May 29, 2025 • 22 mins
What if your chronic symptoms weren’t “just aging” - but your body waving a red flag?
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Functional Genomic Nutrition Consultant, researcher, and author Jaclyn Downs ... and lemme tell ya, she does not hold back when it comes to exposing what’s really behind so many of our modern-day health struggles.
We’re talking mystery symptoms, stubborn fatigue, hormonal chaos, autoimmune flares, even infertility - and how they’re often rooted in one sneaky culprit you have have heard of...
...toxic overload.
Jaclyn breaks down the link between environmental toxins and genetic expression (don’t worry, she makes it easy to understand!) and shares why so many women feel like they’re doing “all the right things” and still aren’t getting better.
If you’ve ever thought, “Why is my body betraying me?” or “Why can’t I heal, even though I’m trying so hard?” - this conversation is going to open your eyes in a big, empowering way.
We jam on:
💥 The real reason detoxing isn’t working for most women (spoiler: it’s not your fault)
🧬 How toxins disrupt your genes, hormones, mitochondria—and your mind
🔥 The signs your body is screaming for help (and what to do about it)
🌱 Why personalized, root-cause healing is the future of women’s health
❤️🔥 And how to start reducing your toxic load without going crazy
This one is part truth bomb, part pep talk, and part action plan.
Jaclyn’s mission is to help women understand their bodies, work with their genes, and stop suffering in silence.
You’ll walk away feeling seen, educated, and ready to advocate for your health like never before.
✨ Connect with Jaclyn and live a healthier life
📱 Follow her on Instagram: @jaclyndownsnutrition
📚 Grab her book “At Risk? Avoid Diabetes by Recognizing Early Risk – A Genetic and Holistic Approach” here: https://a.co/d/0MOfglo
Thank you for spending time with me today on the Thrive After 45™ podcast! If this episode spoke to you, be sure to hit that follow button so you never miss one.
And if you loved it, I’d be so grateful if you left a review - it helps more amazing women like you find this show!
Your journey doesn’t stop here - let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with me at denisedrinkwalter.com, and follow @thethriveafter45podcast for daily insp, tips, and support.
Remember, midlife isn’t the end - it’s just the beginning of a new, exciting chapter! Keep thriving, keep shining, and I’ll see you next time!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Hello and welcome to ThriveAfter 45, the podcast where we
redefine the significance of youfor you by you because of you.
My name is Denise Drink Walter,a midlife renewal coach, and I
am here to help women embracetheir power purpose.
Potential, and this show is yourspace to explore what's possible
(00:23):
when you prioritize you Throughinspiring conversations, expert
insights, and real stories,we'll uncover how to navigate
transition.
Rediscover joy and thrive insideand out.
It is time to let go of guiltand fully embrace the life
waiting for you.
This is the Thrive After 45podcast, and it is your time to
(00:45):
thrive for you by you because ofyou.
It is such an honor and aprivilege to introduce and
welcome Jacqueline Downs to theThrive after 45 podcasts today.
Jacqueline.
Is a functional genomics analystwith over 25 years in the field
of nutrition and 12 years ofexperience in the cutting edge
(01:08):
world of genomics with amaster's degree in holistic
nutrition and a background inbirth work.
As a doula and a midwife'sassistant, she brings a powerful
combination of science.
Intuition and deep care to herwork.
She's the author of the book,enhancing Fertility Through
(01:30):
Functional Medicine usingNutrigenomics.
To solve unexplained fertility,infertility, and she's helped
countless individuals get to theroot of frustrating health
issues by using the wisdomhidden in their genes.
If you're a woman in midlifeexperiencing shifts in your
(01:52):
body, whether it's hormonechanges, fatigue, brain fog, or
just not feeling like yourself,this conversation is for you.
Jacqueline is here to help usunderstand how functional
genomics can offer answers,clarity, and hope for healing
during this powerful chapter ofour lives.
(02:15):
Wonderful to have you heretoday, Jacqueline.
Thank you so much for thatwonderful introduction and I'm
really happy to be here.
Thanks for having me.
We have to start at thebeginning when we talk about
functional genomics, what are wetalking about?
I.
Functional genomics are genesthat you can actually do
(02:36):
something about.
So these aren't like truegenetic mutations like for
muscular dystrophy.
These are part of ourepigenetics, our epigenome,
which means we're born with theDNA that we're going to have,
and that never ever changes asfar as we are aware.
But there are things that canactivate and deactivate or turn
(02:57):
your genes on and off.
And so those are the things likeyour um, exposures, your
nutrient deficiencies, toxins,you're exposed to.
All of those things affect thefunctioning of our genes.
It makes perfect sense.
Makes perfect sense, and what wehave within our control when we
(03:19):
have the knowledge and thecapacity to understand what we
can do to support healthierbodies, healthier minds,
healthier beings.
Right.
Yes, exactly.
And that is the reason why onespecific dietary protocol worked
great for your neighbor, but wasa train wreck for you.
