I did a DNA test and here's what I learned

Find out what you can learn, it could save your life.


When my father wanted to find his family tree, he locked in a monastery with a room full of dusty books of 300 years. Day after day, it would be up to decipher dates of birth, weddings and death - he even understood that the priest code for the registration of children was born from Wedlock (a crossed circle next to the date of birth).

I do the same thing, I crack in a cup and sent it to23andy. You got the results a few weeks later. My, how times have changed.

You surely heard about DNA tests. Including23andy,Ancestrydna And others analyze your genetic sample and determine who you are linked to (in their database), as well as possible health problems (at best they can). My results revealed only the names of my great grandparents-grandparents-grandparents beat me there. But can a book in a monastery can tell you if your intoolerant lactose? Allergic to Cilantro? Or be at risk of cancer? Keep reading to see what I learned from my DNA test - and what you can learn, it could help you save your life.

1

My ancestry composition

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I start with my ancestry - after all, that's why I did the test in the first place.

In the break, I discover that I am 89.4% of Eastern Europe - no surprise, I was born in Poland and 3.9% Greek, and Balkan, 1.9% French and German and 1.3 % of Northwestern European. It is interesting to note that I thought I was purely European - I am 0.1% Philippine and Austronée and 0.1% of the Chinese and Southeast Asia.

The report suggests that the Filipino and Austronesian genes have joined my genes at the beginning of the 18th century. I wonder what my uncles were up to.

I also learned that 4% of my global DNA can be hunted with Neanderthals. The test has identified 262 genetic variants that can be drawn to the Neanderthals - my friend who took the test is only 240 and I'm sure he will use this information against me one day.

I am proud to discover that I share my ancestors with Marie Antoinette. OK, about 18,000 years ago 18,000 years ago, but no one will ever take it from me, I'm connected with Royals!

Excited, I organized a family skype call. We thought our family has lived in the same village for generations so that the exotic genes are big new. We begin to discuss the Heritage of the Balkans - my father points to my mother's family: "Some of them had a truly temperament and hair of the Balkans in surprising places," he says. My sister points out that the genes of Marie Antoinette are certainly the reason why I never say no to a cake. I ask my father of the Philippine and Austronic traces. "One of our big grandmothers had to have been very open-minded," he admits.

Ok, enough on my family - now, what genes can talk to me aboutme?

2

My health predisposition

23andme health predisposition
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There are genetic factors that can influence my chances of developing certain conditions of health, I learned. In this section, I find 13 reports on conditions, including:

Those I had heard about before:

  • BRCA1 / BRCA2 (selected variants)
  • Celiac disease
  • Late Alzheimer's Disease
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Type 2 diabetes

And those who were new for me:

  • Macular degeneration related to age (AMD)
  • Hemochromatosis hereditary (HFE)
  • Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficit
  • Family hypercholesterolemia
  • G6PD deficiency
  • Hereditary amylose (linked to TTR)
  • Hereditary thrombophilia
  • Polyposis associated with the mutyh

For 10 of them, I tested negative, but I find that a variant had been detected for Hemochromatosis AMD and hereditary. The report immediately informed me that I am not a risk, but I really want to know more.

Macular degeneration(AMD) is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss in the elderly. I knew that my view is worse every year but I never thought about it as a genetic predisposition. My report says that a variant has been detected. What does it mean? "It means you have one of the two genetic variants we tested .... Most people with this result do not develop AMD. Your AMD development risk is influenced by other factors, such that family history, lifestyle and other genetic variants not covered by this test. "

Nevertheless, I decide to visit an ophthalmologist this year.

Then I checkHereditary hemochromatosisWhich essentially means that my body tends to accumulate food iron, which can damage the joints and certain organs, such as liver, skin, heart and pancreas. The report warns me again that "people with this variant do not risk developing an iron overload related to hereditary hemochromatosis", but I remember a look at my doctor's face the last Once she was surprised at my iron level. I ignored it at the time, but I never go: I'm talking about a nutritionist on my levels.

I also have a polite reminder that I have a typical genetic probability of developingType 2 diabetes, which is not surprising, but I take a mental note. 21% chance is always a chance.

So far, so good. Now it's time to think of my future children.

3

My carrier status

23andme career status
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In this section, I can click on specific genetic variants that may affect my health but could affect my children's health.

I find whooping 44 reports, covering those whom I have heard from (cystic fibrosis, anemia of the sickle, tay-saich disease) to those who read like Greek (Family Mediterranean fever, beta-thalassemia and associated hemoglobinopathies, syndrome of Bloom).

This time, I'm lucky enough to support any of them. But I wonder how this type of test can help people plan a family, so I ask Tim Barclay, Senior Publisher of the DNA Health Test WebsiteInnerbody.com. "Taking genetic screening tests can allow couples to take steps to minimize the chances that their children will inherit a disorder," he says, "or allow them to plan the future, often with the help of A genetic advisor or their health care provider. "Most often, if both parents are carriers for a variant of certain diseases, there will be 25% chance that their child is affected by the disease. Newly informed, I pass.

