Discover The Things That Your DNA Can Reveal About You

Over 12 million people have done DNA tests through various services such as the Ancestry DNA and the 23andMe. Even so, a lot of people are still green when it comes to DNA tests and the information they can provide. That is why we have curated this article to shed light on three things your DNA can reveal about you.

Ancestry

One of the most exciting things about taking a DNA test is that you get to learn how much of your genome you share with other people in the world. It is one of the biggest reasons why people take DNA tests in the first place as it helps you get a better understanding of your ethnicity. It does this by tracing the genealogy of your ancestors to date. Some sites like ancestry.com offer DNA information about your ancestors from the last 500 to 1000 years. They can also match your DNA to those already in their database in the hope of connecting you to unknown branches of your Family Tree.

Personality

While our physical characteristics, learning preferences, and behavioral traits are influenced in part by environmental factors, some facts are linked more strongly to our DNA. These are the traits that genetic tests can provide.

Genetic tests can give information about your genes and chromosomes. They predict your learning and physical characteristics, as well as your natural behavioral habits and tendencies. Once you get the results, you can see which traits you inherited from your ancestors and which ones are genetically likely to exhibit.

Cellular aging

DNA tests can also tell you how well your cells are aging. This test is based on telomeres. A telomere is a cap of structures that protect the ends of a chromosome from being degraded. The telomeres naturally wear down and shorten as we age. Still, scientific evidence shows that there are other factors that are within our control that affect our telomere length negatively and positively. These factors include;

  • Diet
  • Exercise
  • Stress management
  • Exposure to toxins
  • Sleep quality

DNA tests measure the length of your telomeres and compare the results to other people of your age and gender. This way, they can compare how well you are aging compared to others in your demographic group according to their DNA database.

DNA tests for health

DNA tests help people discover if they are genetically predisposed to any medical conditions. They focus on unraveling gene markers that relate to various diseases. 23andMe is one such DNA testing service that analyzes an individual’s risk of developing certain genetic disorders and how likely they are to pass these diseases to offspring’s. For instance, DNA is very predictive of some types of cancer, Huntingdon’s disease, and cystic fibrosis.

Even if you do not have a hereditary disease, these tests can find out if you carry the genes that could affect your offspring. Such information may prompt you to get treatment earlier than you would otherwise have not.

DNA testing can be a powerful tool in the prevention or treating of illness, especially when done by capable hands. Here are three key steps we recommend to ensure that you receive the best medical advice.

• Keep an updated family health history: Keeping an updated family health history ensures you have a complete history of the diseases and conditions that run in your family. Once you receive your DNA results, your doctor can use these records to warrant further testings.

• Find a reputable DNA test service: Take the time to research different DNA testing companies to find a reputable one with trusted results.

• Get help understanding your risk: If your results show that you are genetically predisposed to certain disease, we recommend that you crosscheck the results with your general practitioner. This will help take some confusion out of the entire process.

Genetic testing can tell you a lot about yourself. This test has potential benefits, whether the results are negative or positive. A negative DNA result helps eradicate uncertainties whereas a positive outcome can direct a person towards monitoring, treatment, and prevention. Thanks to advances in technology, DNA testing has become easier and more affordable than ever. A simple home test kit can help you discover a lot of information about yourself and the entire family.