Antiageing, Detox, Skin
Cell repair and folate metabolism, response to environmental stress and free radicals, blemishes and skin sensitivity.
Personal Care Check Up provides insight into genetic variants associated with alteration of the five methylation cycles and helps prevent many cardiovascular, neurological, and oncological diseases.
Methylation is necessary for proper DNA formation and repair, regulation of cell growth, proper gene expression, and production of numerous neurotransmitters (serotonin, melatonin, adrenaline, noradrenaline, acetylcholine). Methylation plays a key role in myelin sheath formation, DNA synthesis and repair, regulation of cell growth, and in the processes of excretion of toxins (pesticides), hormonal metabolites (estrogens), and heavy metals (mercury, lead, arsenic, antimony). Methylation and respective de-methylation are part of a biochemical process divided into five major systems: folate cycle, methionine cycle, transulfuration, neurotransmitter metabolism, and urea cycle.
It is useful to assess on a genetic basis the body's natural predisposition to protect itself from free radicals and xenobiotics (including drugs) that may prove toxic. The attack of external agents (UV rays, pollution, smoke, and stress) triggers the body's production of free radicals, commonly called ROS, which are responsible for the process of cellular oxidation. The continuous and non-physiologically compensated action of ROS, can cause serious damage at the cellular level and can lead to premature and rapid aging of tissues, in particular cases it can even promote the onset of certain degenerative diseases. Under normal conditions, the human body defends itself against these aggressive substances through the use of enzymes and/or molecules dedicated to the neutralization of radical species (phase I enzymes).
All chemicals foreign to the body are termed xenobiotics: food additives, flavorings, dyes, emollients, emulsifiers, pesticides, byproducts of water combustion and staining, environmental pollutants, and drugs. Xenobiotics, bound to plasma proteins, diffuse through the blood cycle and can accumulate causing acute and chronic toxicity. The metabolism of xenobiotics (phase II enzymes) includes a series of steps that, through functionalization and conjugation, lead to deactivation and excretion of these toxic substances.
The skin module identifies genetic predisposition to skin diseases and imperfections: it enables the identification of possible vitamin deficiencies and outlines the correct therapeutic strategy for healthy, youthful skin regardless of age. Deficiency of specific vitamins, mainly fat-soluble, and a genetically based reduction of protective systems against free radicals, and numerous pollutants, are closely related to skin problems. Skin shine, elasticity, and hydration are inherent characteristics of each of us, due to both genetic and environmental factors. Some polymorphisms indicate an increased predisposition to develop skin imperfections, sensitivity to photo-aging, while others are associated with autoimmune-based skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis.