June 9, 2022 • 28 mins
In this episode of SPIT, Adrianne Nina, fitness influencer and host of the daily Good Risings podcast Level-Up Latte, explores her personal growth over the past year since receiving her 23andMe reports. Upon learning that she’s at an increased likelihood for developing certain diseases, she prioritized specific components of her diet and workout routine. Adrianne draws from her personal experience to highlight how personalized results motivated specific changes and how this information can empower everyone to take control of their health journey, especially those in marginalized communities.
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Have you ever thought about how incredibly complex I spit is.
It may only be water, but just aliva isn't simple?
That remaining one percent holds incredibly meaningful information that could
change everything. And I'm not just talking about your family
treat Hi. I'm barretton Day Thurston and on this season
(00:24):
of Spit and I Heart Radio podcast with twenty three
and Me, we explore how DNA isn't just about ancestry,
it can also be key to understanding your health. Yo, Yo,
welcome back now. Adrian Mina knows a thing or two
about staying healthy. She's a health and wellness coach, a
(00:44):
fitness influencer, and host of the podcast Good Risings, Level
Up Latte. Living a healthy lifestyle maybe Adrian's passion, but
it's also her job. She's all up to speed on
the latest advancements and cutting age practices that could lead
to better health, and as a trainer, it's important that
she not only understands these advancements, but also that she
(01:06):
applies them to her own life. In this episode, Adrian
shares her personal health journey after receiving her twenty three
and Me test results last year. Upon learning that she
was at higher risk for diabetes. Adrian took action right
away and set out to make significant changes to her
diet and workout routine. By sharing her story, Adrian hopes
(01:28):
to inspire others to get a better understanding of their
DNA and take action themselves. There's no time like right
now to take more control of your health. So listening
as Adrian shares her journey and how a better understanding
of your DNA can empower you to make changes in
your own life. Good Risings. I'm Adrian Nina and this
(01:57):
is good rising level of Latte for those of you
who are joining me for the first time. I'm a
health and wellness coach and fitness influencer in Los Angeles.
You can find me on Instagram at well Trained Body.
In my line of work, a major aspect of being
(02:18):
respected and also maintaining respect is to not only be
aware of the advancements at the cutting edge of health
and wellness, but also to apply them in my own
life and in my relationship with my own body. That
goes for everything from what and how we eat, to
when and how we train, to how we recover, to
the devices that help us do those things, and, most optimally,
(02:42):
for any good trainer. It's never just about aesthetics. It's
about well being. It's about lifelong mobility. It's about ensuring
that we can live life to the fullest as long
as we have the opportunity. It's my passion and it's
also my job. Information is just the beginning to permeate
mainstream media about the role our genetics play in our
(03:04):
own health. Health is in our d n A, not
only its role in certain elements and diseases, but how
our bodies react to different foods and certain exercises. Our
genes are the coding of our body. They are the
foundation of our entire physiology, our cellular blueprint. Understanding our
(03:25):
genes is part of understanding ourselves, and in some cases,
it's the kind of information that can help us dodge
the bullet of hereditary illness. For every obvious reason, I
set out on a journey to get a better grasp
on my own genetics. I teamed up with twenty three
and Me and I want to spend this week talking
(03:45):
about my journey, my understanding, and my perspective with you.
Twenty three and Me is one of the most popular
options when it comes to getting an insight look at
our genes. The entire process was incredibly easy. I went
to their website and ordered the at home kit. It
usually takes about three to five days to arrive. I
(04:07):
registered my kit to my personal account, which is safe insecure.
Then I spit in the tube, which actually takes a
little bit more effort than I would have guests, it's
a whole lot of spit. Then when I was done,
I sent it back using the prepaid return shipping label.
Three weeks later, I received an email to let me
know my reports were ready and my online account. I
(04:30):
logged in and all the information was there and ready
for me to delve into. Of course, there are incredible
aspects of these tests outside of the context of health.
I was eager to learn more about my ancestry, and
the platform lays that out in really beautiful diagrams, even
traces our lineage from one generation to the next, as
(04:51):
we move across the continents, in some cases all the
way back to our very first human ancestors. It's actually
really beautiful to have a deeper understanding of who we are,
where we come from, and all the people who existed
before us, all of them in some way responsible for
the fact that we exist. Then, of course we learn
(05:12):
about how those people who came before us impacted us
on a genetic level. What kind of things did they
pass on that we should be aware of, and what
kinds of things did they pass on that might just
be enlightening. For example, I learned that I have an
increased likelihood of developing type two diabetes. Interestingly enough, type
(05:33):
two diabetes is the perfect example of a disease we
can be genetically predisposed to, but also alter our own
outcome through diet and exercise. I'm excited to share this
journey with you to express how incredibly easy it is
to take action and make changes to our lives with
a better understanding of our DNA. And there is no
(05:54):
time like the present to take more control of your health. Today,
I'm going to be sharing more of what I've learned
about myself from participating in this process. It's fun in
a few different ways. Obviously, some things I was surprised
to learn. Other things I always suspected and felt vindicated
by my reports. I know my good rising to co
(06:16):
host Brian from Grateful Grains talks a lot about how
he always suspected mosquitoes preferred to bite him over literally
anyone else He ended up covered in bites and everyone
else would be clear. He swore he was a mosquito magnet,
and it actually turned out that was a genetic trait
of his. And by the way, this is something Brian
(06:37):
and I have in common my whole life. I've had
to pile on the organic deep free repellent for my
adventurous outdoors. Anytime I step outside, I'm like a buffet
for mosquitoes. I knew we weren't crazy. I also learned
that I'm not likely to have a photo sneeze reflex.
