Last Updated on December 7, 2023 by Cathy
Is a DNA test for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) necessary? MS isn’t considered a hereditary disease although, researchers have discovered genetic variations that increase someone’s risk. You may even carry this risk and not even know it.
What Causes MS?
MS is a disease caused by chronic inflammation. Many triggers are causing the inflammation. To get MS into remission you need to discover your triggers and remove them.
Triggers to MS:
- Diet (processed foods, refined sugar, refined carbs, food allergies, etc.)
- Infections (Candida, viruses, bacterial overgrowth, and parasites)
- Environmental Toxins (heavy metals, mold, pesticides, plastics, etc.)
- Chronic Stress
- Genetics
Obviously removing your genetic code isn’t possible but that doesn’t mean you can’t help your body. You can learn a lot about your genetic code by getting a DNA test. Things like gene mutations, disease risks, vitamin deficiencies, and whether your body can detox.
Getting a DNA Test
There are different home DNA tests to choose from, it depends on what you’re looking for as to which company to use. If you’re wanting to learn more about your health, 23andMe is the best option. (I’m not getting paid to say that.)
I wanted to share my experience so you can decide if a home DNA test is right for you.
Ordering a 23andMe DNA Test
When my DNA test showed up, I was excited and couldn’t wait to start. The instructions said to spit into a tube, seal it, and mail it back. Easy enough. That was until I started spitting into the tube.
The problem was, you’re supposed to fill the tube with quite a bit of saliva. Unfortunately for me, I suffered from an extremely dry mouth, it was so bad at times I struggled with swallowing (not enough saliva). After a long time, I finally filled it. Whew!
Results Are In
About 6-8 weeks later they sent an email letting me know my results were ready. Unfortunately, the FDA stopped 23andMe from giving out health-related information. Instead, you get raw data and then have another company interpret it.
You can have a genetic counselor interpret your raw data or an online company. I chose the online results because I didn’t want to spend more money. Plus, I wanted to know what the results said immediately.
Most services can connect directly to your 23andMe profile. You can also download your profile and later upload it to the site. Just follow the instructions from each website. There are many companies to choose from, some cost money and some are free. These are a few that I used:
CodeGen – Free
CodeGen gives health-related risk factors. There’s quite a bit of information on cancer, obesity, Multiple Sclerosis, etc. I highly recommend using this website.
GeneticGenie – Free
GeneticGenie looks at your Methylation Profile and Detox Profile. The methylation analysis goes into detail on whether you need to change your diet or supplements. The detox analysis shows how well your body can detoxify.
NutraHacker – Free
NutraHacker includes a free Methylation/detoxification report and interactive tool for free. The interactive tool tells you which supplements to take and which ones to avoid. You can also purchase a Carrier Status report, Celiac report, and/or Depression report for more information. I just did the free report.
Chromosomes
You have 23 pairs of chromosomes inherited from your parents. One is the sex chromosome the other 22 pairs came from each of your parents. Males have the XY sex chromosome and females have the XX chromosome. When you receive your raw data, males will get more information on their ancestry. This is because females are missing the Y chromosome.
If a female wants more information she needs to have her brother, father or maternal uncle do the test. Women can’t have their son tested because he inherits his father’s Y chromosome.
Genes
Genes are found on chromosomes and like chromosomes they come in pairs. Each parent has two from each gene yet they’ll only pass on one copy. Genes determine your traits such as your hair color. Sometimes genes don’t work right. If both parents pass down an alteration of the same gene it’s called a mutated gene.
Normal gene: each parent passed on a normal copy of their gene. (-) (-)
Heterozygous: one parent passes on a mutated gene and one passes on a normal gene. (-) (+)
Homozygous: each parent passes on a mutated gene. (+) (+)
Mutated Genes
MAO-A R297R – the body has a slower breakdown of Serotonin, which needs vitamin B2 (riboflavin). MAO-A helps the liver detoxify. Recommended supplements: Progesterone.
BHMT-08 – stressed from a poor diet, medicines, toxins, infections, and stress.
CYP2D6 S486T – a family of enzymes that are involved in detoxification. It affects how people respond to medications. Some are responsible for breaking down hormones (estrogen, testosterone) also environmental toxins.
GSTP1 A114V – a family of enzymes that play a role in detoxification. Toxins such as pesticides, heavy metals, solvents, cigarette smoke, and many other harmful pathogens can cause a build-up, especially in the brain
Things I Discovered
There are several things I discovered and I’m still learning. Below are a few things I learned from my DNA test.
- I’m at a 3x’s risk for MS. I have MS.
- I’m at a higher risk for colon cancer. My grandmother died from colon cancer.
- Sensitivity to sulfur. I don’t eat as many sulfur vegetables. I also stopped taking Epsom salt baths.
- A risk for heart attack or stroke. This surprised me since my cholesterol is good. However, I discovered chronic inflammation like MS can cause a heart attack or stroke. (MS is caused by chronic inflammation.)
- Detoxification. My body has a hard time detoxing even to medications. No wonder I’m allergic to two different antibiotics, I was getting an overdose.
However, your genes do not set your future. If you eat a nutrient-dense diet, stay active, reduce your stress, and stay connected with others you can live a long life.
Ancestry
You not only get your health raw data, you also get your ancestry. It’s fun looking at where your ethnic background came from. I’m 99.7% European, and 66.4% British and Irish, which didn’t surprise me. I was surprised by the Iberian (Spain and Portugal), Native American, and Italian results. The photo below is from 2015, your image may look different.
Not Your Destiny
Although it’s not possible to change a gene, they are not your destiny. The environmental toxins are what have the biggest impact. As a result, what you put in or on your body matters.
- Avoid processed foods, refined sugar, and refined carbs.
- Avoid environmental toxins and heavy metals.
- Eat a nutrient-dense diet with lots of dark leafy green vegetables.
- Help your body detox with dry brushing and drinking lots of water.
- Vitamin D and quality sleep.
I hope this will help you with your decision to get a DNA test or not.
Sources:
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/multiple-sclerosis#genes
