Physical activity done on a regular basis has numerous health benefits, including improved body composition, weight management and obesity management.
However, have you ever observed that no matter how hard you work out, whether it’s cardio, callisthenics, or weight training, you still end up with a lack of stamina, breathlessness, and bodily aches? This is due to the fact that our body is pre-built to be fit, genetically.
To get a better understanding, let’s dig deep into the relationship between genetic variations and fitness and the role of genetic counsellors in your physical health and lifestyle.
How are we genetically pre-programmed to be fit?
Studies have found genes that can influence a person’s exercise performance and motivation, as well as their tendency for recovery and injury.
Advances in genomics have led to the discovery of physical activity-oriented human genes and health-related fitness phenotypes.
Genes and markers connected to performance or fitness attributes (phenotypes) in people now produce these training-induced adjustments.
To put it in simpler words, we can tailor a diet and fitness programme for each individual based on their genetics. And the most effective way is to look at the genetic variations one has in the DNA.
How can we leverage the genetic influences on fitness to stay healthy?
Fitness coaches can adopt the following tactics for a better lifestyle from a wide range of options. –
– Application of nutrigenomics in daily diet:
Food affects gene expression. When you use nutrigenomics to plan your diet, you can see significant gains at the molecular level.
Through genetic inferences, having a healthy connection with food can help you manage significant health concerns like diabetes and hereditary obesity, as well as understand and mitigate your risk of diseases.
Individual genetic variations may cause people to respond to nutrition in different ways. For example, lactose intolerance is one’s inability to metabolize lactose completely or partially. The condition stems from variations in lactose metabolism genes, one of which is the MCM6 gene, a variation in this gene can hamper lactose metabolism because it monitors the function of the LCT gene that codes for lactase enzyme and lead to intolerance. The genotypes TT does not hamper the production of lactase but TC & CC genotypes can lead to moderate to decreased lactase production making the person prone to lactose intolerance.
As a result, using nutrigenomics to personalise your calorie intake and nutritional requirements can improve your chances of living a healthier and fitter lifestyle.
– Proper genetic counselling:
You can learn about the genetic disorders that run in your family and how to manage them with the correct genetic counselling and support.
Knowing about the health history of your family can prevent a lot of health risks in the future. All your efforts to stay fit might end in vain if you don’t understand the fundamental cause of ineffectiveness.
How does it work?
– Genetic counsellors collect and analyse the family history to identify possible chances of genetic conditions.
– They study the inheritance patterns through various genetic testing methods to find out the chances of recurrence of a condition, if any.
– Genetic counsellors talk to the family members to make them aware of the conditions and help them learn control measures.
– They also provide them with psychological tools to reduce anxiety and trauma.
– Exercise routine based on performance genetics:
Experts in fitness genomics create the ideal fitness regimen that meets all of your needs at the DNA level.
DNA fitness testing helps us understand a person’s response to training, weight-loss potential, BMI changes and recovery needs.
Fitness genomics courses, like the one conducted by The Gene Box Academy, gives you a thorough understanding of the genetic makeup of your clients.
So, the next time a client asks you to help them live a better lifestyle, you’ll know where to begin.
If you’ve been looking to learn genetics from the best in the industry, your search is finally over. Take your quest to the next level now with over eight advanced courses. The Gene Box Academy has the answer to all your questions. Are you ready to upskill yourself?