This was especially interesting because at the time I didn't
(06:58):
even know what a photo sneeze reflex was. Apparently certain
people tend to sneeze when they're exposed to sunlight, which
sounds like a very special kind of hell. So thank
goodness I dodged that bullet. Another interesting thing I learned
is that I am more likely to experience motion sickness. Again,
I've always wondered what I was doing wrong. Was I
(07:21):
eating too quickly before getting into a car. Were I
looking at the wrong spot on the road. Was it
potentially something to do with sleep or a screen time
or over exertion or is it the driver to blame.
Turns out it's quite possible it's genetic. I'll say. One
of the most surprising things I learned about is that
I'm more likely to be able to match a musical pitch.
(07:43):
I actually can't seem to save my life, but that
might be a result of the instrument and not my
sense of pitch. So it definitely made me consider whether
I might be able to pick up a piano or guitar.
Friends of mine also loved learning more about things like
whether or not they're more likely to dislike cilantro or
(08:04):
have a fear of heights, or what ear wax type
they'll have, and even what their ice cream flavor preferences.
It really is crazy to see how much of who
we are is written in our genes. While all of
these little bits of information about my health were really
fun to learn about, I also learned several more serious
things about my health. Scientists are still trying to understand
(08:26):
how genetics play a role in our health. It's just
one part of a person's health or a manifestation of traits.
Everyone's environment is really important too. Like I mentioned, I
have an increased likelihood to develop type two diabetes. Again,
the wonderful thing about knowing that is that it fortifies
ways I can double down on my health, to avoid
(08:48):
refine carbs at its sugars and seed oils, and to
keep my cardiovascular fitness in check. Not that that's never
really been a question for me. I also have an
increased flihood to weigh more than the average person, which
of course exacerbates all kinds of different conditions and elements.
It makes me wonder if my career choice was in
(09:11):
any way a result of my own intuition. Knowing what
I might potentially have in store if I went down
the wrong road. I also learned about my chronic kidney disease,
a p O L one related. Again, this is simply
something to be aware of. Kidney health goes hand in
hand with what we're putting into our bodies, what we're eating,
(09:33):
what we're drinking, environmental toxins, and medication. My report helped
me set a baseline for a more personalized bonus plan
for myself. For example, the fact that I'm likely to
consume more caffeine than most has led to my careful
consideration of my daily intake. The fact that I'm likely
intolerant to lactose has given me more watchful eye in
(09:56):
relation to how I'm feeling after eating or drinking dairy.
Like I said, genes are just one factor and outcome.
Even if two people have the same genetic disposition, their
health can still differ drastically if they have different lifestyles.
Unequal access to medical care is another problem that exists
all around the country, where some communities have far better
(10:19):
resources than others. Those who live in disadvantaged areas are
often at a higher risk for poor health. This is
an issue that needs to be addressed so that everyone
has a fair chance at living a healthy life. Today
I'm jumping in on taking accountability for our health and wellness,
and of course i am. This is my literal job.
(10:42):
There are really innumerable excuses people find not to do
the work, and it's not like they don't make sense.
Oftentimes it's so easy to avoid digging in on the
work that needs to be done because our excuses are
so relevant. Right, we really do face in surmountable odds.
Sometimes we're too busy, we have too many obligations. Work
(11:06):
comes first, kids come first. Maybe it's that we just
feel so far away from our goals. It's hard to
imagine getting started in the first place. I've worked with
hundreds of people from all kinds of walks of life,
from first timers all the way to professional athletes. I
can tell you the first step is learning to ignore
(11:26):
those voices in our head and just making it happen
every single day. We're flooded in the media with one
size fits all solutions, and they don't work for every individual,
but there's a baseline. We develop a plan and we
stick to it. Like I mentioned earlier, our genetic profile
can have a big impact on how our bodies respond
(11:49):
to the application of different health and wellness endeavors, so
understanding our genetics can be a big part of developing
that plan. We use this information to better understand our
bodies and what we can do to stay healthy. We've
certainly all heard the adage knowledge is power, and in
regards to our health and wellness, this couldn't be more
(12:10):
true for me. Knowing more about my genetic profile allowed
me to be much more focused in my wellness journey.
Finding out about my increased likelihood to develop chronic kidney
disease was the most alarming for me. With a bit
of research, I learned that it's actually something that is
(12:30):
quite common in adults in the US. While I was
relieved that only one variant was detected, meaning that I'm
not at an increased risk, it's still put that important
level of awareness in me again. Knowing this makes me
want to prioritize taking better care of my kidneys by
being cautious of my food and beverage intake. It's not
(12:54):
that I'm being reactive, It's that I'm now equipped with
how I can be proactive of the same can be
said for people with an increased likelihood for heart disease,
siliacs disease, high cholesterol, and even Alzheimer's. And all of
these cases, diet and exercise are known to play a
direct role in outcome. If we can change our lifestyle
(13:16):
early enough, with follow through with action, we could potentially
avoid the ailments altogether. I want to expand a bit
on something I mentioned earlier about access to health care
and marginalized communities. Again, marginalized communities lack access to quality
health care, and this often results in poorer health outcomes
(13:38):
and a greater risk for certain diseases. So when we
get the valuable time with a health care professional. It's
important we are able to discuss health with our doctors
more specifically. I'm sure it's pretty obvious how having genetic
reports can help people in these communities take control of
their health. They provide information about their for certain conditions.