(03:39):
Or why this form of, you know,magnesium or whatever, B
vitamins would, um, be more wellsuited to you versus somebody
else.
And so you can really get intothe, the, the nuances and the
details and, and work with yourhealth.
With precision, when you knowyour genetics, you can really
(04:00):
stop wasting time and money.
Mm.
And in the case of fertility, alot of heartache if you just
streamline with knowing whatyour genes have to say.
Right.
And so it could you share withus what you do in order to
understand the breadth and depthof an individual's genomics.
(04:23):
Yes.
So unlike all of the othergenetic interpretation companies
out there that basically justhave a list of a couple dozen
genes, sometimes less, sometimesmore.
And do you have it, do you not?
You know, do you have one copyor two copies?
And then they just fill in likea canned response for what you
put, if you have one copy or twocopies or no copies.
(04:44):
And so for me.
I, it starts with a very, verymeticulously detailed intake
form, a health history form.
So I am asking about sleep poopperiods, dental history, skin
issues.
If you know toenail fungus, um,mold exposures.
Stress levels.
If you've ever had shift work,like all kinds of stuff of water
(05:08):
you're drinking, so I can reallyunderstand what the root of your
symptoms are and also where youwant to go.
So those other geneticinterpretation companies, they
don't take into account dietsthat worked for you, diets that
didn't.
Your level of physical activity,your level of job stress.
I take all that intoconsideration and then I use.
(05:30):
Your genetics and if you havelab work, I, it pairs really,
really nicely with lab workbecause you can see a
predisposition for something inyour genes, but maybe it's not
expressing because here's areally, really important
clinical pearl.
Just because you have a geneticvariant does not mean that it's
expressing, but there is thepotential for it to express.
(05:52):
And so pairing genetics withfunctional lab testing and even
conventional lab testing canreally, really.
Help to understand.
If something is expressing, andif so, to what degree?
And then also, okay, maybe it'snot, but good to know as I get
older, if I start experiencingcertain symptoms, then we'll
know that this might be startingto express.
(06:15):
So, uh, it's, it's very, verydetailed.
And so I go through somebody'sgenome and I look at hundreds of
thousands of SNPs.
This is.
Uh, exponentially more thanevery other company that I've
seen out there, so that the morepoints of data you have, the,
the better, more comprehensiveunderstanding you can get of
(06:38):
what could be going on with aperson.
And so, yeah, I pair the intakeform with the genetics and then
I go and I provide a typeddocument of all of the genetic
variants that I'm seeing thatare relevant to your situation.
Okay.
And, and those documents aretypically 30 to 60 pages.
(07:01):
Mm-hmm.
And then I make a video of megoing through your genome in the
software that I use, goingthrough your typed document.
And then you have that video andyou can share it with any
practitioner you want.
And then I also do make a lot ofactionable recommendations be,
be, I'm just gonna provide this.
Overwhelming analysis paralysis,you know, anxiety inducing
(07:23):
report without actionable steps.
So I, here's some supplementsyou can take.
I even create a full script.
Um.
Portal for them so that they cansee what products I'm
recommending.
Because if I'm saying, oh, weshould just take, they're gonna
be like, well, what form?
How much?
What company do you like?
Yeah.
So you don't have to buy yoursupplements from me.
(07:43):
But that way you can see theproducts that I recommend.
And you can get somethingsimilar to it or you can just
get those.
Um, and then I also recommend alot of lifestyle, actionable,
low hanging, good stuff, youknow?
And some of the companies, I'vehad somebody come to me with a
genetic report and I'm like,okay, so what were like the big
five takeaways that you got?
(08:05):
She's like, well, I need to makesure that I'm exercising most
days of the week.
I should eat organic and, youknow, medi diet.
And I was like, you didn't needsomebody to read, to tell you
that that is, they're, they're,they were just ripping you off.
So, so there's things thateverybody can do to be healthy,
of course.
And then there's things thatyour genes will specify to get
(08:27):
more targeted and streamlined.
And because of this, in my book,I do have a chapter on things
that every human being can do.
To promote health, right?
Regardless of what your geneticblueprint shows.
These are things like, basicallyI looked at how our bodies
evolved, you know, with right,with the earth, out in the sun,
(08:49):
feet on the ground, moving yourbodies, having community.
You know, and, and eating wholefoods, like those are just the
foundational, non-negotiablereally.
Sure.
But if for some reason maybe youhave shift work and you can't
Yeah, then, then there's thingsthat I can recommend to help
sort of compensate for that,that, um, what's the word I'm
(09:12):
looking for?
Just, um.
Imbalance.
I guess I was sure I was gonnasay weakness or, yes.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Amazing.
So what I'm hearing you say isthere's a lot that we can do
that is foundational, whichcould almost, could almost be
(09:33):
some common sense responses tohealth in in general terms.
But it sounds to me like youare.
