DNA Testing: Your New Sleep And Stress Management Companion

Stress and sleep are two of the most important factors in our lives, making it imperative that we get enough of both. Stress is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with over three million deaths per year tied to stress-related illnesses. Sleep deprivation has also been linked to problems ranging from weight gain to heart disease.

STRESS

Stress is a natural part of life, especially in these pandemic times. While we can’t always control stressful events and situations, we can control our reactions and responses to them. When we understand how we react to stress — whether we use healthy or unhealthy coping mechanisms — we can begin to modify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors into more positive ones.

Impact of stress on wellbeing

Stress affects how you feel, the way you think, and the way you act. Some common symptoms include dull headaches, irritability, stomach ache, insomnia, weight gain or loss, fatigue, muscle tension, and cravings for sugary or starchy foods. 

Stress & Obesity

Obesity is one of the most prevalent symptoms of stress, and it’s reached a pandemic level during these difficult times. Stress contributes to weight gain due to comfort eating, especially during the late night hours. These comfort foods include sweets full of refined sugars and fried foods that add unnecessary calories to your body that get stored under your skin or around your internal organs.

Role of genes in stress & stress-related obesity

Variations in our genes affect our hormones and enzymes during and after stressful events. For example, some individuals are more sensitive to stress than others are. These differences are due to certain genes that produce an elevated response to stressful events.

Recent studies have reported that DRD2 and OPRM1 genes are associated with stress binge eating. Individuals with a certain combination of these genes are at risk for binge eating disorders. About 11% of Caucasians and 14% of Asians carry these gene variations putting them at risk of being overweight or obese.

SLEEP

Sleep is just as important to our health as food, water, and oxygen. Poor sleep can lead to physical health problems such as obesity, weakened immune system, and many more. It’s also linked to mental issues such as anxiety and depression.

Our sleep gets directly influenced by the circadian clock, which is a complex neurochemical system that uses signals from our environment to recreate an internal day-night rhythm. One important signal is the hormone cortisol, which helps us know when to sleep. If the circadian rhythm gets disrupted, it can cause insomnia, short or oversleep durations.

Impact of sleep on body weight

Poor sleep can lead to weight gain. Studies have shown that chronic sleep deprivation can disrupt our circadian rhythms, leading to weight gain as sleep-deprived individuals end up snacking at late hours. Furthermore, insufficient sleep is linked, to increased levels of oxidative stress, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance.

Role of genes & genetic testing in sleep disorder

Genes have been found to play a major role in sleep. Researchers have discovered that an individual’s chronotype and circadian rhythm are determined by their genes. For example, CLOCK and ADORA genes impact circadian rhythm and caffeine-related sleep disorders respectively. According to a US population study, both these genes with specific variations are known to cause disrupted sleep patterns within obese individuals. 

About GeneFIT Stress and Sleep DNA test

Through the GeneFIT DNA test, discover how your sleep pattern and your chronotype impact your physical fitness and overall performance.  GeneFIT identifies your genetic variants to check if you are resistant or vulnerable to stress. The test also provides insights about genes and their effect on your sleeping pattern, if you are a morning lark or a night owl. Such information comes in handy to provide personalized sleep and stress management program that is provided along with your test results.  

Unlock your individual genetic secrets to:

• Understand your risk of chronic stress and ways to manage it
• Adapting your lifestyle to your genes
• Working in the right profession to ensure your wellbeing
• Learning which leisure and physical activities will benefit you the most

For more details click here

Have a look at our products with consent links:

1. GeneFit

GeneFit provides a 360-degree personalized genetic insight into the risks associated with your lifestyle and fitness. This includes extreme weight gain or loss, nutritional deficiencies, food sensitivities, optimal physical activities, sleep, and stress. Personalized recommendations are given considering your genetic report and body type to maximize the health benefits.  Click here to read more about the GeneFit test or connect with our experts

2. NutriLife 

NutriFit DNA test identifies your nutritional demands and requirements based on your genetic reports. NutriFit DNA test report gives you a personalized report about your food sensitivities, food allergies, taste perception, and nutritional intake required for you. A personalized DNA-based diet is recommended considering your genetic report to enhance your health benefits. Click here to read more about the NutriLife test or connect with our experts