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Feel Good Nutrigenomics
Nutrigenomics: The study of how different nutrients may interact with specific genes to alter the risk of health issues.
Wouldn't you like to create an open roadmap for a healthy life?
We live in a society where we are stressed emotionally, financially, physically and exposed to a range of toxins in our environment. Combining underlying genetic susceptibility with these factors provides all the ingredients for a perfect health storm. By understanding where our weak points are located, or where the accidents are on our particular highway of life, it is possible to bypass those detours, accidents and breakdowns and chart a better Roadmap to Health. This book defines those steps needed to begin your own personal journey to health and wellness.
Wouldn't you like to create an open roadmap for a healthy life?
We live in a society where we are stressed emotionally, financially, physically and exposed to a range of toxins in our environment. Combining underlying genetic susceptibility with these factors provides all the ingredients for a perfect health storm. By understanding where our weak points are located, or where the accidents are on our particular highway of life, it is possible to bypass those detours, accidents and breakdowns and chart a better Roadmap to Health. This book defines those steps needed to begin your own personal journey to health and wellness.
186 pages, ebook
First published February 24, 2014
50 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 21, 2015
5 stars for the content, 1 star for the writing. I've seen Yasko's presentations and she writes like she presents, repeating things over and over. While that works when speaking to a live audience, it does not work in a written form. Too redundant. The book only really picks up when she gets into the nitty gritty of methylation.
There is a chapter at the end that addresses accusations against her motivations. I fall in the middle, as one always should with "new" science. Neither savior nor quack. Like most new theories, there will be flaws and studies will disprove some of her research, but that is the nature of science, not a reason to condemn her. No scientist posits a new theory without some of it being wrong. Providing ideas to which other scientists can prove or disprove them, and thus learn more about the human body or the world around us, well that is what science is all about. Freud was wrong about some things, but our understanding of the human mind would not be where it is without him.
Methylation is something I've been learning about for the last several months after finding out that I am compound heterozygous MTHFR through some genetic tests. This is all from struggling with some undiagnosed medical issues that my traditional doctor (who doesn't believe in fibromyalgia or CFS, mind you) was clueless to identify. (I'm finally seeing a well-respected internist who actually pays attention to emerging medical research, understands methylation, and is running the right tests.)
This book is invaluable for understanding the methylation pathway. I've been reading a LOT of online resources, but none have been as clear in understanding what is a VERY complex process. Because treatment for methylation SNPs is not a one-size-fits-all approach, don't expect to get a list of supplements and doses from this book. Yasko is very clear that you must work with a doctor to get the right tests in order to determine whether you need certain supplements. Just because you have a SNP (a genetic mutation), doesn't mean it manifests as an issue. You could end up making things worse by attempting self-treatment based on your genetic profile alone. Nutrients are finely balanced and Yasko gives many examples of how too much of one nutrient can wreck havoc on the absorption of another nutrient.
If you are interested in going down this rabbit hole (which is utterly fascinating IMO), my recommendations:
1) Get a genetic test done. 23andMe is the easiest place to get it for a mere $99. Spit in a tube and mail it off. Your raw data is available online.
2) Download your raw genetic data from 23andMe and run it through a free program at geneticgenie.org. This will give you your methylation SNPs. Genetic Genie will give you a brief description of each SNP, but keep in mind that just because you may have a SNP that makes converting a nutrient less effective, don't just start taking that nutrient in supplement form. You need to make sure you are actually deficient first.
3) Read this book to understand methylation basics. Yasko has more resources on her website.
Addendum: Read "the other side" about Yasko too. Some accuse her of selling expensive supplements to desperate parents of autistic children. Get both sides and find your own. Personally, I don't think selling supplements is a big deal when her protocol is 100% free. The controversial RNA supplements I read about online don't seem to be in the book. I don't know if it was removed or never there, but with any supplement, you should always do your own research and come to your own conclusions. There are a lot of snake-oil remedies out there, but we should also not automatically reject something before researching it. One can't really argue with the importance of basic nutrients like folate and B12, genetic SNPs are pretty well researched now, and the right blood tests don't lie.
