DNA TESTING
Functional Genomics
Understand your unique genetic makeup through DNA testing, and turn it into a personalised plan for your health.
WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS
A deeper understanding of your biology.
Almost every cell in your body contains DNA: the biological instruction manual you inherited from your parents.
Within your DNA are around 20,000 genes. These genes provide instructions that help your body carry out many everyday functions: from how you process nutrients and produce energy, to how you respond to stress, regulate hormones, manage inflammation, sleep and support the health of your brain and cardiovascular system.
We all have largely the same genes, but there are small variations within them that make each of us biologically unique. These genetic differences can influence how efficiently certain processes work and help explain why two people can respond very differently to the same food, lifestyle, environment or stress.
This is where functional genomics becomes particularly interesting.
Functional genomics looks at these genetic variations and, importantly, how they work together within the different biological systems and pathways of the body. Rather than simply identifying individual genes, it helps us understand how your unique genetic makeup may influence the way your body functions.
A USEFUL PERSPECTIVE
20,000
genes make up your DNA, each helping determine how your body works, responds to stress and processes what you eat.
KNOWLEDGE, NOT LIMITATION
Your genes are not your destiny.
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Discovering that you have a genetic variation does not mean that something is wrong, nor does it mean that you are destined to develop a particular health condition.
Your DNA is the blueprint you were born with, but it does not operate in isolation.
Nutrition, environment, lifestyle, stress, sleep, movement and many other factors interact with our biology and can influence how our genetic tendencies are expressed.
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While we cannot change the DNA we were born with, understanding it can help us identify areas where your body may have particular strengths, vulnerabilities or increased requirements and, most importantly, where we may be able to provide greater support.
Functional genomics therefore shifts the focus away from simply identifying genetic risk and towards understanding how your individual biology functions, where greater support may be beneficial, and what practical steps can be taken to support your health.
BIO INDIVIDUALITY
A more personalised approach to health.
At Harmonious Health, bio-individuality has always been at the heart of my approach: the understanding that what works for one person may not necessarily work for another.
Functional genomics allows us to take this personalised approach even further.
The same diet, supplement, exercise programme or stress-management strategy can affect two people very differently, and part of the reason lies in our genetics.
By understanding your individual genetic make-up, we can begin to identify why certain approaches may work particularly well for you while others may not, and where targeted changes to nutrition, lifestyle and your environment could have the greatest impact.
Your genetics are one part of the picture, not the whole picture.
This genetic insight provides another layer of information within a holistic approach to health.
Your genetic results should always be considered alongside your health history, symptoms, nutrition, lifestyle, environment, stress levels and laboratory testing.
The aim is not to predict your future. It is to give you a deeper understanding of your own biology and use that knowledge to make informed, practical choices that support your health now and over the long term.
WHAT CAN YOUR GENETICS TELL US
Insights across key areas of health
Your DNA contains an extraordinary amount of information about how your body is designed to function. Functional genomics helps us translate some of that information into a better understanding of your individual biology.
By looking at groups of genetic variations and how they interact within different biological pathways, we can identify areas where you may have particular strengths, as well as areas that may benefit from greater support.
Your genetic profile can provide valuable insight into areas such as:
Nutrition & nutrient requirements
Metabolism & blood sugar regulation
Cardiovascular health
Brain health, mood & cognition
Stress & nervous system response
Sleep & circadian rhythm
Hormonal health
Inflammation & oxidative stress
Detoxification & glutathione
Methylation
Exercise & physical performance
Longevity & healthy ageing
LOOKING AT THE WHOLE PICTURE
Connecting the dots.
Your genes don’t work in isolation. They interact across multiple systems, influencing many areas of your health.
The real value of functional genomics comes from connecting the different pieces of information together.
The systems of the body do not work in isolation. Blood sugar regulation can influence inflammation and energy; stress can affect sleep, hormones and metabolism; nutrient requirements can influence brain function and cardiovascular health. A genetic variation involved in one pathway may therefore have relevance across several areas of health.
This is why I look beyond individual genes and consider patterns across multiple biological pathways. By connecting these different insights, we can begin to identify which systems may deserve the greatest attention and understand how they may be influencing one another.
The aim is to turn complex genetic information into something genuinely useful: helping us understand where your individual priorities may lie and where targeted changes could have the greatest impact.
From there, your genetic insights can be translated into practical, personalised strategies around nutrition, environment, lifestyle, movement, sleep, stress management and targeted supplementation.
HOW DOES IT WORK
A simple, non-invasive process.
Receive your kit
A DNA collection kit is sent for an at-home saliva or cheek swab.
Send your sample
Return your sample to the laboratory for analysis.
Get your results
Receive a comprehensive genetic report covering multiple areas of health.
Personalised guidance
Your results are interpreted in context and translated into practical, personalised recommendations.
About the test
I use the DNA360 Functional Genomics test from The DNA Company, a comprehensive at-home genetic test designed to provide insights into multiple areas of health and wellbeing.
The process is simple and non-invasive. You will receive a DNA collection kit which allows you to collect your sample at home using either saliva or a cheek swab. Your sample is then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Once your results are available, you will receive a comprehensive genetic report covering multiple areas of your health, including nutrition and metabolism, cardiovascular health, brain and mood, stress response, sleep, hormones, inflammation, detoxification, physical performance and longevity.
What happens next
Receiving a genetic report is only the beginning.
As a Certified Functional Genomics Practitioner, my role is to help you understand what those results mean for you. Rather than simply working through a list of individual genetic variations, I look at the patterns within your results and how different genes and biological pathways may interact.
We then put those genetic insights into the context of what is actually happening in your body and your life, helping us identify your individual priorities and where greater support may be needed.
From there, we can develop practical and personalised recommendations around nutrition, environment, lifestyle, movement, sleep, stress management and targeted supplementation, giving you a clearer understanding of your individual biology and how you can support it over the long term.
Ready to understand your own biology?
Get in touch to book your free 50-minute consultation to discuss your health goals, ask questions and find out if DNA testing is the right next step for you.