You probably have friends or family members who have done DNA tests, usually to discover more about their family history. You may have done one yourself. Did you know your DNA can provide a wealth of information to improve your quality of life, too? The study of DNA and the process of turning genes on and off is called epigenetics. Using a simple cheek swab, you can now have a truly personalized approach to your health and performance.
Simply stated, our DNA provides a personal blueprint that can provide very specific answers to questions about our sleep, diet, exercise and supplementation, and how they impact our lifestyle. Additionally, it can also help identify environmental, detoxification stressors and hormone imbalances that may be negatively affecting our well-being. By analyzing our genetic blueprint, we can identify unique influences on our health and performance.
To have optimal health and performance, we need answers to questions such as:
Which foods are best for me?
What are the best hours for me to sleep?
Which type of exercise works for my body?
What do I need to do to slow the aging process?
How can I keep my mind active and clear?
Knowing exactly what our body needs and what it doesn’t need to flourish is key to unlocking our true potential.
Here’s an analogy that might further help you to understand what epigenetics is, as presented in Nessa Carey’s Epigenetics Revolution. Think of the human lifespan as a very long movie. The cells would be the actors and actresses, essential units that make up the movie. DNA, in turn, would be the script – instructions for all the participants of the movie to perform their roles. Subsequently, the DNA sequence would be the words on the script, and certain blocks of these words that instruct key actions or events to take place would be the genes. The concept of genetics would be like screenwriting. Follow the analogy so far? Great. The concept of epigenetics, then, would be like directing. The script can be the same, but the director can choose to eliminate or tweak certain scenes or dialogue, altering the movie for better or worse. After all, Steven Spielberg’s finished product would be drastically different from Woody Allen’s for the same movie script, wouldn’t it?
That makes so much sense, doesn’t it? We have the ability to adapt and interpret our life’s script based on the choices we make. You are the director of your own movie and once you have the answers, you can take greater and more specific control of how your movie actually turns out.
You are probably asking, “How do I get started?” It’s simple. Prescott Preferred Chiropractic will order your DNA kit and, using a cheek swab, you submit your DNA sample. In about four weeks, you will receive your raw genetic data covering nearly 750,000 genetic variants. This is YOUR data; it is not shared or sold. In addition, you can use this data for your own research as well. If you have already done a DNA test, we can use that too, but remember that each company varies in quantity of information collected, so I have my preferred sources.
You will then receive either a 45-page report, which covers more than 200 genetic variants that make you unique, or you may choose a more comprehensive 80-page report. We then schedule a one-on-one review so that we can go over your report together. Remember, information without an action plan is only information. Our job is to provide the guidance you need to improve the quality of your life, making it the very best possible.
If you are searching for answers, let’s unlock your personal health and vitality instruction manual together. 2019 is going to be your best ever! Just call our office at 928-778-7996 to schedule. QCBN
By Dr. Andy Nelson, DC
Dr. Andy Nelson is a Chiropractic Physician, Certified Epigenetic Human Performance Coach, Certified Emotion Code Practitioner, Competent ToastMaster, Personal Fitness Merit Badge Counselor for Boy Scouts of America, and a graduate of Prescott Area Leadership (PAL). He is active in church and community as a JustServe.org representative, and past chairman of the Quad City Interfaith Council.
He is most proud of his family and faith,
married to Sally for almost 35 years with six children (four Eagle Scouts) and soon to be seven grandchildren. He loves to hike, fish, mountain bike, trail run and play racquetball.
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