Maximizing the Potential of Your Super Seven Genes

You want to improve your life. You want more vibrancy, energy, and wellness on a day-to-day basis. You want to spend time with loved ones and feel good doing it. And it seems that it’s not the health issues that are your biggest problem, but that there are no answers to those problems.

No one is telling you why. Why can’t you eat avocados, but your husband can? Why is it that you struggle with heart issues when you have eaten a pretty healthy diet? And more importantly, what can you do about it?

Looking at your genes can tell you a lot about what you were born with, but looking at symptoms and characteristics can help you determine how your habits are affecting your genes, and therefore YOU.

You don’t have to have a genetic variation or single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) to have genetic issues. How your genes are acting will not even require a genetic test.

In the next 40 or so pages, we can help you discover what is going on in your body on a scientific level so you can improve your environment and habits to optimize your life and the lives of your loved ones.

Epigenetics

You Have the Power to Change Your Genes

Yes you read that right-- you have the power to change your genes.

Science has made significant advances in the last few decades, not the least in the study of epigenetics, which literally means “changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself.”1

Numerous factors can change how your genes work without actually rewriting your genetic code. Much like weather can alter your behavior—like wearing warm clothes or tank tops or taking an umbrella with you—epigenetics can cause your genetic behavior to change.

In the same way, it’s like turning a light on or off. Environmental, dietary, and other health related factors can turn on the light of your gene—or turn it off. Since you have genes that are both helpful and harmful when these changes are made, epigenetics contributes a huge amount of collateral to whether or not you feel well and good in your overall life.

The Discovery of Epigenetics

Before epigenetic changes to genes were discovered, it was assumed that you were born with a set of genes that were fixed and never changed. They did their job, and your health was based on whether you had “good” or “bad” genes. However, science has proven that it’s not nearly as cut and dry as that.

In the 1950s, epigenetics was defined when a remarkable fact was uncovered: genetic activity could be changed without altering DNA.2 This change could occur in the short term and be temporary or permanent, or, in some cases, it could be passed on to a person’s offspring.3

Within the realm of epigenetics, there are many ways that the environment can influence how genes work, including:

Diet
Lifestyle
Low mood
Nutrition status
Sleep
Air quality

There are other factors, too, but they always influence how your genes express or work in your body. When one or more negative factors are involved, the type of gene expression you experience could lead to poor or negative health consequences in the short- or long-term. On the flip side, by cultivating an environment favorable to positive gene expression, you can work to address common health problems, short-term health issues, and longer-term conditions.

How Epigenetics Changes Affect Your Real Life

Epigenetic changes have three major qualities:4

They’re inherited from your parents. They’re inherited from your parents when you’re born—you have to learn to work with what you have. While you can’t get new DNA, it’s possible to make changes to what exists.
They are self-perpetuating, or the existing changes keep going until an external force is exerted to bring about something new. For example, if you inherit an MTHFR variant, methylation could be compromised due to the environment or lifestyle habits. However, you can experience a different outcome when an external change is made, such as supplementing with methylated B vitamins and “cleaning” up your gene’s function.
They are reversible. Any epigenetic changes or “symptoms” that you experience can be reversed or altered by compensating with environmental, lifestyle, or other factors that have the power to alter the way that the gene works or expresses itself.

Studies in identical twins (who still aren’t completely genetically identical, but are the closest possible thing) show that different lifestyles and environments can dramatically alter how genes function. One twin could develop a disease or disorder when the other doesn’t, and this isn’t due to one having superior genes to the other. Rather, it happens when one’s genetic expression is more susceptible to methylation changes, and environmental factors suppress or express certain genes.

What Do Epigenetics Mean for You?

You probably aren’t thinking about genetic expression as you go about your daily errands, work, or hobbies. Even when you experience a health challenge, you may not initially consider the role epigenetics plays.

Instead, the modern medical system has trained us to focus on the single problem at hand and to find ways to address it. Need extra help to support healthy blood pressure? Take medication. Can’t seem to maintain healthy cholesterol? Take medication for that. Can’t control blood sugar levels on your own? Get more medication. You keep getting bandaids to treat the symptoms without getting to the root of the problem.

While you may develop numerous health conditions, it’s time to understand how deeply epigenetic expression and environmental and lifestyle factors can work to support good health or create challenges.

As just mentioned, one key factor with epigenetics is that the expression is reversible when the body gets the tools it needs. According to Dr. Ben Lynch, a leading authority in epigenetic research and education, you can have variations (SNPs) in your genes that can have negative implications, known as “Dirty Genes®,” or environmental factors that can cause negative implications (with no variations) for your genes, causing them to “act dirty.”

Whether you are born with Dirty Genes® or just have genes that have become dirty through epigenetics, it’s possible to change the future of your genetic behavior with the right tools.

When your car’s engine is acting up, you take it to the mechanic for a tune-up. Likewise, your body needs regular tune-ups and daily maintenance to promote ongoing good health. Even so, many factors can assault gene expression and have a hand in causing epigenetic influences on your DNA in the world we live in. The air you breathe, the food you eat, and the lifestyle you live (like exercise, smoking, alcohol, and stress) can all serve as switches for turning on (or off) genetic expression.

Ignoring regular oil changes and normal maintenance for your vehicle will typically result in costly, time-consuming problems. The same is true for your body. The human body is still a mystery in some ways, but it is common sense that if you don’t take care of it, it’s only a matter of when—not if —it will suffer the consequences.

Visual Pathways

Simplify the Science

Perhaps the most well-known pathway is the methylation cycle, which involves creating homocysteine from methionine in a several-step process. “Methyl” groups that help nearly every body system function properly, including your genes, result from this process.

There are several other biochemical pathways too, including:

Arginine
Glucose Metabolism
Folate
Methionine

Biopterin
Transsulfuration
Histamine

When the biochemical pathways are hindered because of too much or too little nutritional or enzymatic support, the result can influence how your genes function. In turn, your genes will influence how your pathways function (“nature versus nurture”).

