Do you feel overly stressed? Do you have trouble concentrating, organizing, planning or carrying out your plans; or feel that your memory is not what it used to be? Do you worry about developing some dreaded chronic disease, perhaps because another family member suffered from one? Or do you just not feel “well” yet aren’t sure what to do about it?

A rare variant on the TREM2 gene can lead to a heightened risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease. This gene encodes for a vital receptor—located on the surface of your brain’s microglial cells—that fights inflammation, helps metabolize debris from cells that have died, and destroys dangerous proteins that build up in the brain. The failure of this receptor to function normally—a side effect of a TREM2 mutation—is now understood as a core component of Alzheimer’s progression. Take a genetic test to find out if you have a risk TREM2 variant and you could add years to your brain’s healthspan.

If you possess a certain allele of APOE known as APOE4, you may be significantly more likely to develop Amyloid β plaques—the plaques that contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s Disease. As with TREM 2, a genetic test to determine if you carry a risk APOE gene may help you stave off Alzheimer’s.

If you possess a G allele variant on your ABCA7 gene, you have an estimated 17-20% greater likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s. This gene is involved in coding for processes that clear Amyloid β proteins and dead cell debris from our brains to prevent the damaging effects of their accumulation.

Variants of this gene determine a receptor on the microglial cells that is responsible for an “on-off” switch in the cells. If “turned on”, the cells clear out amyloid and other bad debris. If “turned off”, it can lead to oxidative stress and damaged neurons. Make sure you are protecting your brain by taking a genetic test. Once you understand what genetic variants you’ve inherited, you can begin to aim for better health and wellbeing.

CHRNA5 and CHRNA3 both encode a receptor that nicotine binds to in order for your body to process its physiological effects. Variants on this gene can either reduce or increase this receptor’s function—specifically, the A allele has been associated with an increased risk for nicotine dependence. Knowing what variant you possess on your CHRNA5 and CHRNA3 genes can help you pinpoint the right treatment options for quitting your nicotine addiction… and that’s what precision medicine is all about!

This gene expresses an enzyme that is strongly linked to lipoprotein (cholesterol) homeostasis—and certain variants lead to greater metabolism or clearance of cholesterol and LDL particles (bad cholesterol) in the blood. If you were born with a gene that leaves you with a slower LDL metabolism process, you may be at a higher risk for all the heart problems associated with high levels of bad cholesterol. The more you know about your genes, the more you can protect against these negative heart health outcomes, and protect your brain, too.

Short for “Interleukin 6”, this gene helps stimulate the immune responses in your body. Interestingly, it seems to play a role in both reducing inflammation and inflaming it in the first place. However, one variant on this gene—C174C—has been implicated in a wide range of inflammation-related diseases, including dementia, arthritis, and fatigue. If you have a risk allele on this gene, you might want to mitigate its effects and work to epigenetically shift your risk through lifestyle factors.

You may remember the MTHFR gene from our prior series, where we described it as the “manufacturing gene” for its role in building the neurotransmitter supply chain that keeps you emotionally healthy. If you have a risk variant on this gene, your MTHFR gene is less able to efficiently convert folic acid into methylfolate—crucial for synthesizing those mood regulating neurotransmitters. Inflammation reduces the manufacture of these critical neurotransmitters and can instead cause “bad genes” to express themselves to bring about depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder that are resistant to treatment. By taking a DNA test you can better understand the status of your MTHFR gene and whether your brain needs help in producing the vital methylfolate that keeps it running smoothly. The right supplements can augment standard medications to help ensure a greater recovery from a mood or anxiety disorder.

If you have a T allele on your FKBP5 gene, you may be predisposed to higher levels of stress. This variant confers a dysregulated cortisol response to stress, fails to “turn off” your stress response, decreases your ability to “come down” after a stress response, and has even been shown to possibly increase the risk of depression following trauma. In other words, if you have this variant, you very likely have an atypical and heightened response to stress. Lifestyle changes and supplements can help you regulate and decrease your response to stress over time.

