Obesity is not just a cosmetic concern.
It’s a medical problem that increases the risk of many other serious diseases and health problems such as coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, certain cancers, and susceptibility to viral infections.
Usually, obesity results from inherited, physiological and environmental factors, combined with diet, physical activity and exercise choices.
“The good news is that personalised treatments tailored to patients’ genetic profiles make it easier to recommend diet and lifestyle changes in order to manage weight,” said Helen Gautschi, research and education manager at DNAlysis Biotechnology, a premier genetic testing laboratory in Illovo.
Gautschi explains that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ when it comes to weight loss. “Genetics is a strong contributing factor to obesity and its comorbidities, with genetic factors accounting for between 25% and 70 % of the bodyweight variability between people.”
“For example, there is a link between certain gene variants and the sweet tooth, with some people genetically attuned to crave sweet sustenance. How we deal with stress, respond to food cues, control our appetite, break down and remove toxins from the body – all these facts have a genetic component to them.”
Gautschi says screening for at-risk individuals allows for genetic risk scores that give insight into possible barriers to weight loss and the diet and lifestyle interventions that are most suitable for you, based on your own unique, genetic makeup. It helps you understand how your genetic profile can impact your response to different eating plans and which type of diet is best for you.
DNA testing also facilitates obesity prediction, allowing for preventative action to be taken, where possible.
“We have also seen that it is far easier for people to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle when they know which food and exercise choices are best for them,” says Gautschi. “The motivation to change their behaviour is much stronger because they have greater confidence that the personalised plan will work for them.”
Details: Visit https://dnalysis.co.za.
A trained nutritionist from the DNAlysis accredited network will guide you through the process.
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