For example, folate is a crucial nutrient for converting homocysteine back into methionine. Levels that are too low or too high can influence homocysteine levels and have a reverberating effect throughout the body in several ways, such as:

Altering how other biochemical pathways work
Influencing the expression of certain genes
Affecting overall health or specific conditions

You need to know that epigenetics expression is influenced by these biochemical pathways to understand how to support your genetic health. What do the biochemical pathways need to function at their best?

The right nutrients in the right amounts
A balanced diet
A healthy, clean environment

Healthy mood balance
Good amounts of sleep
Proper hydration

You would need to work personally with a healthcare practitioner to address problems within specific biochemical pathways or to address health needs. While you can’t DIY every aspect of your genetic health, it is possible to understand how certain key genes function and influence your overall well-being and the targeted ways that you can promote healthy balance.

The Super Seven Genes

While you have approximately 25,000 genes in your DNA, there are really only a few that you need to focus on to understand how to influence your health using epigenetics.5

NOS3 (heart issues): This gene can impact the production of nitric oxide, a major factor in having healthy blood flow and blood vessel formation.
PEMT (liver/cells): This gene impacts your body’s ability to make phosphatidylcholine, a vital compound needed for cell membranes, brain development, bile flow from the liver, and muscle health.
DAO (sensitivity): This gene strongly influences how sensitive you are to the world around you, particularly toxins and food. This gene can impact your body’s response to histamine found in food, beverages, and the environment. Histamine can also be produced in the gut, which can influence how sensitive you are to foods and how pronounced your reactions might be.
MTHFR (the mother of all genes): This gene initiates the body’s ability to methylate, an essential process affecting the body’s fight or flight response, inflammation processes, brain chemistry, energy production, immunity, detoxification, antioxidant production, cellular repair, and genetic expression. Basically, it’s the mother of all problems when it isn’t working right because it controls so many crucial processes in the body, specifically epigenetics and whether or not your genes are “on” or “off.”
GST/GPX (detox): These two genes strongly influence the body’s ability to collect and eliminate chemicals.
MAOA (brain/mental health): This gene strongly influences mood swings and appetite, specifically carb cravings or emotional eating. It helps regulate brain levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin—crucial neurotransmitters or brain chemical messengers that control mood, energy levels, mental alertness and focus, addictions, confidence, and even sleep.
COMT (mood/hormones): This gene plays a big role in determining how your brain influences your personality and mood. It can affect whether you’re focused, upbeat, and energetic or whether you’re laid back, calm, or down. It also strongly influences how the body handles estrogen, an important hormone in both women and men. In women, it’s vital for menstrual cycle regulation and fertility and has been implicated in fertility problems like fibroids, as well as other reproductive health problems. In men, estrogen is necessary for healthy sperm, metabolism, heart health, and even bone density—but when estrogen levels are too high or too low, it can increase the risk for coronary health problems or other serious illnesses.

No surprise here: genes are powerful effectors in the body, in both positive and negative ways. When genes are “dirty,” they can wreak havoc on your state of wellbeing.

When you discover that you have some Dirty Genes®, it may feel overwhelming, stressful, or even depressing. However, the entire premise of this book and the work of Seeking Health® is to empower you with the knowledge that your genes are not your destiny. Remember, the key principle behind epigenetics is that they can be changed or reversed.

To support your good health, you just need to know which genes may be playing a role in your troubles and how to support them by scrubbing them clean, so to speak. Now it’s time to dive deeper into each of these Super Seven genes. After that, we’ll explore ways that you can promote clean genes in your body and how to support good health, inside and out.

NOS3

Heart Issues

NOS3 stands for nitric oxide synthase 3. It is necessary for the production of nitric oxide, a substance in the body that makes sure your blood vessels stay appropriately dilated. It’s also necessary for blood vessel formation.

When nitric oxide levels are low, blood flow can be limited due to constricted blood vessels, and your cells won’t get enough oxygen or nutrients. A dirty NOS3 can result in low levels of this critical substance.6

NOS3 also plays a role in proper blood viscosity. When it’s dirty, your blood can get thicker and stickier and more prone to clotting.

If your NOS3 has been dirty for quite some time, you may experience associated health conditions.

Conditions related to a dirty NOS3: 8 & 9

Hair loss
Blood pressure issues
Stroke
Pregnancy complications
Neurological problems
Poor coronary health
Poor eye health
Breathing problems
Low mood
Weight problems
Poor sleep quality

Numerous other conditions, diseases, and disorders are related to having a dirty NOS3. Remember: your genes don’t determine your future. You do. You can change the way your genes function by making lifestyle improvements that alter your epigenetic expression.

How does NOS3 get dirty in the first place?

Many factors can contribute, but these are directly tied to how effective your NOS3 is (or in this case, isn’t):

Poor oxygen supply from improper breathing
Too much synthetic folic acid
High blood glucose levels or insulin resistance
Chronic infections or inflammation
Sedentary lifestyle
Smoking or secondhand smoke exposure
Low mood or excessive worry

By addressing the factors that may be working against your NOS3, you can make great strides in supporting your future good health. In the next section, you’ll learn which foods and supplements can help support NOS3 so it can be cleaned.

PEMT

Cell Membrane and Liver Problems

This gene impacts the body’s ability to make phosphatidylcholine, a vital compound needed for cell membranes, brain development, bile flow from the liver, and muscle health.

Having one or more of these characteristics can indicate your PEMT gene might need some scrubbing. However, there could also be other factors, too. If your PEMT has been dirty for while, you may experience associated health conditions.

Conditions related to a dirty PEMT:

Congenital disorders
Low mood
Exposure to toxins
Gallstones
Fatty liver or other liver problems
Malnutrition
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)

Numerous conditions, diseases, and disorders are related to having a dirty PEMT. Remember: your genes don’t determine your future. You can change the way that your genes function by making lifestyle changes to alter your epigenetic expression.

How does your PEMT get dirty?

MTHFR polymorphisms
Too much folic acid intake
Vegan/vegetarian diet without proper B12 replacement
Too little protein and high-quality animal foods
Too few fresh vegetables in diet
Smoking or secondhand smoke exposure
Poor sleep

In the next section, you’ll learn which foods and supplements can help you support PEMT so it can be cleaned.

