Optimize Your Health: Learn About Your Genes

Today I want to share with you some important nuggets of information on human genes and what I learned from “Interpreting Your Genetics” and the “Dirty Genes” summits. In one of my blogs last year, I briefly touched on the subject of NutriGenomics and Epigenetic and DNA testing, you can find it on blog posts inside the website.  

First let me cover the basics. 

Human cells consist of the following:

• cell membrane = outer cell skin
• cytoplasm = cell “soup”
• mitochondria = power stations swimming inside the cell, 
• nucleus = large sac holding our 23 pairs of non-identical chromosomes
• chromosomes contain inside double helix DNA strands
• DNA strands made up of genes, approximately 30,000 genes

Genes are the coding producers that instruct every function in our our body in every second of our existence.

To achieve the highest possible state of health, we need all cells in our body to function to their highest functional pattern. We are not talking here about diseases!  We are switching gears from Diagnosis to a Prognosis mind set.

Dr. Jeffrey Bland, PhD known as a Father of Functional Medicine,  guides us into a proactive approach to our health and well-being. 

The approach that is based on four functional patterns, Four Ps:

1. Predictive 
2. Preventive
3. Personalized
4. Participatory

Predictive pattern is gathered via DNA/genetic testing.

You can order raw DNA data at one of the popular consumer labs, like “23and me”, “AncestryDNA” or FamilytreeDNA”. 

It is only done once in a lifetime.

Once you have the results, we can plug them into one of the few trusted websites for extensive interpretations to obtain actionable steps/plans for different approaches to environment, lifestyle and diet. 

The other three Ps come to play: preventive, personalized and participatory actions.

Here you definitely need a knowledgeable coach to guide you through the maze of SNPs.

SNP= single nucleotide polymorphism, or gene variation/spelling.

While we have around 20 thousand genes, we have over 10 million known gene variations up to date, and one person can have over one million of SNPs. The raw DNA tests can provide info on ~ 40 thousand of SNPs, that are known to potentially alter our genetic function. They are called actionable SNPs. 

And here come the science of Epigenetic - the study of gene regulation via environment: nutrition, sleep, stress, toxic exposure. Please understand, it is not about changing the DNA, but switching its “dirty genes” off or clean them up.  

This term  “dirty genes” is used by Dr. Ben Lynch in the same title book, where he explores the most researched “laundry” list of 7 genes and their many variations on our health. He offers natural solutions that can ultimately allow us to rewrite the unwanted genetic destiny.

As I  mentioned, NutriGenomics and EpiGenetics are new and fast growing sciences with tons of new information coming everyday.  As I keep learning, I will share with you all of the new findings. 

I will be glad to work with you on your actionable steps based on the findings of your gene variations in the DNA test, if you decide to take one. 

The steps that help you to create the most beneficial environment for your health with 

1. proper food intake - will call it diet (even though I prefer healthy food choices)
2. sleep 
3. exercise  
4. personalized supplements 
5. stress reduction programs
6. elimination of toxic exposure

Reflexology For Headaches

I rarely have headaches. That is my genetic luck and may I say so, my lifestyle choices.

The last two headaches I had were so terrible and memorable, they are worth sharing with you.

On August 2, 2014 my beloved cat Dr. Chipper passed on after being with us for almost 20 years. He took his last breath  while I was away from home for 40 minutes. The previous two weeks I  nursed him with  IV, wrapped him in far infrared blanket and enticed him to recover with  gentle whispers in his ears. I hardly left the house. He slipped away in Nicholas' presence, not giving me a chance to say my last “good byes”. I was totally devastated.

The left side of my head was throbbing with persistent cadence for 48 hours since I learned the news. It became so unbearable that my doctor friend  advised me to go the Emergency Room. Four hours and head MRI later, the nurse suggested that I take Extra Strength Tylenol.  Apparently, I was deficient ;) in it.  Headache was gone, the grief for Dr. Chipper is still with me, although I used my powerful Peppermint essential oil and self -help Reflexology.

The second memorable headache hit me this February, the 9th - first serious snow storm this year.  All day I had relentless pounding on the back of my head. This time I was not Tylenol deficient, I tried two pills - no relief. What helped me is a Reflexology session by my husband's  loving hands and a cold compress on the back of my head.

Here is how Nicholas worked on my feet:

With his thumbs he rubbed and probed and caressed the fleshy parts of my big toes. Starting with my right foot, then the left, then both big toes simultaneously, then each and every toe pad - all ten of them. No cream, just intuitive pushing, pulling, rolling, thumb walking - 15 minutes the most. He helped me to get to some senses. I touched the back of my less throbbing  head - it was warmer on a right side. I put the ice pack on it. Dr. Dexter planted his warm body by my belly and we went to a deep sleep. I woke up in 3 hours to my normal chirpy self.

