Snips about SNPs: Taste Receptors-Do you love dark chocolate and coffee? Both of them have bitter flavors that some people can taste – and some people cannot! We have a bunch of different genes that code for different taste receptors. So different genetic variants of those taste receptor...
Wrinkles and Sun Spots-Time marches on, we all get older, and our skin shows the signs of aging. Some people age beautifully with great looking skin; others slather on creams and odd gunk in a futile battle to chase away wrinkles and age spots. Then there is...
Snips about SNPs: High Triglycerides and APOA5-The APOA5 gene codes for a lipoprotein that is important in triglyceride metabolism. A variant in the APOA5 gene is linked to higher triglyceride levels and also an increased risk of heart disease. [ref] Check your genetic data for rs662799 (23andMe v4, v5; AncestryDNA): A/A: normal...
Klotho Gene: Anti-aging superpowers?-I’ve been fascinated by the Klotho gene for a while now, partly because it has a cool name. It is named after one of the Three Fates in Greek mythology who spin the thread of Life. Klotho (or Clotho) was responsible for the thread...
Snips about SNPs: MTHFR-The MTHFR gene codes for the enzyme that converts folate into the form that your body needs in the methylation cycle (methylfolate). There are two main SNPs that have been shown to decrease the efficiency of the MTHFR enzyme. For both of these, it...
Snips about SNPs: Opioid Receptor-Your body’s reaction to opiates, such as oxycodone or hydrocodone, depends on the opioid receptor. Genetic variants in OPRM1 (opioid receptor, mu 1) change your response to opioids. This can mean more pain, which leads to increased dosages… And this can lead to a...
Acne genes-Ever wonder why some teens and adults can do everything ‘right’ – eat great, wash their faces, etc. – and still have acne? While others can eat pizza three times a day, shower once a week — and end up with perfectly clear skin!...
Snips about SNPs: HIV resistance-The CCR5 gene codes for a protein used by your immune system. In order to hijack immune cells, the HIV virus uses CCR5 to sneak inside. A mutation in CCR5 known as Delta 32 causes a change in the protein that makes it non-functional....
Snips about SNPs: ADA gene and sleepiness-Do you wake up every morning feeling groggy? Adenosine building up during the day is one thing that drives us to feel sleepy during the night. Then while you sleep, the adenosine is cleared out, leaving you refreshed and ready to go in the...
Snips about SNPs: Omega-3’s from plants-Omega-3 fatty acids are good for you in several ways, but one big thing we gain from omega 3’s is DHA and EPA for brain health. These two fatty acids are linked to lower heart disease and better brains. The body can convert plant-based...
Glucose Response: Caffeine and Carbs interact with Your Genes-An interesting study in Nature called Genetic Polymorphisms in ADORA2A and CYP1A2 Influence Caffeine’s Effect on Postprandial Glycaemia (open access!) caught my eye today. The study investigated how the genetic variants for caffeine metabolism interact with carbohydrate consumption. Spoiler alert: caffeine along with carbs...
Snips about SNPs: Digesting Carbs-Amylase is the enzyme used in the first step of breaking down carbohydrates for fuel. Not everyone produces the same amount of amylase. Some people are champs at breaking down carbs. Other people may need to take it a little bit easier on the...
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Not medical advice:
Everthing presented on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. Read the research, decide for yourself, talk with your doctor.
Also keep in mind that 23andMe and AncestryDNA state that their raw data files are for informational purposes.
Snips about SNPs: Taste Receptors - Do you love dark chocolate and coffee? Both of them have bitter flavors that some people can taste – and some people cannot! We have a bunch of different genes that code for different taste receptors. So different genetic variants of those taste receptor...
Wrinkles and Sun Spots - Time marches on, we all get older, and our skin shows the signs of aging. Some people age beautifully with great looking skin; others slather on creams and odd gunk in a futile battle to chase away wrinkles and age spots. Then there is...
Snips about SNPs: High Triglycerides and APOA5 - The APOA5 gene codes for a lipoprotein that is important in triglyceride metabolism. A variant in the APOA5 gene is linked to higher triglyceride levels and also an increased risk of heart disease. [ref] Check your genetic data for rs662799 (23andMe v4, v5; AncestryDNA): A/A: normal...
Klotho Gene: Anti-aging superpowers? - I’ve been fascinated by the Klotho gene for a while now, partly because it has a cool name. It is named after one of the Three Fates in Greek mythology who spin the thread of Life. Klotho (or Clotho) was responsible for the thread...
Snips about SNPs: MTHFR - The MTHFR gene codes for the enzyme that converts folate into the form that your body needs in the methylation cycle (methylfolate). There are two main SNPs that have been shown to decrease the efficiency of the MTHFR enzyme. For both of these, it...
Snips about SNPs: Opioid Receptor - Your body’s reaction to opiates, such as oxycodone or hydrocodone, depends on the opioid receptor. Genetic variants in OPRM1 (opioid receptor, mu 1) change your response to opioids. This can mean more pain, which leads to increased dosages… And this can lead to a...
Acne genes - Ever wonder why some teens and adults can do everything ‘right’ – eat great, wash their faces, etc. – and still have acne? While others can eat pizza three times a day, shower once a week — and end up with perfectly clear skin!...
Snips about SNPs: HIV resistance - The CCR5 gene codes for a protein used by your immune system. In order to hijack immune cells, the HIV virus uses CCR5 to sneak inside. A mutation in CCR5 known as Delta 32 causes a change in the protein that makes it non-functional....
Snips about SNPs: ADA gene and sleepiness - Do you wake up every morning feeling groggy? Adenosine building up during the day is one thing that drives us to feel sleepy during the night. Then while you sleep, the adenosine is cleared out, leaving you refreshed and ready to go in the...
Snips about SNPs: Omega-3’s from plants - Omega-3 fatty acids are good for you in several ways, but one big thing we gain from omega 3’s is DHA and EPA for brain health. These two fatty acids are linked to lower heart disease and better brains. The body can convert plant-based...
Glucose Response: Caffeine and Carbs interact with Your Genes - An interesting study in Nature called Genetic Polymorphisms in ADORA2A and CYP1A2 Influence Caffeine’s Effect on Postprandial Glycaemia (open access!) caught my eye today. The study investigated how the genetic variants for caffeine metabolism interact with carbohydrate consumption. Spoiler alert: caffeine along with carbs...
Snips about SNPs: Digesting Carbs - Amylase is the enzyme used in the first step of breaking down carbohydrates for fuel. Not everyone produces the same amount of amylase. Some people are champs at breaking down carbs. Other people may need to take it a little bit easier on the...