40 - Nutrigenetics and the Future of Healthcare

06/26/17 • 41 min

Christa welcomes back Dr. Michelle Neil-Sherwood, DO and Dr. Mark Sherwood, ND, or as they like to be called, “Drs. M and M without the sugar” to talk about the science of nutrigenetics. Dr. Michele and Dr. Mark own and operate a wellness-based practice in Tulsa, Oklahoma called Functional Medical Institute. Their practice bridges the medical model with the functional model to teach people how to be completely and totally well. Drs. M & M use all kinds of unique and interesting tools to accomplish their mission and have many patient success stories where existing medical conditions have been reversed or eliminated.

Christa repeats Dr. Michele’s opening statement and says, “So it’s not outside of our realm that we can actually be completely and totally well? I love that.”

A Little Background on the Subject

The functional medicine approach gets to the root cause by looking at:

Hormones
Neuro transmitters
Nutrition
Lifestyle

Looking at genetics:

We are 99.9% genetically identical
The .1% difference is what makes us unique
That difference makes all the difference in the world – not everything works the same for everybody
- Traditional diets
- Workout programs
- Supplement types and quantities

We’re born with our genes, but the experiential knowledge those genes have with the interaction of environment is called Epigenetics (the environment’s effect of the genes). For example, two identical twins can grow up and turn out a little different from each other because of the environment’s effect.

Nutrigenetics – the genes effect on the environment

How do our genes detoxify things?
How do our genes influence what we need to be taking?
How do our genes handle lipids; metabolize the fats we consume?
How do our genes handle workouts we do?
How do our genes handle inflammation?

Simply stated, what we eat could actually influence our DNA and the expression of our DNA. Genetic Testing

Drs. M & M utilize genetic testing to get the ideal breakdown of macro nutrients for each individual based on their genetic makeup. They formulate a unique nutrition and exercise plan based on those results to optimize body composition for each person. Benefits of testing include:

Cutting edge technology
Replaces trial and error
Unravels the mystery for each person so they get specific, individual plans
Optimization of health
Saves time by getting to the answers faster

Dr. Mark gives an example of how two people can have different reactions when consuming caffeine late in the day. One person may not be affected by a late afternoon cup of coffee, while the other person may be awake all night. Why? The person who is not affected at night by the coffee has a faster metabolism, so the caffeine is processed quicker. For the person whose metabolism is impaired, the caffeine is not processed as fast.

To change metabolism:

Reduce detoxification on back end (inside) = nutrigenetic effect
Reduce toxins on the front end (outside) = nutrigenomic effect

How does the genetic test work? Get specific information here

A sample ‘buckle swab’ of cheek cells is taken
The sample is sent to lab and tested for 80 different genes specific for health, metabolic and exercise
Results come back within 21-25 days
Analyzed by Drs. M & M
An individual plan is designed based on patient’s genetic and lifestyle information
A sustainable life plan is created for the patient to use for the rest of their life
Implementation may be either fast pace or a slow transition but results are definite

Exercise Considerations

Most people think that more exercise is necessary to lose weight but it can create inflammation and can be the wrong type and amount for our unique genetic makeup.

Example: A female patient, in her 40’s, chronic boot-camp person, 15-20 pounds overweight in excess fat, can’t get the fat off, frustrated, going to two boot camp classes daily several times a week, exhausted, and stressed out of her mind!

The patient’s genetic testing revealed that she is of an endurance-based structure. Drs. M & M outlined a new exercise plan including:

Only two boot camp sessions per week
Walking, yoga, relaxation to “chill out”

Once she incorporated these changes in her fitness routine, she immediately began to see results by allowing her body to adapt to the way it is supposed to be.

Christa ...

Christa repeats Dr. Michele’s opening statement and says, “So it’s not outside of our realm that we can actually be completely and totally well? I love that.”

A Little Background on the Subject

The functional medicine approach gets to the root cause by looking at:

Hormones
Neuro transmitters
Nutrition
Lifestyle

Looking at genetics:

We are 99.9% genetically identical
The .1% difference is what makes us unique
That difference makes all the difference in the world – not everything works the same for everybody
- Traditional diets
- Workout programs
- Supplement types and quantities

Nutrigenetics – the genes effect on the environment

How do our genes detoxify things?
How do our genes influence what we need to be taking?
How do our genes handle lipids; metabolize the fats we consume?
How do our genes handle workouts we do?
How do our genes handle inflammation?

