DNA Testing: Unlocking the Genetic Code of Personalized Medicine and Longevity

The “one-sized-fits-all” model of health care may potentially become a thing of the past as newer technologies target personalized treatment based on DNA.

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Personalized medicine signifies a departure from the conventional “one-size-fits-all” approach to health care and emphasizes individualized care and precisely targeted therapies.

Personalized medicine typically hinges on health care professionals having a clear understanding of the patient’s history, diet, and lifestyle, but genetic insights may soon become a prevalent additional tool.

DNA testing and functional genomics have been shown to greatly improve our understanding of illnesses, underlying molecular mechanisms, and the potential for personalized treatments.

In a recent interview on Discovering True Health, Kashif Khan, founder of The DNA Company and author of “The DNA Way,” shared a personal health journey that underscores the significance of personalized health and how DNA testing can be a pivotal tool in achieving optimal well-being.

Mr. Khan feels that his experience demonstrates that understanding one’s genetic makeup empowers people to make informed choices and take targeted actions through diet, exercise, and lifestyle to optimize their well-being.

How Kashif Khan Rewrote His Health

At the age of 38, Mr. Khan found himself grappling with a myriad of health issues including depression, psoriasis, and debilitating migraines.

Frustratingly, he couldn’t find answers or solutions that made sense to him. Conventional medicine often provided diagnoses and prescribed pills, but it didn’t address the underlying causes or offer personalized approaches to health, Mr. Khan said.

This frustration ignited his quest to delve deeply into his own biology, leading him on a journey of self-discovery. What Mr. Khan uncovered was a profound connection between his genetic code and his health challenges. “I started to learn that there were parts of my genetic code that weren’t functioning properly,” he said.

Mr. Khan said this impacted how his body responded to various environmental factors. The revelation that what worked for others might not work for him was a pivotal “aha moment,” he said.

Driven by the desire to help not only himself but also his family, Mr. Khan embarked on a mission to make DNA-based personalized health care accessible to all. He funded research and sought answers to questions that he hadn’t even known were possible to answer.

One of these questions was, “How old are you on the inside?” Through various scientific modalities, Mr. Khan began measuring his biological age and making improvements based on the data. At 38, when he commenced this transformative journey, his biological age was 43. Today, at 43, his biological age has regressed to 33, he said.

Mr. Kahn’s journey involved a multi-faceted approach, examining how his DNA expressed itself, assessing the efficiency of his body’s responses to environmental cues, and even measuring the elasticity of his arteries.

A key example from his journey is his exploration of the GSDM1 gene, responsible for detoxifying the gut. Unbeknownst to Mr. Khan, he lacked this gene entirely. While most people naturally filter out toxins from their bloodstream after eating, his body couldn’t perform this crucial function, he said.

“Years of city life with packaged foods and environmental pollutants had wreaked havoc on my system,” Mr. Khan said.

However, he didn’t stop at identifying the problem. Mr. Khan found innovative ways to support his gut health and compensate for his genetic deficiency through lifestyle and diet choices. It was this kind of personalized approach that has been a major contributor to his improved well-being, he said.

Valuable Insights Into Your Body’s Needs

Mr. Khan emphasized the importance of recognizing that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to health, nutrition, and exercise.

Individual genetics play a significant role in how different diets and lifestyle choices affect people, he said. By addressing these factors at the genetic level, Mr. Khan said, people can gain insights into their ideal health state and potentially lower their biological age.

Diet

While some diets may work well for certain people, they may not yield the same results for others.

Nutrigenetics explores how an individual’s genetic variations interact with nutrition to impact health and disease. It delves into the molecular, cellular, and organismic levels of how food and genes interact, leading to varying responses to diets based on genetic makeup.

A 2020 review published in the International Journal of Molecular Science states that “several genes within our genome are known to influence the metabolism of nutrients.” These key genes primarily govern lipid metabolism, adipogenesis, carbohydrate metabolism, energy balance, and circadian rhythms.

“There are well-documented examples of clinically significant nutrigenetic interactions,” the review notes.

For example, the Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated gene, also known as the FTO gene, is a gene that has been associated with body weight regulation and obesity. Specific changes in the FTO gene, such as the rs9939609 AA type, are connected to a higher chance of developing obesity.

However, the review emphasizes that it has been shown that lifestyle changes such as exercise or reduced energy intake can modify this genetic susceptibility to obesity and other noncommunicable diseases.

“We can be hyper-personal when it comes to diet and nutrition. If you’re going to make a major change, pay attention. If it’s not working anymore, it’s probably not aligned to your genetics,” Mr. Khan said. ”Trial and error will eventually work. But it’s a lot of time to invest into something where you could just get to the right answer immediately; knowing who you are makes life a lot easier. This really takes the guesswork out of it. “

In his research and in working with the U.S. female Olympic team, Mr. Khan said he found that there was significant variability in outcomes among athletes who, on the surface, follow identical training regimens. There were instances where two athletes’ bodies responded differently despite both athletes training rigorously and putting in the same hours and effort, he said. Why?

The answer lies in our hormones, Mr. Khan said. Hormones play a pivotal role in dictating our body’s responses, and in the world of elite athletes, these distinctions become even more critical, he said.

One case that Mr. Khan discussed shed light on the power of personalized nutrition.

