Our Blogs

Optimizing Substance Abuse Treatment Through Multiple Omics

Substance use disorders (including illegal drugs, prescription drugs, and alcohol) is a critical concern in healthcare. In 2019, alcohol use disorder (AUD) affected over 100 million people, causing around 160,000 deaths, while opioid use disorder (OUD) impacted 21 million, leading to more than 88,000...

Could Your Patients' Genes Be Impacting B12 Deficiency?

Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, and neurological function. Deficiency can lead to anemia, nerve damage, and cognitive issues, including memory loss. Those following a vegan or vegetarian diet, those with malabsorptive conditions, and older adults are typically at higher risk for deficiency. Often overlooked are the genetic variations...

Building Strong Bones: Nutrition, Exercise, and Your Genes

Maintaining optimal bone health is essential for reducing the risk of fractures, osteoporosis, and related complications. According to the CDC, osteoporosis impacts about 13% of U.S. adults 50 and over, while low bone mass impacts about 43% of the adult population 50 and older. 

While exercise and nutrition greatly impact bone mineral density (BMD), the role of genetics,...

Unlocking Weight Balance: Vitamins, Minerals, and Your Genes

Emerging research reveals that genetic variations, known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), can affect how our bodies metabolize key micronutrients like vitamin D, zinc, folate, and iron. These nutrients play crucial roles in metabolism, energy regulation, and fat storage, impacting overall weight and metabolic health. Variants in genes such as VDR, SLC30A8, MTHFR, and TMPRSS6 can alter nutrient absorption...

Addiction, Food Cravings, and Medication: The Impact of DRD2 Gene Variants

The dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) gene is critical in regulating the brain’s reward system, impacting dopamine signaling and influencing addictive behaviors, food cravings, and medication responses. Understanding the effects of DRD2 gene variants, such as Taq1A (rs1800497) and rs6277 (C957T), is essential for healthcare professionals treating patients with addiction, emotional eating, or those undergoing psychotropic treatments.

DRD2: An...

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Elevate COPD Management Through Nutrigenomics: A Comprehensive Approach for Healthcare Professionals

Did you know that according to the World Health Organization chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide? It’s a progressive disease with symptoms that make it more and more difficult for people to go about their normal daily activities without breathing difficulty. In order to improve patient outcomes, it’s critical to start...

The Intersection of Genetics and Microbiome

Our understanding of human health continues to grow and evolve. As we learn more about the relationship between our genetics and the bacteria that reside in our digestive tract, exciting new opportunities emerge for improving patient outcomes through personalized care.

The Gut Microbiome: A Vital Organ System

The gut microbiome is a complex community of trillions of...

Choline Metabolism & Genetics: SNPs That Impact Methylation

Choline is an essential nutrient that the body needs for healthy cell membranes and neurotransmitters to regulate gene expressions, lipid transport and metabolism, and brain development. There are specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that impact choline metabolism and, therefore, methylation, a process vital for DNA stability and gene regulation. 

Choline and Its Role in Human Health

Choline...

Psychotropic Drug Safety: The Role of HLA-B Variants

Understanding the Role of HLA-B in Psychiatric Medication Safety

HLA-B genes are crucial for the immune system and have implications for mental health. HLA-B is also a highly polymorphic gene, meaning it has many variants that can affect individual responses to infections, autoimmune conditions, and reactions to certain medications. Certain HLA variants, like HLA-B*15:02, are linked to severe...

Targeted Nutrition for Better Male Fertility Outcomes

Male infertility is a rising concern, affecting about half of all infertility cases globally. With declining sperm quality, increased oxidative stress, and genetic factors playing critical roles, it is essential to explore targeted nutrition strategies that can help improve fertility outcomes. 

Nutrigenomics offers an exciting avenue to personalize dietary interventions based on an individual’s genetic makeup, offering...