Diabetes is usually blamed on eating the wrong foods, but your genes play a big role in your susceptibility to the disease. The TCF7L2 (transcription factor 7-like 2) gene codes for a protein that activates many genes involved in type 2 diabetes,  including glucagon-like peptide…

Autoimmune diseases are caused by your immune system targeting and attacking cells in your body. This can result in a number of different problems:  joint pain (rheumatoid arthritis), scaly, thick skin (psoriasis), hypothyroidism (Hashimoto’s), and more. It is often difficult to get a solid…

Did you know that some supplements change the expression of your core circadian clock genes? Your core circadian rhythm genes are foundational to your health, and some supplements alter that rhythm. I find the idea of using natural supplements to alter your circadian gene…

Statins are used by tens of millions of people worldwide for lowering cholesterol levels.[ref] They nearly always top the list of most prescribed medications in the US, with Lipitor as the most prescribed drug as of July 2019. [article] One side effect of statins…

When you think about things that you can’t live without, your iPhone or the internet may top the list :-) But really, oxygen tops all of our ‘can’t live without it’ lists.  A minute without it will remind you of just how important it…

Nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) are two supplements that have taken the longevity and anti-aging world by storm. With animal studies showing exciting results including reversal of age-related diseases, these supplements are an exciting glimpse into the future of reversing aging. Just…

Your genes code for the enzymes that break down the toxic substances that we all encounter each day. This ability to clear out potential carcinogens is important when it comes to preventing cancer. The NQO1 gene codes for an enzyme that breaks down quinones,…

Friends accuse me of thinking that everything is genetic. Well – there is some truth to that accusation!  To be honest, though, there are a lot of things that have genetic connections that really surprise me. I had always assumed that my cavities were…

I received an email from Promethease a few days ago that I wanted to share with all of you, along with my thoughts on keeping genetic data private. Genetics and Privacy: I’ve found in talking with people about genetics that there are often two…

RoundUp is the most widely used herbicide in the world. It is made by Monsanto, which is now owned by Bayer. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in RoundUp, and it will kill most broadleaf plants and grasses. [ref] Glyphosate works by blocking the shikimate…

Do you feel like you are always dealing with inflammation? Joint pain, food sensitivity, etc? Perhaps you are genetically geared towards a higher inflammatory response. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is an inflammatory cytokine that acts as a signaling molecule in our immune system. In…

Estrogen is usually thought of as the female hormone. While it is true that women produce more estrogen than men, this is a topic that applies to all of us. Estrogen – from how much is made to how it is broken down –…