I always thought I didn't want to know if I had bad and rare genes that could turn on me and make me sick. If I knew I had a bad gene, wouldn't I be expecting to have disease?



Well, that is what I used to think, but eventually, I came around and decided knowing was better for me.



Why did I change my mind about genetic testing at home



My brother-in-law once chastised me for “working so hard to be healthy” because he thought I should have faith instead of fear. This was a decade before my sister passed away, when I was completely fear-free!



When I began the journey to healthy living, it was because I wanted to live my best life possible, not because I was afraid of dying. That is still the case. Being healthy means I can get up and ride bikes with my kids and lots more. That’s my motivation. Not fear.



So why did I change my mind about my genetic information?







There are many genetic testing companies out there. Many of them simply provide your genetic test results and nothing more. I wanted more than that from a home DNA test, so I found Selfdecode after searching for affordable home genetic testing kits.When I spoke to the folks at SelfDecode they mentioned to me that with the results came recommendations based on your own genes. With the knowledge I'd gain from genetic testing, I could alter my lifestyle based on my genes, not just guesswork.Yes, there are habits that are simply good for everyone, like getting enough restorative sleep drinking an adequate amount of water, and staying active. However, there are also some that could go either way. That is why some people thrive on one type of diet while another person may feel terrible when following the exact same diet.



Disease isn’t always genetic



In addition, I found out that inherited genetic mutations play a major role in about 5 to 10 percent of all cancers.(1) That surprised me; I assumed it would be higher.



So, do I have the bad genes? Believe it or not, it's not as simple as a yes or no. A single gene is not responsible for determining whether or not you'll have a disease.



Do I have bad gene variants? Yes, almost everyone has a few bad and rare genes



Does this knowledge change anything? I plan to continue living the healthy lifestyle I've been living, avoiding toxins, exercising, and doing my best to enjoy life and to be a warrior not a worrier! (Yes, I did make a few minor tweaks to my supplement regimen and lifestyle, more on this below.)



Because I realized that my test results came with specific health information designed just for me based on my specific genetic risks. That’s why I decided to go forward with gene testing.



Now on to the questions you've been asking about genetic screening...



How do you do gene testing?



It's fairly simple. You add a saliva sample to a tube and mail it off. I chose SelfDecode because they give you recommendations, not just results. Some tests only require a cheek swab, which is said to be as accurate as blood samples.



How long does it take to get the results?



In six to eight weeks after mailing the sample is the norm. However, I received my results just under six weeks. This is how it worked with SelfDecode; I don't have experience with any other gene testing companies or other types of genetic testing.



How do you read the results?



After logging in to the dashboard, use the dropdown menu to go to the Wellness Reports.



Each article shows you a score(positive, neutral, negative) for the topic in question, based on your DNA file. Your DNA is built into structures called chromosomes.



The Selfdecode reports show green, yellow, and red smiley or frowny faces so it's pretty easy to see at a glance. The faces will show you at a glance whether your genes are predisposing you to positive or negative health effects regarding specific traits, diseases, symptoms, etc...Each article generates a table of personalized supplements, diet, and lifestyle recommendations designed to counteract the negative effects of your risky genetic variants. These recommendations change based on your unique DNA and genetic variations.Each article gives you a personalized gene summary that outlines your potential risks from a given gene and whether you should try to increase or decrease the gene’s expression.There are also reports that can be generated based on your results, so you can look at an individual areas such as gut health, mood, fitness, and longevity.It's very straightforward. You can also print out a PDF of your results that lists your bad and rare SNPs to show your health care provider if you choose to do so.







What else do you find out with gene testing at home



I found out I'm more likely to have anxiety, mood disorders, and irritability. Another interesting gene showed I'm more likely to snore, although I don't. Proof that just because you have a gene variant doesn't mean you'll have symptoms.



No baldness in my genes, thankfully. So it's a toss-up for the kids since my husband has been bald most of his life. (It's a myth that baldness is only passed down from the mother's side, it actually can come from both parents.)



