Your body, looks, fingerprints, and everything else comes from your genetics. Two sets of genes are passed down onto you from your parents. Therefore, just like the physical traits, you also inherit some health conditions from your parents.
Your genes can predispose you to a disease
Sometimes, a gene that you inherit from one of your parents is not a perfect copy. Such changes are known as mutations. Some mutations have the ability to cause problems - having mutations in genes is a genetic disorder. Most diseases are caused by the combination of various factors such as genetic changes, daily lifestyle habits, and the environment. Having a mutation doesn’t mean you will certainly develop a disease; and not having a mutation doesn’t mean you can’t develop the disease in your lifetime. They can be hereditary or acquired. Acquired mutations can be triggered by environmental factors and cannot be passed on to children.
When do gene mutations develop into a disease?
Your genetic instructions are made of proteins. They are the building blocks of you, and your body. When your genetic instructions have mutations, they cause problems in the functioning of your body. For instance, if new copies of your genes have mistakes, then such gene changes can increase your probability for cancer. Most health conditions are related to gene mutations in a complex manner. Diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular issues are caused by mutations in multiple genes combined with lifestyle and environmental factors.
What does it mean to have a genetic predisposition to a disease?
Genetic predisposition or susceptibility means there is an increased risk of developing specific health conditions, diseases, and/or traits based on your genetic variations. Although these genetic variations contribute to the development of diseases but cannot directly cause it. Your genetic makeup is unique to you and is influenced by your lifestyle. Just remember, you cannot change your genes, but you can definitely change your lifestyle.
If you understand your genetic information, you can make appropriate lifestyle modifications to prevent the diseases and traits you are at high genetic risk of developing
You can understand more about yourself by understanding your genetic makeup. Genetic testing is an easy and user-friendly procedure that can decode your genetic information in a way that can be understood by you. Your genetic test report can be a powerful tool for you to become healthy, and live longer.
Your genetic test report can help you in positively utilizing the impact your genes have in your health and wellness
Your genetic test report has all the predictions of diseases and traits that you might develop in your lifetime. Knowing about them can help you prevent them from developing. For instance, if your report says, you have a gene mutation that makes you more likely to develop breast cancer, you can make important preventive health decisions in accordance with your doctor. In case of high genetic risk, surgeries like prophylactic mastectomy or oophorectomy can lower your risk of getting cancer or the re-occurrence of it. If you have a high genetic risk score for developing cardiovascular diseases, you will be recommended ways to prevent it in your report and counselling. Book your genetic test to find out your genetic risk scores for 80+ diseases and traits.
