How does my DNA affect my hormones
How does my DNA affect my hormones - and mood, skin, hair, fertility, menopause and perimenopause experience?
Our genes alone don’t - it’s a combination of 3 elements; genes + environmental & lifestyle factors + small genetic changes called SNPs which determine our health outcomes.
We all have these SNPs that change our biology ever so slightly, think of them as a "typo". Specifically relating to our hormones, these typos affect how efficiently we either make, respond to and ultimately clear a hormone from the body. Histamine is a great example - the body makes histamine as a needed excitatory neuro-hormone helping to keep us stimulated and awake. There are some common SNPs of the genes involved in the removal of histamine; which if left unsupported can cause a build up of histamine and symptoms; migraines, anxiety, poor sleep itching, bloating, water retention to name a few.
In perimenopause this can be of particular interest, as oestrogen (which is higher then) causes more histamine release!
Whilst one gene variant/change can make a difference, most unrelenting and seemingly unresponsive symptoms result from the interplay between multiple common (yes, they are profoundly common) SNPs with environmental factors, namely - excess cortisol (from mental stress), toxic burden (how many chemicals have you been exposed to over your lifetime), nutrient status, inflammatory chemicals (resulting from infections, gut imbalances, viral infections) & your metabolic health - your food choices, microbiome, exercise & sleep — it is THIS powerful combination that determines health outcomes.
Nutrigenomics is the influence of food on our genetic expression; how and what we eat has the power to turn on/off gene expression.
Epigenetics is the impact our environment has on our genes. Food is one important factor, but also all the other modern day factors such as microbes, toxins and stress hormones that can go onto how genes are expressed and impact upon our individual SNPs.
As we start the journey into peri-menopause through to menopause, our oestrogen & progesterone levels change dramatically, directly impacting all body systems and other hormones like insulin, histamine and GABA and why the symptoms are so far reaching. BUT with the added information of knowing where your personal genetic areas of vulnerabilities lie, can help us to navigate the journey far more effectively and guide a more targeted menopausal hormone therapy plan for your bespoke needs.
Nutrigenomics is the next frontier of personalised medicine to achieving optimal health in perimenopause- menopause and beyond! I have been using LifecodeGx Nutrigenomic testing in my practice with clients for over 8 years now, providing invaluable insights to help improve clients 'health. Having an individual's genetic set point greatly enhances my decision making process when creating their bespoke roadmap and treatment plans.
Specialising in women’s health, I find the Lifecode Gx Hormone report irreplaceable to assist in finding answers to the questions women have:
Why am I feeling so overwhelmed with work & home-life; I'm only in my early 40's?
I can't seem to manage even 1 glass of wine with my girlfriends anymore, why?
I can’t seem to tolerate HRT!
Should I be concerned about HRT with a family history of cancer?
Why do I keep putting on weight, when my diet is exemplary!
Why am I still tired and experiencing hot flushes after taking HRT?
I’ve heard about histamine contributing to migraines and heavy periods, could this be me?
My thyroid test is always raised but my doctor says this is “normal”, is it?
I’ve been on levothyroxine for years, but still experience many hypo symptoms, why?