For decades, we were taught that our genes are the blueprint that determines everything about our health. If you carried a gene “for” something—heart disease, anxiety, autoimmune disease—it was only a matter of time.
But in reality, your DNA isn’t a fixed sentence. It’s more like a draft.
And what you do—how you eat, move, sleep, and care for yourself—determines how that draft gets edited.
This is the heart of functional genomics: understanding how your genes influence health and how your environment and choices can turn those genes up or down.
Today, let’s look at why genomics can be such a powerful tool in creating a personalized health plan—and how it can help you feel more empowered, not more anxious.
Your genetics are the map. But you choose the route.
You may have heard this phrase before, and it perfectly sums up why genetic testing is so valuable—but not the whole story.
Your genes encode proteins and enzymes that drive nearly every process in your body, from detoxifying chemicals to metabolizing hormones to producing neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.
But those genes don’t work in isolation.
They’re constantly responding to signals:
- Your diet and nutrient status
- Stress and sleep quality
- Environmental toxins
- Infections and inflammation
This is why two people with the same “risky” gene can have completely different health outcomes.
In functional medicine, we don’t test your genes to tell you your destiny. We test so we can understand:
- Where you may need more support (for example, with detoxification or methylation)
- Which nutrients you may need in higher amounts
- How your stress response is wired
How your body might respond to medications or supplements
A Few Examples of Genes We Often Test
Here are a few common examples we look at—and how they can guide care:
MTHFR
- Influences how you process folate and make methyl donors needed for DNA repair and neurotransmitter production.
- Some MTHFR variants can mean you need more folate (especially in the active form, like folinic acid) to support mood, fertility, and detoxification.
NPSR1
- Linked to increased “hyper-alertness” and histamine release in the brain.
- People with this SNP often experience heightened anxiety or trouble winding down.
HTR1A
- Impacts serotonin production and regulation.
- May play a role in mood resilience and the risk of depression.
When we see certain patterns, we can build targeted plans that include nutrition, lifestyle adjustments, and evidence-based supplements to support those pathways.
Why Epigenetics Is the Real Story
Even more important than knowing which gene variants you carry is understanding epigenetics—the science of how your environment influences gene expression.
Your choices don’t change your DNA, but they do impact which genes are turned “on” or “off.”
For example:
- Chronic stress can amplify genes that drive inflammation.
- Consistent nutrient support can improve expression of detox and repair genes.
- Sleep deprivation can worsen expression of genes tied to metabolic dysfunction.
This is why your daily habits matter. And why functional genomics is never about fear—it’s about information you can use.
How We Use Genomics in Practice
At Neuronutrition Associates, we offer genetic testing as part of a functional medicine approach.
Here’s what this looks like in real life:
- Reviewing your health history, symptoms, and goals
- Mapping out relevant genetic variants
- Connecting the dots to your lab work and current symptoms
- Creating a personalized plan (nutrition, lifestyle, supplementation)
- Providing education, so you feel confident and not overwhelmed
Because ultimately, your genes are only part of the story.
How you respond—and what you choose to do with that knowledge—is where transformation happens.
Ready to learn how your genes could inform your health?
Book a visit with our family nurse practitioner Caroline Dixon to explore functional genomics as part of your care.
Because knowledge isn’t destiny—it’s power.
And your story is still being written.
