Gene Variants 101: What They Mean for Your Health

The Genetics of Wellness: How Common Gene Variants Shape Your Health

Our DNA is like a personalized health blueprint—a silent but powerful influence on how we metabolize nutrients, respond to stress, detoxify our environment, and even how well we sleep. In recent years, genetic testing has transformed from a niche curiosity into a powerful wellness tool, revealing patterns that help us personalize everything from supplements to sleep routines.

Scientists have identified over 700 million genetic variants in the human genome. But don’t worry—most of them are harmless background noise.

Your body is made up of over 3 billion DNA base pairs, and each of us carries about 4–5 million genetic differences compared to someone else. The good news? Only a small number of those affect your health in meaningful ways.

Let’s break it down:

1. SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms)

• What they are: Tiny changes in a single "letter" of your DNA code.

• Why they matter: Some SNPs affect how you metabolize nutrients, respond to medications, or handle stress.

• How common they are: There are hundreds of millions, but only a few thousand have strong research linking them to health outcomes.

2. Indels (Insertions and Deletions)

• What they are: Small chunks of DNA that are either missing or added.

• Why they matter: Some indels can disrupt genes entirely. Others are benign.

• Example: Some people have a deletion in the GSTM1 gene, impacting detoxification.

3. CNVs (Copy Number Variations)

• What they are: Large sections of DNA that are duplicated or missing.

• Why they matter: CNVs can influence your risk for developmental disorders, immune conditions, and some cancers.

4. Structural Variants

• What they are: Big rearrangements of the genome—like flipping, moving, or duplicating large regions of DNA.

• Why they matter: These are often involved in serious genetic diseases, but they're not the focus of most wellness-based genetic testing.

Despite the massive number of variants discovered, most of them are rare or have unknown significance. Only a small fraction—likely fewer than 1%—have been well-characterized in terms of how they affect health, disease risk, or drug metabolism.

The average person carries around 4 to 5 million genetic variants, but only a few hundred to a few thousand are considered functionally significant in current wellness or clinical contexts.

Today we’re exploring the most common gene variants that influence health, the patterns they create, how they interact with lifestyle factors, and how you can test for them to take control of your health journey.

What Are Gene Variants?

Gene variants, or polymorphisms, are natural changes in the DNA sequence that make each of us unique. Some are harmless, but others influence how our bodies function—affecting everything from how we process folate to how we respond to caffeine or stress.

These variants are not "bad genes." Think of them as genetic quirks—traits that can become vulnerabilities or superpowers, depending on your environment, nutrition, and lifestyle.

Top Gene Variants and Their Effects

1. MTHFR (Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase)

• Common Variants: C677T and A1298C

• Function: Converts folic acid into the active form (methylfolate) used in DNA synthesis and detoxification.

• Health Implications: Poor methylation can lead to high homocysteine levels, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, fatigue, infertility, neural tube defects, and poor detox capacity.

• Wellness Strategies: Supplement with methylfolate instead of folic acid, ensure adequate B12 (methylcobalamin), riboflavin, and avoid synthetic folic acid in fortified foods and enriched foods.

• Recommended Lounge Treatments:

  • NAC- for liver support & detoxification

  • IV of Magnesium Chloride, Taurine, and Methylocobalamin- assist gut absorption & healing

  • Glutathione Push

• Our Recommended Supplementation:

  • Mind Body Green Methyl B Complex

  • Pure Encapsulations Betaine

  • Mind Body Green Magnesium Glycinate

2. COMT (Catechol-O-Methyltransferase)

• Common Variant: Val158Met

• Function: Breaks down catecholamines—dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.

• Health Implications:

  • Slow COMT: Higher dopamine—can lead to anxiety, irritability, estrogen sensitivity.

  • Fast COMT: Lower dopamine—risk of low motivation, brain fog, lower stress resilience.

• Wellness Strategies: Adaptogenic herbs, magnesium, lifestyle changes based on stress tolerance. Estrogen detox support is key for slow COMT types.

• Recommended Lounge Treatments:

  • Magnesium Chloride & Vitamin C - calming, COMT cofactor & supports COMT enzyme function

  • Glutathione push- enhances estrogen detox

• Our Recommended Supplementation:

  • Mind Body Green Sleep Support/Magnesium Glycinate

  • Jarrow Formulations Sam-e 200 200mg

  • Integrative Therapeutics Cortisol Manager

3. APOE (Apolipoprotein E)

• Common Variants: e2, e3, e4

• Function: Lipid transport and brain health.