DAO

Oversensitivity to Foods

DAO stands for D-amino acid oxidase because the gene encodes the peroxisomal enzyme of the same name.10 The enzyme is found in almost all organs but mostly in the small intestine, kidneys, colon, prostate, and placenta. The DAO gene and enzyme are necessary to make histamine. Histamine lives inside and outside of cells, and DAO is needed for proper histamine control and balance.

The body gets histamine in a few key ways:

From foods like fermented vegetables, alcohol, and cheese
From certain Lactobacillus probiotics
From the immune system in response to irritants

The body needs certain amounts of histamine for health. However, too much histamine leads to misery like allergic reactions and even autoimmunity sometimes.

This gene strongly influences how sensitive you are to the world around you, particularly to toxins and food. DAO can impact your body’s response to histamine, which is found in food, beverages, and the environment. The body needs certain amounts of histamine for health. However, too much histamine leads to adverse reactions and even immune system issues.

Having one or more of these characteristics can indicate that your DAO gene might need some scrubbing. However, there could also be other factors, too. If your DAO has been dirty for a while, you may experience associated health conditions.

Conditions related to a dirty DAO:

Food sensitivities and other reactions (hives, rhinitis, itching, rashes)
Neurological problems
Seasickness or motion sickness
Digestive tract issues
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
Pregnancy complications
Breathing problems
Bowel issues
Eczema and other skin conditions
Heartburn, GURD, and acid reflux
Vertigo

Numerous conditions, diseases, and disorders are related to having a dirty DAO gene. Remember: your genes don’t determine your future. You do. You can change the way your genes function by making lifestyle improvements to alter your epigenetic expression.

How does your DAO get dirty?

Methylation problems
Pathogens
Food sensitivities
Leaky gut
Digestion problems
High-histamine diet
SIBO
Candida
Medications (antibiotics, antacids, metformin, etc.)
Highly acidic diet or lots of processed foods
Too much protein
Gluten
Eating food you’re sensitive to
Exposure to toxins
Mood imbalance

In the next section, you’ll learn which foods and supplements can help you support your DAO gene so it can be cleaned.

MTHFR

Methylation Master

The MTHFR gene makes an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (or MTHFR for short).11 This enzyme is essential for processing amino acids and chemical reactions that utilize folate, or vitamin B9.

The MTHFR enzyme converts folate from one form into another in a multistep process. In this pathway, homocysteine (an amino acid) gets converted to methionine (another amino acid). Methionine is used to produce proteins and compounds. If there’s a hiccup at any stage of the process, homocysteine levels can be too high and methionine can be lacking, causing a host of disruptions to other genes and enzymes that rely on folate conversion.

Having one or more of these characteristics can indicate that your MTHFR gene might need some scrubbing, but there could also be other factors, too. If your MTHFR gene has been dirty for a while, you may experience associated health conditions.

Conditions related to a dirty MTHFR:

Thyroid problems
Infertility
Recurrent miscarriage
Cognitive disorders
Neurological disorders
Heart problems
Bladder issues
Autoimmune issues
Bowel troubles
Male infertility
Tension and cranial discomfort
Blood clots
Stroke
Pregnancy complications

Numerous conditions, diseases, and disorders are related to having a dirty MTHFR gene. Remember: your genes don’t determine your future. You do. You can change the way your genes function by making lifestyle improvements to alter your epigenetic expression.

How does the MTHFR gene get dirty?

Too much folic acid, too little methylfolate
Not enough B12
Not enough B2
Vegan/vegetarian diet (not enough meat, eggs, or seafood)
Antacid use
H. pylori infection (or ulcers)
Pernicious anemia
Exposure to industrial chemicals or solvents
Low mood or excessive worry
Low thyroid hormones
Smoking or secondhand smoke exposure
Excessive alcohol intake
Other Dirty Genes®
Inflammation
Oxidative stress
Heavy metal exposure
Candida
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
Common infections
Nutrient deficiency or malabsorption
Leaky gut or Celiac disease

By addressing the factors that may be working against your MTHFR, you can make great strides in supporting your future good health. Last sentence on the page: In the next section, you’ll learn which foods and supplements can help you support your MTHFR gene so it can be cleaned.

GST/GPX

Detox Dilemmas

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) are two separate genes, but they work closely together and are vital for the process of clearing toxins from the body—one can’t work without the other.

The GST enzyme transfers glutathione to xenobiotics, chemical substances that are foreign to your body and need to be released. This process helps your body eliminate toxins and chemical wastes via urine.

GPX is a gene that makes an enzyme, also of the same name. The GPX enzyme transfers glutathione to hydrogen peroxide and converts it so that it can be eliminated via urine. Hydrogen peroxide is produced in the body as a result of stress. If it’s not released, it can damage cells and DNA, potentially leading to disease.

Having one or more of these characteristics can indicate that your GST and GPX genes might need some scrubbing, but there could also be other factors, too. If your GST/GPX genes have been dirty for a while, you may experience associated health conditions.

Conditions related to a dirty GST/GPX:

Infertility
Chemical sensitivity
Weight problems
Neurological disorders
Cognitive disorders
Autoimmunity
Thyroid problems
Bowel issues
High blood sugar levels
Low mood
Eczema and other skin conditions
Blood pressure issues
Heart problems
Stroke
Seizure

Numerous conditions, diseases, and disorders are related to having dirty GST and GPX genes. Remember: your genes don’t determine your future. You do. You can change the way your genes function by making lifestyle improvements to alter your epigenetic expression.

How do GST/GPX get dirty?

Low mood, excessive worry, and the body’s response to fight or flight
Chronic physical, mental, and/or emotional stress
MTHFR and methylation problems
Low levels of vitamin B2
Low levels of selenium
Low levels of cysteine

By addressing the factors that may be working against your GST/GPX, you can make great strides in supporting your future good health. In the next section, you’ll learn which foods and supplements can help you support GST/GPX genes so they can be cleaned.

