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Epigenetics Testing in Ponte Vedra Jacksonville: Turn Gene Expression Data Into a Real Plan
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What Epigenetics Testing Shows and Who It's For
An epigenetics test measures the turning on/off of your genes and gets info about markers of biological age and lifestyle that wouldn’t be reflected in a typical lab test (according to the NIH). Many people take an epigenetics test initially and then take additional tests to see the impact of their lifestyle choices.
Epigenetics testing at Be Still Southside starts at $1,000.
While the sequence of your genes doesn't change, the way your body expresses your genes does change constantly. Your genes bear biological marks of sleep, stress, diet, alcohol consumption, sun exposure and exercise. Epigenetics testing can identify and interpret these biological marks of your lifestyle.
Another difference: a standard comprehensive blood panel, which is what we typically run, is taking a look at where you are at that moment. It will look at markers such as your cholesterol, thyroid, vitamin D and inflammation, etc. Epigenetics testing is more about where you’re going.
Typically, there are certain things that guests will be looking to get out of .
- This value is compared to a person’s chronological (birthday) age.
- There are markers that indicate whether someone’s body appears to be ageing more slowly or quickly.
- Signals around sleep quality, stress load, and recovery capacity
- In several months they can be retested for comparison with this baseline measurement.
- Indicate where effort should be focused initially.
Who's this for? - Feeling older than you are - Worrying family medical history - Busy professional who works around the St. Johns Town Center area - Work out like crazy, eat decently well and can't understand why recovery is taking 3 days now.
plenty of folks just want a number to argue with.
On a weekly basis we see clients coming into our office with wearable tech showing great stats but the body is telling a whole different story. Epigenetics fits right in the gap. Paired with our DEXA+ body composition scan and RMR testing, it’s a complete picture of health, metabolic, physical, and at a cellular/aging level.
To be perfectly honest: This test is not designed to diagnose any condition, nor can it replace a clinical workup with your physician. Think of it as a guide for orientation.
If you're not sure what you need, just call us at Contact Us at (904) 990-1619 Southside.
See How We Handle Epigenetics Testing in Ponte Vedra Jacksonville - Watch Our Video
Be Still Wellness & Aesthetics — Serving Jacksonville and surrounding areas
Epigenetics Testing Ponte Vedra Jacksonville
Explore the benefits of Epigenetics Testing in Ponte Vedra Jacksonville for your transformational journey.
- What Epigenetics Testing Shows and Who It's For
- See How We Handle Epigenetics Testing in Ponte Vedra Jacksonville - Watch Our Video
- Epigenetics Testing vs. Ancestry and Diagnostic DNA Tests
- When Epigenetics Testing Isn't the Right First Step
- How the Testing Visit Works From Consultation to Results
- Turning Results Into an Action Plan
Epigenetics Testing in Ponte Vedra Jacksonville Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How is epigenetics testing different from my Dexa or RMR scan?
- How often should I retest my biological age?
- I already did an ancestry DNA kit. Why would I need this too?
- Should I do basic bloodwork before getting an epigenetics test?
- Is there a bad time to take an epigenetics test?
- I work long hours near St. Johns Town Center and feel wrecked even though my fitness tracker looks fine. Could this help?
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Epigenetics Testing vs. Ancestry and Diagnostic DNA Tests
Another common question we get is when a client comes in with a mail-in kit result print-out, why do I need to get tested? Fair question. Mail-in testing kits and Epigenetics testing are not competitive because they are looking at very different things.
Whether you do that test when you're 20 or 60, your genetic code is the same. Ancestry tests are useful if you're interested in learning more about where your family came from or what genetic variants you carry. But they're not going to tell you how healthy you are right now.
Epigenetics testing measures what happens one layer above genetic code, the system that determines which genes are turned on and which genes are turned off. The really cool part: Those on/off switches respond to sleep, stress, food, alcohol, sun, movement, and time.
Here's the short version of how the three differ:
- Same result no matter when tested, genetic code, carrier status and family of origin is permanent.
- Physician ordered genetic testing done to confirm or rule out a particular hereditary disease. These tests are medical in nature and limited in scope.
- Epigenetics testing. Tests changeable epigenetic markers associated with biological aging and gene expression. Meant to be taken multiple times.
An outcome you can affect has greater value to you than one you can simply read through once. So that’s exactly what we do, incorporate the results into an extended plan of action. Not just hand you a PDF and wish you luck. Repeated results require a Repeated plan of action.
Epigenetics testing does NOT diagnose disease, is NOT indicative of any diseases like cancer, nor a replacement for a trip to your doctor’s office. If you are experiencing any medical concerns, please see your doctor BEFORE considering wellness testing. At our wellness center here in Southside Jacksonville we DO look at patterns to create a wellness plan of action.
If you have an ancestry report, bring it with you, as it is helpful context, although it is answering a different question.
That emphasis carries over into practical concerns. wellness center guidance our team provides to local families.
