Candida Biology, Pathogenesis, and Genetic Susceptibility
Learn why genetic variants in IL‑17, TLRs, dectin‑1, MBL, FUT2, and STAT1 can make some people much more susceptible to chronic or severe Candida infections.
Infectious Disease & Immune Response
These articles focus on how your genes influence your body’s ability to fight off infections, respond to vaccines, and manage viral exposures.
Genetics of Mannose-Binding Lectin (MBL) Deficiency
Mannose-binding lectin, also known as mannose-binding protein, is involved in the body’s innate defense against infections. Find out how genetic variants in this system increase your susceptibility to specific pathogens.
Epstein-Barr Virus: Genetic Risks, Reactivation, and Chronic Illnesses
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) impacts lifelong health, links to autoimmune diseases, genetic risk factors, and practical steps to reduce reactivation.
FUT2: Check to See if You Are a Secretor or Non-Secretor
A genetic variant in the FUT2 gene controls whether or not you secrete your blood type into your saliva and other bodily fluids, such as your intestinal mucosa. This can alter the gut microbiome – but protect against Norovirus infections.
Flu Season: Genetics and Your Immune Response
Are you more genetically susceptible to the flu? Learn how your genes play a role and discover research-backed natural options to beat the flu.
Long Covid: Genetics Research, Root Causes, and Possible Solutions
Long Covid is the persistence of symptoms after having COVID-19. Learn more about the underlying causes and treatments backed by the newest research.
Avoiding Getting Sick: Research-backed Ways to Prevent Covid, Colds, and Flu
Explore the research-backed strategies for preventing or managing respiratory illnesses. Don’t let a cold get you down this year.
Chronic Lyme: Genetic Susceptibility
The interesting thing about Lyme disease is that the genetic variants you carry impact both how the disease affects you and how well antibiotics work for you. Learn whether your genetic variants are linked to post-treatment Lyme disease symptoms such as joint pain. (Member’s article)
Low IgA and Selective IgA Deficiency
Partial IgA deficiency, which affects up to 1% of the population, can have a genetic component and overlaps with some autoimmune diseases.
ITGB3: PlA1/A2 variant and clotting risk
The PlA2 variant of the ITGB3 gene is linked to an increased risk of blood clots including stroke, heart attack, and DVT. But this variant also comes with a positive trade-off with reduced risk of hantavirus infection severity.
Are Cold Sores Genetic? Who Gets Them and Why
While many people carry the HSV virus, only about 30% will get cold sores. Genetics is one reason.
APOBEC3 Family of Genes
The APOBEC3 family of enzymes has a unique way of stopping viruses from replicating. Your genes can affect whether the virus becomes inactive or more virulent.
Spike Protein, Mast Cells, Histamine, and Heart Rhythms
Do you know of someone with unexplained heart palpitations, spiking blood pressure, dizziness, and tinnitus? Discover how research is linking these symptoms to histamine, mast cells, and the spike protein.
CCR5: Mutation that reduces the risk of AIDS or HIV
The CCR5 gene is an important player in the immune response. The CCR5-delta32 variant can reduce susceptibility to certain HIV strains, particularly in people with two copies.
Antibiotics: Genetics and Antibiotic Reactions
Genetics plays a role in the susceptibility to antibiotic allergies. Learn which genetic variants increase your risk.
Genetic Variant Linked to Side Effects from mRNA vaccines
Will you get side effects from mRNA vaccines? A genetic variant in the HLA-A gene might cause an increase in your response to the vaccine.
Are you genetically less likely to get the flu?
Have you ever wondered why some people never seem to get the flu when it is going around? Simply put, some people are just more susceptible to getting the flu than others. Learn more and see if you are more or less susceptible to the flu.
TLR7: Susceptibility to COVID-19
In recent research, mutations in TLR7 (a sensor in our innate immune system) might cause severe Covid-19 in a small minority of healthy people.
How to Check Your Genetic Data for G6PD Deficiency
People who carry the genetic mutations that cause G6PD deficiency are at an increased risk for hemolytic anemia when taking quinine-based medications. This article is intended to be a ‘heads up’ for anyone who is considering using quinine or chloroquine without a doctor’s advice for COVID-19.
Vitamin D, Genes, and Your Immune System
Vitamin D is more than just a ‘vitamin’. It is actually a hormone essential to many processes in your body – including your immune system. Learn how vitamin D helps the immune response to coronavirus, flu, and other respiratory viruses.
9 Genes that Impact the Response to Vaccines
Genetics plays a huge role in how an individual responds to a vaccine. Learn more about vaccines, immunity, and genetic variants that affect the response.
Kawasaki Disease: Inflammatory disease in children due to pathogens
Kawasaki disease is an excessive inflammatory response that some children have due to viral or bacterial illnesses. Several genetic variants are tied to an increased susceptibility to Kawasaki disease.
Chronic Sinus Infections: Genetics, Reasons, Solutions
Genetics plays a role in the likelihood of having chronic sinus problems. This article looks at the genetic reasons driving some people to have chronic sinus infections.
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Genes
ARDS is caused by an overwhelming immune response to a virus, bacteria, or lung injury. Learn more about which of your immune system genes are involved in ARDS.
Circadian Rhythm and Your Immune Response to Viruses
Your circadian rhythm influences your immune response. Learn how this rhythm controls white blood cell production and why melatonin protects against viral and bacterial infections.