(14:02):
This knowledge gives people the ability to have more informed,
personalized conversations with health care providers, which will ultimately benefit
their health, wellness, and disease management overall. Additionally, knowing our
genetics can help us to make informed decisions about things
like family planning. For example, if we know we are
(14:23):
at increased risk for a certain disease, how can that
impact our children so that they can be treated early
if necessary. Ultimately, genetics is a powerful tool in our
arsenal that can help us better understand our bodies and
make informed decisions about our health. As it relates to
marginalized communities, genetic testing can empower people to take control
(14:46):
of their health and well being just by knowing the
right questions to ask. I know first hand it's better
to walk into a doctor's office with a grasp on
your needs and a little bit of extra knowledge about
the state of your own health. Learning about my genetics
was one way I took hold of that power. Getting
a grasp on our code, the things that are literally
(15:06):
written in our genetics, is the first step at taking
control of our destiny. It's the first step in implementing
a plan. It's the very first step in accepting accountability
for our own health. I believe there's an incredible connection
between our minds and our bodies, one that we've only
(15:28):
just begun to comprehend. Intuition is one of those aspects
of the human experience that the strictly science minded crowd
tends to scoff at. In my case, I consider my
career in the field of health, my journey and fitness,
and I reflect on what I discovered when I looked
at my jeans, the fact that I have in an
(15:49):
increased likelihood for weight gain, type two diabetes, and kidney disease.
I can't help but consider whether there was some subconscious
mechanism in me that picked up on my inherited threats
within This is strictly anecdotal, but consider the idea that
our entire genetic code is built into nearly every cell
(16:10):
of our bodies. It is possible that we one day
discover our bodies are more in tune with what's happening
within us than we are presently aware. Like every facet
of science, these sorts of hypothetical thoughts and theories are
what eventually lead to new discoveries. I'm obviously not a scientist.
(16:31):
I don't know that answer, but what I will tell
you is that for a very, very long time, I've
been driven by something within to focus on health and
well being. I've been driven to reach my utmost potential,
and this lifestyle also happens to be the kryptonite to
those lurking elements within. It's both validating and eye opening,
(16:53):
as I know so many out there are disconnected from themselves,
their intuition, their bodies, their knee eats, down to every
aspect of their own well being. Health is in your DNA.
I like to take some time today to consider the
state of being. Oftentimes, when we exist in a state
of being on autopilot, sort of subconsciously drifting through life,
(17:16):
filling and reacting, it's difficult to engage with the present moment.
It can be difficult to push pause and reflect. The
state of existence is a survival mechanism. It's built into
us as a result of hundreds of thousands of years
of evolution. Of course, there are still places in the
world today, even in America, where actual survival is something
(17:39):
we have to be worried about. Safety is one of
the key factors in our ability to grow physically, mentally,
even spiritually. But let's assume for the purpose of today's
conversation that we're generally safe. We're not imperil. Our minds
often still perceived the world at large as a perilous play.
(18:00):
It can lead to all kinds of psychological elements, from
anxiety to chronic stress, to depression to burnout, and all
of those things are directly related to our physical well being. Again,
our minds and bodies are intrinsically connected. There's so much
that can be said here, but in trying to stick
(18:20):
with the topic of the day, I'd like to draw
that thoughts back to how survival mode stops us from
connecting with our bodies. It's ironic innocence because our subconscious
desire to survive is actually stopping us from being healthy,
from living a life of fullness and longevity and cultivating awareness.
We can interpret those subconscious spirals the fair based thinking
(18:44):
and inject the moment with things like present gratitude, present
positive self talk, and in doing so, we literally reprogram
the way our conscious minds react to our subconscious negative
thought loops. The reason this is so important is that,
in re engaging with presents, were more suited to be
able to introspectively evaluate our own state of being, both
(19:07):
physically and mentally. We're able to lovingly examine what aspects
of our health needs attention. We're able to consider the
idea that not engaging in a more healthier lifestyle could
end up being more costly in the long run, not
only costly as a result of doctors bills, but also
in our ability to keep up with our loved ones
(19:30):
and our ability to experience all the world has to
offer with an active body, and in the end, to
experience this life for as long and as well as
we have the potential to. All kinds of things can
disconnect us from our bodies physical abuse, sexual abuse, bullying,
fear of every kind. Like hermit crabs, we retreat, We
(19:54):
enter a state of survival to protect ourselves, and of course,
people of marginalized communities are especially susceptible to these kinds
of threats. The challenge now is to consider whether those
threats have dissipated. If they haven't, the very first priority
should be to find a way to create safety for
yourself by whatever means available. And once we feel safe,
(20:16):
the real work of reawakening our potential begins again. There
are all kinds of things we can do to begin
that journey of health and wellness. Me and my fellow
host of Good Risings talk about it. Daily diet and
daily exercise our paramount and our well being, as is mindfulness.
