I don’t know any woman who would be happy with her weight. I am serious. Being a woman is difficult. We are bombarded by the ‘perfect model’ images through media and we struggle to fit into that projected image. Sadly, hardly any woman honestly would say, ‘I don’t care how I look, I just want my weight controlled in order to stay healthy’.

 

However, as a society we should focus on this true goal, men and women, young and not so young… Dieting is not always healthy. I know so many patients who tried every possible diet and even exercise, but have been unable to shift weight at all. Why? There are many answers. Weight can fluctuate due to hormones (menopausal, pre-menopausal, PMT, etc.), stress related weight gain, sedentary jobs, eating habits, addictions, water retention and of course, let’s not forget, bad genes… 

 

For example, scientists studied[1] how differently people respond to the same weight program and exercise load. Study subjects had Japanese style food with low saturated fat and high protein and one hour of intense exercise a day, which resulted in calorie deficit. Expected outcome was that all the participants would lose weight over two years and maintain it. The actual outcome was somewhat surprising. Participants in the first group, as expected, lost weight, whereas the participants from other groups responded differently, either by reaching a plateau, increasing weight, or not losing weight at all. When the genetic testing was subsequently done, it became clear why not everyone responded to the same program. All four groups had different genetic patterns.

 

 

With DNA testing we can understand an individual’s reasons behind weight gain and develop the appropriate strategy to control it, based on understanding the following:

 

• How much fat do you absorb from your food?

• Can you effectively metabolise that fat?

• How much fat do you store in your body?

• How much energy you are getting from your fat cells?

• Is your body responding to exercise?

• Is your insulin sensitivity impaired or not?

• Are you genetically at risk of having poor control of your eating habits?

• Are the tasting or food addictions causing you to over eat?

 

 

Your genetic test can unveil why, after all that effort with watching calories and exercising, you can’t lose inches from your waist.

There are some genes (FTO) that can influence your appetite. There are two variations that can define how you are going to deal with your weight. Patients that have the first type of alteration (TT) of the genes have a tendency to be overweight and have to exercise significantly more than others in order to keep weight under control[2], whether the second type(AA/AT) would lose weight quickly just on a high protein diet that will also reduce their appetite[3].

 

Another gene (PPARG) controls how your body stores and breaks down fat[4]. When people have one type of gene variation (CG/GG), the Mediterranean diet is not for them; in fact they most likely start putting weight on, for them low fat diet is the answer.

 

In the ‘DNA diet’ test results you will find a detailed report on your 13 genes associated with weight control.

 

At the end of the report you will find a full recommendation for your type of diet plan and type of physical activity that best suits you. Together with your therapist explaining the results, you will be able to build and put into practice your customised treatment program that will finally give you tangible results.

 

Remember, epigenetics nowadays arms you with knowledge. Nothing is set in stone as your genes respond to environmental signals. You can exercise and re-train your genes. You can reverse your addictions, because you want to send the right signals to your genes. Many people who have given up caffeine have found the body craves for it at first, but a few weeks later it becomes accustomed to it, this is just one example.

 

Put yourself in the driving seat and take control of your genes to adapting them to the new you!

 

 

 

 

[1] S F Meisel, R J Beeken, C HM van Jaarsveld, J Wardle. Genetic test feedback with weight control advice: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Meisel et al. Trials. 2012; 13: 235.

[2] Zhang X, Qi Q, Zhang C, et al. FTO genotype and 2-year change in body composition and fat distribution in response to weight-loss diets: The POUNDS LOST trial. Diabetes 2012; 61:3005–3011. A study testing hypothesis-driven gene–diet interaction in randomized diet intervention trial.

[3] Huang T1, Qi Q, Li Y, Hu FB, Bray GA, Sacks FM, Williamson DA, Qi L. Am.  FTO genotype, dietary protein, and change in appetite: the Preventing Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies trial. J Clin Nutr. 2014 Mar 12

[4] Razquin C et al. (2009) . “The Mediterranean diet protects against waist circumference enlargement in 12Ala carriers for the PPARgamma gene: 2 years’ follow-up of 774 subjects at high cardiovascular risk.” Br J Nutr 102(5):672-9

 

 

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