Simply stated, what we eat could actually influence our DNA and the expression of our DNA. Genetic Testing

Cutting edge technology
Replaces trial and error
Unravels the mystery for each person so they get specific, individual plans
Optimization of health
Saves time by getting to the answers faster

To change metabolism:

Reduce detoxification on back end (inside) = nutrigenetic effect
Reduce toxins on the front end (outside) = nutrigenomic effect

How does the genetic test work? Get specific information here

A sample ‘buckle swab’ of cheek cells is taken
The sample is sent to lab and tested for 80 different genes specific for health, metabolic and exercise
Results come back within 21-25 days
Analyzed by Drs. M & M
An individual plan is designed based on patient’s genetic and lifestyle information
A sustainable life plan is created for the patient to use for the rest of their life
Implementation may be either fast pace or a slow transition but results are definite

Exercise Considerations

Most people think that more exercise is necessary to lose weight but it can create inflammation and can be the wrong type and amount for our unique genetic makeup.

The patient’s genetic testing revealed that she is of an endurance-based structure. Drs. M & M outlined a new exercise plan including:

Only two boot camp sessions per week
Walking, yoga, relaxation to “chill out”

Once she incorporated these changes in her fitness routine, she immediately began to see results by allowing her body to adapt to the way it is supposed to be.

Christa ...

Previous Episode

39 - Envisioning a Healthy Summer

We have a special treat this week as Christa King, Fitlandia’s Founder and CEO leads us through a Mind Zoning® session about envisioning a healthy summer.

If you’re new to Fitlandia, Mind Zoning® is similar to a guided meditation where your brain is invited to relax, slow down and get focused, but differs from meditation because it incorporates the idea of creating a new thought pattern. Meditation is about clearing thoughts and creating peace and space in your mind whereas Mind Zoning® takes it a step further to create new neural pathways designed to support your healthy goals.

Summertime Traps

Summertime can be a trap for a lot of people. It’s the time when healthy patterns of eating and exercise take a back seat to vacations; BBQ’s, parties and fun.

Many people begin the New Year with great energy and hope for a healthy lifestyle. They start losing weight and begin developing healthy habits, but when summer approaches, there’s a mentality of, “Yay, I’m on vacation, I can eat and drink anything I want.” The mindset is to eat and drink while on vacation and then get back on track once back home. The tricky part for those of us with sugar addiction or a reliance on alcohol, is that we may not get back on track and instead this behavior can drive us back to old patterns once our brain realizes how good the sugar or alcohol tastes and feels.

Staying on Healthy Track

Be moderate
Be thoughtful
Be mindful of what you eat and drink
Plan activities during vacation or trips with friends, or BBQ’s or gatherings
Build awareness
Make good conscious choices that help support a healthy lifestyle

Let’s Begin

(**Caution** Do not drive or operate machinery while Mind Zoning)

Find a quiet place where you will not be interrupted
Position yourself in a comfortable seated position
Taking a few deep breaths, allowing your mind and body to relax
Starting at top of your head
Closing your eyes
Bring your attention to the very top of your head, imagine there is now this beautiful slow-moving cascading waterfall
It comes over the top of your head so slowly and goes down the back of your hair, over your head and neck
As it slowly passes by, notice how it is relaxing you and washing away any stress
Now across your shoulders – leaving behind a completely relaxed body
Cascading down your arms and torso
Noticing how you’ve become heavier in your chair or wherever you are
You’re able to sink further into relaxation
As that slow-moving cascading waterfall passes over your hips, your thighs and your knees
Passing over your calves, your ankles, all the way to your toes
Noticing this beautiful, slow ever-streaming flow of water
So comforting, so relaxing, taking you into the most peaceful space right now
This beautiful wide-open place in your mind where you can release any stress, any chaos of the day
Letting this beautiful slow-moving water remove it, wash it away leaving a completely relaxed body behind

Now we invite the deepest part of your mind to start to think about your trips, adventures and plans, vacations far away, or nearby picnics and BBQ’s, or a family reunion or a birthday – whatever you have outlined for the summer.

You’ve been on this journey of health and wellness
Creating the very best version of you
Embracing a life of vitality, and becoming more conscious of a daily practice of:
- eating healthy foods
- moving
- connecting socially
- filling your mind with positive thoughts and goals

As you think of your plans for the summer, call upon that Super Hero in your mind (that part of your brain that can do anything), trusting that if you can think it, you can become it.

