More personalized prevention
We are surrounded by more health advice than ever. But what's really right for you? Should you focus more on your diet, and if so, how? What kind of exercise is best? Do a few extra pounds really matter? Which medical tests and screenings might help you most? Will a new medication help your health, or cause serious side effects?
In the past, we could only answer those questions in very general ways. Everyone got the same recommendations on nutrition, exercise, and check-ups. Medications were usually offered on a trial-and-error basis, with side effects or poor effectiveness detected only after a problem had occurred. But now, you and your doctor can start advancing beyond one-size-fits-all suggestions. The health insights from your DNA analysis can point you toward the prevention measures and medications better suited to you. For example:
- While general nutritional advice suggests that everyone include omega-3s in their diet, we show you which of the conditions you're at risk for have a scientifically proven omega-3 health connection.
- If you are at increased risk for both a heart attack and osteoarthritis, regular exercise will benefit your heart. But with your other risk in mind, you'll also know to keep that exercise low-impact.
- If you need one of several common medications, such as drugs designed to lower cholesterol or prevent blood clots, you can discover your predispositions for side effects or reduced effectiveness ahead of time. You can avoid these problems, and work with your doctor to choose medications that are right for you.
To help you make the most of your genetic insights, we encourage you to talk with a Navigenics Genetic Counselor and learn how to start taking a new look at your personal risks.