Find Epigenetics Practitioners near you

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FAQs:

What is Epigenetics?

Epigenetics is the study of how your behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way your genes work. Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic changes are reversible and do not change your DNA sequence, but they can change how your body reads a DNA sequence. Gene expression refers to how often or when proteins are created from the instructions within your genes. While genetic changes can alter which protein is made, epigenetic changes affect gene expression to turn genes “on” and “off.” Since your environment and behaviors, such as diet and exercise, can result in epigenetic changes, it is easy to see the connection between your genes and your behaviors and environment.

What is the difference Between Epigenetics and Epigenomics?

Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene activity caused by mechanisms other than DNA sequence changes. Epigenomics is a broader term and refers to the complete study of epigenetic changes of many genes within a cell or organism. Both epigenetics and epigenomics analysis can involve studying alterations in DNA methylation, DNA-protein interactions, chromatin accessibility, histone modifications, and more. Regardless of the approach, RNA-Seq with NGS enables higher discovery power owing to its wide detection, high sensitivity, and low bias while having scalable capabilities for high-throughput applications.

How Does Epigenetic Testing Work?

Epigenetic testing works by examining changes in the patterns of chemical modifications to DNA that can impact gene expression. During an epigenetic testing process, the user provides a sample of their biological material, which will be used to analyze their epigenetic modifications. The two most common types of testing materials are saliva and blood samples.

In either case, the results will be presented in a report that includes the person’s biological age and recommendations for lifestyle changes that promote healthy aging.

Epigenetic testing utilizes advanced technology, such as next-generation sequencing or microarray analysis. The data is then compared to a reference database to determine the biological age. It can be presented as a numerical value or in a graphical format that shows how biological age compares to chronological age.

Who Should Get an Epigenetic Test?

Anyone looking to improve their overall health! Unlike most genetic tests, which are prescribed by a doctor to diagnose a suspected disease or help treat a known disease, epigenetic testing can benefit anyone. We all have epigenetic changes in our gene expression. That’s simply how our bodies are built: able to adapt to many different ways of life. Taking an epigenetic test and knowing how to choose to adapt is an easy way to ensure longevity and a healthy, happy life.

Additionally, epigenetic tests can help inform you on how to manage any diseases or conditions you might be struggling with. While taking an epigenetic test might not allow someone to ever completely recover from any condition, knowing what your genes are saying can be a way to help make the condition far more livable. Epigenetic testing can be part of certain types of gene therapy, as it can help you know how to change your gene expression without much more than a newer diet or lifestyle change.

Is Epigenetic Testing Safe?

Yes, epigenetic testing is safe. There are no physical risks to taking an at-home epigenetic test. Usually, the most discomfort you will have when taking an epigenetic test is a cheek swab. There may be mental and/or emotional risks to taking an epigenetic test, just like any other genetic test. There may be information you do not want to know in terms of possible disease risk. If you are concerned about the results of an epigenetic test, talk to your doctor or a genetic counselor before ordering genetic testing.

What is the Difference Between Genetics and Epigenetics?

We use genetics to identify genetic diseases (diseases linked to faulty DNA codes) and to identify the risk of developing certain diseases. Good to know and helps with being proactive with health. If you know your high risk for breast cancer, you don't skip out on breast cancer screening.

With epigenetics, we can also predict the risk of developing diseases like genetics (accelerated aging = higher likelihood of disease development), but we can go a step further… It has the potential to give a "real-time" health evaluation of the individual.

This is especially important for those who may not have any symptoms of a disease but could be at high risk for developing one. It also has the potential to help us tailor treatments to the individual, rather than using a "one size fits all" approach.

It can make proactive care easier and more effective as we study how the environment and the world around us (food, exercise, stressors, toxins, etc) affect our health. With Epigenetics, learning how to avoid disease with new precision never seen before is possible.

What is the Epigenetic Age?

Epigenetic age is a new way to measure biological age. Instead of only looking at time, epigenetic age uses DNA methylation, the most abundant and best-studied epigenetic modification, as a reliable indicator of biological age. DNA methylation, remember, is the process your body uses to add methyl groups to the DNA molecule, thereby changing the activity of a DNA segment without changing the sequence.

What Diseases Can Be Treated with Epigenetics?