If you have a G allele on your CRHR1 gene, you may prone to significantly increased levels of cortisol in response to stress, as well as poor working memory and increased rates of depression. If you have an A allele, you are likely more resilient to stress. Take control to decrease your high levels of stress response by better understanding the genes working behind the scenes, and remember: when it comes to stressful situations, you only have so much conscious control. Your genes play a larger role than you may know.

In our “DNA… I Am Who I Am… or Am I?” series, I described BDNF as the “rainforest gene” for the major role it plays in neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity in our brain—the process that allows our neurons to grow, adapt, and connect to one another. One variation of this gene known as the Val66Met polymorphism is associated with reduced BDNF, which means reduced neuroplasticity—which has a surprising negative impact on our resilience to stress. There’s good news, however: simple lifestyle changes like exercise can play a big role in increasing your levels of BDNF, moving you from a “risk” gene to something more positive.

This gene affects the surface receptors that allow for the attachment and growth of intestinal microbiota (the trillions of healthy or unhealthy bacteria and viruses in your gut) and provides an important food source for healthy gut bacteria. If you have a resilient FUT2 gene, your surface receptors are robust and you have more potential for a diverse—and thus healthy—microbiome. If you have a risk gene, however, you likely have a lower diversity and possible dysregulation of gut microbiota. Those with the risk variant have a 7-14% increased risk of inflammatory GI conditions like Celiac disease or Crohn’s disease. The sooner you take a genetic test, the sooner you’ll be able to understand if it’s your genes that are making you feel less than optimal – you just don’t feel well—and then, find solutions to help change that outcome.

Simply put, these genes are the ones that put you at increased risk of suffering from Celiac disease. The DQ2 and DQ8 haplotypes (genes inherited from a single parent) are strongly associated with the disease, and the DQ5 haplotype is carried in 90-95% of all Celiac patients. This disease can impact your entire body, from your energy levels to your brain functions—and the sooner you know whether you suffer from a gluten sensitivity, the sooner you can make those gluten-free changes to your diet to feel better.

Studies have shown that if you carry a T-C variant on your MC4R gene, you may have a 30% increased chance of being obese, in addition to having a higher risk of metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance, high blood pressure, high cholesterol), which can be a precursor to type 2 diabetes. This gene moderates the effects of leptin, a neuro-hormone that regulates satiety (“feeling full” when eating), metabolism, and energy balance. For those with a risk variant, increased food consumption is likely caused from the body’s decreased ability to feel sated (“full”). This risk, however, can be moderated. Knowledge of the risk is the first step in knowing how to manage the outcomes.

As its name suggests, CLOCK is one of the central genes involved in governing and regulating your biological clock, or your circadian rhythms. Specifically, CLOCK regulates that circadian activity across a number of biological functions, including metabolism and energy balance. If you possess a risk variant of this gene, your circadian rhythms may be slightly dysregulated, leading to a less functional metabolism and other related consequences—like obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Interestingly, this gene has also been associated with emotional eating. By taking a genetic test, you will gain a greater understanding into both your sleeping and eating habits and how to modify them.

If you were born with a T-G variant on your MEIS1 gene, you may have an increased risk of developing Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)—and those born with a G allele have an almost twofold increase in developing RLS over time. If you have this risk gene, you and your doctor can discuss options to help evaluate whether you have this condition, and if so, mitigate its effects, which often keep individuals up at night due to a strong urge to move.

A single variant of this gene—namely the HLA-DQB1*0602 allele—is carried in over 90% of individuals with narcolepsy – a condition characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness. Sometimes, it’s just that simple: a single gene can have an outsize impact. Narcolepsy is frequently misdiagnosed as depression, schizophrenia, or hypothyroidism. By understanding your genetic code better, you and your doctor can pinpoint the right solutions for you and your health.