{"id":58258,"date":"2017-05-04T07:15:52","date_gmt":"2017-05-04T11:15:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=58258"},"modified":"2017-05-07T18:28:07","modified_gmt":"2017-05-07T22:28:07","slug":"23-and-me-ancestry-health-genetic-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/lifestyle\/23-and-me-ancestry-health-genetic-test\/","title":{"rendered":"23 and Me Isn\u2019t Just Ancestry. It Can Clue You in on Your Health"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"23
Photo: Courtesy of 23 and Me<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I\u2019m a light sleeper and am sensitive to dairy. I love running \u2014 just not marathons<\/a> \u2014 and start my days with a cup (or two\u2026) of coffee. This is sounding like a dating profile, but it\u2019s actually a genetic test. It turns out these idiosyncrasies about my health are all part of my DNA make-up. And more importantly, they could be clues to my individual health risks.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve probably heard of 23 and Me<\/a>, a health and ancestry test that includes reports on your genetic health risks (like late-onset Alzheimer\u2019s<\/a>), wellness, carrier status and physical traits. 23 and Me is named after the 23 pairs of chromosomes that make up your deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)<\/a>. And while it\u2019s fascinating to use that science to determine exactly where my family originates from, I was more curious what all of it meant for my health.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>I\u2019m Exercising More \u2014 So Why Am I Gaining Weight?<\/a><\/p>\n

\"23
Photo: Courtesy of 23 and Me<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

23 and Me: Understanding Our DNA<\/h3>\n

Unlike other genetic tests that often require blood work, 23 and Me draws up these reports from a small saliva sample that you send back to their lab. After six to eight weeks of processing and analyzing your saliva, you\u2019ll receive results via email.<\/p>\n

Jhulianna Cintron, a product specialist at 23 and Me, says, \u201cWe believe people should have the opportunity to access, understand and benefit from the human genome. That could be learning about their genetic ancestry, what health risks they may have or finding that their propensity for an extra cup of coffee<\/a> may actually be their chromosomes.\u201d<\/p>\n

But before diving into what makes me \u201cme,\u201d first a refresher on what exactly is DNA. Your DNA is found in almost every cell in your body and is comprised of sequences of small units that are represented by the letters A, T, C and G. These DNA sequences are packaged into 23 pairs of chromosomes with\u00a0instructions on how our bodies absorb food and build muscle fibers. For every pair of chromosomes, you inherit one from your mother and one from your father. Humans basically have the same DNA sequences, but the differences between us are variants that we inherit from our parents. These variants include health conditions, physical traits and ancestries.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith ancestry, it\u2019s less about how we differ and more about our similarities,\u201d Cintron says. \u201cWe compare customers\u2019 DNA to 31 reference populations from regions around the world and look for similarities.\u201d<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Is Good Health Tied to Your DNA? A New Tool Says Yes<\/a><\/p>\n

The Reports: Carrier Status and Health Risks<\/h3>\n

I was amazed by the details of the results. There are four reports on genetic health risks, four ancestry reports, five wellness reports, 40+ carrier status reports and 15+ traits reports. The carrier status reports show whether you\u2019re a carrier for rare diseases, like cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia or Tay-Sachs. Fortunately, my carrier status reports didn\u2019t detect any variants for rare diseases.<\/p>\n

Dr. Jeffrey Pollard, director of medical affairs at 23 and Me, says, \u201cThe 23 and Me carrier status reports tell individuals about variants that likely don\u2019t affect their health, but could affect the health of their future family. Being a \u2018carrier\u2019 means that the individual carries one genetic variant for a condition, which they could pass down to their children.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the other hand, the genetic health risk<\/a> reports tell you about genetic variants that may increase your risk for developing certain health conditions, such as late-onset Alzheimer\u2019s disease and Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n

\u201cKnowing one\u2019s family history of a condition can provide insights into their own risk. However, for many conditions, genetics amounts to just one part of a person\u2019s total risk. Not everyone with a genetic risk variant or family history will develop the associated health condition,\u201d Dr. Pollard explains.<\/p>\n

Family History vs. Diet and Lifestyle<\/h3>\n

My maternal grandfather suffered from Parkinson\u2019s disease and Alzheimer\u2019s disease, but my tests didn\u2019t reveal any variants. While the reports show that I don\u2019t have genetic variants for these conditions, it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that I won\u2019t develop them. Diet, lifestyle and environmental factors also play a role in my health risks, Dr. Pollard says. My chances of developing heart disease, diabetes and dementia increase, if I don\u2019t exercise, eat healthy<\/a> and am in a constant state of stress<\/a>, for example.<\/p>\n

\u201cOther factors, such as things that have happened to an individual over their lifetime, often contribute to an individual\u2019s overall risk. In some cases, individuals may be able to reduce risk by managing these non-genetic factors,\u201d Dr. Pollard says.<\/p>\n

Dr. Pollard stresses that while 23 and Me and other genetic tests provide carrier information, they don\u2019t diagnose health conditions. If your results show that you have variants for a disease, don\u2019t freak out. It just means you have some health risks, but they can all be reduced through lifestyle changes and with the guidance of medical professionals.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Running 15 Miles a Week Could Slash Alzheimer\u2019s Risk<\/a><\/p>\n

\"23
Graphics: Courtesy of Tiffany Ayuda<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My Ancestry: The Far East<\/h3>\n