• Health Implications:

  • APOE e4: Strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease.

  • APOE e2: Lower Alzheimer’s risk, but potentially higher triglycerides.

• Wellness Strategies: APOE e4 carriers may benefit from a Mediterranean or low-saturated-fat diet, exercise, fasting-mimicking strategies, and omega-3 supplementation.

• Recommended Lounge Treatments:

  • High-dose (15 grams) Vitamin C - neuroprotection + antioxidant

  • Glutathione Push - oxidative stress + brain detox

  • Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) - brain, liver, glucose support

  • Carnitine, Magnesium + B-complex - optional: fatty acid transport + brain energy

• Our Recommended Supplementation:

  • Qualia Mitochondria+

  • Jarrow Formulations Sam-e 200 200mg

  • Integrative Therapeutics Cortisol Manager

  • Pure Encapsulations Liver Detox

  • Cymbiotika Vitamin D3 and K2

  • Jarrow Formulations Astaxanthin or Cymbiotika The Omega

  • Vital Nutrients BCQ

4. GSTM1 & GSTT1 (Glutathione S-Transferase)

• Common Variants: Deletion polymorphisms

• Function: Detoxifies heavy metals, mycotoxins, and oxidative stress by supporting glutathione pathways.

• Health Implications: Deletions = reduced detoxification capacity → vulnerability to mold, chemicals, and pollutants.

• Wellness Strategies: NAC, alpha-lipoic acid, cruciferous vegetables, sauna, and binders. Test for mold exposure if symptoms align.

• Recommended Lounge Treatents:

  • Glutathione push (1000–2000mg)

  • NAC- Assisted liver detoxification

  • The Sweetest Healing- Supplementation & detoxification support

  • ALA Push- antioxidant recycling

• Our Recommended Supplementation:

  • Pure Encapsulations Liver Detox

  • Cymbiotika Glutathione

  • Thorne NAC

5. CYP1A2 (Cytochrome P450 1A2)

• Function: Metabolizes caffeine and certain medications.

• Health Implications:

  • Fast metabolizers: Handle caffeine well.

  • Slow metabolizers: Higher cardiovascular risk with caffeine intake.

• Wellness Strategies: Adjust caffeine based on variant; support liver detox pathways.

• Recommended Lounge Treatments-

  • B-complex, Magnesium, Vitamin C, Taurine- Liver detox pathway and metabolism support

  • Glutathione Push- detoxification support

  • ALA Push- Insulin sensitivity

• Our Recommended Supplementation:

  • Pure Encapsulations Liver Detox

  • Cymbiotika Vitamin C

  • Mind Body Green Magnesium

  • Theragenix Ovasitol

  • Thorne NAC

  • Mind Body Green B Complex

6. MAO-A (Monoamine Oxidase A)

• Common Variant: MAOA-uVNTR

• Function: Breaks down serotonin and dopamine.

• Health Implications: Affects mood, aggression, sensitivity to trauma. Often called the “warrior” vs. “worrier” gene.

• Wellness Strategies: Mindfulness, mood support supplements, and trauma-informed care for high-activity variants.

• Recommended Lounge Treatments (especially when stressed, experiencing sleeplessness, and reawakening trauma):

  • Magnesium Chloride, Methylcobalamin, Vitamin C, Taurine- Calms the nervous system, supports GABA, helps regulate stress response, supports methylation and energy, modulates cortisol, reduces oxidative stress to the brain and supports adrenal health, calms excitatory neurotransmitters

  • Glutathione push- Reduces brain inflammation and oxidative stress; supports detoxification of excess neurotransmitters

• Our Recommended Supplementation:

  • Mind Body Green Sleep Support/Magnesium Glycinate

  • Integrative Therapeutics Cortisol Manager

  • Theralogix Ovasitol

  • Integrative Therapeutics 5-HTP

7. PEMT (Phosphatidylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase)

• Function: Supports phosphatidylcholine production, liver function, and estrogen detox.

• Health Implications: Fatty liver, estrogen dominance, gallbladder issues.