An incredible detective who digsso deep and wide about
specificity of an individual inways that.
(09:56):
Unless you do it, it's gonna beimpossible to access because of
how 30 to 60 page document I'msitting here going, holy smokes.
And then when you said you do avideo, I'm like, brilliant.
Brilliant on you.
Because there's a lot of us inthe world when we want to find
this information out.
(10:17):
Do have the desire to.
Consume your report.
However, we don't want it to beso overwhelming that people
don't move, don't make thechanges, right?
Yes.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So at the beginning of myreports, after doing the whole
report, I.
That's when I do my finaloverall takeaway.
Sure.
So that way I can summarize it.
(10:38):
So right there in the beginning,these are the top three things
that I'm seeing.
You know, support your bloodsugar support, you know, these
two detox or whatever.
And, and that way when we get tothat section and it'll, you
know, they'll know to that thisis an important Yes.
Part of the report and, and howit interplays with what is going
on with them currently.
(11:00):
Now do you have people who.
Do this work with you, and thendo they report back to give you
how it's going?
Yes.
How does that work?
Yeah.
Yes.
Yes.
So I have clients that, um, onlydo the genetics and I've never
met them.
And then I have clients thatdon't do genetics, and they just
do the one to one-to-oneconsultations with me.
(11:21):
And then I have clients that doboth.
Both.
And so even if you start it outjust getting your genetic
interpretation and you want todig deeper.
Um, or you, you know, you wantto figure some more stuff out or
you have questions.
Mm-hmm.
You can schedule a one-to-onewith me and, and that's when I
can provide the longer termsupport.
Um, right.
Uh, so, but yes, I mean, evenwith people that I've never met,
(11:44):
if you wanna look on my websiteright at the top, I have.
Currently 23 5 star and onlyfive star reviews.
And, and people aren't justleaving like one sentence, like
they're actually like, yeah,this is how Jacqueline helped
me.
This is what I thought of herreport.
And so from the feedback I'vegotten, it really has provided a
lot of value and a lot ofinsight and clarity for people.
(12:06):
Right, right.
You mentioned at the start howyou're not a one size fits all,
and I just spit it out.
You either have it or you don't.
Mm-hmm.
Why does only focusing on ahandful of genes not give us
enough information to get a trueidea?
Of how our health is beingshaped by genetic variants.
(12:28):
So in my book, I state that onlylooking at a handful of genes is
like thinking, you know what apuzzle looks like based on, ah,
like three or five pieces.
You don't know how, what is onthe other side of those pieces.
That's not, that you're notseeing, you're not seeing how
much you're not seeing.
Right?
And so the more points of datawe have.
(12:48):
We can see the whole entirepathway of things.
So rather than just looking atM-T-H-F-R or COMT, which are the
two buzzwords right now in, infunctional genomics and you
know, functional medicinecircles and stuff, people blame.
So much on, Ugh, I can't detoxbecause I have M-T-H-F-R, or,
oh, I had miscarriages because Ihave M-T-H-F-R-M-T-H-F-R does
(13:12):
not stand alone.
There are so many genes upstreamand downstream and left right
back forth of M-T-H-F-R and alsogut health.
You could be having all of theactivated B vitamins that you
want, but if your gut is notabsorbing them or you're super
stressed out, you still mightnot be getting enough to the
(13:33):
cells.
So it's really, uh, morecomprehensive than just, do I
have it or not?
And this is the, the, thesmoking gun of all my problems.
And so, because they are sointerrelated, interconnected,
and.
One variant can affect thefunctioning of another one.
So sometimes I have a, um, Ihave like a beginner's guide or
(13:54):
an introduction to Nutrigenomicsand I talk about this.
It's like a 40 minute slideshow.
And so sometimes you can haveone genetic variant, but may
that speeds up something.
But then maybe downstream youhave another genetic variant
that metabolizes that, that spedup.
So those two actually likecompensate for each other,
right?
But on the flip side, you couldhave.
(14:15):
Um, something that is like aslow production, but a sped up
metabolite metabolism.
And then you're really, reallygoing to have, um, a problem
there because you're not makingenough of it, and then your
body's trying to clear it tooquickly.
And so that's, that's what yourgenes can tell you.
And then that's how you know howyou can compensate for them,
(14:35):
because every gene makes anenzyme.
So the MTFR gene makes theM-T-H-F-R enzyme, but enzymes
require certain nutritionalco-factors in order to work
work.
Mm-hmm.
And so if those are like thespark plugs or certain engines
require specific fuels, right?
So these enzymes requirespecific nutritional fuels.
(14:58):
And so if we're deficient inthose.
Even if we don't have a geneticvariant, it's going to work as
if we did have a variant there.
So that's why we need to do away more comprehensive intake
and a really deep dive into thegenes to see, um, what could be
affecting what.
So as you're speaking, somethingis coming forward for me and as
(15:21):
our listeners, um, primarily arewomen in midlife years.