Recent studies suggest epigenetics may be critical in various diseases, from cardiovascular disease and cancer to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Epigenetic modifications are potentially reversible and could provide new therapeutic avenues for treating these diseases using epigenetic modulators. Moreover, epigenetics provides insight into disease pathogenesis and biomarkers for disease diagnosis and risk stratification. Nevertheless, epigenetic interventions have the potential for unintended consequences and may potentially lead to increased risks of unexpected outcomes, such as adverse drug reactions, developmental abnormalities, and cancer.

Is Epigenetic Testing Worth It?

Epigenetic testing offers a wealth of information that can empower you to take control of your health. From offering insights on boosting libido to building a foundation for long-term health, epigenetics can offer a one-of-a-kind picture of what your body is most likely to respond positively to. While your individual goals and priorities should govern whether you pursue testing, here are some key factors to consider:

1. Personal Health Goals

If you’re committed to optimizing your health, preventing disease, and aging gracefully, epigenetic testing can provide invaluable insights and guidance.

2. Family Health History

If your family has a history of certain health conditions, epigenetic testing can help you understand your genetic predisposition and take preventive measures.

3. Commitment to Lifestyle Changes

Epigenetic testing is most beneficial when paired with a commitment to making positive lifestyle changes based on the results. If you’re willing to adapt your diet, exercise, and overall lifestyle to align with your genetic and epigenetic data, it can be a valuable investment!

When it comes to taking control of your health and wellness, epigenetic testing is a powerful tool. Whether you need personalized insights, disease risk assessment, or tailored recommendations for nutrition and fitness, epigenetic testing can be an important first step toward living a longer and healthier life!

How Much Does the Epigenetic Test Cost?

The cost of epigenetic testing can vary depending on the brand and the test type. Generally, it can be relatively high, considering it is a one-time test. For example, the cost of MyDNAge’s epigenetic test is $299.

However, as mentioned above, the test result comes with long-term assistance that provides personalized recommendations based on the individual’s results.

This add-on can help individuals make positive changes to their lifestyle, improving their health status and extending their lifespan. Thus, the cost of the test is justifiable and can be viewed as a long-term investment in one’s health.

History of Epigenetics

The term ‘epigenetics’ was first coined in 1942 by Conrad H. Waddington, a British developmental biologist, embryologist, and geneticist at Cambridge University. When Waddington first used the term little was known about genes and their hereditary role. Until the 1950s the term was used to describe the events that helped a fertilized egg to become a mature organism. By the mid-1980s the meaning of the word had become more precise being used to describe heritable traits that do not involve any alterations to the underlying DNA sequence.

One of the first epigenetic mechanisms to be identified was DNA methylation. This is a chemical process that involves the addition of a single carbon and three hydrogens, known as a methyl group, to a DNA strand. The methyl group addition changes the activity of a DNA segment without altering the DNA sequence. It is known as an ‘epigenetic mark’. Methylated cytosine was first detected in a preparation of calf thymus in 1948 by Rollin Hotchkiss at the Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research, New York.

It would take time however for researchers to work out what purpose the modified cytosine served. In 1969 John S Griffith and Henry R Mahler based at Indiana University suggested that it might help with memory storage in the brain. This was the first time DNA methylation was linked with a biological function. By 1975 three different groups independently suggested that DNA methylation could play a role in switching genes on and off during biological development. One was led by Arthur Riggs at the City of Hope National Medical Center, California, another by Robin Holliday at the National Institute of Medical Research, London, and the last by Ruth Sager at Harvard Medical School.

By the 1990s experimental evidence began to emerge that backed up the hypotheses about the relationship between DNA methylation and gene expression. This was helped by the development of techniques in the 1970s which enabled scientists to clone and sequence DNA. Research in the area was further aided by a method devised by an Australian group of scientists led by Marianne Frommer. This technique made it possible to isolate methylated cytosine residues in individual DNA strands by treating the DNA with the chemical sodium bisulfite. Together with the amplification of DNA by PCR, and the rise of genome sequencing technology, the bisulfite method provided the means to investigate DNA methylation and its impact on gene expression on an unprecedented scale. This could be done in pathological samples. Epigenetics research was further enhanced by the development of microarray technology and improved staining techniques using antibodies.

Types of Epigenetic Changes

Epigenetic changes affect gene expression in different ways. Types of epigenetic changes include:

1. DNA Methylation

DNA methylation works by adding a chemical group to DNA. Typically, this group is added to specific places on the DNA, which blocks the proteins that attach to DNA to “read” the gene. This chemical group can be removed through a process called demethylation. Typically, methylation turns genes “off” and demethylation turns genes “on.”