Fast MAOA

Carb Cravings

MAOA stands for monoamine oxidase A, responsible for making an enzyme of the same name.12 The enzyme helps the body handle two mood-related neurotransmitters: norepinephrine and dopamine. These neurotransmitters help the body cope with emotional changes by providing a jolt of energy and the ability to handle conflict and other difficult situations. MAOA is also necessary for using serotonin, the neurotransmitter that helps provide feelings of calm, balance, and optimism.

Unlike other genes, MAOA can either function too quickly or too slowly.

Having one or more of these characteristics can indicate that your MAOA gene might need some scrubbing, but there could also be other factors, too. If your MAOA gene has been dirty for a while, you may experience associated health conditions

Conditions related to a dirty Fast MAOA:

Inability to stay attentive and focused
Mood imbalance
Addictions
Cognitive disorders
Excessive worry
Neurological disorders
Bowel issues
Low mood, especially when the seasons change

Numerous conditions, diseases, and disorders are related to having a dirty MAOA gene. Remember: your genes don’t determine your future. You do. You can change the way your genes function by making lifestyle improvements to alter your epigenetic expression.

How does your Fast MAOA get dirty?

Eating too many carbs
Not enough tryptophan
Too much vitamin B2
Not enough glutathione
Excessive worry
Blood sugar imbalance
Candida
SIBO
Leaky gut
Inflammation
Poor dietary choices
Weight issues
Autoimmunity
Exposure to toxins

By addressing the factors that may be working against your Fast MAOA, you can make great strides in supporting your future good health. In the next section, learn which foods and supplements can help you support a fast MAOA gene so it can be cleaned.

Slow MAOA

Mood Swings

MAOA is necessary for using serotonin, the neurotransmitter that helps provide feelings of calm, balance, and optimism.

MAOA stands for monoamine oxidase A, which is responsible for the process of making an enzyme of the same name.13 The enzyme helps the body to handle two mood-related neurotransmitters: norepinephrine and dopamine. These neurotransmitters help the body cope with adversity by providing a jolt of energy and the ability to handle tension and conflict. MAOA is also necessary for using serotonin, the neurotransmitter that helps provide feelings of calm, balance, and optimism.

Unlike all genes, MAOA can either function too quickly or too slowly.

Having one or more of these characteristics can indicate that your MAOA gene might need some scrubbing, but there could also be other factors, too. If your MAOA gene has been dirty for a while, you may experience several associated health conditions.

Conditions related to a dirty Slow MAOA:

Inability to remain attentive and focused
Erratic mood
Low mood due to seasonal changes
Cognitive disorders
Excessive worry
Neurological disorders
Bowel problems

Numerous conditions, diseases, and disorders are related to having a dirty MAOA gene. Remember: your genes don’t determine your future. You do. You can change the way that your genes function by making lifestyle improvements to alter your epigenetic expression.

How does your Slow MAOA get dirty?

Too much tryptophan
Not enough vitamin B2
Not enough glutathione
Excessive worry
Toxins
Blood sugar imbalance
Candida
SIBO
Leaky gut
Inflammation
Poor dietary choices
Weight problems
Autoimmunity
Toxin exposure

By addressing the factors that may be working against your slow MAOA, you can make great strides in supporting your future good health. In the next section, learn which foods and supplements can help you support a slow MAOA gene so it can be cleaned.

Fast COMT

Mellowness and Calm

COMT is another gene that can either work too quickly or too slowly, with differing results for epigenetic health.

The COMT gene tells the body how to make an enzyme known as catechol-O methyltransferase (also known as COMT). This enzyme is produced by nerve cells in the brain, as well as in the liver, kidneys, and the blood, where it helps to regulate neurotransmitters and hormones14

COMT determines the body’s ability to process certain compounds, hormones, and neurotransmitters. It helps the body to metabolize or make use of estrogen, a crucial hormone in men and women. Compounds known as catechols—which are found in tea, spices, coffee, and chocolate—are broken down and used in response to COMT, too.

It also influences how dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine are used in the body. Dopamine is necessary for a balanced state of mind, and low levels are tied to addictions, thrill, and the surge of any other activity that feels high-stakes or exciting. Norepinephrine and epinephrine (also known as noradrenaline and adrenaline) are the body’s neurotransmitters for adapting to and handling conflict. COMT influences not only how quickly those neurotransmitters are available for use but also how effectively you can clear them when they’re no longer needed.

Having one or more of these characteristics can indicate that your COMT gene might need some scrubbing, but there could also be other factors, too. If your COMT gene has been dirty for a while, you may experience associated health conditions.

Conditions related to a dirty Fast COMT:

Inability to be attentive and focused
Low mood
Learning disability

Numerous other conditions, diseases, and disorders are related to having a dirty COMT gene. Remember: your genes don’t determine your future. You do. You can change the way your genes function by making lifestyle improvements to alter your epigenetic expression.

How does your Fast COMT get dirty?

Too much SAMe
Too much homocysteine
Not enough folate, B12, or magnesium
Dirty MTHFR

By addressing the factors that may be working against your Fast COMT, you can make great strides in supporting your future

Slow COMT

Focus and Buoyancy

The COMT gene tells the body how to make an enzyme known as catechol-O-methyltransferase (also known as COMT). This enzyme is produced by nerve cells in the brain, as well as in the liver, kidneys, and the blood, where it helps to regulate neurotransmitters and hormones.15

COMT determines the body’s ability to process certain compounds, hormones, and neurotransmitters. It helps the body to metabolize or make use of estrogen, a crucial hormone in men and women.

Compounds known as catechols—which are found in tea, spices, coffee, and chocolate—are broken down and used in response to COMT, too.

It also influences how dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine are used in the body. Dopamine is necessary for a balanced state of mind, and low levels are tied to addictions, thrill, and the surge of any other activity that feels high-stakes or exciting. Norepinephrine and epinephrine (also known as noradrenaline and adrenaline) are the body’s neurotransmitters for adapting to and handling conflict. COMT influences how quickly those neurotransmitters are available and how effectively you can clear them when they’re no longer needed. COMT is another gene that can either work too quickly or too slowly, with differing results for epigenetic health.