And so, um, menopause,perimenopause, life changes are
starting to happen.
And as people are listening,I'm, I'm curious to, to know
whether or not you havesupported a fair number of women
(15:43):
going through life transitions.
Do.
Is that something that you cangleam really specific responses
to?
Because there's so much outthere and there's so much
misinformation, and yet peopleare like, but I need something
now.
I don't know how to get throughthese hot flashes.
I don't know how to survive themood changes.
(16:05):
I don't know, like, is thatsomething that you could speak
to as a general piece and giveus some opportunities to, to
perhaps reach out and say.
I watch you in my corner, how doI connect?
Yes, so.
I'd say a large percentage of myclientele are women in, in that
phase, and Sure, not, I'd sayabout 50% of my clientele are
(16:29):
fertility related.
Yeah.
So just because I have thisfertility book and I, you know,
my previous career was in birthwork, right.
The, the genetics.
Piece of the health really.
I mean, I have met 60-year-oldmen with gout.
I have children with autism.
I have, you know, the wholespectrum of people.
And so, but a lot of them arewomen because women want to
(16:49):
empower themselves.
They're tired of being gaslit.
They're tired of brain fog.
They're tired of feeling likecrap.
They're tired of this hormonalrollercoaster.
And so, especially in theperimenopausal and menopausal
phases of life, the liver.
Plays a huge part inmetabolizing hormones and, and,
(17:10):
and clearing toxins that arebasically, they throw wrenches
in your metabolic pathways andfor your hormone metabolism.
So that's why my foundationalpackage focuses on
detoxification related genes andantioxidant related genes,
because if you don't have that,then all of the other things are
(17:30):
gonna be haywire as well.
Hmm.
So really it's.
It's seeing where your geneticpredispositions and weaknesses
are in your detoxificationpathways, coupled with things
that you are exposed to.
So this woman, for instance,right?
She had, we did some functionaltesting and she had an insanely
high level of BPA.
(17:52):
Her urine and she's like, well,I ha I don't use Tupperware.
I don't microwave plastic, Idon't use plastic water bottles.
Like, you know, I don't knowwhere this is coming from.
Yeah.
And so when we were talkingfurther, she bought, she, we
were talking this subjectivecoffee and caffeine came up and
she said that she bought thiscold brew that was.
Packaged in a, a plastic bag andit was inside of a box and you
(18:16):
know that they're not coolingthat cold brew down when they're
putting it in that soft plasticbag.
And so that was the big culpritright there.
And so it really is, like yousaid, detective work and really
having somebody learn about you.
Yeah.
And, and.
To really help you find theanswers, so I love that.
Yes, those are the kind ofthings that can cause worse
(18:37):
symptoms in first off, yourreproductive years and
perimenopause and menopausebecause the happier and cleaner
and more efficient that theliver is working.
The, the more it will be able todeal with your hormones, because
the toxins come in and the bodysays, well, our body makes
hormones.
We know they're safe, so let'sdeal, let's put them on the back
(18:58):
burner and let's deal with theseforeign substances.
And then those just are, like Isaid, throwing wrenches in your,
in your systems and pathways andyour cells.
And so then your hormones getbacked up because the body's
overwhelmed with trying tomanage, uh, crisis management
and Right.
Regular routine functioning.
Wow.
Wow.
(19:18):
How empowering.
Oh my gosh.
I love what you just sharedbecause that shows the intensity
with which you, um, what am Icalling it?
Like narrow focus, your laserfocus with each client and you
found out it was the iced coffeeor whatever that she like.
(19:41):
No, I can't imagine.
Uncovering such a thing withoutyour help, right?
Yeah.
Yes, yes, absolutely.
And I, I made the mistake ofsaying the cold brew cold brew
is brewed cold.
Um, but yes, it is still in aplastic bag.
But yes.
So this is, these are the typesof things that can really help
(20:01):
you get streamlined and getultra personalized.
Yeah, and, and you will seeresults because it's yours.
Yes.
Right?
Yes.
Especially when paired withfunctional lab testing.
So that way, like, so the, thefunctional, so the genetics
provide a framework for yourprepositions, and the functional
(20:23):
lab testing is a snapshot ofwhat is currently happening
metabolically in your body.
And so that's why those pair sowell together and you can really
get a lot of answers.
Beautiful.
Beautiful.
Is there anything that you wouldlove to leave our listeners with
as we wrap up our conversationtoday?
(20:43):
A lot of people are movingtowards a healthier, cleaner,
upgraded lifestyle, but in thiscountry, in this modern world
that we live in, it's.
I say in my book that survivalof the fittest has now come to
mean people that are proactivelyadvocating for the health of
(21:04):
themselves and their familiesand, and we can't just keep
consuming what is being fed tous.
Lib.
Lib literally and figuratively.
Yeah.
But that can be so overwhelmingwhen people open the door and
realize like, oh my God, all mybody care products, all my
cleaning products, all the foodin my pantry.
