Nutrition is a major determinant of gene expression. What is the communication between your food and your cells? Nutrients communicate with our cells in many ways. The wrong food for you may generate stress and alarm messages that may result in inflammation and hormone imbalances. Examples of this are clear. If you eat fast food with white flour and sugar, the fiber is "processed" out of the food and the sugar goes rapidly into the blood. Fiber is nature's intended buffer for time release. The fast infusion of sugar creates an alarm message. Over time, our hormone reactions can not keep up and insulin resistance results. If the genes allow; the individual who continues this path will have diabetes.

If we eat primarily Omega-6 and trans fats in our foods, the imbalance with Omega-3 fats will eventually lead to increased inflammation. Meat and the margarine and oils common in processed, packaged food are the cause of increased Omega-6 fats in our diets. It is no wonder so many individuals have arthritis, joint aches and auto immune diseases. Natural grains, nuts and seeds, as well as native fish, are sources of omega-3 fats. If heart disease, auto immune disorders and arthritis run in your genes, it's time to let food be your medicine. What are you bathing your genes in today?

It is estimated that genetics account for around 20 to 30% of cancer. Even those genes can be modified. The other 70 to 80% are due to our environment. Environmental factors often can be modified. Most of the environmental influence is thought to be from foods, not other toxic exposures.

You are unique and you need unique approaches to health, not one size fits all. Health professionals are constantly learning ways to individualize our patients' treatments.

Does your body make healthy estrogen? We can test to see what happens to hormones in your system. Food, as well as supplements, can be used to correct any negative trends.

You can make changes to ward off cancer and other hormonal troubles. It could be as simple as restoring normal gut flora or eating flax meal, for lifelong improved health. Diindolyl methane (DIM) is a big word for a special broccoli extract that can improve your estrogen metabolism. DIM can shift the balance of estrogen products made by your body. DIM can increase 2-hydroxyestrone, which helps prevent cancer; improves fat to muscle ratios and reduces hormonal mood shifts. Your 2- hydroxyestrogen levels can be assessed by a simple blood test to see if you are at risk. Many menopausal women notice they are finally able to lose weight and gain muscle mass by addressing this imbalance.

When your metabolic strengths and weaknesses are known, we can better tailor personal lifestyle changes, diet, nutritional supplements and in some cases, drug therapy to optimize your health.

The following tests rely on testing for specific gene sequences:

• OsteoGenomic Panel can predict tendency to bone loss decades before bone loss is seen on bone density scans. $199.00
• CardioGenomic Panel gives information on a persons' tendency to develop cholesterol trouble, hypertension, vascular inflammation and myocardial infarcts. $399.00
• ImmunoGenomics Profile detects tendency to chronic inflammatory conditions, such as asthma, allergies and some autoimmune disorders. $249.00
• DetoxiGenomics looks at liver detoxification paths and enzymes that may be lacking for efficient coping with toxins in the environment and some drugs. This could relate to risk for some cancers, tendency to chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and poor ability to withstand many drugs and chemicals. $449.00
• Basic Genomic Profile gives a broad spectrum of basic metabolic disadvantages and identifies genetic risk for several physiologic categories. $399.00

It has been said: How you appear before 40 years of age is due to genes. How you appear after 40 reflects how you have lived your life.

Live well and prosper,

Dr. Keaton