Genes That Affect Cellular Defence

    
Every minute of every day your body produces Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), also referred to as free radicals. Research is demonstrating that free radicals cause oxidative stress and damage our DNA. Oxidative stress leads to ageing and underlies all disease processes, including cardiovascular disease, dementia and diabetes, and plays a role in the development of cancer. Poor liver health, inflammation, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, environmental toxins, chemotherapy, radiation, and smoking will all increase free radical production and can lead to DNA damage.

    Your body produces antioxidant enzymes which remove these ROS. Genetically, some people do not produce good levels of these antioxidant enzymes, and are at risk of increased oxidative damage. Your body's own antioxidant enzymes are far more powerful than any antioxidant supplement, so to decrease oxidative stress you need to enhance your ability to produce these antioxidant enzymes.

    Anti-oxidant Status

    15

    MnSOD

    Begins the process of neutralizing ROS. Main enzyme to protect the mitochondria and DNA from oxidative damage. Takes ROS and converts to hydrogen peroxide. Orange dot and particularly red dot indicate decreased production of MnSOD and increased risk of oxidative stress.

    16

    GPX1

    Neutralizes hydrogen peroxide by converting to water and oxygen. This enzyme requires glutathione. Orange dot and particularly red dot indicate decreased production of GPx1 and increased risk of oxidative stress.

    17

    CAT

    Neutralizes hydrogen peroxide by converting to water and oxygen. Orange dot and particularly red dot indicate decreased production of CAT and increased risk of oxidative stress.

     

    Detoxification and Cell Defence

    It is essential for all cells to be able to rid themselves of toxins, whether these toxins come from the environment or from our own cellular activity. Toxins will interfere with cell function which will lead to the development of many diseases. To be healthy you must be able to remove toxins from the cells and excrete them from the body. However, during the process of detoxification our body actually makes many of these toxins worse and more capable of causing damage.

    The first stage of detoxification is performed by phase I enzymes. It is during this stage where toxins become very damaging and a lot of ROS (free radicals) are produced. Your phase II enzymes take these very reactive toxins and make them safe and able to be excreted from the body. The worst situation from a detoxification point of view is to have over active phase I enzymes and underactive phase II enzymes. In this scenario you are making lots of very damaging toxins and free radicals (increased oxidative stress) and are unable to make then safe or excrete them. Genetically, some people have overactive phase I enzymes and underactive phase II enzymes.

    Phase I & Phase II – Advanced Health

    18

    CYP1A1

    Enzyme located in mainly in gut, breast, lungs and skin. Involved in estrogen metabolism. Orange dot and particularly red dot indicate increased enzyme activity and increased levels of reactive toxins and ROS.

    19

    CYP1A2

    Enzyme located in the liver and accounts for 95% of caffeine metabolism. Involved in estrogen metabolism.Green dot indicates increased enzyme activity and rapid caffeine clearance and increased levels of reactive toxins and ROS.

    20

    CYP1B1

    Enzyme located mainly in breast, endometrium and ovaries. Involved in estrogen metabolism. Activity of this enzyme leads to activation of pro-carcinogens. Orange dot and particularly red dot indicate increased enzyme activity and increased levels of reactive toxins and ROS.

    21

    GCLC

    First rate limiting enzyme involved in glutathione production. Orange dot and particularly red dot indicate decreased enzyme activity and decreased capacity to produce glutathione for detoxification.

    22

    GCLM

    Second rate limiting enzyme involved in glutathione production. Orange dot and particularly red dot indicate decreased enzyme activity and decreased capacity to produce glutathione for detoxification.

    23

    GSTP1

    The enzyme that joins (conjugates) glutathione to toxins, estrogen metabolites and ROS, to render them safe and able to be excreted. Orange dot and particularly red dot indicate decreased enzyme activity and decreased capacity to clear toxins and ROS.

    24

    NQ01

    This enzyme has strong antioxidant capacity. Described as the anti-cancer enzyme. Can induce MnSOD when oxidative stress is high. Orange dot is extremely reduced enzyme activity and red dot is no enzyme activity.

    25

    HO-1

    Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant enzyme. Located mainly in the brain, endothelial cells, gut and lungs. Orange dot and particularly red dot indicate decreased enzyme activity and increased risk of oxidative stress and inflammation.