So I say, this is better thanthat approach.
You know, what can you do orwhat can you buy next time to
(21:27):
upgrade the quality of that?
So that way you're notcompletely overwhelmed and you
create this, create this hugewagon to fall off of and you
just, you know, say, oh, screwit all.
So, you know, just, just go stepby step and, and give yourself
grace, because this is a verytoxic world that we live in.
Absolutely.
Thank you so much for sharingnot only on our show, but
(21:50):
sharing your depth of knowledgeand.
Becoming such a detective, Ican, um, only imagine.
It just lights you up goingthrough all of the work that you
do to provide the in-depthreports and supports that you
give your clients and peoplethat reach out.
So thank you so much forcontinuing this work.
(22:11):
We are forever grateful In ourshow notes, we will have how to
access Jacqueline and find her.
We really appreciate your timeand your energy today.
It's wonderful to speak withyou.
Thank you so much for having me.
Have a great day everyone.
Take care of yourselves and makesure you go and do something for
(22:32):
you by you because of you today.
And I might add, checkJacqueline out.
She is amazing.
What a whiz.
Take care everyone.
Bye.
Hello and welcome to ThriveAfter 45, the podcast where we
redefine the significance of youfor you by you because of you.
My name is Denise Drink Walter,a midlife renewal coach, and I
am here to help women embracetheir power purpose.
Potential, and this show is yourspace to explore what's possible
(00:23):
when you prioritize you Throughinspiring conversations, expert
insights, and real stories,we'll uncover how to navigate
transition.
Rediscover joy and thrive insideand out.
It is time to let go of guiltand fully embrace the life
waiting for you.
This is the Thrive After 45podcast, and it is your time to
(00:45):
thrive for you by you because ofyou.
It is such an honor and aprivilege to introduce and
welcome Jacqueline Downs to theThrive after 45 podcasts today.
Jacqueline.
Is a functional genomics analystwith over 25 years in the field
of nutrition and 12 years ofexperience in the cutting edge
(01:08):
world of genomics with amaster's degree in holistic
nutrition and a background inbirth work.
As a doula and a midwife'sassistant, she brings a powerful
combination of science.
Intuition and deep care to herwork.
She's the author of the book,enhancing Fertility Through
(01:30):
Functional Medicine usingNutrigenomics.
To solve unexplained fertility,infertility, and she's helped
countless individuals get to theroot of frustrating health
issues by using the wisdomhidden in their genes.
If you're a woman in midlifeexperiencing shifts in your
(01:52):
body, whether it's hormonechanges, fatigue, brain fog, or
just not feeling like yourself,this conversation is for you.
Jacqueline is here to help usunderstand how functional
genomics can offer answers,clarity, and hope for healing
during this powerful chapter ofour lives.
(02:15):
Wonderful to have you heretoday, Jacqueline.
Thank you so much for thatwonderful introduction and I'm
really happy to be here.
Thanks for having me.
We have to start at thebeginning when we talk about
functional genomics, what are wetalking about?
I.
Functional genomics are genesthat you can actually do
(02:36):
something about.
So these aren't like truegenetic mutations like for
muscular dystrophy.
These are part of ourepigenetics, our epigenome,
which means we're born with theDNA that we're going to have,
and that never ever changes asfar as we are aware.
But there are things that canactivate and deactivate or turn
(02:57):
your genes on and off.
And so those are the things likeyour um, exposures, your
nutrient deficiencies, toxins,you're exposed to.
All of those things affect thefunctioning of our genes.
It makes perfect sense.
Makes perfect sense, and what wehave within our control when we
(03:19):
have the knowledge and thecapacity to understand what we
can do to support healthierbodies, healthier minds,
healthier beings.
Right.
Yes, exactly.
And that is the reason why onespecific dietary protocol worked
great for your neighbor, but wasa train wreck for you.
(03:39):
Or why this form of, you know,magnesium or whatever, B
vitamins would, um, be more wellsuited to you versus somebody
else.
And so you can really get intothe, the, the nuances and the
details and, and work with yourhealth.
With precision, when you knowyour genetics, you can really
(04:00):
stop wasting time and money.
Mm.
And in the case of fertility, alot of heartache if you just
streamline with knowing whatyour genes have to say.
Right.
And so it could you share withus what you do in order to
understand the breadth and depthof an individual's genomics.
(04:23):
Yes.
So unlike all of the othergenetic interpretation companies
out there that basically justhave a list of a couple dozen
genes, sometimes less, sometimesmore.
And do you have it, do you not?
You know, do you have one copyor two copies?
And then they just fill in likea canned response for what you
put, if you have one copy or twocopies or no copies.
(04:44):
And so for me.
I, it starts with a very, verymeticulously detailed intake
form, a health history form.
So I am asking about sleep poopperiods, dental history, skin
issues.
If you know toenail fungus, um,mold exposures.
Stress levels.
