By now, mostly everyone is aware of DNA testing to reveal one's ancestry, but is there more that your DNA can do for you?
Enter DNA health reports.
Genetic research has come a long way in recent years, and now we're able to unlock a wealth of knowledge about our individual health profiles. By understanding our unique genetic makeup, we can gain insights into our predispositions, strengths, and vulnerabilities.
CRI Genetics has helped countless individuals access their personal health information. In this blog post, you'll learn the top 10 must-see health reports according to CRI Genetics' customers. From physical prowess to sweet tooth cravings, these health reports offer valuable insights into our bodies and well-being. Check them out below!
10. Power vs. Endurance
Report Category: Energy
Your genotype for Power vs. Endurance shows that you are a . . .
POWER ATHLETE / ENDURANCE ATHLETE
Being a power athlete means that your muscles are better at recycling the energy molecule ATP, which is useful for explosive bursts of muscle strength. Being an endurance athlete means that your muscles are more dependent on oxidative metabolism, which produces a longer-lasting and more stable supply of ATP, making your muscle fibers more fatigue resistant and able to produce slow and steady energy.
💪 Bottom line: Neither result is better than the other, but understanding whether your body produces the ACTN3 protein in their fast-twitch muscle fibers or not means you can understand which sports and activities you may best be suited for, and how to take care of your muscles, either way.
9. Attractiveness to Mosquitoes
Report Category: Unique Traits
Your genotype shows that you are . . .
MORE ATTRACTIVE / MODERATELY ATTRACTIVE / LESS ATTRACTIVE
Mosquitoes—run for your lives! This is not an insect you want to make a cat call for, since they can spread mosquito-borne diseases like Zika virus, dengue, and malaria, to name a few. So what does it mean to be "attractive to mosquitoes?" Being more attractive to mosquitoes or moderately attractive to mosquitoes means that you might get more mosquito bites than other people. Being less attractive to mosquitoes means you probably get fewer mosquito bites than others. This report is related to genes that code for proteins that regulate the immune system.
👃 Bottom line: Depending on the gene variant you carry for this trait, you may or may not produce a unique body odor. Differences in natural body odor are thought to be more or less attractive to mosquitoes.
8. Overall BMI
Report Category: Metabolism
Your genotype for Overall BMI shows that you are predisposed to a . . .
HIGHER BMI / HEALTHY BMI
BMI or Body Mass Index is a calculation of your weight divided by your height squared. While BMI is not an absolute indicator of your health, it can be a tool to help guide your medical decisions.
Higher BMI is a dominant trait, meaning you only need to inherit it from one of your parents to get the “Higher BMI” trait, making it easier for you to gain weight and more difficult for you to lost it. Healthy BMI is a recessive trait. This means you need to inherit the trait from both of your parents in order for it to be expressed. While you may not have a genetic predisposition to obesity, you are not automatically guaranteed a low BMI.
⚖️ Bottom line: Tracking your diet can help prevent unusual weight gain and related health issues. Whether you are at a healthy weight or not, you may benefit from a healthy lifestyle, plenty of exercise and a neutral calorie balance. It may be helpful to know which trait you are predisposed to so you can understand your body and what it needs.
7. Sweet Tooth
Report Category: Taste
Your genotype shows that you have a . . .
LOW LIKELIHOOD FOR SWEET TOOTH / HIGH LIKELIHOOD FOR SWEET TOOTH
Sweet tooth, or not to sweet tooth, that is the question. Having a low likelihood for a sweet tooth is exactly how it sounds. You are unlikely to prefer candy or sweet food over other varieties of food. You may even find some desserts too sweet for you. Having a high likelihood for a sweet tooth is exactly how it sounds. You are more likely to crave candy or sweet food than other varieties of food. You will rarely find a dessert that is too sweet for you to handle.
🍬 Bottom line: Humans have craved sweets since the dawn of time. Our ancestors sought out every fruit and berry they could get their hands on. Fruits and sugar provide energy and much-needed glucose but the sugar we ingest daily has fallen far from that first tree, so it's important to understand your own health when it comes to sugar, but also have that chocolate cake once in a while too. Life is all about balance.
6. Impulse Control
Report Category: Brain Health
Your genotype for Impulse Control shows that you are . . .
MORE LIKELY TO BE IMPULSIVE / LESS LIKELY TO BE IMPULSIVE
It's all about the dopamine, baby. More likely to be impulsive means that you have a higher chance of acting on desires, whims, or inclinations with little forethought. Less likely to be impulsive means that you are less inclined to follow your impulses. This means you may possess a heightened ability for impulse control.
😈 Bottom line: A change in the gene that plays a role in impulse control may affect the action of dopamine in your neurons, causing changes in response inhibition. Thus, it is likely that individuals with this change in their genes may be more prone to following their impulses. Everyone is different though, and understanding how your brain works when it comes to impulses can help you lean into, or away from them.
5. Long-Term Memory
Report Category: Special Abilities
Your genotype for Long-Term Memory shows that you have . . .
NORMAL LONG-TERM MEMORY / ENHANCED LONG TERM MEMORY
Your memory plays a large role in your sense of identity and your ability to understand and navigate the world around you. Long term memories are all the memories your brain encodes and stores for periods of time longer than a couple seconds.
