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New Patient-Friendly Genetic Testing

Patient Friendly Genetic Testing | Kasia Kines

Dr. Kasia Kines, Nutritionist, CEO and founder of EBV Educational Institute

Virtual clinic serving the US and globally

[email protected]

We finally have a brand new genetic testing website. I have used Nutrametrix Gene SNP for several years and love it.  The cost of the test is $495 and it comes with 48 gene SNPs and great educational support for patients.

What are single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)?

Single nucleotide polymorphisms, frequently called SNPs (pronounced “snips”), are the most common type of genetic variations in human population. Each SNP represents a difference in a single DNA building block, called a nucleotide.

SNPs occur normally throughout a person’s DNA. They occur once in every 300 nucleotides on average, which means there are roughly 10 million SNPs in the human genome. Most SNPs have no effect on health or development. Some of these genetic differences, however, have proven to be very important in the study of human health. Researchers have found SNPs that may help predict an individual’s response to certain drugs, susceptibility to environmental factors such as toxins, and risk of developing particular diseases. SNPs can also be used to track the inheritance of disease genes within families. Future studies will work to identify SNPs associated with complex diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. While SNPs cannot tell you that you will develop a particular disease, depending which enzymatic processes they disrupt, they may lead to various health related risks.

Here is one example of a Gene SNP that does NOT affect your health: have you noticed that some people absolutely detest cilantro? They do because to them it tastes like soap. They lack an enzyme – they have a Gene SNP for it. And that is why cilantro really tastes so different to them.

Here is an example of a health-related gene SNP: VDR for vitamin D receptor. Individuals with the VDR SNP may require higher doses of Vitamin D supplementations than the rest of the population to maintain needed functions. The VDR gene encodes the vitamin D receptor, and variants have been reported to influence bone mineral density (and thus risk of fractures or osteoporosis), vitamin D-dependent rickets type II, and hyperparathyroidism, among other disorders.

Why are we telling you this…

Most recently, Nutrametrix hired a different lab and now we finally we have a website for patients that explains a little bit more what this test does. I am really excited about it because it is a relatively new field that is here to stay. I find it relevant and practical for patients, especially when they fail to improve or lack motivation… Also, while we may have some genetic changes,  they may be amended with the proper nutrients. YES! Nutrients! Dr. Ornish proved years ago in a study that just 3 months of targeted dietary and lifestyle changes were able to improve expressions affected genes. Here is a good write-up about it.

Interestingly, this semester, one of my classes is actually Nutrigenomic, exactly about gene SNPs and their relevance in clinical practice. See??? This is a cutting edge doctoral program in functional nutrition!!!

Eat Well. Look Great. Feel Spectacular. Naturally!

Kasia Kines

Dr. Kasia Kines, Nutritionist, CEO and founder of EBV Educational Institute

Virtual clinic serving the US and globally

[email protected]

5 Comments

  1. Posted on May 25, 2016 at 10:37 AM by Cheryl

    Hi Kasia,
    Does the Nutrametrix testing include a writeup with the results? In patient-friendly language? Do you know what 48 SNPs they test for?
    Thanks

  2. Posted on May 25, 2016 at 11:37 AM by Kasia Kines

    There are some SNPs for a few vitamins/nutrients, for obesity related issues etc. The thing is that one SNP can have multiple applications, so while it looks like you are looking at 48 implications, you can actually multiply it. The patient resources match SNPs with Nmx supplements, but i still spend a few hours on each case to dig a little deeper because of what is behind each SNP. There is also material that is provided for clinicians by the Nmx clinical department to refer to, to make it a little easier. it is still a new field relatively speaking in terms of being user-friendly BOTH for patients and clinicians. But this one offers much more support than any other platform for SNPs i have seen. I hope it answers your questions.

  3. Posted on May 25, 2016 at 11:37 AM by Kasia Kines

    Also check their website because they list some if not all SNPs, if i remember: http://www.genesnp.com

  4. Posted on May 25, 2016 at 10:24 PM by Chrissy Cottrill

    Hey Kasia, you did this Gene SnP test in me couple years ago. I haven’t looked at my results pages in awhile. Genes don’t change so everything in my results would still be accurate right? I’m being tested for mold Lyme and coinfections but could my results still help me with the direction it gave of nutrition supps etc.? Thanks for newsletter and reminders. Always enjoy reading this. Tell dr. Janene Martin hi from Tim and I. – Chrissy

  5. Posted on May 26, 2016 at 6:56 PM by Kasia Kines

    Dear Chrissy,
    Dr J has her birthday tomorrow, BTW!!! I will say hello from you. This is a different lab – they switched, so most SNPs are different. Yes, you SNPs will always be the same, just like the color of your eyes, i suppose! yes, supplements can compensate for issues related to some of the SNPs like inflammation or folate metabolism!!! Great to hear from you my dear. Say hello to Tom!

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If you want to transform your life, if you want health and wellness, if you want peace of mind, there isn’t a better investment than working with Kasia.~ Beth