Conditions related to a dirty Slow COMT:

Inability to be attentive and focused
Excessive worry
Erratic behavior
Nervous system disorders
Exposure to toxins
PMS
Preeclampsia

How does your Slow COMT get dirty?

Low levels of SAMe
Imbalanced homocysteine levels
Too much coffee, caffeine, chocolate, or black/green tea
Excessive amounts of conflict due to a job, lifestyle, or relationships.
Weight problems
Diet too high in animal fats
Excessive exposure to xenoestrogens (plastic, cosmetics, chemicals, cleaners, etc.)
Not enough folate, B12, or magnesium
Dirty MTHFR

By addressing the factors that may be working against your slow COMT, you can make great strides in supporting your future good health. In the next section, In the next section, you’ll learn which foods and supplements can help you support a slow COMT gene so it can be cleaned.

How To Optimize Your Super Seven Genes

Your Plan For Success — 3 Steps to Clean Your Dirty Genes®
The most important thing to understand is that YOU can control your genetic destiny. Problematic genes can be turned “off,” and genes that are running too slow can be turned “on.” It’s just a matter of identifying which of your genes need help and then giving them specific, targeted support!

Here are three steps to start cleaning your Dirty Genes® today:

Read Dirty Genes®

First of all, if you’re serious about cleaning up your genes, you’ll need much more information than is presented here. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

Dr. Ben Lynch’s best-selling book, Dirty Genes®, takes a deep dive into each of the Super Seven genes, with questionnaires to help you sort out which gene(s) could be problematic for you, and plenty of easy to-understand information on how genes can get dirty in the first place.

Plus, Dirty Genes® is written in the experienced voice of Dr. Ben Lynch, with numerous case study examples of how he’s helped real-life people clean their genes and find success.
Test Your Genes
The StrateGene® DNA Test Kit analyzes a number of researched variants within the Super Seven genes. Wondering if any of your Super Seven are dirty? StrateGene® will let you know! Learn more about the StrateGene® Report.
Targeted Support
There are many ways that you can support your genes through lifestyle and diet. Once you discover your Super Seven genes that need the most support, the next step is to customize your lifestyle and supplements to meet your unique genetic needs. In the remainder of this book, you’ll find tips for optimizing each of your Super Seven genes. If you want a more comprehensive plan, check out the corresponding section in Dirty Genes®.

How To Optimize Your NOS3

In order to truly support NOS3, you also need to have a clean MTHFR, GST/GPX, COMT, MAOA, and DAO. Sound complicated? NOS3 is one of the most sensitive genes and only plays well when the rest of the team is in the game, so to speak. While it’s one of the harder genes to scrub, you can still find success by approaching it indirectly.

Factors that support your NOS3 include the following:

Mouth-Breathing and Histamine

Stop breathing through your mouth (usually during sleep) and start breathing through your nose. If this isn’t easy, it likely means you need to support your healthy response to ingested histamine.^†

Try ProBiota HistaminX
Try Liposomal Vitamin C Plus

Antioxidants and Homocysteine

Free radicals can damage cells and DNA. In order to support your body’s healthy response to free radicals, you need enough antioxidants. High levels of homocysteine, which can happen if your methylation is not balanced, can also be problematic for this process.^†

Try Glutathione with Cofactors
Try PQQ Lozenge
Try Liposomal Vitamin C
Try Homocysteine Nutrients, Methyl B12 with L-Methylfolate, or B Complex Plus

Agitation and Excessive Worry

When the body is continually exposed to conflict and experiences fight or flight, it burns through folate, vitamin B12, magnesium, vitamin C, glutathione, and other nutrients essential for cellular and genetic function. Any of these nutrients being too low can lead to a dirty NOS3.

Try Stress Nutrients
Try Lithium Orotate

Diet

You need plenty of the amino acid arginine in your diet to support a healthy NOS3 and other nutrients like calcium, iron, and vitamin B2.

For arginine, try turkey breast, chicken, pork, pumpkin seeds, sheep/goat dairy products, lentils, and chickpeas.
For calcium, try sheep/goat cheese, dark leafy greens, bok choy, green beans, almonds, okra, and broccoli.
For vitamin B2, try chicken liver, lamb, spinach, almonds, eggs, and wild-caught seafood.
For iron, try pumpkin seeds, chicken liver, cashews, almonds, grass-fed beef, lamb, and dark leafy greens.

Ultimately, to clean your NOS3, read Dirty Genes® and follow the Soak and Scrub Method and the other tips for NOS3.

How To Optimize Your PEMT

To support your PEMT gene and get it cleaned up when it’s dirty, it’s important to also work on MTHFR and the methylation cycle because PEMT uses 70 percent of methylation reactions.

Gallbladder

The gallbladder needs the PEMT gene and enzyme to work properly for bile flow. The following supplements may help support gallbladder function:.^†

Moderation

When you’re trying to support a dirty PEMT and your liver, not eating to excess becomes ultra important. Avoid stuffing yourself, and instead of counting calories, try to stop eating when you feel about 75 percent full. Wait 15-30 minutes, and you will probably feel fully satisfied. By not overeating, you can help avoid extra fat stores in your liver, making it sluggish and more prone to disease.

Alcohol

You’ll want to limit or eliminate alcohol consumption. Most people know that the liver metabolizes alcohol, but what you may not know is that alcohol takes top priority over other liver functions. If your liver’s health is already compromised and your PEMT is dirty, drinking alcohol, even in moderation, can take important work away from other aspects of liver health.

Excessive Worry and Fight or Flight

It’s difficult to stop worrying and “snap out of it” quickly, but making plans to develop healthier coping mechanisms is an important aspect ot liver health. Whether’s it’s seeing a license methal health therapist, practicing meditation, changing jobs, or being mindful in the moment, you need to closely look at the things that are bothering you to find healthier ways to handle the conflict.

Chemicals

The liver has to process all the toxins your body encounters, so the more that you reduce your chemical and toxic burden, the less your liver has to work and can focus on health. Opt for fragrance-free cosmetics, body care products, cleaning, and other home products. Don’t be around cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes, or any other type of chemical, toxin, or solvent if it can be helped.