But building those things upon a foundation of knowledge is
(20:37):
like building our house on stone instead of sand. Instead
of following along with fat diets that don't fit your
body's needs, find out what your body actually needs. And
by the way, I've encouraged members of my own family
to do their own genetic screening. If any of you
have family members of generations past like I do, you'll
(20:59):
find out it takes some extra convincing. That said, every
single family member that I've approached and spoken to about
twenty three and me have been as motivated by what
they learned as I was, and it's been the impetus
for major major lifestyle changes to We're approaching the end
of our conversation on genetics based health. We've delved into
(21:21):
the empowering aspects of getting to know our ancestral roots
in more detail. We explore inherit traits my conspiracy theory
that mosquitoes do prefer to bite me and that I
might very well just be a secret musical genius. We
dope into my personal health specific results, my increased likelihood
of type two diabetes, kidney disease, and weight gain, and
(21:45):
how lifestyle changes impact those outcomes. We discussed the fact
that marginalized communities are less likely to have access to
good medical care, and that approaching conversations with doctors equipped
with knowledge of oneself sets us up for success long term.
We got a little more metaphysical with some thoughts on
(22:05):
the mind body connection, and we're wrapping it up by
honing in on more important aspects of the conversation, which
is taking action. I think it's pretty clear how personal
this experience has been for me. Like I said in
the beginning, it's my job to find cutting edge aspects
of the health and wellness industry, and I wouldn't be
sharing this information with you or my own family if
(22:28):
I didn't wholeheartedly believe in the power the genetic reports
offer in motivating you to take back control of your health.
Twenty three and Me is all about real science, real data,
and genetic insights that can help make it easier for
us to take action in our own journey of health.
Over twelve million people have used the service. Seventy of
(22:50):
those people reported making healthier choices after receiving their results.
Of those people reported eating healthier diets, fifty one percent
of those people reported setting healthier goals, and forty of
those people reported increasing exercise. I think we all know
firsthand how difficult it can be to get motivated or
(23:12):
to motivate someone who's just not interested in health. Out
of twelve million people, almost nine point four million reported
making healthier choices after receiving their reports, but they seventy
six percent to assess rate. I actually don't know if
anything or anyone has been quite that successful at motivating
people to take their health more seriously. But I think
(23:35):
that's because it's tailored specifically to you. It's your d
n A. Although it doesn't change the fundamentals of fitness
and nutrition, having your genetics report is empowering to re
prioritize certain aspects of a healthy routine like I did,
so if you need a little extra nudge, this might
be the way to get it done again. The tests
(23:58):
can discern detailed ancestry interesting traits, genetic risks related to health,
which includes a full gamin of elements and carrier status
is not just the ones I mentioned personally, also pharmacogenetics,
and you can also receive a wellness report which analyzes
things like alcohol flush reaction, caffeine consumption, muscle composition, exercise, sleep,
(24:22):
and much more. And like we've been discussing all week,
this information is not only useful in making informed decisions
about our health and wellness, but it can also be
a lot of fun. It's a great conversation piece, something
interesting to share within your family and alongside family members.
You can even link your profiles to see which genes
you inherited. I actually think it's the perfect gift idea too.
(24:44):
To clarify, the carrier reports are for those of you
out there thinking about starting a family. This report allows
you to discover if you're a carrier for genetic variants
linked to certain inherited health conditions. It's the kind of
thing that can sometimes be passed onto children, especially if
it's a trait that shared within a partner. That's a
set of over forty reports, which include cystic fibrosis, sickle
(25:08):
cell anemia, tay sex disease, and more. Like I mentioned earlier,
one of the most helpful aspects of this entire experience
was that I am now able to have more informed
conversations with my healthcare providers. If any of you have
ever felt like you were being talked at rather than
talked with when speaking to a healthcare provider, learning more
(25:30):
about your unique genetic makeup can allow you to change
this feeling and take control back in these conversations. Furthermore,
twenty three and ME customers can find a genetic counselor
in their local area if they would like to speak
with someone further about their reports. Now, I know that
some people feel worried about sharing their DNA, but let
me tell you, twenty three and ME really eliminated any
(25:53):
potential concerns that I may have had. Because your data
is encrypted, protected and totally under your control, you decide
what you want to know and what you want to share.
Wrapping it up today, I just want to say that
I am so happy that I decided to embark on
this journey and discovering my genetics over a year ago
because our DNA truly is amazing and we all deserve
(26:15):
to be able to access, understand, and benefit from the endless,
interesting and diverse things our genetics can tell us. This
is the cutting edge of health. It's a future we
all have in store information everyone will one day have,
and it will change how we interact with healthcare and
empowering us to take control of our own personal wellness.
(26:46):
Thank you for joining me on Good Risings. You can
find us on Instagram at good Risings and I'm Adrianina
and you can find me there too at Well Trained Body.
If you liked my story, you should check out what
Samantha Convey shares about how women can empower themselves by
learning about their genetics, both in understanding the past and
(27:07):
arming themselves with knowledge for a better feature. You can
find her episode in the spit feed, on the I
Heart Radio app or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Good Risings is presented by Cavalry Audio and that's it
on another dope show. Did this episode inspire you to
(27:30):
take a closer look at your health history, your genetic
makeup who new DNA could reveal so much about our past,
while also holding the keys to certain health insights that
may impact our future. I continue to be inspired by
these stories, and I hope you do as well. Catch
you next time. Listen to Spit, an original podcast from
(27:51):
I Heart Radio and twenty three in the on the
I Heart Radio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you get
your podcast. Four
Have you ever thought about how incredibly complex I spit is.
