Genetics play a major role in how well we regulate blood sugar. Variations in genes related to insulin receptors, glucose transport, inflammation, lipid handling, and mitochondrial function can increase the risk of insulin resistance—even in people who eat well and stay active. Five of the most clinically relevant polymorphisms affecting insulin sensitivity include variations in: IRS1  (insulin receptor substrate) PPARG  (fat metabolism & insulin signalling) SLC2A4 / GLUT4  (

By Dr D. Michael Elliott, MSc, D.C., CFMP Functional & Lifestyle Medicine Oxidative stress DNA panels commonly assess genes involved in glutathione recycling, mitochondrial function, hydrogen peroxide breakdown, nitric oxide balance and inflammatory control. Below are the top 8 oxidative   stress genes typically reported — with two foods, two nutrients, two nutraceuticals and two peptides for each — along with a short explanation of why each helps. SOD2 – Mitochondrial Supero

Genetic variations affecting detoxification don’t mean a pathway is broken—they mean it requires additional support. Nutrigenomics allows clinicians to personalise nutrition and lifestyle strategies to strengthen these weak links. Let’s examine the five key detox genes and the most effective nutritional and peptide-based interventions. 1. MTHFR – Methylation & Phase II Detoxification Why It Matters MTHFR variants reduce your ability to convert folate into its active form, imp

Genetic testing has transformed how we approach bone health. Instead of waiting for bone loss to appear in mid-life, we can now identify genetic patterns that influence calcium regulation, collagen formation, vitamin D metabolism, inflammation, and bone turnover. Below is a simplified Functional-Medicine guide to the top 10 bone-health genes commonly included in DNA panels, along with the foods, nutrients and peptide-related supports that may help optimise their function. Thi

The Top 10 Genes in a DNA Lipid Profile — And How Food, Nutrients & Peptides Can Support Them By Dr D. Michael Elliott MSc, D.C., CFMP Able Bodied Healthcare & Chiropractic | Functional & Lifestyle Medicine Why Your DNA Matters for Lipid Metabolism Cholesterol balance, triglyceride regulation, LDL particle size, and inflammation are not determined by diet alone. Your DNA plays a major role in deciding how your body handles fats, clears lipids from the bloodstream, and respond

By Dr D. Michael Elliott MSc, D.C., CFMP Functional & Lifestyle Medicine | Able Bodied Healthcare & Chiropractic Why Methylation Matters Methylation is one of the most fundamental biochemical processes in the human body. It regulates: Detoxification Neurotransmitter balance Hormone metabolism (including oestrogen clearance) DNA repair Immune function Energy production Because methylation relies on enzymes that require specific nutrients, polymorphisms in methylation genes can

How inflammatory gene polymorphisms can guide nutrients, foods, and peptides Chronic low-grade inflammation underpins many modern health conditions, including cardiometabolic disease, neurodegeneration, musculoskeletal pain, hormonal imbalance, and accelerated ageing. While lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, sleep, and stress remain the primary drivers of inflammation, genetic variation can influence how strongly an individual responds to inflammatory triggers—and how

When we talk about “oestrogen dominance” in men, we’re usually referring to a pattern where oestrogenic activity is relatively high compared with androgen activity—often seen alongside age-related testosterone decline, increased aromatisation in adipose tissue, metabolic dysfunction, or inflammatory burden. Dietary strategy matters here, not as a magic bullet, but as a practical lever that may shift the hormonal environment over time. A useful example comes from a 2022 study

The problem with “one-size-fits-all” health advice Despite the explosion of nutrition plans, supplement stacks, and peptide protocols, many people still fail to achieve meaningful or lasting results. The reason is simple: human biology is not generic. Two individuals can eat the same foods, take the same nutraceuticals, or use the same peptides—yet experience dramatically different outcomes. Some improve rapidly, others stagnate, and some even deteriorate. This variability is

Concerns about soy increasing oestrogen levels in men are common, yet population-based research suggests a very different story. A landmark study by Nagata et al. (2000) examined the relationship between soy food consumption and circulating sex hormones in Japanese men, a population with traditionally high soy intake. Study overview Design: Cross-sectional observational study Participants:  Adult Japanese men Dietary assessment:  Intake of traditional soy foods, including: To