The takeaway:

If the headache hits you, start with essential oils, Peppermint is best in my clinical opinion. Find the pair of loving hands, if I am not near you, let them work your toes and your fingers for this matter. Ask me the next time and I will demonstrate these techniques. They are easy to learn and perform,  I promise.

Why I Recommend Modifilan

Modifilan is a concentrated extract from the richest type of Brown Seaweed – Laminaria. This unique nutritional product brings up high volume of all-important organic elements found in seaweed. Patented technology of extraction takes off heavy outer fiber of Laminaria leaf, enhances minerals, vitamins and polysaccharides for easier digestion and better results. FORTY pounds of raw seaweed are needed for production of only ONE pound of Modifilan - highly potent, fully bioavailable, concentrated natural source of:

-           ORGANIC IODINE

-           POLYSACCHARIDES

 -           FUCOIDAN

 -           FUCOXANTHIN

-           72 MINERALS AND VITAMINS

Iodine feeds the Thyroid gland, which controls metabolism. 

Alginate is a natural absorbent. Its molecule passes via the digestive tract and binds withtoxic metals that are often secreted there through the bile. Then, since our bodies cannot absorb Alginate (particularly when it is complexed with the heavy metals) it passes through and is excreted, taking the heavy metals with it. 

Fucoidan promotes apoptosis (self-destruction of cancer cells) and it helps to naturally eliminate harmful cells.

I have been taking Modifilan for many years, since I found high load of heavy metals in my tissues through Tissue Mineral Analysis. Check out my previous  blog on it. I offer this test to my clients via ARL services - fairly inexpensive and quick way to see what you carry in your tissues. Also I  recommend MODIFILAN to everyone as a prophylactic nutritional supplement. It is the best recipe of Nature for a very healthy food. 

In simple words, MODIFILAN is just a concentrated dried juice of kelp – easy to digest, rich with ALL naturally occurring minerals and vitamins of raw seaweed.

Modifilan is available for purchase at $24 per 90-count bottle or a box of 12 bottles at $20.67 per bottle, totaled to $248. You can order it from my Shop page, or ask me directly at your next appointment.

When you learn, teach

Many of you know we were away for two weeks in Tucson Arizona at The Creative Health Solutions Clinic run by anti-aging health coach and Jing Master, Truth Calkins. Renowned health and wellness expert on the West Coast due to his successful practice while working at Erewhon Natural Foods Market, where he ran the Tonic Bar.

Truth's approach to health is rooted in four principles:

• Healthy Diet
• Supplements + Herbs
• Exercises
• Electromagnetic Medicine

After this amazing first-hand experience, I am now a believer in his approach, which is comprehensive, common sense but more cutting edge, than anything I was aware of. Truth (it is his real name) will be revealing his teachings online by the end of this year. You'll be the first to know and I have his permission to share with you what I learned and experienced so far. I'm in the process of writing a series of blog posts around the critical components of the four  principles.

Meanwhile here are my personal stats after two weeks on Truth's protocol:

• lost 10.5 lb
• completely off coffee - goodbye my "BulletProof" Buttered One
• completely off salt and sugar - means no dark chocolate or fresh fruit/berries for me for now, no himalayan salt ether
• rosacea from my cheeks and chin - disappeared for good
•  deep sleep without regular Melatonin or occasional Glycine - new norm
• off my daily thyroid meds - was long desire of mine - so far, so good. I do not recommend you to do the same here. I am not your doctor,  just sharing my story.

While away, I read quite a few new books per Truth's recommendations. Check them out on my website here in the first two rows: My Favorite Books.

Stay tuned!

From the Dispensary: Super Foods + Teas

Did you know my virtual dispensary has powerful teas and some super foods that you probably already are buying at your supermarket for a much higher price. Instead, would you like these be delivered to your door with free shipping and a 20% discount?

Do you want to consult with me for suggestions on the best professional grade supplements, natural health products and teas? Just call 203-968-6824. Meanwhile, here are some of my favorites that will be good for everyone:

TEAS

• All Yogi Teas: My favorites are Bedtime, Egyptian Licorice, Ginger and Green Tea Blueberry Slim Life
• Pukka Teas, these come in sachets: My favorites are Three Ginger, Rooibos & Honeybush, Elderberry & Echinacea, After Dinner
• Wise Women Herbals: My favorites are Urinary Tract, Digest, Fertill

COCONUT OILS

• Garden of Life: Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
• Barlean's Organic Oils: MCT Coconut Swirl Oil
• Nutiva: Organic Coconut Manna – Will replace your cream, cream cheese and butter.

HEALTH BARS: Check out these brands

• Designs for Health
• D'Adamo Personalized Nutrition
• Metagenics

You'll need to sign up to buy them. It's very easy and convenient.