2. Histone modification

DNA wraps around proteins called histones. When histones are tightly packed together, proteins that ‘read’ the gene cannot access the DNA as easily, so the gene is turned “off.” When histones are loosely packed, more DNA is exposed or not wrapped around a histone and can be accessed by proteins that ‘read’ the gene, so the gene is turned “on.” Chemical groups can be added or removed from histones to make the histones more tightly or loosely packed, turning genes “off” or “on.”

3. Non-coding RNA

Your DNA is used as instructions for making coding and non-coding RNA. Coding RNA is used to make proteins. Non-coding RNA helps control gene expression by attaching to coding RNA, along with certain proteins, to break down the coding RNA so that it cannot be used to make proteins. Non-coding RNA may also recruit proteins to modify histones to turn genes “on” or “off.”

How Your Epigenetics Change

Your epigenetics change as you age, both as part of normal development and aging and in response to your behaviors and environment.

1. Epigenetics and Development

Epigenetic changes begin before you are born. All your cells have the same genes but look and act differently. As you grow and develop, epigenetics helps determine which function a cell will have, for example, whether it will become a heart, nerve, or skin cell.

2. Epigenetics and Age

Your epigenetics change throughout your life. Your epigenetics at birth is not the same as your epigenetics during childhood or adulthood.

3. Epigenetics and Reversibility

Not all epigenetic changes are permanent. Some epigenetic changes can be added or removed in response to changes in behavior or environment.

Causes of Epigenetic Changes

There are different causes for epigenetic changes such as:

- Aging

- Exercise

- Diet

- Environmental pollutants

- Tobacco usage

- Alcohol

- Stress/Mental health

- Maternal health, diet, and smoking while pregnant

- Environmental weather

- Finances

- Diseases

- Medications

While it can take time, most of these epigenetic changes can be reversed through lifestyle and environmental changes. For example, eating healthier, exercising more, and reducing stress can all help reverse negative epigenetic changes.

Benefits Of Epigenetic Testing

Epigenetic testing is an exciting field of personalized medicine that goes beyond traditional genetic testing. A key part of life extension protocol treatments, epigenetics plays an essential role in helping you live your best life. Here are just some of the incredible benefits of epigenetic testing:

1. Personalized Health Insights

Epigenetic testing provides a window into your unique genetic makeup and lifestyle factors. It can reveal how your genes interact with your environment, shedding light on your susceptibility to certain health conditions. By understanding your epigenetic profile, you can make informed choices about your health and well-being.

2. Disease Risk Assessment

One of the most significant advantages of epigenetic testing is its ability to assess your risk of developing various diseases. By identifying epigenetic markers associated with specific conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes, you can take proactive steps to lower your risk through lifestyle changes and early intervention.

3. Tailored Nutrition and Fitness Plans

Your profile can also help you optimize your nutrition and fitness routines. It can reveal how your body responds to different diets, exercise regimens, and supplements. This personalized information allows you to create a diet and fitness plan that aligns with your genetic and epigenetic makeup, maximizing your results.

4. Age Management

Epigenetic testing can provide insights into your biological age, which may differ from your chronological age. Understanding your biological age allows you to implement strategies to slow down the aging process and improve your overall health and longevity.

What Happens After Epigenetic Testing

Once you’ve undergone epigenetic testing, you’ll receive a detailed report outlining your epigenetic profile and its implications for your health. This report is a valuable resource that can guide your healthcare decisions and lifestyle choices. Here’s what typically happens after testing:

1. Consultation with a Healthcare Professional

You’ll have the opportunity to discuss your test results with a qualified healthcare provider, such as a genetic counselor or a functional medicine practitioner. They can help you interpret the findings and develop a personalized health plan based on your epigenetic profile.

2. Lifestyle Recommendations

Based on your epigenetic data, your healthcare provider may recommend specific lifestyle changes, including dietary modifications, exercise routines, and stress management techniques. You may receive recommendations for certain medications, such as BPC 157. These recommendations are tailored to your unique genetic and epigenetic factors.

3. Disease Prevention Strategies

If your test results indicate an increased risk for certain diseases, your healthcare provider can outline preventive measures and screening options. Early detection and intervention can significantly improve your chances of avoiding or managing these conditions effectively.

Sources:

CDC

Medline Plus

Clear Bridge Biomedics

Epi Paws

Yunique Medical

American Medical Wellness

Wild Health

EJINME

What is Biotechnology

Study Smarter

Illumina