• Wellness Strategies: Choline supplementation (especially during pregnancy), phosphatidylcholine-rich foods like eggs and liver.

• Recommended Lounge Treatments:

  • Custom IV of Methyl B12 (Methylcobalamin), Magnesium, and Taurine- Supports methylation, crucial for the PEMT pathway, helps recycle homocysteine and supports neurological, supports gallbladder tone, hormonal balance, and methylation, supports fat metabolism, bile flow, and estrogen clearance

  • Glutathione Push- Enhances phase II liver detox, reduces oxidative stress from poor PC synthesis

• Our Recommended Supplementation:

  • Pure Encapsulations Liver Detox

  • Mind Body Green Sleep Support/Magnesium Glycinate

  • Integrative Therapeutics Cortisol Manager

  • Theralogix Ovasitol

  • Mind Body Green Methyl B Complex

  • Body Bio PC

8. FUT2 (Fucosyltransferase 2)

• Function: Affects gut microbiome composition and vitamin B12 absorption.

• Health Implications: Non-secretors may have altered microbiota and immune response.

• Wellness Strategies: Probiotic diversity, B12 monitoring, gut healing support.

• Recommended Lounge Treatments:

  • IV of Hydroxocobalamin (B12) or Methylcobalamin, Vitamin C, mineral blend, zinc, and L Glutamine- gut barrier, nutritional support, and immunity boosting

  • Vitamin D (IM injection recommended)

• Our Recommended Supplementation:

  • Mind Body Green B Complex

  • Mind Body Green Sleep Support/Magnesium Glycinate

  • Seed DS-01 Daily Synbiotic

  • Cymbiotika Vitamin D3 + K2

  • Pure Encapsulations Betaine

Genetic Patterns: Clues in Combinations

Most people have multiple gene variants, and patterns can point to specific areas of focus:

• The “Poor Methylator” Combo: MTHFR + COMT + MAO-A
  → Sensitive to stress, estrogen, toxins. Needs methylation and mood support.

• The “Sluggish Detox” Trio: MTHFR + GSTM1 null + PEMT
  → Prone to fatigue, chemical sensitivity, estrogen dominance. Focus on glutathione, liver support, and binders.

• The “Brain & Mood” Profile: COMT + MAO-A + APOE e4
  → Requires careful mental wellness support, neuroprotective diet, and BDNF-enhancing activities (e.g., exercise, cold exposure, omega-3s).

How to Test for Gene Variants

1. At-Home DNA Tests

• Popular Kits:

  • SelfDecode (wellness-focused interpretation)

• These tests provide raw genetic data you can upload to interpretation services.

2. Interpretation Platforms

• Genetic Genie (free): Great for MTHFR, COMT, detox panel

• StrateGene (paid): In-depth wellness panel with functional pathways

• SelfDecode: Offers detailed reports and lifestyle suggestions

• FoundMyFitness by Dr. Rhonda Patrick: Excellent science-backed interpretation

3. Functional Medicine Panels (our preferred recommended route)

For a clinical-grade analysis, some practitioners use labs like:

• Genova Diagnostics – DNA Life

• DUTCH Complete + DNA testing

• NutriGenomic Testing Panels (GX Sciences, etc.)

What to Do With This Information

Genetic insights should be empowering—not anxiety-inducing. Your genes are not your destiny. They're a starting point. Functional wellness focuses on epigenetics—how your environment, nutrition, and behavior influence your gene expression.

Next Steps:

1. Test: Schedule an appointment with one of our providers, Concierge Medicine-15 minute lab consult to get your raw data.

2. Interpret: Follow up after your testing with a Concierge Medicine- 30 minute lab review

3. Act: Personalize your nutrition, detox, supplementation, and stress strategies.

Understanding your genetic variants isn’t about uncovering flaws—it’s about discovering your body’s unique operating manual. Whether you’re working through chronic fatigue, optimizing fertility, or building a longer, healthier life, your DNA holds the clues to a more personalized path forward.

As always, we recommend only supplementing with our recommended supplements after consulting with a healthcare provider as to which would be best for your individual needs and genetic variations.

Schedule your appointments today to figure out your personalized needs.

Testing your genes is just the beginning. Living in harmony with them? That’s the real biohack.