A genetic test is an analysis of our DNA, genetic material in our cells, that gives us specific features and enables our body to perform various functions. “Mistakes” in our genes (called “pathogenic variants”) can manifest the disease, and genetic tests may be used to confirm the disease diagnosis. ✔️ Access easy health solutions: Learn fast ways to reverse aging in any body. Is aspirin a good longevity intervention? For instance, did you know that people with asthma who have the WDR46 gene are possibly at a higher risk for Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease? These synthetic DNA strands are made up of nucleotides with a fluorescent dye added. Genetic testing can provide clarity and a firm diagnosis, guide therapy selection and monitoring, and allow disease risk profiling. We and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. is performed in order to identify or rule out the mutation that causes the symptoms, and in a lot of cases to confirm the diagnosis. This means getting early warnings about things like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, and heart disease can allow you to work to prevent them. Now, certain bases will only pair up and connect with other bases. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. The price has come down significantly from even a few years ago, and many companies offer whole genome sequencing for under $1,000 (with several even offering promotions in the $200-$400 range). Sometimes, biochemical/biomarker testing allows an early diagnosis and continuous therapy monitoring, especially in the field of lysosomal storage disorders. It’s also, incidentally, a possible explanation for why we age (one favored by Dr. David Sinclair of Harvard). With genotyping—the kind of test 23andMe and Ancestry do—you’re typically using a DNA microarray chip to look at a limited set of gene types that you may or may not have. But there is probability of carrying the mutation and developing symptoms later in life. What are the benefits of genetic testing? Major life decisions are often based on genetic test results. I’m the co-founder of Longevity Advice and have been passionate about radical life extension ever since I was a teenager. I’m also a sci-fi novelist, wargame rules writer, and enthusiast for cooking things in bacon fat. Genetic testing can be used as preventative screening for certain health reasons, understanding family heritage, and even for revealing genetic predispositions. That means you know the original strand must read “G, T, T, A” (since, remember, A only binds with T, and C only binds with G). Your specific circumstances may be different, however for me whole genome sequencing makes the most sense for a couple reasons: Thanks for sticking with me for the past 3,000 words. Understanding yourself, your body, your genes, your hormones, your gut health, your blood sugar, and more is critically important for personalizing your anti-aging routine safely and effectively. Life-extension interventions that may work for me won’t be as effective for you. Knowing your own DNA means you can make better, more informed decisions about different life-extension treatments and therapies and have a more full understanding of the actual risks involved for you as an individual. And this is just one example that illustrates the benefits of genetic testing and of knowing a whole host of your other biomarkers. One benefit to genetic testing for life extension not often discussed is the possibility of identifying, not just the risk for future diseases and ailments, but health issues you already have and may not know how to treat. Genetic Testing Benefits for a Better Future For All. To extract the DNA first you need a biological sample—usually saliva or blood with humans. Genes are specific stretches of DNA strands (of differing lengths: some are only 300 letters long while others are millions) that, when “turned on,” tell the cell to manufacture certain types of proteins. There are actually a lot of different types of DNA tests out there but they break down generally into two buckets: genotyping and sequencing. Chromatin all coiled together is then called a chromosome and each person has 46 of them (23 pairs—so now you know why 23andMe has the name it does) floating around in each cell nucleus. What type of DNA test should I get for longevity? If you know you’re at risk for certain conditions, you can plan and alter your lifestyle, diet, and exercise in order to alter your epigenetics (remember that word?) Please check your email for a link to your free guide. connecting the outside ribose/phosphate supports/backbone to each other) you get single DNA strands (also called polynucleotides), and when you connect two single DNA strands horizontally at the “rungs” (the nitrogenous bases) and twist, you get the familiar double helix ladder shape. However, there are also risks and limitations to testing. So now you’ve got the basic overview of DNA, genes, and chromosomes, let’s get into how to actually learn about your own genome. Genetic testing has the potential to improve life for all. (And get a nifty free health tracking guide). So A may be green, while C is blue and so on. Even the limited genotyping tests you get to understand your family tree often capture useful health information these days. Required fields are marked *. Benefits of genetic testing for longevity, 2. And it should come as no surprise that genetics play a big role in your risk for cancer and heart disease. Ideally patient care involves pre- and post-test genetic counseling to explain the range of options and possible outcomes, in order to obtain truly informed consent. In order to really understand DNA testing and genetic testing you need to have a basic understanding of DNA, how it works, and how it’s structured into genes. My sister once called me “King of the Nerds” and it’s a title I’ve been trying to live up to ever since. Over the next few weeks, you can expect to see articles from us covering the gamut of the quantified-self space, from what medical diagnostics (like blood tests) to get, to fitness wearables and other health monitors, to diet tracking software, sleep apps, and genetic tests, plus how to interpret and use all that data you’ll be getting from this biotracking. If you don’t know your own body before starting on specific longevity interventions—like taking new supplements you just learned about from some longevity podcast, life-extension blog, or anti-aging book—you could easily do yourself more harm than good. So “A” and “T” will only ever pair with each other, and “C” and “G” will only ever pair with each other. Sequencing usually costs more and takes longer (up to a week on modern machines) because every single individual base is being read and recorded, and often re-read as many as 30 times to minimize errors. The science of genetics exploded in the last decade as researchers completed the Human Genome Project, which mapped the 25,000 genes in the human genome.This large step in genetic science produced a massive amount of collected data on DNA that is now benefiting so many people through widely available genetic testing. Everybody’s genetics are different, and so it stands to reason that longevity treatments will affect people differently. Now you have a basic understanding of how DNA tests work, let’s talk about the different types of tests you can get before covering the main benefits of genetic testing.

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