“We worked with a female bodybuilder who went on a low-carb diet with the goal of achieving a lean physique by burning fat, Mr. Khan said. “She felt terrible.”

After taking a look at her genetics, they found that she was genetically predisposed to efficient carbohydrate metabolism, he said. Her body thrived on carbohydrates, utilizing them as an excellent source of fuel, Mr. Khan said, and her genetic makeup also indicated an exceptional insulin response.

Once the bodybuilder adjusted her diet to align with her genetic profile, incorporating an optimal level of carbohydrates, she began to thrive again, he said.

Supplementation

Mr. Khan also discussed how DNA testing can provide valuable insights into the body’s vitamin and nutrient needs, with a specific focus on vitamin D.

He explained that 2,000 genes in our genome require the right amount of vitamin D for proper expression and functioning, emphasizing its importance in our biochemistry.

Mr. Khan broke down the metabolic pathway of vitamin D and highlighted three key genes responsible for different steps: SIPTU (activation), GC or VDB (transportation), and VDR (receptor binding). These genes can vary in their effectiveness, leading to different recommendations for vitamin D intake based on one’s genetic profile.

Exercise

DNA testing can also be instrumental in determining the most effective exercise routines for people, Mr. Khan said.

“It is well known that individuals vary in their responses to similar training: from a lack of adaptive response to extreme overload,” a 2016 review published in the journal Biology of Sport notes.

“Recent studies have shown that people with the same genotypes respond similarly to exercises in comparison to those with different genotypes, indicating that some genes play a key role in determination of individual differences in response to physical activities.”

The authors emphasized that this type of genomic understanding will assist in pinpointing individuals who will react positively or negatively to different types of exercise, enhancing the effectiveness and safety of training programs. This includes accurately predicting outcomes such as weight loss and improved health while preventing potential issues such as overexertion, injuries, heart conditions, and sudden death, they noted. 

In one specific example, Mr. Khan shared the story of a National Hockey League player who was struggling with recovery and performance. Through genetic analysis, they discovered that the player had genetic variations affecting his mitochondrial function and hydrogen peroxide synthesis, making him ill-suited for high-intensity cardiovascular training.

Adjusting his training regimen and introducing targeted supplements helped him to thrive in his strength-based workouts, leading to improved performance and recovery.

How DNA Testing May Offer Insights Into Mood Disorders

Mood disorders, encompassing conditions such as anxiety and depression, affect millions of people worldwide. These disorders can be debilitating, impacting one’s emotional well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life.

While diet and lifestyle have an overarching effect on these conditions, genetics also play a role. Understanding the genetic basis of these conditions can provide valuable insights into their management and treatment, Mr. Khan said.

At the heart of our emotional experiences are neurochemicals that regulate our mood, emotions, and responses to various stimuli, he explained. These neurochemicals, including serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline, play a pivotal role in determining how we perceive the world and react to it.

Yet not everyone responds to these chemicals in the same way, and this is where genetics come into play, Mr. Khan said, highlighting the alpha-2B adrenoceptor gene (ADRA2B), known for its role in determining the efficiency of noradrenaline response.

Noradrenaline, also known as norepinephrine, is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in the body’s “fight-or-flight” response, influencing how we process and remember emotional events. People with certain genetic variants of ADRA2B may be more inclined to remember and relive emotional experiences, potentially leading to the development of conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, Mr. Khan said.

Conversely, some people don’t experience this heightened emotional recall, he said, and their reactions may come across as aloof or indifferent. They aren’t uncaring, Mr. Khan said; while these people feel emotions in the moment, they struggle to recollect those feelings.

Beyond Victimhood: The Power of Self-Awareness

Mr. Khan’s approach to mood disorders involves shifting the narrative from victimhood to self-awareness. By understanding their genetic predispositions and recognizing their unique strengths and vulnerabilities, people can regain a sense of agency over their emotional well-being, he said.

People shouldn’t solely blame past events for their current emotional state. Instead, they should embrace the understanding that their perception of the world is influenced by their genetic predispositions, Mr. Khan said.

This shift in perspective can be empowering, helping people to reframe perceived weaknesses as strengths.

Ensuring the Privacy of Your Genetic Data: What to Watch For

The landscape of genetic testing has evolved in recent years, offering invaluable insights into people’s health and ancestry. However, as the popularity of DNA testing has soared, so have concerns surrounding the confidentiality of sensitive genetic data.

It’s crucial to be discerning when choosing a company to conduct your DNA testing to safeguard the privacy of your genetic information. One major concern that has emerged pertains to the business models adopted by many genetic testing companies.

Genetic tests, unlike routine blood work or other medical assessments, are typically conducted only once in a lifetime, Mr. Khan said. This poses a challenge for companies seeking recurring revenue streams. Consequently, many genetic testing companies sell our genetic information, prioritizing profits over personalized health outcomes, he said.

When you undergo genetic testing with such companies, you may unwittingly sign agreements that allow the sale of your genetic data. In light of these concerns, it’s advisable to approach genetic testing with caution. However, it’s important to recognize that not all companies follow this data-driven model.

When considering genetic testing, exercise due diligence in researching and choosing a reputable company that values your privacy and focuses on enhancing your well-being, Mr. Khan advised.