If you've ever had shift work,like all kinds of stuff of water
(05:08):
you're drinking, so I can reallyunderstand what the root of your
symptoms are and also where youwant to go.
So those other geneticinterpretation companies, they
don't take into account dietsthat worked for you, diets that
didn't.
Your level of physical activity,your level of job stress.
I take all that intoconsideration and then I use.
(05:30):
Your genetics and if you havelab work, I, it pairs really,
really nicely with lab workbecause you can see a
predisposition for something inyour genes, but maybe it's not
expressing because here's areally, really important
clinical pearl.
Just because you have a geneticvariant does not mean that it's
expressing, but there is thepotential for it to express.
(05:52):
And so pairing genetics withfunctional lab testing and even
conventional lab testing canreally, really.
Help to understand.
If something is expressing, andif so, to what degree?
And then also, okay, maybe it'snot, but good to know as I get
older, if I start experiencingcertain symptoms, then we'll
know that this might be startingto express.
(06:15):
So, uh, it's, it's very, verydetailed.
And so I go through somebody'sgenome and I look at hundreds of
thousands of SNPs.
This is.
Uh, exponentially more thanevery other company that I've
seen out there, so that the morepoints of data you have, the,
the better, more comprehensiveunderstanding you can get of
(06:38):
what could be going on with aperson.
And so, yeah, I pair the intakeform with the genetics and then
I go and I provide a typeddocument of all of the genetic
variants that I'm seeing thatare relevant to your situation.
Okay.
And, and those documents aretypically 30 to 60 pages.
(07:01):
Mm-hmm.
And then I make a video of megoing through your genome in the
software that I use, goingthrough your typed document.
And then you have that video andyou can share it with any
practitioner you want.
And then I also do make a lot ofactionable recommendations be,
be, I'm just gonna provide this.
Overwhelming analysis paralysis,you know, anxiety inducing
(07:23):
report without actionable steps.
So I, here's some supplementsyou can take.
I even create a full script.
Um.
Portal for them so that they cansee what products I'm
recommending.
Because if I'm saying, oh, weshould just take, they're gonna
be like, well, what form?
How much?
What company do you like?
Yeah.
So you don't have to buy yoursupplements from me.
(07:43):
But that way you can see theproducts that I recommend.
And you can get somethingsimilar to it or you can just
get those.
Um, and then I also recommend alot of lifestyle, actionable,
low hanging, good stuff, youknow?
And some of the companies, I'vehad somebody come to me with a
genetic report and I'm like,okay, so what were like the big
five takeaways that you got?
(08:05):
She's like, well, I need to makesure that I'm exercising most
days of the week.
I should eat organic and, youknow, medi diet.
And I was like, you didn't needsomebody to read, to tell you
that that is, they're, they're,they were just ripping you off.
So, so there's things thateverybody can do to be healthy,
of course.
And then there's things thatyour genes will specify to get
(08:27):
more targeted and streamlined.
And because of this, in my book,I do have a chapter on things
that every human being can do.
To promote health, right?
Regardless of what your geneticblueprint shows.
These are things like, basicallyI looked at how our bodies
evolved, you know, with right,with the earth, out in the sun,
(08:49):
feet on the ground, moving yourbodies, having community.
You know, and, and eating wholefoods, like those are just the
foundational, non-negotiablereally.
Sure.
But if for some reason maybe youhave shift work and you can't
Yeah, then, then there's thingsthat I can recommend to help
sort of compensate for that,that, um, what's the word I'm
(09:12):
looking for?
Just, um.
Imbalance.
I guess I was sure I was gonnasay weakness or, yes.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Amazing.
So what I'm hearing you say isthere's a lot that we can do
that is foundational, whichcould almost, could almost be
(09:33):
some common sense responses tohealth in in general terms.
But it sounds to me like youare.
An incredible detective who digsso deep and wide about
specificity of an individual inways that.
(09:56):
Unless you do it, it's gonna beimpossible to access because of
how 30 to 60 page document I'msitting here going, holy smokes.
And then when you said you do avideo, I'm like, brilliant.
Brilliant on you.
Because there's a lot of us inthe world when we want to find
this information out.
(10:17):
Do have the desire to.
Consume your report.
However, we don't want it to beso overwhelming that people
don't move, don't make thechanges, right?
Yes.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So at the beginning of myreports, after doing the whole
report, I.
That's when I do my finaloverall takeaway.
Sure.
So that way I can summarize it.
(10:38):
So right there in the beginning,these are the top three things
that I'm seeing.
You know, support your bloodsugar support, you know, these
two detox or whatever.
And, and that way when we get tothat section and it'll, you
know, they'll know to that thisis an important Yes.
Part of the report and, and howit interplays with what is going
on with them currently.
(11:00):
Now do you have people who.
Do this work with you, and thendo they report back to give you
how it's going?
Yes.
How does that work?
Yeah.
Yes.
Yes.
So I have clients that, um, onlydo the genetics and I've never
met them.
