Genetics plays a big role in your immune system. For some, increased inflammation is due to genetic variants in the inflammatory-related genes. In most autoimmune diseases, there is a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. Understanding the genetic variants that you carry may help you to find the right solutions for YOU.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Genes
Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an immune system attack on the joints, causing thickening and inflammation of the joint capsule. It is caused by a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers.
Genes the Increase the Risk of Lupus
Lupus is a complex autoimmune disease that can impact several different systems in your body. Learn more about how your genetic variants impacts the "why" for this autoimmune disease.
Mast Cells: MCAS, Genetics, and Solutions
Mast cells are an important part of your innate immune system. They are front line defenders against pathogens and allergens. For some people, mast cells can be triggered too easily, giving allergy-like responses to lots of different substances.
Grass Allergies and Genetics
Does spring time leave you with watery eyes and and a runny nose due to grass allergies? It could be due to certain genetic variants that increase the risk of allergies to grasses.
CTLA4: General Genetic Risk Factor for Autoimmune Diseases
The CTLA4 gene codes for a protein that is important in the immune system. It acts as a checkpoint that can downregulate your immune system response. Genetic variants in the CTLA4 gene can increase your risk for several different autoimmune diseases.
Psoriasis: Genetic Variants that Increase the Risk for Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes dry, sometimes itchy patches of skin. It is caused by the immune system attacking your skin cells, speeding up the turnover of the cells. Genetics plays a role in your susceptibility
Getting to the root cause of POTS
Do you feel lightheaded when you stand? Does your heart suddenly race? POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) is a problem with the way that your autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate. POTS causes more than just feeling lightheaded when standing — it can also cause fatigue, brain fog, shaking, and more. There are multiple triggers or root causes of this syndrome, and genetic variants can increase your risk for POTS.
HLA-B27: Increased risk of autoimmune diseases
Our immune system does an awesome job (most of the time) of fighting off pathogenic bacteria and viruses. But to fight off these pathogens, the body needs to know that they are the bad guys. This is where the HLA system comes in.
TNF-Alpha: Higher innate levels of this inflammatory cytokine
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.
Histamine Intolerance: Genetic variants linked to decreased histamine clearance
Plagued by histamine related symptoms such as sinus drainage, migraines, heart burn, and hives? Your genetic variants may be adding to your susceptibility to histamine intolerance.
Mast Cell Notes & Research
Mast cell activation can be at the root of many problems. This is a compilation of notes about causes of mast cell degranulation, ways to prevent mast cell degranulation, and the receptors that are involved.
Genetic Variants that Increase the Risk of Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is caused by a combination of environmental factors (eating gluten, other factors) and having the genetic variants that cause susceptibility to the disease. Without the genetic susceptibility, you won’t have celiac.
Genes and Back Pain
The majority of people by middle age have disc degeneration, but not everyone has pain from it. Your genes play a big role in whether you will feel the pain and inflammation in your back. Understanding the genes involved may be a guide for the right treatment.
IL-17 and Autoimmune Disease Risk
The IL17 gene codes for an important part of the immune system. When it is overactive, IL-17 can contribute to the risk of autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Familial Mediterranean Fever
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a genetic condition of inflammatory episodes that cause painful joints, pain in the abdomen, or pain in the chest, and is most often accompanied by a fever. FMF is often misdiagnosed as various pain-related conditions such as fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, or gouty arthritis.
Gingivitis and Your Genes
Have you ever gone to the dentist, expecting a good report, only to be fussed at by the hygienist for bleeding gums? You brushed, flossed, and stayed away from candy for the past six months — so why on earth do you still have inflamed gums?
Emulsifiers, Processed Foods, Inflammation
Emulsifiers, found in a lot of processed and packaged foods, can trigger an inflammatory response in the intestines -- based on whether you carry specific genetic variants.