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Discover how genetics may impact your medications

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Diet and Mental Health: How Food Impacts Your Mind

Diet and Mental Health: How Food Impacts Your Mind

Key Highlights * The food you eat can affect your mental health. * Diet provides nutrients that can impact the levels of things like cortisol and neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. * Nutritional psychiatry explores the link between diet and mental health. * Important nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals may

What is Methylation? A Basic Guide

What is Methylation? A Basic Guide

Key Highlights * Methylation is an important process in the body. It adds a methyl group to molecules like DNA and proteins. * This process helps control gene expression. Methylation can turn genes ‘off.’ * Keeping a balanced methylation status is essential for good health. It is important for many functions, from cell

OPRM1 Gene Its Role In Opioid Abuse and Alcoholism

OPRM1 Gene Its Role In Opioid Abuse and Alcoholism

Key Highlights * The OPRM1 gene influences how the body feels pain and affects motivation and reward pathways. * Changes in the OPRM1 gene, like the A118G polymorphism, are associated with higher rates of opioid and alcohol addiction. * Some versions of the OPRM1 gene may change how sensitive a person is to

Exploring DRD2 Gene's Role in ADHD

Exploring DRD2 Gene's Role in ADHD

Key Highlights * ADHD, associated with difficulty maintaining focus, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, is a common neurodevelopmental disorder linked to genetics. * The DRD2 gene, part of the brain's dopamine system, is a candidate gene related to ADHD susceptibility. * Studies look at how changes in the DRD2 gene may connect to ADHD, including

Unraveling the Role of CYP2B6 Gene in Drug Metabolism

Unraveling the Role of CYP2B6 Gene in Drug Metabolism

Key Highlights * The CYP2B6 gene plays a crucial role in the metabolism of many drugs, including certain antidepressants, antivirals, and opioids. * Genetic variations in CYP2B6 can significantly influence an individual's response to certain medications. * These variations can lead to differences in drug efficacy, side effects, and even the risk of

APOE Gene Test Explained

APOE Gene Test Explained

Key Highlights * The apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene test is a type of genetic testing that checks if someone has specific versions of the APOE gene. Certain forms of the gene are linked to a higher chance of getting Alzheimer's disease and experiencing heart-related issues later in life. * With three forms

VKORC1 Gene: The Role in Warfarin Therapy

VKORC1 Gene: The Role in Warfarin Therapy

Key Highlights * The VKORC1 gene is critical when it comes to warfarin therapy, which doctors often prescribe to stop or treat blood clots. * Changes in the VKORC1 gene can vary how a person reacts to warfarin, which means they might require their own special dose. * Understanding the VKORC1 gene helps

The COMT Gene: Decoding Its Role and Effects

The COMT Gene: Decoding Its Role and Effects

The COMT gene, also known as catechol-O-methyltransferase, plays a crucial role in the regulation of neurotransmitters in the brain. This gene is involved in the breakdown of catecholamines, including dopamine and norepinephrine, which are essential for various cognitive functions. Variations in the COMT gene have been associated with several health

CYP2C19 The Gene & Drug Metabolism: Unraveling the Role of an Essential Enzyme

CYP2C19 The Gene & Drug Metabolism: Unraveling the Role of an Essential Enzyme

Introduction The human body is a complex and dynamic system where numerous chemical reactions take place continuously to maintain its functionality. One crucial aspect of these processes is drug metabolism, which involves the transformation of pharmaceutical compounds into active or inactive metabolites. Metabolism refers to how your body changes a

CYP2D6: The Gene That Plays A Major Role In Drug Metabolism

CYP2D6: The Gene That Plays A Major Role In Drug Metabolism

Introduction One of the most important genes involved in drug metabolism is CYP2D6. CYP2D6 is one of the genes associated with Cytochrome P450 (CYP) system. The Cytochrome P450 system is a group of enzymes responsible for metabolizing a wide range of substances in the human body. The CYP system is

Pharmacogenetics vs Pharmacogenomics: What's the Difference?

Pharmacogenetics vs Pharmacogenomics: What's the Difference?

Introduction Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics are both integral to the field of personalized medicine, which seeks to tailor medical treatment to individual patients based on their unique genetic makeup. Pharmacogenetics focuses on the study of how an individual's genetic variation affects their response to specific drugs. By understanding how genetics impact

Genetic Testing for High Blood Pressure

Genetic Testing for High Blood Pressure

Every time your heart beats, it pushes blood through your veins, arteries, and capillaries so they can transport the blood to the rest of your body. When you have normal blood pressure levels, your system functions perfectly. However, if you suffer from high blood pressure levels, your body has to

Genetic Testing for ADHD Medications

Genetic Testing for ADHD Medications

Have you or your children ever experienced challenges with focus, impulsivity, and inability to gather thoughts in the course of everyday life? Has the question ever surfaced that there may be a medical diagnosis to explain these symptoms? Attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be the culprit for these disrupted

Genetic Testing for Anxiety

Genetic Testing for Anxiety

Introduction In this day and age, it is inevitable for people to experience anxiety on occasion. However, there are individuals that deal with debilitating symptoms from diagnosed anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders can make it very difficult to function normally; paralyzed by the fear of the unknown. One’s life can

Pharmacogenetics Testing

Pharmacogenetics Testing

Introduction to Pharmacogenomics Several factors may contribute to how an individual can respond to medications such as gender, age, and diet. However, a person’s unique genetic makeup can also provide insight into how they may respond to medications. Pharmacogenomics is the compilation of research involving the relationship between genetic

Pharmacogenomics

Pharmacogenomics

Introduction Pharmacogenomics is not a new concept, but it is becoming more well-known. We already know that each person is unique. Our uniqueness is readily visible in most; our eyes, hair, height, weight, and skin tone all differ. We also know that sometimes you and your parents or siblings have

Gene Testing for Medications

Gene Testing for Medications

Introduction Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA, is the alphabet of our bodies. Genes are the paragraphs written by our DNA to give direction for each enzyme or protein produced. These proteins are then used to form all aspects of the body. The study of how our genes affect our medications is called

Genetic Testing for MTHFR

Genetic Testing for MTHFR

What is the MTHFR gene? The MTHFR gene impacts health in multiple ways; including mental health, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Knowing how your body functions can help you make better choices and live a healthier life. For example, knowing your genetics may help your physician better determine which medications

Genetic Testing for Antidepressants & Psychiatric Medications

Genetic Testing for Antidepressants & Psychiatric Medications

There are an estimated 350 million people all over the world that are debilitated by major depressive disorder (MDD).1 In the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic it has been studied that the incidence of depression in the United States is 3 times higher compared to rates prior to

Genetic Testing for Pain Management Medication

Genetic Testing for Pain Management Medication

From headaches and muscle aches to post-surgery complications and chronic pain conditions, there’s no shortage of reasons why someone might seek pain management drugs. While medication can bring relief, it can also bring negative side effects that are even worse than the pain itself. Of the 170 million Americans

Genetic Testing for High Cholesterol Medication

Genetic Testing for High Cholesterol Medication

Everybody’s received a cholesterol test at some point in their life. Cholesterol, a waxy organic molecule made by the liver and found in many foods, is necessary for your body. However, too much cholesterol can end up being detrimental to your health. In the United States, over 93 million

Genetic Testing for Atrial Fibrillation

Genetic Testing for Atrial Fibrillation

It’s normal for your heart rate to escalate a bit after an exercise session or before a nerve-wracking event. However, if your heart rate seems irregular or rapid for no discernible reason, it may be indicative of a larger issue. Between 2.7 and 6.1 million Americans have