And then I have clients thatdon't do genetics, and they just
do the one to one-to-oneconsultations with me.
(11:21):
And then I have clients that doboth.
Both.
And so even if you start it outjust getting your genetic
interpretation and you want todig deeper.
Um, or you, you know, you wantto figure some more stuff out or
you have questions.
Mm-hmm.
You can schedule a one-to-onewith me and, and that's when I
can provide the longer termsupport.
Um, right.
Uh, so, but yes, I mean, evenwith people that I've never met,
(11:44):
if you wanna look on my websiteright at the top, I have.
Currently 23 5 star and onlyfive star reviews.
And, and people aren't justleaving like one sentence, like
they're actually like, yeah,this is how Jacqueline helped
me.
This is what I thought of herreport.
And so from the feedback I'vegotten, it really has provided a
lot of value and a lot ofinsight and clarity for people.
(12:06):
Right, right.
You mentioned at the start howyou're not a one size fits all,
and I just spit it out.
You either have it or you don't.
Mm-hmm.
Why does only focusing on ahandful of genes not give us
enough information to get a trueidea?
Of how our health is beingshaped by genetic variants.
(12:28):
So in my book, I state that onlylooking at a handful of genes is
like thinking, you know what apuzzle looks like based on, ah,
like three or five pieces.
You don't know how, what is onthe other side of those pieces.
That's not, that you're notseeing, you're not seeing how
much you're not seeing.
Right?
And so the more points of datawe have.
(12:48):
We can see the whole entirepathway of things.
So rather than just looking atM-T-H-F-R or COMT, which are the
two buzzwords right now in, infunctional genomics and you
know, functional medicinecircles and stuff, people blame.
So much on, Ugh, I can't detoxbecause I have M-T-H-F-R, or,
oh, I had miscarriages because Ihave M-T-H-F-R-M-T-H-F-R does
(13:12):
not stand alone.
There are so many genes upstreamand downstream and left right
back forth of M-T-H-F-R and alsogut health.
You could be having all of theactivated B vitamins that you
want, but if your gut is notabsorbing them or you're super
stressed out, you still mightnot be getting enough to the
(13:33):
cells.
So it's really, uh, morecomprehensive than just, do I
have it or not?
And this is the, the, thesmoking gun of all my problems.
And so, because they are sointerrelated, interconnected,
and.
One variant can affect thefunctioning of another one.
So sometimes I have a, um, Ihave like a beginner's guide or
(13:54):
an introduction to Nutrigenomicsand I talk about this.
It's like a 40 minute slideshow.
And so sometimes you can haveone genetic variant, but may
that speeds up something.
But then maybe downstream youhave another genetic variant
that metabolizes that, that spedup.
So those two actually likecompensate for each other,
right?
But on the flip side, you couldhave.
(14:15):
Um, something that is like aslow production, but a sped up
metabolite metabolism.
And then you're really, reallygoing to have, um, a problem
there because you're not makingenough of it, and then your
body's trying to clear it tooquickly.
And so that's, that's what yourgenes can tell you.
And then that's how you know howyou can compensate for them,
(14:35):
because every gene makes anenzyme.
So the MTFR gene makes theM-T-H-F-R enzyme, but enzymes
require certain nutritionalco-factors in order to work
work.
Mm-hmm.
And so if those are like thespark plugs or certain engines
require specific fuels, right?
So these enzymes requirespecific nutritional fuels.
(14:58):
And so if we're deficient inthose.
Even if we don't have a geneticvariant, it's going to work as
if we did have a variant there.
So that's why we need to do away more comprehensive intake
and a really deep dive into thegenes to see, um, what could be
affecting what.
So as you're speaking, somethingis coming forward for me and as
(15:21):
our listeners, um, primarily arewomen in midlife years.
And so, um, menopause,perimenopause, life changes are
starting to happen.
And as people are listening,I'm, I'm curious to, to know
whether or not you havesupported a fair number of women
(15:43):
going through life transitions.
Do.
Is that something that you cangleam really specific responses
to?
Because there's so much outthere and there's so much
misinformation, and yet peopleare like, but I need something
now.
I don't know how to get throughthese hot flashes.
I don't know how to survive themood changes.
(16:05):
I don't know, like, is thatsomething that you could speak
to as a general piece and giveus some opportunities to, to
perhaps reach out and say.
I watch you in my corner, how doI connect?
Yes, so.
I'd say a large percentage of myclientele are women in, in that
phase, and Sure, not, I'd sayabout 50% of my clientele are
(16:29):
fertility related.
Yeah.
So just because I have thisfertility book and I, you know,
my previous career was in birthwork, right.
The, the genetics.
Piece of the health really.
I mean, I have met 60-year-oldmen with gout.
I have children with autism.
I have, you know, the wholespectrum of people.
And so, but a lot of them arewomen because women want to
(16:49):
empower themselves.
They're tired of being gaslit.