It may only be water, but just aliva isn't simple?
That remaining one percent holds incredibly meaningful information that could
change everything. And I'm not just talking about your family
treat Hi. I'm barretton Day Thurston and on this season
(00:24):
of Spit and I Heart Radio podcast with twenty three
and Me, we explore how DNA isn't just about ancestry,
it can also be key to understanding your health. Yo, Yo,
welcome back now. Adrian Mina knows a thing or two
about staying healthy. She's a health and wellness coach, a
(00:44):
fitness influencer, and host of the podcast Good Risings, Level
Up Latte. Living a healthy lifestyle maybe Adrian's passion, but
it's also her job. She's all up to speed on
the latest advancements and cutting age practices that could lead
to better health, and as a trainer, it's important that
she not only understands these advancements, but also that she
(01:06):
applies them to her own life. In this episode, Adrian
shares her personal health journey after receiving her twenty three
and Me test results last year. Upon learning that she
was at higher risk for diabetes. Adrian took action right
away and set out to make significant changes to her
diet and workout routine. By sharing her story, Adrian hopes
(01:28):
to inspire others to get a better understanding of their
DNA and take action themselves. There's no time like right
now to take more control of your health. So listening
as Adrian shares her journey and how a better understanding
of your DNA can empower you to make changes in
your own life. Good Risings. I'm Adrian Nina and this
(01:57):
is good rising level of Latte for those of you
who are joining me for the first time. I'm a
health and wellness coach and fitness influencer in Los Angeles.
You can find me on Instagram at well Trained Body.
In my line of work, a major aspect of being
(02:18):
respected and also maintaining respect is to not only be
aware of the advancements at the cutting edge of health
and wellness, but also to apply them in my own
life and in my relationship with my own body. That
goes for everything from what and how we eat, to
when and how we train, to how we recover, to
the devices that help us do those things, and, most optimally,
(02:42):
for any good trainer. It's never just about aesthetics. It's
about well being. It's about lifelong mobility. It's about ensuring
that we can live life to the fullest as long
as we have the opportunity. It's my passion and it's
also my job. Information is just the beginning to permeate
mainstream media about the role our genetics play in our
(03:04):
own health. Health is in our d n A, not
only its role in certain elements and diseases, but how
our bodies react to different foods and certain exercises. Our
genes are the coding of our body. They are the
foundation of our entire physiology, our cellular blueprint. Understanding our
(03:25):
genes is part of understanding ourselves, and in some cases,
it's the kind of information that can help us dodge
the bullet of hereditary illness. For every obvious reason, I
set out on a journey to get a better grasp
on my own genetics. I teamed up with twenty three
and Me and I want to spend this week talking
(03:45):
about my journey, my understanding, and my perspective with you.
Twenty three and Me is one of the most popular
options when it comes to getting an insight look at
our genes. The entire process was incredibly easy. I went
to their website and ordered the at home kit. It
usually takes about three to five days to arrive. I
(04:07):
registered my kit to my personal account, which is safe insecure.
Then I spit in the tube, which actually takes a
little bit more effort than I would have guests, it's
a whole lot of spit. Then when I was done,
I sent it back using the prepaid return shipping label.
Three weeks later, I received an email to let me
know my reports were ready and my online account. I
(04:30):
logged in and all the information was there and ready
for me to delve into. Of course, there are incredible
aspects of these tests outside of the context of health.
I was eager to learn more about my ancestry, and
the platform lays that out in really beautiful diagrams, even
traces our lineage from one generation to the next, as
(04:51):
we move across the continents, in some cases all the
way back to our very first human ancestors. It's actually
really beautiful to have a deeper understanding of who we are,
where we come from, and all the people who existed
before us, all of them in some way responsible for
the fact that we exist. Then, of course we learn
(05:12):
about how those people who came before us impacted us
on a genetic level. What kind of things did they
pass on that we should be aware of, and what
kinds of things did they pass on that might just
be enlightening. For example, I learned that I have an
increased likelihood of developing type two diabetes. Interestingly enough, type
(05:33):
two diabetes is the perfect example of a disease we
can be genetically predisposed to, but also alter our own
outcome through diet and exercise. I'm excited to share this
journey with you to express how incredibly easy it is
to take action and make changes to our lives with
a better understanding of our DNA. And there is no
(05:54):
time like the present to take more control of your health. Today,
I'm going to be sharing more of what I've learned
about myself from participating in this process. It's fun in
a few different ways. Obviously, some things I was surprised
to learn. Other things I always suspected and felt vindicated
by my reports. I know my good rising to co
(06:16):
host Brian from Grateful Grains talks a lot about how
he always suspected mosquitoes preferred to bite him over literally
anyone else He ended up covered in bites and everyone
else would be clear. He swore he was a mosquito magnet,
and it actually turned out that was a genetic trait
of his. And by the way, this is something Brian
(06:37):
and I have in common my whole life. I've had
to pile on the organic deep free repellent for my
adventurous outdoors. Anytime I step outside, I'm like a buffet
for mosquitoes. I knew we weren't crazy. I also learned
that I'm not likely to have a photo sneeze reflex.