One gene showed I am more likely to have alcohol sensitivity and less likely to have caffeine-related anxiety. Yay for coffee!



My Lifestyle Confirmations



Another reason I was glad I went through with all of this is that I got so many confirmations about things I'd been struggling with, as well as good lifestyle choices I've made. For example, in the gene associated with chronic fatigue, my results showed:"Based on the variants we looked at, your TPH2 gene makes you somewhat more likely to have elevated levels of fatigue. Getting adequate exercise, sun exposure, and iron may help."Over the years people have disputed my belief that getting in the sunlight was doing me more good than harm - especially considering skin cancer.



Yet, I've practiced moderate and safe sun exposure for most of my life and it has helped me tremendously.



I have a gene variant that can cause me to have lower levels of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is actually a hormone that your body makes which requires the sun, although you can supplement) and the recommendation time and time again was to get sun exposure (safely.)



Based on the variants we looked at, your IL4 gene is moderately associated with allergies in the presence of vitamin D deficiency.  Sunlight, a Mediterranean diet, and probiotic supplements may help.The sun is the best source of vitamin D. Sun exposure may reduce fatigue by increasing the production of tryptophan hydroxylase 2.Based on the variants we looked at, your GC gene is associated with slightly lower vitamin D levels.  Get more sunlight, consume vitamin D-rich foods, and follow other personalized recommendations to reduce the impact of your genes.Based on the variants we looked at, your NPAS2 gene is significantly associated with poorer adaptation to changes in your eating schedule in comparison to other variants.  Keeping to a strict meal schedule may help.Based on the variants we looked at, your COMT gene is associated with increased risk of anxiety disorders. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, reducing stress, meditation, and sufficient folate intake can help.



Changes I've made after Genetic Testing at Home:



prioritize exercise over everything else (including housework, and website work, and urgent things.)transitioning towards a more Mediterranean Diet. Interestingly, we were using Milk Street Tuesday Nights Mediterranean cookbook in the Online Cookbook club during the time I received my results.stopped fasting in the morning and started eating a protein heavy breakfast and then I fast earlier in the evenings.started LLLT (low-level light therapy) using MitoRed Light Therapy in addition to my sauna added the supplement PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone) to help lower inflammation and improve mitochondria function.due to the mthfr report, I look for Folate in products and supplements instead of Folic Acid.supplement to improve cognitive function and eliminate brain fog (my mom also does this!)



These aren't recommendations for you, but personal changes I've made based on the results of genetic testing. As I said, there is no way I could share all or even most of the results, and MY results don’t matter to you, but your results would! Using screening tests could help you uncover more information about why you struggle in certain areas or even a genetic disorder that could be corrected with lifestyle changes.



Healthy Habits I Already Practiced Before Genetic Testing At Home



A few more recommended habits that I already practiced include:



Going to bed and waking up at the same time every dayBlocking out blue light at nightSeeking out sunlight exposure early in the morningExercising around the same time, each day you do it (have to do it early or I lose motivation and get tired)Eating organic whole foods and avoiding junk food, fast food, and soda.



Why Family History, Genetic Conditions and Healthy Habits Matter



Knowing whether or not I have inherited gene mutations has been one of the benefits of genetic testing.



Your body was designed to "self heal" and stay healthy. Inside of your body, 30-40 trillion cells work 'round the clock to keep your body in balance. Believe it or not, if you pay attention to the signals your amazing body sends, you can avoid many common illnesses and diseases.







So what are these signs?



Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, or anything else less than a good night of sleep. Inflammation - Your body is trying to fix something.Heart Rate Variability - an overall indicator of health, particularly cardiovascular health. (I use hardware to monitor my HRV, my chiropractor also does health assessments on our entire family to give us feedback on HRV.)Weight Changes - thyroid or hormone issues and other causes.Digestion disturbances (constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas), Leaky Gut,