By Brad Mullens, SNP Specialist
You’re lying in bed and it’s after midnight. Your brain will not shut off and you’re anxious about not getting a good night’s sleep again or worried about what tomorrow may bring. You have taken your melatonin, gotten plenty of exercise that day, and are eating healthy. You ask yourself, what am I doing wrong? Is this a hormone related issue? Did I have too much caffeine? Questions and thoughts pepper you brain and you are so tired of feeling the anxiety, sleep deprivation and the worry about what else may be going on.
Genetic testing of key genes can give your doctor the clues to help you create a workaround for genetic mutations otherwise known as SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms). A SNP is a small mutation of a gene that creates weaknesses in the structure and function of proteins or enzymes, which, in turn, causes them to not work properly at the cellular level.
When you understand the “why” behind the annoying symptoms above that typically involve several genes like the MAO-A&B, COMT, and GAD1, you will be empowered with knowledge that you are not alone and that there are solutions to the problems. These SNPs affect the turnover of neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin which can lead to difficulty regulating mood, behavior, stress level, focus, and sleep patterns. These mutations also lead to buildup of glutamate, which is an excitatory neurotransmitter, and lower levels of GABA, which is inhibitory (think ‘calming’), and this leads to imbalances with several systems in the body. When specially trained healthcare providers can see your genetic makeup, treatment plans can be more precise and more personalized. By recommending natural ingredients that bind to specific receptors on certain cells, amazing improvements with mood, sleep, energy levels, and focus can result.
If you’re a patient at The Woodlands Institute for Health and Wellness, talk to your provider there about genomic testing. If you are not yet a patient there and don’t have a healthcare provider who offers this test, you can visit www.snpspecialist.com for more information on how to get tested.
In good health!
Brad Mullens