Digestion

Your body can only benefit from food when you can digest and absorb it. If the liver is suffering, your digestive process may also be sluggish. Chew your food thoroughly to give it the best chance at absorption, but also consider digestive enzymes to promote the proper breakdown of the foods you eat—especially protein.^†

Diet

The PEMT gene needs choline, and a diet without enough puts puts you at risk for fatty liver, muscle damage, and even liver cell death. It’s hard for vegetarians/vegans to get enough choline from diet, but the bottom line is that it needs to be a primary focus for a healthy PEMT.^†

Try Liver Nutrients
Try Ox Bile 125
Try Bile Nutrients
For choline, try eggs, chicken liver, and high-quality meats.
For vegetarians, sources of choline include asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, flaxseed, pinto beans, quinoa, spinach, and mushrooms.

Ultimately, to clean your PEMT, read Dirty Genes® and follow the Soak and Scrub Method and the other tips for PEMT.

How To Optimize Your DAO

There are several key areas to focus on to support your DAO gene, so it functions efficiently.

Histamines

Histamines can be produced in the body in response to an allergen, but foods and drinks can also contain histamine. To support DAO, limit foods and drinks that contain larger amounts of histamine, such as:

Wine, beer, and other alcohol
Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha
Aged meats like salami, pepperoni, and summer sausage
Cultured or aged foods like cheese, kefir, and yogurt
Reheated foods or leftovers

You can also utilize some supplement support to address the body’s response to ingested histamines.^†

Try ProBiota HistaminX

Estrogen

Women need to be particularly mindful of estrogen levels. If you have a sensitive DAO, get your estrogen levels checked throughout your cycle, but especially at ovulation, to determine if they’re normal or elevated. Regardless, practice good hygiene when it comes to avoiding things that can worsen estrogen sensitivity, such as:

Eliminating plastics
Getting to a healthy weight
Eating plenty of cruciferous vegetables

Digestion

For DAO to work properly, you need digestion to work smoothly from start to finish. Of special concern are enzymes for breaking down nutrients and healthy flow of bile from the gallbladder and liver.†

Excessive Worry and Sleep

you need to get adequate, high-quality sleep and learn to manage your response to adversity. While reducing the strife in your life may be easier said than done (afterall, who chooses to engage in conflict?), it is worth the time and effort for the dramatic impact it has on epigenetic health.

Try mediation
Try wearing an OURA ring

Diet

The DAO gene needs calcium and copper in appropriate amounts to work efficiently.

For calcium, try kale, watercress, broccoli, goat/sheep cheese, bok choy, almonds, and okra.
For copper, try sunflower seeds, almonds, lentils, beef liver, asparagus, and turnip greens.
For alkaline foods, try artichokes, arugula, asparagus, avocado, bok choy, red beets, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cabbage, chia seeds, garlic, ginger, alfalfa, green beans, kelp, kale, okra, onion, lentils, rhubarb, watercress, and zucchini.

Ultimately, to clean your DAO, read Dirty Genes® and follow the Soak and Scrub Method and the other tips for DAO, as well as MTHFR, which is closely related to DAO’s functionality.

How To Optimize Your MTHFR

It’s important to start removing all sources of synthetic folic acid to help support your MTHFR gene and methylation cycle. This could mean eliminating all processed and fortified foods, swapping out multivitamins containing synthetic folic acid for folate, L-5 MTHF, or folinic acid, and reading all labels to ensure synthetic folate isn’t included. Doing so is important because folic acid will bind to folate receptors and block high-quality methylfolate from getting through. Even if you’re taking methylfolate or folinic acid, synthetic folic acid can interfere with a healthy and balanced methylation cycle.^†

Excessive Worry

Mental, physical, and/or emotional instability will all eat up the energy that your methylation cycle needs. If you want methyl to be available to your body for the 200+ processes that rely on it, you have to get a handle on how you handle the uncertainties of life.

The type of intervention you need depends on your unique situation, but you can’t blame it on having a busy life or being in a crazy season any longer. It’s time to slow things down, embrace meditation and mindfulness, and employ every possible method to reduce the activation of hormones.

Electrolytes

If you have MTHFR problems and you go straight to supplementing with active folate, your body could be in for a ride of unpleasant symptoms. To lessen these effects, ensure sufficient hydration and electrolyte levels and that your histamine levels are balanced.^†

Try Optimal Electrolyte
Try ProBiota HistaminX

Dairy

Eating foods you’re sensitive to or allergic to, even with few reactions, can clog your folate receptors and interfere with healthy methylation

Chemicals and Toxins

Eliminating sources of toxins, chemicals, or other compounds that your body will have to work hard to eliminate or that are synthetic or unnatural will almost always make epigenetic function cleaner. Clear your home of fake scents, strong chemicals, plastics, and other substances that lead to sensitivity reactions.

Try Glutathione with Cofactors to support your healthy detoxification pathways.^†

Diet

You need many dietary sources of folate to support methylation and riboflavin (vitamin B2), as the MTHFR gene makes folate in the body. Folate needs to be paired with vitamin B12 to be activated, so don’t ignore this important nutrient.^†

For folate, try leafy greens, eggs, beef/chicken liver, bananas, oranges, avocado, beetroot, and supplemental L-Methylfolate or Folinic Acid Lozenge.
For vitamin B2, try seafood, poultry, red meat, eggs, asparagus, artichokes, avocado, and supplemental Riboflavin.
For B12, try seafood, poultry, red meat, eggs, and supplemental Methyl B12 1000, Adeno B12, or Hydroxo B12.
For protein, focus on animal sources that are high quality, but beans, peas, lentils, nuts, and seeds may be used when necessary

Ultimately, to clean your MTHFR gene, read Dirty Genes® and follow the Soak and Scrub Method and the other tips for MTHFR, as well as those relating to GST/GPX, since they interact and can also drag each other down.

How To Optimize Your GST/GPX

It’s important to start at the beginning and look at the basics like the air that you breathe, the water you drink (and bathe in), and chemicals and toxins that can enter your body (like from nonorganic foods) to help support your dirty GST and GPX genes.