This was especially interesting because at the time I didn't
(06:58):
even know what a photo sneeze reflex was. Apparently certain
people tend to sneeze when they're exposed to sunlight, which
sounds like a very special kind of hell. So thank
goodness I dodged that bullet. Another interesting thing I learned
is that I am more likely to experience motion sickness. Again,
I've always wondered what I was doing wrong. Was I
(07:21):
eating too quickly before getting into a car. Were I
looking at the wrong spot on the road. Was it
potentially something to do with sleep or a screen time
or over exertion or is it the driver to blame.
Turns out it's quite possible it's genetic. I'll say. One
of the most surprising things I learned about is that
I'm more likely to be able to match a musical pitch.
(07:43):
I actually can't seem to save my life, but that
might be a result of the instrument and not my
sense of pitch. So it definitely made me consider whether
I might be able to pick up a piano or guitar.
Friends of mine also loved learning more about things like
whether or not they're more likely to dislike cilantro or
(08:04):
have a fear of heights, or what ear wax type
they'll have, and even what their ice cream flavor preferences.
It really is crazy to see how much of who
we are is written in our genes. While all of
these little bits of information about my health were really
fun to learn about, I also learned several more serious
things about my health. Scientists are still trying to understand
(08:26):
how genetics play a role in our health. It's just
one part of a person's health or a manifestation of traits.
Everyone's environment is really important too. Like I mentioned, I
have an increased likelihood to develop type two diabetes. Again,
the wonderful thing about knowing that is that it fortifies
ways I can double down on my health, to avoid
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refine carbs at its sugars and seed oils, and to
keep my cardiovascular fitness in check. Not that that's never
really been a question for me. I also have an
increased flihood to weigh more than the average person, which
of course exacerbates all kinds of different conditions and elements.
It makes me wonder if my career choice was in
(09:11):
any way a result of my own intuition. Knowing what
I might potentially have in store if I went down
the wrong road. I also learned about my chronic kidney disease,
a p O L one related. Again, this is simply
something to be aware of. Kidney health goes hand in
hand with what we're putting into our bodies, what we're eating,
(09:33):
what we're drinking, environmental toxins, and medication. My report helped
me set a baseline for a more personalized bonus plan
for myself. For example, the fact that I'm likely to
consume more caffeine than most has led to my careful
consideration of my daily intake. The fact that I'm likely
intolerant to lactose has given me more watchful eye in
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relation to how I'm feeling after eating or drinking dairy.
Like I said, genes are just one factor and outcome.
Even if two people have the same genetic disposition, their
health can still differ drastically if they have different lifestyles.
Unequal access to medical care is another problem that exists
all around the country, where some communities have far better
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resources than others. Those who live in disadvantaged areas are
often at a higher risk for poor health. This is
an issue that needs to be addressed so that everyone
has a fair chance at living a healthy life. Today
I'm jumping in on taking accountability for our health and wellness,
and of course i am. This is my literal job.
(10:42):
There are really innumerable excuses people find not to do
the work, and it's not like they don't make sense.
Oftentimes it's so easy to avoid digging in on the
work that needs to be done because our excuses are
so relevant. Right, we really do face in surmountable odds.
Sometimes we're too busy, we have too many obligations. Work
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comes first, kids come first. Maybe it's that we just
feel so far away from our goals. It's hard to
imagine getting started in the first place. I've worked with
hundreds of people from all kinds of walks of life,
from first timers all the way to professional athletes. I
can tell you the first step is learning to ignore
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those voices in our head and just making it happen
every single day. We're flooded in the media with one
size fits all solutions, and they don't work for every individual,
but there's a baseline. We develop a plan and we
stick to it. Like I mentioned earlier, our genetic profile
can have a big impact on how our bodies respond
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to the application of different health and wellness endeavors, so
understanding our genetics can be a big part of developing
that plan. We use this information to better understand our
bodies and what we can do to stay healthy. We've
certainly all heard the adage knowledge is power, and in
regards to our health and wellness, this couldn't be more
(12:10):
true for me. Knowing more about my genetic profile allowed
me to be much more focused in my wellness journey.
Finding out about my increased likelihood to develop chronic kidney
disease was the most alarming for me. With a bit
of research, I learned that it's actually something that is
(12:30):
quite common in adults in the US. While I was
relieved that only one variant was detected, meaning that I'm
not at an increased risk, it's still put that important
level of awareness in me again. Knowing this makes me
want to prioritize taking better care of my kidneys by
being cautious of my food and beverage intake. It's not
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that I'm being reactive, It's that I'm now equipped with
how I can be proactive of the same can be
said for people with an increased likelihood for heart disease,
siliacs disease, high cholesterol, and even Alzheimer's. And all of
these cases, diet and exercise are known to play a
direct role in outcome. If we can change our lifestyle
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early enough, with follow through with action, we could potentially
avoid the ailments altogether. I want to expand a bit
on something I mentioned earlier about access to health care
and marginalized communities. Again, marginalized communities lack access to quality
health care, and this often results in poorer health outcomes
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and a greater risk for certain diseases. So when we
get the valuable time with a health care professional. It's
important we are able to discuss health with our doctors
more specifically. I'm sure it's pretty obvious how having genetic
reports can help people in these communities take control of
their health. They provide information about their for certain conditions.
