Platinum Genetic Checks

The following genes are included within the scope of this test report:

Cardiovascular health refers to the overall well-being of the heart and blood vessels. Conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), including artery blockage (atherosclerosis), are characterised by the buildup of fatty deposits, cholesterol, and other substances on the walls of arteries. This process narrows and hardens the arteries, reducing blood flow to vital organs and increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other complications. Contributing factors to poor cardiovascular health include high levels of LDL cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, chronic inflammation, high blood pressure, smoking, and insulin resistance.

Metabolic health and weight management encompass the body’s ability to efficiently convert food into energy while maintaining a healthy balance of hormones, blood sugar, and lipid levels. Common metabolic conditions include type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism, liver disease, and obesity, all of which are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic illnesses. Poor metabolic health can result in weight gain, fatigue, and difficulty maintaining energy balance. Key contributors include a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, hormonal imbalances, and chronic inflammation.

Genes such as HLA, PEMT, MTR, and LCT can dictate how your body handles specific foods, potentially leading to conditions like lactose intolerance, inflammatory bowel disease, and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Genetic variations such as VDR, PEMT, and MTR can also lead to vitamin deficiencies or malabsorption issues, impacting your overall well-being. These imbalances can cause digestive discomfort, nutrient absorption, and inflammation. The myDNA Comprehensive Check can help pinpoint these variations, guiding you to make smarter dietary choices.

Emotional and psychological health is controlled by neurotransmitters, hormones, and neural networks in the brain, which regulate mood, stress, and emotional responses. Genetic factors and clinical biomarkers can impact neurotransmitter and hormone levels contributing to problems like anxiety, depression and stress. The PEMT gene affects brain health, while the COMT gene influences the breakdown of dopamine, affecting mood and cognitive function. Variants in these genes can lead to mood swings, anxiety, and other emotional challenges. The myDNA Comprehensive Check can help you understand these genetic factors, guiding you toward optimal mental and emotional well-being.

Cognitive function relies on neural connections and the interplay of neurotransmitters, hormones, and other brain chemicals. These elements influence stress responses, mental alertness, focus, motivation, memory, learning, and problem-solving. Factors such as genetic variations (e.g. in the PEMT, COMT, and APOE genes), elevated homocysteine levels, vitamin B12 deficiency, poor sleep, lack of exercise, and chronic stress can negatively impact cognitive performance. The myDNA Comprehensive Check identifies genetic predispositions in these areas, aiding in assessing risks for cognitive decline and chronic inflammation.

Strength, stability, and athletic performance rely on the coordinated function of muscles, joints, and bones to support movement and endurance. Bone health plays a crucial role in this balance, as strong bones provide the necessary framework for muscle attachment and joint stability. Weak bones, due to conditions like osteoporosis or low bone density, can increase the risk of fractures and limit physical performance. Similarly, muscle weakness, joint instability, or poor flexibility can compromise overall stability and performance.

Immune health plays a vital role in protecting the body from infections and maintaining overall balance, while inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or illness. However, chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation can lead to the development of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or inflammatory bowel disease. These conditions arise when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, causing persistent pain, fatigue, and other health complications.

Hormone & Reproductive Health refers to the balance of hormones that regulate the reproductive system, influencing fertility, menstrual cycles, and overall reproductive function. Hormonal imbalances, such as irregular levels of oestrogen, progesterone, or testosterone, can lead to conditions like infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and endometriosis. Maintaining hormone balance through lifestyle changes, nutrition, stress management, and, if necessary, medical intervention can support reproductive health and fertility.

This genetic methylation test includes the essential MTHFR, COMT, MTRR, MTR, MTHFD1, PEMT and CBS methylation genes. Knowing your methylation genotype can uncover needs for nutritional support such as amino acids, vitamins, and minerals and help guide dietary and lifestyle treatment plans.

Your methylation profile describes your body's ability to regulate methylation, a vital process affecting DNA repair, detoxification, neurotransmitter balance, and cardiovascular health. Imbalances can result in undermethylation which is linked to high histamine, detox challenges, and depression, or overmethylation which is associated with low histamine, anxiety, and mood instability. Poor methylation may also elevate homocysteine levels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and impaired cognitive function.

Methylation plays a key role in cardiovascular health by regulating processes essential for heart and blood vessel function. Methylation also helps produce nitric oxide which relaxes blood vessels to improve blood flow, supports fat metabolism and repairs cardiovascular cells. Methylation defects (specifically MTHFR, MTR, MTRR or CBS) can raise blood homocysteine levels - homocysteine is an inflammatory byproduct with no useful role in the body. Elevated levels of homocysteine can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, and in rare cases drive whole-body inflammation.

Methylation is essential for brain health through its effects on neurotransmitter production, brain cell repair, and inflammation regulation. Elevated homocysteine levels are linked to brain inflammation, oxidative stress, and an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases. This test highlights genetic inefficiencies in these areas, helping you understand your risk factors for cognitive decline or chronic inflammation.

Methylation is essential for balancing neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline, which regulate mood, memory, and focus. Variations in methylation genes - such as COMT and MTHFR - may affect these pathways, leading to anxiety, depression, or brain fog. Optimising intake of B vitamins, methylated folate, or dietary and lifestyle changes may support neurotransmitter balance and brain health.

Sleep onset, maintenance and quality can be influenced by genetic variations in the PEMT and COMT genes. These genes play crucial roles in neurotransmitter regulation and sleep-wake cycles. Variations in these genes can disrupt neurotransmitter balance, leading to difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep.

Knowing your genetic profile can help you optimise your nutrient intake and lifestyle to enhance sleep quality.

Methylation supports gut health by regulating the genes involved in digestion, inflammation, and gut barrier function. Proper methylation helps maintain the integrity of the intestinal lining, preventing "leaky gut". Methylation also influences the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which play a key role in gut-brain communication. Impaired methylation can lead to inflammation, increased nutrient demand, poor nutrient absorption, and imbalances in the gut microbiome, affecting overall digestive health.

Methylation is crucial for energy production as it influences the function of mitochondria, the cell's powerhouses. We analyse your DNA to look for genetic variations that could impair your mitochondrial function, potentially leading to reduced energy production and fatigue. Methylation also plays a vital role in detoxification processes, particularly in the liver - genetic variations affecting methylation can compromise the liver's ability to efficiently eliminate toxins, leading to their accumulation and potential health issues.

Methylation plays a crucial role in regulating immune response and cellular repair. Abnormal methylation patterns can disrupt immune regulation, causing the body to attack its own tissues and contributing to autoimmune diseases. Poor methylation can also reduce the body’s ability to combat oxidative stress, leading to inflammation and tissue damage. Identifying genetic variations that affect methylation helps assess your predisposition to inflammatory, autoimmune, and oxidative stress-related conditions.

The nutrition teleconsult is a 45-minute session with a qualified dietitian, conducted via a virtual meeting platform. During the session, our dietitian will take a holistic approach by reviewing and considering all your genetic test results collectively to provide a comprehensive understanding of your health picture.

This consultation includes personalised guidance on nutrition and lifestyle adjustments tailored to your specific needs and goals. If appropriate, a customised supplementation regimen and supplement script will also be provided to support your health objectives. Our dietitian will explain your results clearly, help you understand their broader implications, and answer any questions you may have. By focusing on the interconnected aspects of your test results, the session ensures you leave with practical steps and the confidence to make meaningful changes to support your well-being.

In this assessment, our Nutritionist has interpreted your results to identify the key dietary and lifestyle adjustments and supplement support to help you improve your health and wellbeing.

Please note that if you currently on any medications or have existing medical issues, it is recommended to consult your GP before the use of any supplements.