Did you spoil mom, or yourself, with a lot of sugary indulgences?
JOBURG – Mother's Day can be a great excuse to indulge in some 'cheat' treats but could leave you feeling as though you need to desperately hit the gym.
Mother’s Day can be a great excuse to indulge in some ‘cheat’ treats but could leave you feeling as though you need to desperately hit the gym.
But have you ever wondered why some exercise programs work for some but not others?
Well, it all comes down to your genes, not your jeans. Your genes.
Everything that makes us who we are is determined by our unique DNA code – the DNA that we receive from our mothers and fathers. Our DNA makes up the thousands of genes in our bodies and all these genes together, determine more than just how we look. They estimate our risk of developing various diseases and determine how our bodies function.
Genetic testing can now tell us more than just who we are and what diseases we may be prone to. It can now also tell us how we should exercise and which exercises will work to our benefit.
For a moment, think of people as cars. You get big ones, small ones, ones that are built for speed, others that are built for tough terrain. Finding out what exercises you should be doing is like finding out what tires you should be putting on your car or if you should be using diesel or unleaded. It is pinpointing what you, as an individual, need to optimise your potential as well as identifying any weaknesses that may need to be worked on.
“It’s about better understanding your innate athletic abilities in terms of strength/power and endurance capabilities – this means that you can make better choices with regards to your training priorities,” nutritional therapist and exercise physiologist, Ian Craig explained.
DNAlysis Biotechnology, based in Illovo, Johannesburg, specialise in this type of genetic testing.
How it works is a DNA sample is taken via a cheek swab – quick, easy and painless. From there, the DNA sample is taken to a laboratory and the genes that are responsible for your body composite and biological areas such as blood flow, aerobic capacity, power/strength potential and energy during exercise, among many other areas that are responsive to training and sporting, are tested. These results are then put through specialised algorithms that generate a report and recommendations specific to your DNA and lifestyle.
“I definitely recommend clients decode the results with an expert – there is a lot of subtlety in the test that needs a more in-depth understanding of physiology and training,” Craig said.
Are you ready to get to know yourself a little bit better? Contact DNAlysis Biotechnology for a comprehensive DNA Sport test.
Details: 011 268 0268 or admin@dnalysis.co.za
