Understanding your personal genetic code can empower you to make smarter, more informed decisions about your health. While environmental factors certainly influence how your genes express themselves, having a clearer picture of your genetic vulnerabilities can help you take proactive steps to maintain wellness and prevent disease.


Why Genetic Testing?

Our genes tell a powerful story about our health predispositions. Genetic testing gives us a window into our body's potential to thrive - or struggle - based on how we live our lives. At the core of naturopathic medicine is the idea that prevention is better than fixing problems after they have developed. By understanding your genetic predispositions, we can identify potential areas of concern before they become health problems. This knowledge allows us to tailor lifestyle, nutritional, and supplement plans to your specific genetic needs.


Examples of how this testing has been helpful for our patients at Saskatoon Naturopathic Medicine include:


Hormone Health: Insight into genetic predispositions to certain hormonal imbalances.

  • Identifying a genetic predisposition to sluggish enzyme activity that is important for your liver's ability to break down estrogen efficiently (GST, CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP1B1). These enzymes can then be supported with dietary add-ons or supplementation to help prevent many conditions associated with estrogen dominance.


Mental Health: Insight into how certain enzymes may be affecting your neurotransmitter levels.

  • Identifying a genetic predisposition to sluggish or overactive enzymes that are needed to either make neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, GABA) or break them down (MAOA, COMT, MTHF). These enzymes can then be supported to help with anxiety, depression, or ADHD.


Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health: Insight into genetic predispositions that affect heart health and metabolism.

  • Identifying your ability to manage inflammation (IL6 for interleukin production, FADS2 for fatty acid production). These enzymes can then be modified to support regulated inflammation.


Brain Health: Insight into genetic predispositions that concern memory.

  • Identifying a genetic predisposition to have lower dopamine and/or choline levels (DRD2 for dopamine and PEMT for choline). These enzymes can then be supported to increase dopamine and choline levels to enhance current cognitive function and maintain brain health with aging.


Undiagnosed Health Conditions

  • This test can be useful when you have undiagnosed health conditions and can provide information to help you understanding why your body is behaving the way it is. 
  • Having information about how well your body detoxifies histamine, detoxifies hormones, and makes antioxidants, as well as your genetic susceptibility to have certain nutrient deficiencies are examples of how genetic testing can shed light on seemingly unexplainable symptoms.


What is LoveMyHealth PRO?

LoveMyHealth PRO is a comprehensive genetic test that examines 125 genetic markers. It provides deep insights into how your genes impact various aspects of your health, and is specifically designed to help you understand the connection between your genetics and your overall wellness.


What is MatchMyMeds: Personalized Medication Insights?

Another benefit of genetic testing is understanding how your body reacts to medications. With the MatchMyMeds test, pharmacogenetic data helps us determine how specific drugs will work for you, including the optimal dosage. This test covers 130 drug compounds and provides crucial information for minimizing adverse drug reactions and increasing therapeutic success. It's a vital tool for optimizing your treatment plan, whether for ongoing health conditions or for more temporary issues that require medication.


The DNA Labs Difference

While there are many types of genetic tests available today, we partner with DNA Labs because of their commitment to quality, precision, and patient data privacy. Their lab is known for its technical excellence and ethical standards. The testing process is simple and non-invasive - just a cheek swab that you can do comfortably at home, which is them sent to the lab for analysis. Once your results are ready, you'll receive a personalized report, which will be reviewed by your naturopathic doctor.


During your LoveMyHealth PRO follow-up consultation with your ND, we will work with you to interpret the results and discuss how they fit into your health history and goals. Together, we will develop a customized action plan to help you reach your full health potential.


A New Approach to Health Optimization

Genetic testing is not about finding problems - it's about finding solutions. It gives you and your ND the knowledge to make more informed decisions about what you put in your body and how you manage your health.


If you're ready to take a closer look at your genetic blueprint and make optimized choices about your health, book a consultation with us. We'll help out you on the path to a healthier now and a healthier future.