They're tired of brain fog.
They're tired of feeling likecrap.
They're tired of this hormonalrollercoaster.
And so, especially in theperimenopausal and menopausal
phases of life, the liver.
Plays a huge part inmetabolizing hormones and, and,
(17:10):
and clearing toxins that arebasically, they throw wrenches
in your metabolic pathways andfor your hormone metabolism.
So that's why my foundationalpackage focuses on
detoxification related genes andantioxidant related genes,
because if you don't have that,then all of the other things are
(17:30):
gonna be haywire as well.
Hmm.
So really it's.
It's seeing where your geneticpredispositions and weaknesses
are in your detoxificationpathways, coupled with things
that you are exposed to.
So this woman, for instance,right?
She had, we did some functionaltesting and she had an insanely
high level of BPA.
(17:52):
Her urine and she's like, well,I ha I don't use Tupperware.
I don't microwave plastic, Idon't use plastic water bottles.
Like, you know, I don't knowwhere this is coming from.
Yeah.
And so when we were talkingfurther, she bought, she, we
were talking this subjectivecoffee and caffeine came up and
she said that she bought thiscold brew that was.
Packaged in a, a plastic bag andit was inside of a box and you
(18:16):
know that they're not coolingthat cold brew down when they're
putting it in that soft plasticbag.
And so that was the big culpritright there.
And so it really is, like yousaid, detective work and really
having somebody learn about you.
Yeah.
And, and.
To really help you find theanswers, so I love that.
Yes, those are the kind ofthings that can cause worse
(18:37):
symptoms in first off, yourreproductive years and
perimenopause and menopausebecause the happier and cleaner
and more efficient that theliver is working.
The, the more it will be able todeal with your hormones, because
the toxins come in and the bodysays, well, our body makes
hormones.
We know they're safe, so let'sdeal, let's put them on the back
(18:58):
burner and let's deal with theseforeign substances.
And then those just are, like Isaid, throwing wrenches in your,
in your systems and pathways andyour cells.
And so then your hormones getbacked up because the body's
overwhelmed with trying tomanage, uh, crisis management
and Right.
Regular routine functioning.
Wow.
Wow.
(19:18):
How empowering.
Oh my gosh.
I love what you just sharedbecause that shows the intensity
with which you, um, what am Icalling it?
Like narrow focus, your laserfocus with each client and you
found out it was the iced coffeeor whatever that she like.
(19:41):
No, I can't imagine.
Uncovering such a thing withoutyour help, right?
Yeah.
Yes, yes, absolutely.
And I, I made the mistake ofsaying the cold brew cold brew
is brewed cold.
Um, but yes, it is still in aplastic bag.
But yes.
So this is, these are the typesof things that can really help
(20:01):
you get streamlined and getultra personalized.
Yeah, and, and you will seeresults because it's yours.
Yes.
Right?
Yes.
Especially when paired withfunctional lab testing.
So that way, like, so the, thefunctional, so the genetics
provide a framework for yourprepositions, and the functional
(20:23):
lab testing is a snapshot ofwhat is currently happening
metabolically in your body.
And so that's why those pair sowell together and you can really
get a lot of answers.
Beautiful.
Beautiful.
Is there anything that you wouldlove to leave our listeners with
as we wrap up our conversationtoday?
(20:43):
A lot of people are movingtowards a healthier, cleaner,
upgraded lifestyle, but in thiscountry, in this modern world
that we live in, it's.
I say in my book that survivalof the fittest has now come to
mean people that are proactivelyadvocating for the health of
(21:04):
themselves and their familiesand, and we can't just keep
consuming what is being fed tous.
Lib.
Lib literally and figuratively.
Yeah.
But that can be so overwhelmingwhen people open the door and
realize like, oh my God, all mybody care products, all my
cleaning products, all the foodin my pantry.
So I say, this is better thanthat approach.
You know, what can you do orwhat can you buy next time to
(21:27):
upgrade the quality of that?
So that way you're notcompletely overwhelmed and you
create this, create this hugewagon to fall off of and you
just, you know, say, oh, screwit all.
So, you know, just, just go stepby step and, and give yourself
grace, because this is a verytoxic world that we live in.
Absolutely.
Thank you so much for sharingnot only on our show, but
(21:50):
sharing your depth of knowledgeand.
Becoming such a detective, Ican, um, only imagine.
It just lights you up goingthrough all of the work that you
do to provide the in-depthreports and supports that you
give your clients and peoplethat reach out.
So thank you so much forcontinuing this work.
(22:11):
We are forever grateful In ourshow notes, we will have how to
access Jacqueline and find her.
We really appreciate your timeand your energy today.
It's wonderful to speak withyou.
Thank you so much for having me.
Have a great day everyone.
Take care of yourselves and makesure you go and do something for
(22:32):
you by you because of you today.
And I might add, checkJacqueline out.
She is amazing.
What a whiz.
Take care everyone.
Bye.
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