Adenoviruses: Causing Weight Gain and Obesity
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.
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:
- Check out how your genes impact your risk for diabetes.
- See whether you’re at a higher genetic risk of NAFLD (fatty liver).
- Find out about your GLP-1 genes and medications.
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:
Insulin Resistance and Genetics: Finding the Root Cause
Genetics combined with diet causes insulin resistance. While dietary sugar can be involved, genetic research points to BCAAs as having a causal role in IR.
Eating Habits: Snacking and Hunger
Our genes influence our eating habits, often in ways we aren’t consciously aware of! If you are struggling with your eating habits, understanding your genetic variants may give insight into why and how to change your eating for the better.
Lipedema: Genes, Root Causes, Possible Solutions
Lipedema is a fairly common cause of excess thigh and leg fat that is bumpy and tender to touch. Genes play a role in lipedema.
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.
Blood glucose levels: how your genes impact blood sugar regulation
Genetics plays a significant role in your blood glucose regulation. Discover your genetic susceptibility to blood sugar problems to help with blood glucose stability.
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.
Targeting the GLP-1 Receptor: Genetics and a New Option for Weight Loss
GLP-1 receptor agonists are used for weight loss by increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin and reducing hunger. However, genetic variants can alter the response in some people.
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.
Fatty Liver: Genes that increase the risk of NAFLD
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can be caused by genetic susceptibility, diet, and lifestyle factors. The good news is that fatty liver disease is reversible.
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 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: Causes, Genetics, and Natural Solutions
Explore the complexities of PCOS, including symptoms, hormonal dysregulation, and the role of genetics. Learn how to target individual pathways.
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.
SIRTfoods diet: Sirtuins and turning on your skinny genes
The SIRTfood diet, made popular by Adele’s recent weight loss, theoretically works by affecting your sirtuin gene expression. Learn about your SIRT genes and your genetic variants.
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.
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.