(14:02):
This knowledge gives people the ability to have more informed,
personalized conversations with health care providers, which will ultimately benefit
their health, wellness, and disease management overall. Additionally, knowing our
genetics can help us to make informed decisions about things
like family planning. For example, if we know we are
(14:23):
at increased risk for a certain disease, how can that
impact our children so that they can be treated early
if necessary. Ultimately, genetics is a powerful tool in our
arsenal that can help us better understand our bodies and
make informed decisions about our health. As it relates to
marginalized communities, genetic testing can empower people to take control
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of their health and well being just by knowing the
right questions to ask. I know first hand it's better
to walk into a doctor's office with a grasp on
your needs and a little bit of extra knowledge about
the state of your own health. Learning about my genetics
was one way I took hold of that power. Getting
a grasp on our code, the things that are literally
(15:06):
written in our genetics, is the first step at taking
control of our destiny. It's the first step in implementing
a plan. It's the very first step in accepting accountability
for our own health. I believe there's an incredible connection
between our minds and our bodies, one that we've only
(15:28):
just begun to comprehend. Intuition is one of those aspects
of the human experience that the strictly science minded crowd
tends to scoff at. In my case, I consider my
career in the field of health, my journey and fitness,
and I reflect on what I discovered when I looked
at my jeans, the fact that I have in an
(15:49):
increased likelihood for weight gain, type two diabetes, and kidney disease.
I can't help but consider whether there was some subconscious
mechanism in me that picked up on my inherited threats
within This is strictly anecdotal, but consider the idea that
our entire genetic code is built into nearly every cell
(16:10):
of our bodies. It is possible that we one day
discover our bodies are more in tune with what's happening
within us than we are presently aware. Like every facet
of science, these sorts of hypothetical thoughts and theories are
what eventually lead to new discoveries. I'm obviously not a scientist.
(16:31):
I don't know that answer, but what I will tell
you is that for a very, very long time, I've
been driven by something within to focus on health and
well being. I've been driven to reach my utmost potential,
and this lifestyle also happens to be the kryptonite to
those lurking elements within. It's both validating and eye opening,
(16:53):
as I know so many out there are disconnected from themselves,
their intuition, their bodies, their knee eats, down to every
aspect of their own well being. Health is in your DNA.
I like to take some time today to consider the
state of being. Oftentimes, when we exist in a state
of being on autopilot, sort of subconsciously drifting through life,
(17:16):
filling and reacting, it's difficult to engage with the present moment.
It can be difficult to push pause and reflect. The
state of existence is a survival mechanism. It's built into
us as a result of hundreds of thousands of years
of evolution. Of course, there are still places in the
world today, even in America, where actual survival is something
(17:39):
we have to be worried about. Safety is one of
the key factors in our ability to grow physically, mentally,
even spiritually. But let's assume for the purpose of today's
conversation that we're generally safe. We're not imperil. Our minds
often still perceived the world at large as a perilous play.
(18:00):
It can lead to all kinds of psychological elements, from
anxiety to chronic stress, to depression to burnout, and all
of those things are directly related to our physical well being. Again,
our minds and bodies are intrinsically connected. There's so much
that can be said here, but in trying to stick
(18:20):
with the topic of the day, I'd like to draw
that thoughts back to how survival mode stops us from
connecting with our bodies. It's ironic innocence because our subconscious
desire to survive is actually stopping us from being healthy,
from living a life of fullness and longevity and cultivating awareness.
We can interpret those subconscious spirals the fair based thinking
(18:44):
and inject the moment with things like present gratitude, present
positive self talk, and in doing so, we literally reprogram
the way our conscious minds react to our subconscious negative
thought loops. The reason this is so important is that,
in re engaging with presents, were more suited to be
able to introspectively evaluate our own state of being, both
(19:07):
physically and mentally. We're able to lovingly examine what aspects
of our health needs attention. We're able to consider the
idea that not engaging in a more healthier lifestyle could
end up being more costly in the long run, not
only costly as a result of doctors bills, but also
in our ability to keep up with our loved ones
(19:30):
and our ability to experience all the world has to
offer with an active body, and in the end, to
experience this life for as long and as well as
we have the potential to. All kinds of things can
disconnect us from our bodies physical abuse, sexual abuse, bullying,
fear of every kind. Like hermit crabs, we retreat, We
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enter a state of survival to protect ourselves, and of course,
people of marginalized communities are especially susceptible to these kinds
of threats. The challenge now is to consider whether those
threats have dissipated. If they haven't, the very first priority
should be to find a way to create safety for
yourself by whatever means available. And once we feel safe,
(20:16):
the real work of reawakening our potential begins again. There
are all kinds of things we can do to begin
that journey of health and wellness. Me and my fellow
host of Good Risings talk about it. Daily diet and
daily exercise our paramount and our well being, as is mindfulness.