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When Epigenetics Testing Isn't the Right First Step
Here's something most epigenetics testing centres will not tell you: sometimes, epigenetics testing isn't the best first step for everyone. We turn people away , every month, and they are relieved we have.
Rule of thumb: If you’ve never had basic labwork done (thyroid function, iron, glucose, vitamin D, lipids, etc.) this is by FAR more helpful and important than a report of your biological age. If you’ve been feeling tired, foggy, struggling to lose weight, do basic labwork first. Nine times out of ten this is going to reveal something. It’s one of those biohacking tests where in my opinion there are more useful options available.
- Wait to take a test if any of the following describe you:
- Have you recently completed a course of antibiotics or steroids? Are you suffering from an acute illness?
- First of all, you already know you’re getting only five hours of sleep per night, so fix that problem before you measure anything.
- Have you started a new medication in the last few weeks? Maybe a GLP-1 or implemented a large dietary change?
- If you’re pregnant or postpartum, don’t worry, your body is changing temporarily and your number does not mean much.
- And you wouldn’t change a thing no matter what that result was.
And the last item is the most important. Without action, a test is just an expensive number.
Likewise, someone interested in understanding their optimal balance of body fat to muscle may find a DEXA+ body composition scan more useful than a methylation panel, and someone who gets winded climbing the Baymeadows Road hills on outdoor runs would be well-advised to get a VO2 Max test. Bottom line: Different questions warrant different tests.
Before drawing any lab we like to ask ourselves one question. If this test is high, what would you do differently? If there’s a satisfactory answer, we’re happy to run the test. If there is no satisfactory answer we prefer to make a plan before measuring anything.
Not sure about your Epigenetics Testing needs? Ask us.
BOOK NOW. Be Still Wellness & Aesthetics — Southside is ready to help.
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How the Testing Visit Works From Consultation to Results
When people hear Epigenetics Testing, many envision walking into a white-coat-clad facility to get poked with needles. But it’s nothing like that. Epigenetics Testing actually starts with a conversation about what your goals are. Whether it be better sleep, increased energy, quicker recovery from exercise, or finally busting through that pesky plateau of excess pounds no matter what you try.
Next, we’ll take a sample, which takes very little time.
- The swab test isn’t even the most important part of the consultation: the conversation about your goals, your history, your routine - that’s more important.
- Sample collection takes place in the collection room, no fasting is necessary, no pre-work is necessary, no long waits.
- Results will not be back in a few days but a few weeks as the specimen needs to be taken to a lab for testing.
- The report will include markers of biological age, how fast you’re aging.
- In plain speech. We sat down again, and read through it, line by line.
- We build your Plan. This takes place in our Be Still Blueprint.
And then, the final step, incorporating this new information into a plan, is the goal of testing. We see clients every week who have done one of these tests on their own and they’re confused about what to do with it. Test results without a plan are just cause for concern.
Most people will also do DEXA+ body composition scan for lean mass, bone density, and visceral fat in only about 10 minutes, a PNOE VO2 Max Test to measure how well your cells utilize oxygen and comprehensive Bloodwork. When you combine all of this information with your Epigenetic markers the fog clears and you'll have a comprehensive understanding of your health.
Our Southside location at Point Meadows, close to the St. Johns Town Center makes it easy to stop by for a follow-up appointment around your workday. Remember, it’s important to come back for a retest to make sure your treatment worked.
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Turning Results Into an Action Plan
Simply giving people their report will have no effect. We’ve seen it many times, the person gets their biological age and is dismayed for a week, only to fall back into their normal habits. Epigenetics testing by itself does not change anything. Biological age is a starting point for making changes, not the final say on your future.
Next is how we use it.
- We love explaining Epigenetic reports. We promise to explain it all, with no technical language. We’ll go through every single line with you.
- Specific markers will be compared and cross-referenced to all other information we have on you, such as Comprehensive Bloodwork, DEXA+ body composition scan, and PNOE VO2 Max
- We target only the two or three levers with the biggest anticipated ROI. Not twelve. Just two or three.
- Typically we would plan a retest period in some months to see if there is a measurable progress.
- Once the second test is complete, changes should be made according to those results, not to any assumptions made in month one.
But in the end, its always the boring stuff: sleep, drinking, training, protein, stress. Change methylation over time with boring stuff. Nine times out of ten, the person knows exactly what they're doing that's causing their issue. Its just sometimes you need the data to make it sink in and stop arguing with themselves.
Our Health Blue Print and Optimization Coaching is not just about creating a plan and handing it to you to do on your own. We are hands-on and supportive along the way. This is especially important in a place like Jacksonville, where it is hot and humid most of the year. Consistently working out outside can be derailed between May and September. Many a perfectly sound fitness or health plan made here crumbles by July, if the climate isn’t taken into consideration.
But what if nothing changes? It’s important to recognize that as useful information too: It’s time to change our approach rather than try harder with the same approach.
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