One of the most interesting parts of my tests is the unique story of my ancestry. My results showed that I\u2019m 99.2 percent East Asian and Native American, 0.7 percent South Asian and 0.1 percent Sub-Saharan African. Both of my parents are Filipino and were born in the Philippines. But my results show that I had a third, fourth, fifth or sixth great-grandparent who was 100 percent Chinese and was born between 1750 and 1840. East Asia includes Japan, Korea, China, Mongolia and the Yakut people of eastern Russia. My results not only revealed that I have some Chinese ancestry, but that I also have some broadly East Asian blood. So much for being a true Flip.<\/p>\n

But understanding my bloodlines isn\u2019t just for trivia and fun guessing games. \u201cBy knowing your ethnicity, you are able to determine which conditions and variants you are at a higher risk of having,\u201d Cintron says.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>3 Simple Strategies for Reducing Your Breast Cancer Risk<\/a><\/p>\n

\"23<\/h3>\n

Wellness: I\u2019m a Sprinter and Most Likely Lactose Intolerant<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019ve ever wondered why you turn beet red after a cocktail or are a light sleeper, the wellness reports reveal the unique health quirks that shape who you are. The good news is that I don\u2019t have the \u201cAsian glow,\u201d like some of my other East Asian family and friends. The bad news is that I probably won\u2019t be able to keep mac and cheese<\/a> as my favorite cheat meal for very long.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not too surprising that my results showed that I\u2019m most likely lactose intolerant. Many East Asians are deficient in lactase<\/a>, the enzyme necessary to break down lactose \u2014 the sugar found in milk. I love my ice cream and pizza<\/a>, but I do notice that I don\u2019t digest dairy<\/a> as well, especially if I have too much of it. Not too long ago, I started using unsweetened almond milk, instead of cow\u2019s milk.<\/p>\n

The wellness reports also revealed that my weight is likely to remain steady whether I\u2019m on a diet that\u2019s high or<\/em> low in saturated fat (with the same number of calories). This means that if I went all in on a cheeseburger and fries, it wouldn\u2019t affect my weight very much. But it\u2019s obviously still important to limit such indulgences to prevent heart disease.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Is Your Sleep Position All Wrong?<\/a><\/p>\n

\"23<\/p>\n

No Sleep for the\u00a0Sprinter<\/h3>\n

In terms of sleep, I\u2019m likely to keep stirring to a minimum (with fewer than 10 limb movements<\/a> per hour of sleep), but the reports also show that I\u2019m less likely to be a deep sleeper. This helps explain why I find myself waking up in the middle of the night, whether it\u2019s from a car alarm outside or hearing someone getting up in the room next door.<\/p>\n

And, as a distance runner, I was surprised to find out that my muscle composition is actually that of a sprinter<\/a>. Research shows that endurance athletes tend to have more slow-twitch muscle, while sprinters have more fast-twitch muscles. Fast-twitch muscle fibers produce more force than slow-twitch fibers. Every person has a different proportion. So all those 5Ks and half-marathons<\/a> I\u2019ve done? Maybe my big moment is meant to happen at the sprinter\u2019s blocks instead.<\/p>\n

Dr. Pollard explains, \u201cMost sprinters and endurance athletes differ in the composition and the capabilities of their muscles. These differences may be influenced by both training decisions and genetic factors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Studies have found that most elite power athletes, including sprinters and throwers, have a specific genetic variant in a gene related to muscle composition, Dr. Pollard adds. The muscle composition report compares you to elite athletes based on this variant. So again, taken with a grain of salt.<\/p>\n

As for my morning routine? Interestingly enough, the tests indicated that I\u2019m more likely to consume nine milligrams more caffeine<\/a> per day than the average person. This explains my love of coffee<\/a> and why I\u2019m very alert and not a deep sleeper.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Should You Drink Coffee Before Your Workout?<\/a><\/p>\n

So Should You\u00a0Try 23 and Me?<\/h3>\n

At $179, the 23 and Me health and ancestry test isn\u2019t cheap (the ancestry-only test costs $79). And you might not gain life-altering insights that will transform the way you eat, sleep and think. But for me, 23 and Me helped solve mysteries about my food sensitivities and how they can be traced to my Chinese bloodline. Plus, it gave me a better picture of whether I\u2019m a carrier for rare diseases that can be passed down.<\/p>\n

At the end of the day, information is power. Cintron says, \u201cIndividuals can choose to use that information to take a more active role in their health. They can engage in more meaningful discussions with their healthcare provider or simply become more motivated to take steps toward a healthier life.”<\/p>\n

You can purchase a 23 and Me health and ancestry test for $179 or an ancestry-only test for $79 <\/em>here<\/em><\/a>, on Amazon or CVS and Target stores nationwide.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Are you a light sleeper? Do you turn red when you drink? 23 and Me isn\u2019t just for ancestry. The genetic test also taps your DNA for clues on health risks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":90,"featured_media":58300,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,13,15],"tags":[41,71,280,282,341,404],"class_list":["post-58258","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","category-sleep","category-stress","tag-diets","tag-nutrition","tag-sleep","tag-stress","tag-tax1living-well","tag-tax2patient-empowerment"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58258","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/90"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58258"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58258\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58300"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58258"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58258"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58258"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}