RELATED: 40 health warnings that you should never ignore

4

My well-being

23andme-wellness
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This report seems more fun and this is the way my DNA can affect my body's response to the plan, exercise and sleep.

  • Alcohol hunting reaction - I am unlikely to hunt (true).
  • Consumption of caffeine - I am likely to consume more (true).
  • Sleeping deep - I'm more likely to be a deep sleeper (I'm not sure).
  • Genetic Weight - I am predisposed to weigh the average (do you come ... it's just a bit of beer belly!).
  • Lactose intolerance - I am probably tolerant (I do not like milk so I always suspected that I am intolerant; it's good to have settled).
  • Muscular composition - My muscles are common in elite power athletes (especially my beer muscle).
  • FAT and saturated weight - I am probably a similar weight on high or low high schemes in saturated fats with the same number of total calories.
  • Sleep movement - I'm probably more than medium movement (my girlfriend accepts).

Each report has a dedicated page with more information, beautifully digested and full of small infographics. It's actually fun to read. I am learning among many things that people with similar genetic results tend to move about 16 times an hour during sleep.

5

My features

23andme test results
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The last set of reports explores the genetics of my appearance and my meaning - and frankly is the most fun. Here is what we learned about my features:

  • Ability to match the musical height - less likely to be able to match a musical height (it is a euphemism, I am fundamentally an anti-Mozart!).
  • Detection of asparagus odors - can probably feel.
  • Back-up hair - Little Hair Little Hair (Fortunately, I can not see it).
  • Bald spot - probably no bald spot (I was lucky: my father and my brother are as bald as Bruce Willis).
  • Bitter taste - probably can not taste (and I love it!).
  • Bunions - less likely than the average to have had an onion (an onion is a bone bone on the articulation at the base of the big toe).
  • Play dampers - probably no dimples (that's why I cover my cheeks with beard).
  • Aversion Cilantro Grooves - Lightweight layers of new Cilantro (I like Cilantro!).
  • Menton slit - probably no slot chin.
  • Dandruff - less likely to get dandruff.
  • Type of ear lobe - Probementary of products (he explains the nickname of my kindergarten for me: dumbo).
  • Early hair loss - Probably no hair loss (but nor gain hair).
  • Ear type of the probable dry ear ear - earre (EWW).
  • Eye color - Brunette eyes or hazelnuts likely (true).
  • Fear of heights - less likely than the average to be afraid of heights.
  • The fear of speaking in public - less likely to be afraid to speak in public (I'm not sure of that).
  • Finger length ratio - a probable ring longer.
  • Flat feet - less likely than the average to have flat feet.
  • Freeder stains - Few freckle spots.
  • Photoblisioning hair - more likely to experience the skin of photobrancing (my hair becomes lighter in the sun).
  • Hair texture - right or corrugated probable.
  • Hair thickness - less likely to have thick hair.
  • Preference of ice cream flavors - more likely to prefer vanilla on chocolate ice cream (you're kidding? I like chocolate!).
  • Bright or black hair - probably dark.
  • Misophony - The average chances of hating chewing sounds (I hate people to chew strong, but I thought it's cultural rather than genetic).
  • Mosquito mosquito frequency - probably bitten as often as the others.
  • Transportation - less likely to undergo transport disease.
  • Newborn hair - Probably small hair (confirmed mom).
  • Snic Snenele Reflex - is probable no Sneke reflex (true, I do not remember sneezing in response to bright lights).
  • Roux hair - Probably no red hair.
  • Pigmentation of the skin - Skin Probably lighter.
  • Stretch marks - less likely to have stretch marks.
  • Sweet vs. Salty - probably prefer salted (heck yes!).
  • Toe length ratio - Probably big toe longer.
  • Unibrow - probably at least a little unibrow (true, I'm a male version of Frida Kahlo).
  • Wake up time - likely to get up around 7:42 (True, I'm counting on an awakening to be at the time at work).
  • The peak of widow - probably the peak of widow (unfortunately I have one, but Leonardo di Caprio)).
6

So what did I have learned overall?

23andme test results
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On the basis of these reports, all reports recommends a health action plan, based on US guidelines and expert recommendations. It is always in a beta test that probably explains some generic suggestions - in my case, it focuses on diabetes and eye care.

So, what should I really take from all the experience?

  • I learned that I only stand out specific genetic variant that could affect my children's health, should I have children.
  • I discovered that I bears a variant for Hemochromatosis AMD and hereditary.
  • I learned that 21% chance to develop type 2. diabetes this can be average, but I will check me every year.
  • I will see an ophthalmologist and check the age-related macular degeneration
  • I realized that I really need to start taking care of my food iron levels.
  • I learned that I am tolerant of lactose, so do not fear dairy.
  • Finally, I spent a lot of time with my family discussing our health and sharing stories about our ancestors. It was invaluable. Thank you dad.

Live your happiest and healthiest life, do not miss these50 secrets to live at 100.


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