Having likely normal long-term memory means that your brain is efficient at processing, storing, and recalling long-term memories, although it may take you some time to access or store memories, depending on the circumstances. Having likely enhanced long-term memory means that your brain excels at processing, storing, and recalling memories. This makes it easier to remember information with speed and accuracy.
💭 Bottom line: Memory has a lot to do with serotonin receptors found in your brain. Epigenetic factors may play a role in your working, and long-term memory, but everyone is different, and other factors, such as underlying health issues or genetics, may influence your ability to remember certain pieces of information, especially those outside of your conscious mind.
4. Perfect pitch
Report Category: Special Abilities
Your genotype for Perfect Pitch shows that you are . . .
LIKELY TO HAVE PERFECT PITCH / UNLIKELY TO HAVE PERFECT PITCH
Perfect pitch, also known as absolute pitch, is the ability to identify a given musical note by name (e.g. A, F#, or C) without using a reference note. Only one in every 10,000 people have perfect pitch, thus it is classified as relatively rare.
Being likely to have perfect pitch means that you may have the ability to accurately identify or recreate musical notes without a reference tone. For those with perfect pitch, identification is likely to be instantaneous and effortless, and can be compared to identifying light frequencies by their color names (e.g. looking at a blue object and saying “blue”), which most people have the ability to do. Being unlikely to have perfect pitch means that you are less likely to possess the ability to name specific musical pitches without the aid of a reference tone.
🎼 Bottom line: Only one in every 10,000 people have perfect pitch, so if you do, consider yourself a rare and unique person! Learning this about yourself may lead to you want to cultivate your musical talents more, or tune in to your musical appreciation at a higher frequency.
3. Salt Sensitivity (Blood Pressure)
Report Category: Wellness
Your genotype for Salt Sensitivity shows that you have a . . .
LOW LIKELIHOOD FOR SALT SENSITIVITY / HIGH LIKELIHOOD FOR SALT SENSITIVITY
Studies reveal that a few genes may play a role in Salt Sensitivity. One gene in particular regulates how your kidneys transport sodium. Individuals with a change at a specific genetic marker are less efficient at removing sodium from their bodies. The result is that they face a greater risk of high blood pressure with a high-sodium diet. Having a low likelihood for salt sensitivity means that your body should remove sodium without issue. Having a high likelihood for salt sensitivity means you are at risk for high blood pressure because your body tends to keep sodium.
🍟 Bottom line: When consuming salty foods, some people show a sudden increase in blood pressure. These people are “salt sensitive.” Other individuals show no change in blood pressure at all, and are “salt resistant.” If you worry about your blood pressure, you should talk with your doctor.
2. Mathematical Ability
Report Category: Special Abilities
Your genotype for Mathematical Ability shows that you have . . .
NORMAL MATHEMATICAL ABILITY / ENHANCED MATHEMATICAL ABILITY
A certain protein found in the brain and spinal cord has known connections to associative learning, and may affect how mathematical abilities are developed and retained.
Having normal mathematical ability means your core mathematical skills, including number processing, shape processing, and associative learning, are adequate and allow you to solve simple math problems on a daily basis. You are capable of using your knowledge of mathematics to associate patterns or connections in the real world. Having enhanced mathematical ability means that your mathematical ability may be stronger than average, and you are better able to apply mathematical concepts to the real world. Your capacity to learn and master new mathematical skills and ideas is likely to be higher as well.
➕ Bottom line: It may be the age of computers and AI, but math is not dead. Honing your mathematical ability can increase your capacity to learn and master new mathematical skills and ideas. Discovering your traits can help you understand more about your strengths and where to put your energy.
1. Pain Threshold
Report Category: Special Abilities
Your genotype for Pain Threshold shows that you have a . . .
LOW PAIN THRESHOLD / HIGH PAIN THRESHOLD
No pain, no gain. Our number one viewed report (non-ancestry) at the time of this writing is Pain Threshold. Who knew so many people were curious about how much pain their bodies can take on?
Having a low pain threshold means that your body quickly detects low levels of pain. This is because your body only requires a few nerve cells (neurons) to send pain signals to your brain. As a result, you may notice minor aches, scratches, or cuts that other people seem to be able to ignore. Having a high pain threshold is exactly the opposite—your body only detects more painful stimuli. The upside is that you shouldn’t experience pain as often as others do. The downside is that you may ignore things that can hurt you. The result could be more damage to your body. You may also find yourself taking more risks than other people do.
🤕 Bottom line: There’s nothing wrong with a little pain. After all, it’s your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong. But sometimes pain can last way too long, and that’s when it’s a problem. Understanding your pain threshold can you help you understand the larger picture of yourself.
Uncover the Health traits that make you unique
Ancestry DNA can tell you what regions your ancestors came from, but health traits can clue you into health-related strengths and vulnerabilities that, with proper understanding, can help you live a longer and more fulfilling life.
Want to find out what your genes say about you?
If you're already a CRI Genetics customer and want to jump straight to these reports, the links are listed below:
9. Attractiveness to Mosquitoes 👃
3. Salt Sensitivity (Blood Pressure) 🍟
1. Pain Threshold 🤕
For more information concerning DNA testing and how to select the best form of testing for your needs, click HERE.
There is a treasure trove of information waiting to be uncovered.
