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Metabolic Health

Metabolic health encompasses good blood glucose regulation, ideal LDL and triglycerides, normal blood pressure, and an average waist circumference.

Where to start for metabolic health:

Looking for information on weight loss? Check out all the articles specific to weight.

Members: Check out the Metabolic Health Topic Summary Report for a quick overview of all your genetic variants related to your metabolic health.

Latest articles about Metabolic Health:

A1c

HbA1c: Heritability of A1C testing

For some people, genetic variants can cause HbA1c levels not to accurately reflect their average blood glucose levels. Find out how your genes impact A1c readings.

Picking the right diet for your genes

Is there an easy way to compare what diet might be best based on your genotype? Research shows some interesting associations between genotype and diet interactions and weight loss.

image of someone testing their blood glucose levels

Genetics and Type 2 Diabetes

Not all type 2 diabetes risk is from what you eat… Genetics plays a big role in diabetes. Learn more about your genetic susceptibility.

Genetic Links to High Uric Acid and Gout

High uric acid levels can cause the pain and inflammation seen in gout. Find out how your genetic variants influence your uric acid levels and gout risk.

LDL Cholesterol: Genetics, personalized solutions

Your genes combine with your diet to influence your LDL cholesterol level. Learn more about why LDL cholesterol levels may matter in heart disease and find out how your genes are important here.

GLP-1: Appetite, Insulin, and Genetics

GLP-1, a small peptide, tells your pancreas to release insulin after a meal and signals to your brain to stop eating. If you are someone who struggles with appetite, weight, or with diabetes, the GLP-1 hormone may be at the heart of your issues.

FTO is more than just an obesity gene

FTO and m6A methylation: From COVID to Cancer to Obesity

The initial research on the FTO gene was all about how it relates to increased BMI and increased fat cell creation. More recently, researchers discovered that FTO is an m6A eraser that removes methyl groups from mRNA. This discovery has opened up huge avenues of research on topics from cancer to immune response to heart disease.

Decrease your diabetes risk with coffee?

Does coffee increase or decrease your risk of prediabetes? Learn more about coffee consumption and your genetic risk. (Member’s article)

PCOS: Genetics and Root Causes

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder causing an increase in androgen hormone production in women. It also increases the risk of infertility. PCOS affects 5 -10% of premenopausal women, and genetics plays a large role in whether you have PCOS.

adenoviruses

Adenoviruses Causing Weight Gain

There have been several interesting studies linking obesity to a viral infection, specifically an adenovirus. Learn more about this virus and its association with obesity.

Diabetes: Genetic Risk Report

We often talk about diabetes as though it is one disease, but diabetes can have several different causes or pathways that are impacting glucose regulation. Tailoring your diabetes prevention (or reversal) efforts to fit your genetic susceptibility may be more effective. Use your genetic raw data to learn more about diabetes and your genetic risk.

SCD1: A lynchpin of metabolism

The SCD1 enzyme converts saturated fatty acids to unsaturated fats. Learn how your genes impact this enzyme, and how this relates to weight loss.

Ghrelin: The hunger hormone

The hunger hormone, ghrelin, is important in appetite regulation and satiety. Learn how your genes interact with your diet when it comes to ghrelin levels. (Member’s article)

Carbohydrate metabolism: Genetics, Insulin, and Carbs

Genetic variations play a role in how people react to carbohydrates in the diet. Learn about a few genes that affect insulin or glucose levels based on carbohydrate consumption. Use your genetic raw data and discover how your body handles carbohydrates.

Triglycerides: Genes that cause high triglyceride levels

High triglycerides are linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Both genetics and diet combine to elevate triglyceride levels. Learn how your genes interact with what you eat to lower your triglycerides.

A Sweet Tooth Without Weight Gain: FGF21 Gene

The FGF21 gene codes for a hormone that is created in the liver and is important for appetite regulation. One variant is linked to increasing carbohydrate consumption – but without an increase in weight gain or diabetes. (Member’s article)

SCADD

Short-chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency

If you have tried fasting or perhaps a ketogenic diet and felt horrible, there could be a genetic reason. You might carry a genetic mutation that causes SCADD (short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency).

High blood pressure due to AGTR1 gene variants

There are several causes of high blood pressure. Genetic variants in the AGTR1 gene are strongly linked with blood pressure and there are specific lifestyle changes that should work to change your blood pressure if you carry the variants.

Glucose Response: Caffeine + Sugar + Genes

Consuming caffeine along with carbohydrates changes glucose response for people with certain genetic variants and yet it doesn’t change blood glucose levels for those without the variants. Find out more about your response. (Member’s article)

Saturated Fat and Your Genes (ACE gene)

There has been a decades-long debate about which type of fat is best: saturated fat vs polyunsaturated fat. It may depend on your genes as to which answer is right for you. Learn more about this debate and find out how your genes play a part.