likely increase colon cancer risk.
The genetic link to gallstones centers around the genes involved in regulating the absorption of cholesterol from plants and the excretion of cholesterol from the body. Learn more about the genetic variants that increase your risk.
A core circadian rhythm gene, BMAL1, influences heart disease risk, diabetes, and cancer. Check your genes and learn how to mitigate the risk.
A list of the common Ashkenazi Jewish mutations that can be determined from 23andMe and AncestryDNA raw genetic data files.
The hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF1A) gene codes for a transcription factor, that responds to the amount of oxygen available to the cell. This is important in cancer prevention, and several HIF1A genetic variants alter the susceptibility to several types of cancer.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant often recommended as a supplement to prevent everything from heart disease to skin aging. But does everyone actually benefit from vitamin E supplements?
The World Health Organization (WHO) categorizes light at night as a probable carcinogen. Learn why dim light at night increases your risk of breast cancer — and what you can do to easily reduce this risk. (Member’s article)
Many genetic variants have been studied for Gulf War Illness. Take a look into the research behind the illness and discover some possible solutions to help with symptoms.
The term “carrier status” when applied to a genetic disease usually means looking at whether or not you are heterozygous (have one copy) for a mutation that causes a Mendelian genetic disease. While genetic information from 23andMe or a similar DNA test is generally accurate, always re-confirm with a clinical test before making a major health decision. Your results on these variants could be a false positive or a false negative. (Member’s article)
Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone disease facing many of us as we age. Genetics plays a big role in susceptibility to osteoporosis. The good news here is that knowing where your genetic susceptibility lies can lead you to targeted, personalized solutions for osteoporosis. (Member’s article)