Air

Use an air purifier in your home, your office, and anywhere else that you spend large amounts of time. If you live in a city, don’t drive with the windows down, and keep the air circulation within your car, not pulling in outside air.

Water

Not only do you need to filter the water that you drink, but you should also install an entire house filter to cut down on the exposures to chemicals and toxins that are found in city water supplies (tap water).

Nonorganic Foods

While eating non-organic foods won’t kill you, you literally want to cut down every source of toxin that can get in your body if you’re trying to clean up GST/GPX. Non-organic or conventional produce is a big source of toxins. If you can’t afford to go completely organic, at least start by ditching the Dirty Dozen for organic-only options.

Sauna and Sweat

Sweat can be a great way to help the body get rid of toxins. Whether you use a sauna at the gym or get one for your home, or you focus on high-intensity exercise that can get you good and sweaty, the more you sweat the better your GST/GPX will be. You can also try hot yoga.

Glutathione

Glutathione acts as the mother of all antioxidants and is likely to be low in someone with dirty GST/GPX genes.^†

Try Glutathione with Cofactors Start low with this supplement and work your way up.
Try mixing glutathione with Liposomal Vitamin C
Try Optimal Electrolyte
Try Molybdenum

If you try glutathione and it worsens how you feel, use an alternative way of increasing your natural glutathione levels and supporting the natural detox methods that it facilitates:^†^†

Mold

Sometimes, our homes can have mold, and we don’t even know it. If you have on-going problems with detox or GST/GPX, have a mold professional evaluate your living space to ensure that you’re not living in a home situation that is worsening your health.

Diet

GST/GPX genes rely on cysteine, a sulfur-containing amino acid, to help get chemicals out of the body. Many people don’t get enough cysteine, so focus on foods that can naturally support levels. Riboflavin, or B2, is necessary for glutathione recycling in the body. Selenium is also an important antioxidant nutrient that supports glutathione and healthy detox. Fiber helps support a healthy microbiome and facilitates normal detox and elimination. Most people don’t get close to enough fiber each day!

For cysteine, try red meat, sunflower seeds, poultry, eggs, broccoli, cabbage, asparagus, artichoke, cauliflower, and onions.
For B2, try chicken liver, lamb, mushrooms, spinach, wild-caught seafood, almonds, and eggs.
For selenium, try Brazil nuts, eggs, beef, liver, chicken, seafood, and brown rice.
For fiber, try artichokes, black beans, avocado, Brussels sprouts, chia seeds, berries, flax meal, lentils, oats, peas, and pears.

Ultimately, to clean your GST/GPX genes, read Dirty Genes® and follow the Soak and Scrub Method and the other tips for GST/GPX, as well as those relating to MTHFR, since they interact and can also drag each other down.

How To Optimize Your Fast MAOA

There are several factors to consider to slow down your fast MAOA.

Exercise

While exercise is good for everyone, it’s especially helpful for balancing a fast MAOA gene. It’s not necessarily the type that matters as much as the frequency.

Excessive Worry and Mood

A fast MAOA gene gets rid of serotonin and other neurotransmitters too quickly resulting in low levels. To help support balance, 5-HTP, a precursor to serotonin, can be supplemented. Other nutrients that support serotonin and neurotransmitter balance may be helpful, too. Also, don’t underestimate the benefit of practices that promote feelings of calm, like mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and deep breathing.^†

Sleep

If your MAOA is fast, you probably fall asleep easily, so it might not seem that you have a sleep problem. But many will struggle to stay asleep, tossing and turning or waking frequently through the night. This can result in poor sleep and an even worse quality of rest. Supplementing can help to support a healthy sleep-wake cycle.^†

Try Adrenal Cortex or Stress Nutrients

Chemicals

When your MAOA is fast, chemical exposures can trigger the manufacture of hydrogen peroxide within the body at faster rates. This can rapidly deplete glutathione. To spare glutathione, limit chemical and toxin exposures.

Balanced Meals

Macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fats) are necessary in balance at each meal to help support a balanced MAOA. You don’t have to care about specific ratios at each meal, but you do need some of each macronutrient. It’s also important to limit processed/junk foods and refined sugars. Blood sugar imbalances can lead to mood problems, which are more pronounced in people with a fast MAOA.

Diet

Protein is a crucial nutrient for a balanced MAOA, along with vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid famed for causing the Thanksgiving “turkey coma,” but in reality, it’s needed for making While tryptophan can be obtained from proteins like turkey, it is more effective and better absorbed from certain carbohydrates.

For protein, try chicken liver, lamb, chicken, turkey, bison, beef, and seafood.
For vitamin B2, try chicken liver, lamb, mushrooms, spinach, almonds, wild-caught seafood, and eggs.
For tryptophan, try spinach, seaweed, mushrooms, pumpkin seeds, red lettuce, and asparagus.

Ultimately, to clean your Fast MAOA gene, read Dirty Genes® and follow the Soak and Scrub Method and the other tips for Fast MAOA.

How To Optimize Your Slow MAOA

To speed up your slow MAOA gene, you need to come at it from different angles

Protein Balance

Too much protein will make your MAOA sluggish. Your protein needs vary depending on age, height, weight, and other health factors—you can use an online calculator to determine your desired baseline goal. Most Americans dramatically overconsume protein beyond their actual needs.16

Histamine

Excessive histamine intake can slow down your MAOA, so be mindful of how many histamine-rich foods you eat on a regular basis. High histamine foods include cheese, fermented foods, alcohol, smoked meats, shellfish, beans, and nuts.

Neurotransmitters

Certain nutrients can be beneficial to support a healthy neurotransmitter balance:^†

Sleep

People with a slow MAOA gene tend to have problems falling asleep. Some nutrients may be helpful in supporting good sleep hygiene and the ability to get good-quality rest.^†

Try Phosphatidyl Serine
Try Ashwagandha
Try Magnesium Plus
Try Riboflavin or Lithium Orotate

Balanced Meals

Macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fats) are necessary for balance at each meal to help support a properly functioning MAOA. You don’t have to care about specific ratios at each meal, but you need some of each macronutrient. It’s also important to limit processed/ junk foods and refined sugars. Blood sugar imbalances can lead to mood problems, which are more pronounced in people with a slow MAOA.

