🧬Genetic Testing & Analysis: A Practical Guide to Personalized Wellness
- clicks4acause
- Nov 3
- 9 min read
Updated: Nov 3
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Genetic testing has become one of the most powerful tools for understanding how your body truly works. Through my own journey with chronic illness, I learned that unlocking my genetic blueprint provided life-changing insights — helping me detox, rebuild, and thrive.
This guide is designed to help you understand what genetic testing is, how it works, and how to use your results to make smarter decisions about your health and wellness.
What Is Genetic Testing?
Genetic testing offers a simple yet powerful way to explore your DNA — the blueprint that shapes how your body functions every day. It reveals how efficiently you detoxify, process nutrients, manage stress, and respond to environmental triggers or infections.
DNA analysis can also uncover your predispositions to certain conditions, how you metabolize medications, and your unique nutritional needs. Research shows that many people carry genetic variations that influence how their bodies respond to medications and toxins, which can be especially meaningful for those managing complex or chronic health issues.
And yes — chronic Lyme disease does exist. It exists in a percentage of people whose bodies can’t fully clear infection or repair from the toxic load it leaves behind.
It was me — and now I study it.
Through both experience and science, I’ve learned that there’s no single fix — only a fine path to healing, one guided by understanding your genetics, rebuilding your cellular pathways, and supporting the body’s natural ability to recover.
The Science Behind It
Your DNA is made of sequences of nucleotides that form genes, which serve as instructions for building proteins essential to every body system.
When you complete a DNA test, you’ll receive a report identifying specific genetic variants. Studies show that understanding these variants can help you fine-tune your nutrition, stress response, and detox pathways — leading to measurable improvements in long-term wellness.
When undergoing genetic testing, you receive a report highlighting specific genetic variants. For example, a 2017 study found that understanding these genetic variants can help individuals tailor their responses to dietary choices and lifestyle habits, improving overall health and disease management.
🧪 Types of Genetic Tests
Different tests serve different purposes:
Diagnostic Testing — Confirms or rules out a specific genetic condition.
Carrier Testing — Identifies whether you carry a recessive gene that could affect future children.
Predictive or Presymptomatic Testing — Estimates risk for certain diseases before symptoms appear.
Pharmacogenomic Testing — Shows how your body processes medications, supporting safer prescriptions.
Nutrigenomic Testing — Explores how your genes affect nutrient metabolism, energy, and food sensitivities.
🧩 Functional Genomics: Your Body’s Real-Time Blueprint
If you’ve ever wondered why your body reacts differently to stress, food, or supplements — you’re not broken, you’re bio-individual.
As a Functional Genomics Practitioner (FGP), I help families decode their genetic patterns and apply that information through personalized nutrition, detox, and lifestyle plans.
Functional genomics looks beyond “good” or “bad” genes to see how they actually function.
It highlights how your body manages:
Detoxification and inflammation
Nutrient absorption
Hormone balance
Energy production and stress response
Once these pathways are clear, you can stop guessing and begin supporting your body exactly as it was designed.
My journey into genetics began with a Factor V Leiden diagnosis — a blood clotting variant that first opened my eyes to how inherited traits influence our health.
Next, I learned I was a Cystic Fibrosis (CF) carrier — a discovery that hit close to home but not until after I was already carrying my son. I lost my sister-in-law to CF in 2010 at just 24 years old, and her story continues to remind me why this work matters. Genetics isn’t abstract — it’s deeply personal.
As my own health challenges unfolded, I uncovered additional genetic layers: MTHFR variants, HLA markers linked to Lyme, and later cardiac genetic testing at UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh leaving with more questions than answers.
I explored multiple tools — from 23andMe to get my RAW DATA and further analyze with Dr. Ben Lynch and his services at StrateGene & MTHFR.net.
Still searching for answers, I went to SelfDecode and GeneFood — each offering new clarity about how my body detoxifies, processes nutrients, and responds to stress.
Every test revealed another layer of my story and helped me see that healing isn’t about one gene or diagnosis — it’s about connection, awareness, and rebuilding from the inside out.
🧠 The Role of MTHFR in Genetic Wellness
One of the most commonly discussed variants in wellness is MTHFR, a gene responsible for activating folate — essential for methylation, detox, and mood balance.
People with certain MTHFR variants may need more active (methylated) forms of B-vitamins. Research suggests these variants can slightly increase cardiovascular or pregnancy-related risks, but the good news is they are modifiable through diet and lifestyle.
Knowing your MTHFR status helps you choose foods and supplements that support, not stress, your body.
That said, MTHFR is only one piece of the puzzle. Looking solely at this gene can oversimplify the biology — especially if other pathways, like COMT, CBS, or MTRR, are imbalanced.
💚 In my own case, I actually couldn’t tolerate methylated supplements at first because of other genetic factors affecting my detox and neurotransmitter pathways. This is why a whole-system genomic view is so important — it reveals not just what’s happening, but why certain interventions might not feel right for your body right now.
Understanding your genetics in context — rather than focusing on a single gene — allows for a more accurate, compassionate, and effective approach to healing.
How to Get Started with Genetic Testing
If you're interested in genetic testing, here are some steps to help you navigate the process:
Consult a qualified professional.
Start by sharing your health history, current symptoms, and goals with a trusted healthcare provider to determine which test is right for you.
Your medical doctor can often run certain genetic or pharmacogenomic panels, while a functional or integrative practitioner can interpret results through the lens of nutrition, detox, and cellular health.
If your current care team isn’t open to learning or partnering with you on this journey — it’s okay to find someone who will. Healing requires curiosity and collaboration.
Work with a practitioner who sees your data as a story to understand, not a diagnosis to fear — whether that’s a Functional Genomics Practitioner (FGP) like me, nutrition counselor, or other qualified wellness professional who can help you connect the dots between your genes and your goals. Share your health history and goals to determine the best test.