But building those things upon a foundation of knowledge is
(20:37):
like building our house on stone instead of sand. Instead
of following along with fat diets that don't fit your
body's needs, find out what your body actually needs. And
by the way, I've encouraged members of my own family
to do their own genetic screening. If any of you
have family members of generations past like I do, you'll
(20:59):
find out it takes some extra convincing. That said, every
single family member that I've approached and spoken to about
twenty three and me have been as motivated by what
they learned as I was, and it's been the impetus
for major major lifestyle changes to We're approaching the end
of our conversation on genetics based health. We've delved into
(21:21):
the empowering aspects of getting to know our ancestral roots
in more detail. We explore inherit traits my conspiracy theory
that mosquitoes do prefer to bite me and that I
might very well just be a secret musical genius. We
dope into my personal health specific results, my increased likelihood
of type two diabetes, kidney disease, and weight gain, and
(21:45):
how lifestyle changes impact those outcomes. We discussed the fact
that marginalized communities are less likely to have access to
good medical care, and that approaching conversations with doctors equipped
with knowledge of oneself sets us up for success long term.
We got a little more metaphysical with some thoughts on
(22:05):
the mind body connection, and we're wrapping it up by
honing in on more important aspects of the conversation, which
is taking action. I think it's pretty clear how personal
this experience has been for me. Like I said in
the beginning, it's my job to find cutting edge aspects
of the health and wellness industry, and I wouldn't be
sharing this information with you or my own family if
(22:28):
I didn't wholeheartedly believe in the power the genetic reports
offer in motivating you to take back control of your health.
Twenty three and Me is all about real science, real data,
and genetic insights that can help make it easier for
us to take action in our own journey of health.
Over twelve million people have used the service. Seventy of
(22:50):
those people reported making healthier choices after receiving their results.
Of those people reported eating healthier diets, fifty one percent
of those people reported setting healthier goals, and forty of
those people reported increasing exercise. I think we all know
firsthand how difficult it can be to get motivated or
(23:12):
to motivate someone who's just not interested in health. Out
of twelve million people, almost nine point four million reported
making healthier choices after receiving their reports, but they seventy
six percent to assess rate. I actually don't know if
anything or anyone has been quite that successful at motivating
people to take their health more seriously. But I think
(23:35):
that's because it's tailored specifically to you. It's your d
n A. Although it doesn't change the fundamentals of fitness
and nutrition, having your genetics report is empowering to re
prioritize certain aspects of a healthy routine like I did,
so if you need a little extra nudge, this might
be the way to get it done again. The tests
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can discern detailed ancestry interesting traits, genetic risks related to health,
which includes a full gamin of elements and carrier status
is not just the ones I mentioned personally, also pharmacogenetics,
and you can also receive a wellness report which analyzes
things like alcohol flush reaction, caffeine consumption, muscle composition, exercise, sleep,
(24:22):
and much more. And like we've been discussing all week,
this information is not only useful in making informed decisions
about our health and wellness, but it can also be
a lot of fun. It's a great conversation piece, something
interesting to share within your family and alongside family members.
You can even link your profiles to see which genes
you inherited. I actually think it's the perfect gift idea too.
(24:44):
To clarify, the carrier reports are for those of you
out there thinking about starting a family. This report allows
you to discover if you're a carrier for genetic variants
linked to certain inherited health conditions. It's the kind of
thing that can sometimes be passed onto children, especially if
it's a trait that shared within a partner. That's a
set of over forty reports, which include cystic fibrosis, sickle
(25:08):
cell anemia, tay sex disease, and more. Like I mentioned earlier,
one of the most helpful aspects of this entire experience
was that I am now able to have more informed
conversations with my healthcare providers. If any of you have
ever felt like you were being talked at rather than
talked with when speaking to a healthcare provider, learning more
(25:30):
about your unique genetic makeup can allow you to change
this feeling and take control back in these conversations. Furthermore,
twenty three and ME customers can find a genetic counselor
in their local area if they would like to speak
with someone further about their reports. Now, I know that
some people feel worried about sharing their DNA, but let
me tell you, twenty three and ME really eliminated any
(25:53):
potential concerns that I may have had. Because your data
is encrypted, protected and totally under your control, you decide
what you want to know and what you want to share.
Wrapping it up today, I just want to say that
I am so happy that I decided to embark on
this journey and discovering my genetics over a year ago
because our DNA truly is amazing and we all deserve
(26:15):
to be able to access, understand, and benefit from the endless,
interesting and diverse things our genetics can tell us. This
is the cutting edge of health. It's a future we
all have in store information everyone will one day have,
and it will change how we interact with healthcare and
empowering us to take control of our own personal wellness.
(26:46):
Thank you for joining me on Good Risings. You can
find us on Instagram at good Risings and I'm Adrianina
and you can find me there too at Well Trained Body.
If you liked my story, you should check out what
Samantha Convey shares about how women can empower themselves by
learning about their genetics, both in understanding the past and
(27:07):
arming themselves with knowledge for a better feature. You can
find her episode in the spit feed, on the I
Heart Radio app or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Good Risings is presented by Cavalry Audio and that's it
on another dope show. Did this episode inspire you to
(27:30):
take a closer look at your health history, your genetic
makeup who new DNA could reveal so much about our past,
while also holding the keys to certain health insights that
may impact our future. I continue to be inspired by
these stories, and I hope you do as well. Catch
you next time. Listen to Spit, an original podcast from
(27:51):
I Heart Radio and twenty three in the on the
I Heart Radio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you get
your podcast. Four
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