Diet

For a balanced MAOA, two nutrients are particularly important: tryptophan and riboflavin, or vitamin B2.

For tryptophan, try seaweed, mushrooms, spinach, pumpkin seeds, turnip greens, asparagus, and red leaf lettuce.
For vitamin B2, try liver, lamb, mushrooms, spinach, almonds, wild-caught seafood, and eggs.

Ultimately, to clean your slow MAOA gene, read Dirty Genes® and follow the Soak and Scrub Method and the other tips for slow MAOA.

How To Optimize Your Fast COMT

There are certain elements that are helpful with finding balance for a fast COMT gene.

Protein

While some other genes need less protein, Fast COMT benefits from more dietary protein

Methylation

COMT requires a balanced and supported methylation cycle, so elements that support MTHFR will also work for COMT.^†

Try L-Methylfolate or Folinic Acid Lozenge
Try Riboflavin
Try Methyl B12 1000, Adeno B12, or Hydroxo B12

Magnesium

About half the U.S. population doesn’t get enough of the magnesium needed for COMT to function cleanly. While you can boost dietary sources of magnesium, you can also support balance by supplementing, too.^†

Try Optimal Magnesium or Magnesium Plus

Weight and Toxins

Excess body fat results in increased estrogen production, which can lead to hormone imbalances that negatively influence COMT. Xenoestrogens are substances that can also lead to more estrogen in the body. They include things like plastics, chemicals, toxins, and pesticides in non-organic foods. Cleaning up your body’s exposure to xenoestrogens that disrupt estrogen production is an important way to balance COMT.

Agitation

Feeling like you’re wound up and can’t relax can cause you to feel agitated which can negatively impact any person or gene. COMT especially can benefit from regular meditation, diaphragmatic breathing, and other calming practices.

Sleep

Not only does the body help to repair cells while you’re sleeping, but it’s also a time when it makes neurotransmitters and anything else your body needs for homeostatic balance. Maintaining a healthy sleep routine is essential.^†

Try Stress Nutrients or Adrenal Cortex

Diet

Magnesium is an important nutrient for cleaning a dirty COMT gene. Other foods can help the body clear excess estrogen or help to bring hormonal balance.

For magnesium, try dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, wild-caught seafood, beans, avocados, and gluten-free whole grains.
For estrogen balance, try beets, carrots, onions, artichokes, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, cabbage, dandelion greens, radishes, and Brussels sprouts.

Ultimately, to clean your Fast COMT gene, read Dirty Genes® and follow the Soak and Scrub Method and the other

How To Optimize Your Slow COMT

Certain elements are helpful for balancing a slow COMT gene.

Protein

Your protein needs vary depending on age, height, weight, and other health factors—you can use an online calculator to determine the baseline goal of what you need. Most Americans overconsume protein dramatically beyond their actual needs.17 You don’t want to get too little, but you definitely want to avoid getting too much. Eat more protein with breakfast, a moderate amount for lunch, and the lowest amount at dinner for the best balance.

Magnesium and Sleep

About half the U.S. population doesn’t get the magnesium needed for COMT to function cleanly. While you can boost dietary sources of magnesium, you can support balance by supplementing, too.^†

Try Magnesium Plus
Try Lithium Orotate

Hormone Balance

Estrogen needs COMT for balance. Certain supplements can help to speed up a slow COMT and support healthy estrogen metabolism.^†^†

Weight and Toxins

Agitation

Constant exposure to conflict can leave anyone feeling agitated and can impact any gene in a negative way.

Diet

Magnesium is an important nutrient for preventing or cleaning a dirty COMT gene.

For magnesium, try dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, wild-caught seafood, beans, avocados, and gluten-free whole grains.
For estrogen balance, try beets, carrots, onions, artichokes, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, cabbage, dandelion greens, radishes, and Brussels sprouts.

Ultimately, to clean your slow COMT gene, read Dirty Genes® and follow the Soak and Scrub Method and the other tips for slow COMT

Optimize Your Genes

Get Started Today

Empower Yourself with Strategene® Report

To effectively clean up your genes, you need to know the specifics of what you’ve got to work with. The Strategene® Report has been designed to be an at-home genetic test kit that provides targeted answers and a plan for the genes that you have.

It takes a bit of time to get your StrateGene® results back, so while you’re waiting for the answers, you can begin the work of cleaning by following what you’ve learned here and in the book Dirty Genes®.

In no time, you will feel more vibrant, energetic, and more alive than ever, so you can spend time with loved ones and help others to achieve that kind of feeling. You owe it to yourself to feel your absolute best right now.

References

[1] . https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/epigenetics
[2] . Van Soom, A., Peelman, L., Holt, W., & Fazeli, A. (2014). An Introduction to Epigenetics as the Link Between Genotype and Environment: A Personal View. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 49, 2-10.
[3] . Ibid.
[4] . https://science.sciencemag.org/content/330/6004/611
[5] . https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/basics/gene
[6] . https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2745926/
[7] . https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25366614-estrogen-induces-nitric-oxide-production-vianitric-oxide-synthase-activation-in-endothelial-cells/
[8] . https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/NOS3#conditions
[9] . https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22025889-reproductive-factors-and-nos3-variantinteractions-in-primary-open-angle-glaucoma/?from_term=NOS3+and+vision&from_pos=3
[10] . https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/DAO
[11] . https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/MTHFR
[12] . https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/MAOA
[13] . https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/MAOA
[14] . https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/COMT
[15] . https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/COMT
[16] . https://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/dri-calculator/
[17] . https://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/dri-calculator/

Seeking Health Digestion Support Supplements^†

Supplements may be the extra support needed, at least temporarily, to manage healthy digestion and clean the ‘dirty genes’ that may be responsible for it.† Here are specific supplements designed to support digestion from different aspects for healthy nutrient absorption and overall well-being:^†

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