The genetic tests offered by the 23andMe process have taken the world by storm. People are excited to learn more about their ancestry as well as their health. The tests offered through 23andMe are not designed to tell you for certainty if you will develop a particular disease. However, they can help you to see if you are at a higher risk of developing one.
Your body carries multiple copies of each one of your genes. You have genes from each one of your parents. What 23andMe can do is help you to know if you have a higher chance of developing a particular disease than an average individual would. In order to accomplish this goal, these genetic tests will scan your DNA and look for genetic mutations.
It’s good to have this information as it gives you a parameter for potential health issues that you could develop. At the same time, you should not give in to despair thinking that since you are genetically predisposed to a particular disease, you’re going to get it. What this test shows is that your DNA has the possibility of having a particular mutation that could lead to the disease.
One of the reasons for this is that whether or not a person develops a disease has as much to do with their genetics as their environment and their behavior. The food that a person eats, the place where they grew up, their habits, whether or not they exercise, and if they are overweight all play a role in whether or not they will develop a particular disease.
23andMe has helped people learn a lot of positive things about their health. For example, 23andMe tests for many different diseases. A person can find out if they are a potential carrier of these diseases and if they might pass them on to their children.
One of the primary reasons that people turn to 23andMe is to learn about their ancestry. This DNA test can break down what percentage of your DNA comes from a certain part of the world, giving you a better breakdown of your family’s history.
At Neurosurgery and Beyond in Sacramento, CA, we are happy to offer 23andMe testing to our patients. Contact us today to book an appointment and learn more!