Call on your Super Hero now, and when you think of your plans for the summer begin to wonder how would that Super Hero comes into play to help you have the healthiest summer you’ve every had.

Maybe your Super Hero would have you:

go to bed earlier than ever have on vacation so you can get up early and get some exercise in before you start your adventures
pop out of bed to get outside in your location for a brisk walk or run
do a 7-minute hit workout

Your Super Hero helps you come up with ways to help you incorporate movement in everything you do, like:

taking a hike in one of the cities you’re visiting
doing a walking tour
planning a day of shopping where you’re walking the entire time

And now your Super Hero comes in to help you eat healthy for the entire summer by:

bringing a healthy dish to a potluck
choos...

Next Episode

41 - Become Ultra Healthy with JP Spears of Awaken with JP

Christa intros JP Sears to the show and jumps right into some nutritional controversy with the American Heart Association’s assertion that coconut oil isn’t healthy. Christa wanted to get JP’s take on the situation since the topic was all over social media.

Here’s what JP had to say:

“From the bottom of my heart, I would dare say, virtually anything the American Heart Association says deserves to be flushed down the toilet.”

Because of the corporate agenda and funding into research, these studies aren’t for the greater good of people, but instead putting dollars into their pockets. Christa concurs. She points out that there is conflicting info in the industry and JP uses the example of the days when margarine was touted as being healthy.

The Power of Meditation

Christa reminds newcomers to the show that Fitlandia is on a mission to end dieting by first helping people change their thought-patterns using Mind Zoning®. Because these are like guided meditations, she explores the power of meditation with JP.

JP provides an amazing suggestion for those short on time or starting out. Personally, he does 10 minutes per day and focuses on a practice he learned from Thích Nhất Hạnh, which is a simple breathing meditation. As you breathe in, say to yourself, “I’m breathing in.” As you exhale, say to yourself, “I’m breathing out.” This is easy and approachable for anyone to try.

“Meditation is a great service we can give ourselves.”

Christa & JP discuss the challenges with life and busy schedules and that we don’t have to be perfect in our health practices. In fact, being aware and open about our triggers can help us keep moving forward.

“I used to shame the living crap out of myself. How I’m shaming myself is probably more toxic than the cookie I ate.” End the Shaming Cycle

The shaming cycle can take someone back into an old, viscous addictive pattern, but Mind Zoning® can help, as well as being thoughtful about the benefits of that pattern. Looking at things that feel unhealthy always has an element of comfort and provides a sense of feeling in control.

Christa & JP speak on the power of planning for travel and staying healthy on the road and rely on Whole Foods to help stay healthy during travel and even search AirBnB listings to ensure access to being able to cook their own meals.

So what do Christa & JP eat? It’s similar: focus on veggies, higher on the side of healthy fats, and high-quality protein...and most importantly, don’t follow a dogma and instead focus on growing intuitively with what to eat and learning what’s best from how the body feels.

Christa shares a cautionary tale and that if you’re struggling with sugar, refined carb and/or alcohol addictions then tuning into your body could be challenging and her #1 tip: FOOD JOURNAL.

Self-Sabotage and Unresolved Wounds

Together they get heavy with regards to self-sabotage and looking at the root of self-sabotage. JP speaks to childhood experiences and how we reaffirm disempowering beliefs due to unresolved emotional pain.

Christa adds it’s connected to a lack of self-worth and the need to become aware of traumas. She gets inspired to create a Mind Zoning called “The Journey of Courage.” Doing inner child work can be an incredibly powerful process to healing and moving forward.

JP and Christa wrap up the show speaking to the power of vulnerability and community and/or tribe to help guide you through your transition. Also, working with a coach or therapist can have a powerful impact. He mentions Brene Brown’s TEDTalk on the Power of Vulnerability where she talks about connection and its power in our lives.

“Embrace discomfort. Nobody has ever excelled at anything by avoiding discomfort.” Connect with all of JP’s awesomeness here:

Awaken with JP website

Awaken with JP YouTube channel

Buy the book: How to Be Ultra Spiritual with JP

Follow on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

Gratitude for today’s sponsor!

Portland Community College Functional Nutrition Program Check out their 100% online functional nutritional program today.

If you’re looking for a holistic nutrition program to connect with others, learn how to connect with your body and overcome addiciton for the next