Genetic Testing is Personalized Healthcare

5 Reasons to Get a Genetic Test Today

You can find all types of personalization to your individual tastes these days, from how you like your coffee to the features you want in your car to customized shopping experiences. We're all unique, so why not provide products and service options for that uniqueness?

Personalization may be the future of retail and customer service, and we at Plantscription Wellness believe it's also the future of healthcare. Each individual  is unique, yet for too long, healthcare has provided a one-size-fits-all approach that actually doesn't fit anyone. It fails to provide the long-term wellness and lifestyle choices that each individual needs specifically for them.

We know that our patients are more than just names on a chart. We also know that the path to truly personalized healthcare comes through knowing a person's genetic makeup — their individualized code that forms the blueprint for how their systems function best, right down to the cells. Since having that blueprint is the key to optimal health and wellness, here are five reasons to get a genetic test today.

1. Clarity into Who You Are

Knowing your genetic code, and specifically what genetic variations you have, can help us better understand how your body responds to the world around you, to certain foods you eat, certain activities you do, and more. It can give us better clarity into things like how your body handles inflammation, or if weight loss will be a challenge for you. Better clarity into how your cells and systems work, how your body processes nutrients, and how it burns energy is the start of personalized health.

2. A Focus on Root Causes

Having clarity into how your body uniquely functions is the first step, and with that clarity we can create a more focused approach to your healthcare. For example, if your genes tell us that your cells have a hard time getting rid of toxins, then we can look at making food and lifestyle choices to minimize the introduction of toxins into your body. By having the blueprint of your genetic makeup, we can start building the right foundation. We can also treat illness and disease at the root of the issue instead of just treating downstream symptoms.

3. Better Food Choices

One of the most impactful changes a person can make on their health is changing what they eat and the way they eat. But the age-old question has been, What diet is best for me? The best diet is the one that aligns with your genetics. Insights into your genetics can determine if you need more of certain vitamins, or if you need to cut out foods that cause you inflammation, or  if your body holds fat easily, or if you need to cut down on your caffeine intake.

4. More Targeted Screening

In addition to understanding how your systems work best and how to tailor lifestyle and food choices to your unique body, genetics can also help us better understand the root causes of illness. By doing so, we can choose better options for more targeted screening and testing. Instead of generic or blanket testing that may leave us searching for how to help you, genetics can help us pinpoint exactly where to look — like having a map to where we need to go, instead of just guessing.

5. More Precise Supplements

Similarly, knowing your genetic makeup can help us find the right supplements for your genes. For example, if we know that your genes store iron too well, we can recommend the right intervention, instead of a trial-and-error process that would happen without those genetic insights. Once again, knowing a person's genetic makeup, and how their genes affect their systems, metabolism, cardiovascular health, and more, allows us to make more personalized and customized recommendations for you.