Choose a reputable company.
When selecting a testing company, look for clear privacy policies, validated science, and practitioner access so your data can be used meaningfully — not just stored.
Personally, I’ve used 23andMe and AncestryDNA, and while both can provide useful raw data, they are not medical-grade in my professional opinion. These platforms are designed primarily for ancestry and consumer insights, not for clinical or functional wellness interpretation.
That said — don’t let fear keep you from healing. If you already have raw data from those platforms, it can still be an excellent starting point. I can help you upload it into functional analysis tools like SelfDecode or StrateGene to uncover the deeper layers of your biology and start building your personalized roadmap to recovery.
Collect your sample. Most tests use a quick saliva or cheek swab.
Interpreting Your Genetic Results
Understanding genetic test results can be daunting, but it is essential for making
informed health decisions.
Here are some helpful tips:
Focus on Relevant Variants: Not all variants are clinically significant. Concentrate on those linked to your health concerns or family history.
Consider Environmental Context: Genetic predispositions do not guarantee certain health conditions. Factors like lifestyle choices, diet, and other genetic interactions play a vital role.
Seek Professional Guidance: If you find your results confusing, consider consulting a genetic counselor or a healthcare provider specializing in genetics. They can provide insights and help you create a personalized wellness plan.
🧬 My Favorite Genetic & Wellness Partners
Each of these trusted platforms offers a unique way to explore your DNA and apply it to real-life wellness.
1. SelfDecode Explore SelfDecode HSA-FSA Approved
SelfDecode is the most comprehensive AI-driven DNA health platform available today.
600+ health and trait reports
Personalized supplement and nutrition guidance
Upload labs for deeper analysis
Access your own 24/7 AI Health Coach
💚 Through my practitioner dashboard, I can review your results and create a personalized wellness blueprint for detox, nutrition, and lifestyle support.
(I currently accept a limited number of private consultations outside the SelfDecode platform.)
👉 Order a DNA test or analyze your existing raw data directly through my SelfDecode Practitioner link to begin your personalized health journey.
2. Genetic LifeSpan Explore GeneticLifeSpan.com
Next-Level DNA Longevity — combining genetic, epigenetic, and cellular data to help you live longer and stronger.
AgeCode — Reveals your biological age, pace of aging, nutritional metabolism, and cellular resilience.
LivinGene — Precision nutraceuticals that target genetic deficiencies and fortify vitality from within.
IMUN — Cryogenic immune-cell preservation for future health protection.
This integrated approach empowers you to rejuvenate your cells, slow aging, and optimize genetic health for a vibrant life.
3. Root Brands Genetic Test DRC-Gx Genetic Test – The ROOT Brands HSA-FSA Approved
Developed by Dr. Christina Rahm, the test connects directly with Root’s cellular detox and wellness system, making healing truly personalized and precise.
Focuses on immune resilience, detox, and recovery
Designed to pair with Clean Slate, Restore, and Zero-In
Aligns perfectly with Root’s holistic protocols for complete cellular support
This is the same detox products I use personally in my Lyme and toxin recovery work — turning genetic insight into targeted healing.
✨ When you understand your genes, your detox becomes strategic — not guesswork.
4. Seeking Health & StrateGene Explore Seeking Health
Created by Dr. Ben Lynch, researcher and author of Dirty Genes and founder of Seeking Health helps you understand how your DNA affects energy, detox, and resilience — and how to support those pathways naturally.
StrateGene visually maps your methylation, folate, histamine, and detox pathways.
Seeking Health supplements are clean, practitioner-formulated, and clinically tested.
Together, these tools provide a clear, actionable blueprint for anyone navigating MTHFR, methylation, or chronic fatigue.
✨ Understand your “dirty” genes, clean up your pathways, and feel the difference from the inside out.
Integrating Genetic Insights into Your Wellness Plan
After understanding your genetic makeup, you can begin integrating this information into your wellness plan. Here are actionable steps to consider:
Tailor Your Nutrition: Use insights from nutrigenomic testing to adjust your diet. For example, if you have a variant affecting folate metabolism, increasing your intake of leafy greens and legumes can help, as they are rich in folate.
Optimize Supplementation: Based on your genetic results, you may benefit from specific supplements. Individuals with MTHFR variants might require methylated forms of B vitamins for better absorption and effectiveness.
Adjust Your Lifestyle: Knowledge about how your body reacts to stress, toxins, and infections can guide healthier lifestyle choices. This might involve Incorporate stress-reducing habits like breathwork, sunlight, and clean hydration.
Monitor Your Health: Regularly track health markers and symptoms. This can help you evaluate the effectiveness of your personalized wellness plan and make necessary adjustments.
The Future of Genetic Testing in Wellness
As technology advances, testing will become even more precise — offering deeper insight into prevention, detox, and performance.
We’re entering a new era of health where data meets design — and individuals can finally heal with clarity instead of confusion.
💚 Empower Your Wellness Journey
Grasping the power of genetic testing and analysis can completely transform your approach to wellness.
Exploring your genetic makeup reveals insights that shape your nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle choices — giving you a clearer path to balance, energy, and long-term vitality.
From my own experience with Lyme disease and chronic illness, I’ve learned firsthand how essential this knowledge is.
Understanding your genetics helps you take control of your health, make confident, informed decisions, and finally work with your body — not against it.
✨ Your genes are not your destiny — they’re your data.
Final Thought
Your genes don’t define you — they inform you.
Once you understand your body’s blueprint, you can finally stop guessing and start healing the way you were designed.
Affiliate & Practitioner Disclaimer
Some links shared above are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and partners I personally use and trust in my own functional practice and recovery journey.
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