4) If you want to try and treat your SNPs to see if you feel better (especially if you have CFS, fibromyalgia, mood disorders, or general malaise), find a doctor who understands methylation and can get you the right tests. You CAN order tests online through Yasko, but working with your own doctor is better...provided you can find one. Keep in mind that nutrigenomics is VERY NEW in the world of science and that research is only started to give us a clearer picture.
5) The phoenixrising.me forums are a great place to learn more. These folks are serious biz when it comes to methylation. I don't think any of them follow Yasko's protocol exactly because they are research junkies and have found better results elsewhere.
There is a chapter at the end that addresses accusations against her motivations. I fall in the middle, as one always should with "new" science. Neither savior nor quack. Like most new theories, there will be flaws and studies will disprove some of her research, but that is the nature of science, not a reason to condemn her. No scientist posits a new theory without some of it being wrong. Providing ideas to which other scientists can prove or disprove them, and thus learn more about the human body or the world around us, well that is what science is all about. Freud was wrong about some things, but our understanding of the human mind would not be where it is without him.
Methylation is something I've been learning about for the last several months after finding out that I am compound heterozygous MTHFR through some genetic tests. This is all from struggling with some undiagnosed medical issues that my traditional doctor (who doesn't believe in fibromyalgia or CFS, mind you) was clueless to identify. (I'm finally seeing a well-respected internist who actually pays attention to emerging medical research, understands methylation, and is running the right tests.)
This book is invaluable for understanding the methylation pathway. I've been reading a LOT of online resources, but none have been as clear in understanding what is a VERY complex process. Because treatment for methylation SNPs is not a one-size-fits-all approach, don't expect to get a list of supplements and doses from this book. Yasko is very clear that you must work with a doctor to get the right tests in order to determine whether you need certain supplements. Just because you have a SNP (a genetic mutation), doesn't mean it manifests as an issue. You could end up making things worse by attempting self-treatment based on your genetic profile alone. Nutrients are finely balanced and Yasko gives many examples of how too much of one nutrient can wreck havoc on the absorption of another nutrient.
If you are interested in going down this rabbit hole (which is utterly fascinating IMO), my recommendations:
1) Get a genetic test done. 23andMe is the easiest place to get it for a mere $99. Spit in a tube and mail it off. Your raw data is available online.
2) Download your raw genetic data from 23andMe and run it through a free program at geneticgenie.org. This will give you your methylation SNPs. Genetic Genie will give you a brief description of each SNP, but keep in mind that just because you may have a SNP that makes converting a nutrient less effective, don't just start taking that nutrient in supplement form. You need to make sure you are actually deficient first.
3) Read this book to understand methylation basics. Yasko has more resources on her website.
Addendum: Read "the other side" about Yasko too. Some accuse her of selling expensive supplements to desperate parents of autistic children. Get both sides and find your own. Personally, I don't think selling supplements is a big deal when her protocol is 100% free. The controversial RNA supplements I read about online don't seem to be in the book. I don't know if it was removed or never there, but with any supplement, you should always do your own research and come to your own conclusions. There are a lot of snake-oil remedies out there, but we should also not automatically reject something before researching it. One can't really argue with the importance of basic nutrients like folate and B12, genetic SNPs are pretty well researched now, and the right blood tests don't lie.
4) If you want to try and treat your SNPs to see if you feel better (especially if you have CFS, fibromyalgia, mood disorders, or general malaise), find a doctor who understands methylation and can get you the right tests. You CAN order tests online through Yasko, but working with your own doctor is better...provided you can find one. Keep in mind that nutrigenomics is VERY NEW in the world of science and that research is only started to give us a clearer picture.
5) The phoenixrising.me forums are a great place to learn more. These folks are serious biz when it comes to methylation. I don't think any of them follow Yasko's protocol exactly because they are research junkies and have found better results elsewhere.
February 13, 2016
I read this because I have the heterozygous MTHFR gene, also known as the 'motherfucker' gene, which can reduce function of certain metabolic pathways. So, what of it? Well, if you supplement with a supporting cast of the methylcobalmin form of B12 and L-5-MTHF, the metabolically active form of folic acid, you can mitigate the rate limiting that affects the production of everything from serotonin, to melatonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.
This book is an introduction to the topic with too many car metaphors, but it pointed me down the right...road.
This book is an introduction to the topic with too many car metaphors, but it pointed me down the right...road.
February 7, 2017
When citing information and ideas sources need to be given
In the beginning of the book Dr Yasko writes "she will the you what to do because she can't meet with so many patients" . Don't feel that was accomplished. Much information but we need to take her on her word or based on her understanding. When reading other books on the same topic sources are given: pubmeds, studies so the reader can follow the conclusions. Very disappointed thus three stars.
In the beginning of the book Dr Yasko writes "she will the you what to do because she can't meet with so many patients" . Don't feel that was accomplished. Much information but we need to take her on her word or based on her understanding. When reading other books on the same topic sources are given: pubmeds, studies so the reader can follow the conclusions. Very disappointed thus three stars.
February 23, 2017
Mostly methylation
October 29, 2020
An excellent foray into a new and burgeoning topic: that of filling your own personal metabolic weaknesses and holes, using carefully considered diatary components. Specifically this is about folate and one carbon human metabolism. As a scientist this interested me greatly and I applaud the author for pushing this issue into the mainstream for dialog and open discussion. For that, it is a worthy and respectable entry, groundbreaking in its focus.
While the medical and biochemical aspects of the book are intact, they are incomplete, and this book should be seen as an entry point for any reader, filled with metaphor and circumspect pointers.
If the reader is already versed in biochemistry, SNPs, synthetic biology, or some related bioinformatics and pathway analysis, this is not going to add terribly much until the final chapter. Many SNPs have been added since, in NIH ClinVar, and this text describes mostly C677T of MTHFR, with some other dialog on CBS and and MTR/MTRR proteins. There is an error in description of one described, A66G, confusing the nucleotide sequence for amino acid (I22M) that keeps conflating the available dogma. If the reader has a complete VCF file then there are curated analytical services that are filling the need of identifying metabolic holes in the interconnected folate, methionine, catecholamine, and trassulfuration pathways, so the reader may consider those in the future.
Overall I enjoyed the book, and read it cover to cover in two days. A great first step for anyones personal journey in this topic of personalized genomic-based medicine and self help.
While the medical and biochemical aspects of the book are intact, they are incomplete, and this book should be seen as an entry point for any reader, filled with metaphor and circumspect pointers.
If the reader is already versed in biochemistry, SNPs, synthetic biology, or some related bioinformatics and pathway analysis, this is not going to add terribly much until the final chapter. Many SNPs have been added since, in NIH ClinVar, and this text describes mostly C677T of MTHFR, with some other dialog on CBS and and MTR/MTRR proteins. There is an error in description of one described, A66G, confusing the nucleotide sequence for amino acid (I22M) that keeps conflating the available dogma. If the reader has a complete VCF file then there are curated analytical services that are filling the need of identifying metabolic holes in the interconnected folate, methionine, catecholamine, and trassulfuration pathways, so the reader may consider those in the future.
Overall I enjoyed the book, and read it cover to cover in two days. A great first step for anyones personal journey in this topic of personalized genomic-based medicine and self help.
July 11, 2020
So many aha moments and lights turned on
The reviews on Amazon almost deterred me from reading this and I am so glad I chose to decide for myself. The information and knowledge she shares is so critically important in health and has shed light on my personal health journey. Key factors I have been missing make so much sense and I am beyond excited to take what I have learned and move forward. Please receive the information and decide for yourself, truly hear what she says and make your own informed decision. Don't let opinions deter you from reading this book. Thank you Dr. Yasko for sharing your knowledge, I needed this.
The reviews on Amazon almost deterred me from reading this and I am so glad I chose to decide for myself. The information and knowledge she shares is so critically important in health and has shed light on my personal health journey. Key factors I have been missing make so much sense and I am beyond excited to take what I have learned and move forward. Please receive the information and decide for yourself, truly hear what she says and make your own informed decision. Don't let opinions deter you from reading this book. Thank you Dr. Yasko for sharing your knowledge, I needed this.
March 1, 2018
If you are in medical profession and want to learn more about methylation, skip this one
Lack of details. Might be good for lay person for general idea, but certainly not much depth on the subject.
Lack of details. Might be good for lay person for general idea, but certainly not much depth on the subject.
May 16, 2014
This is a great read for anyone interested in the biochemistry of their body, particularly the methylation cycle which plays an important role in our overall health.
February 28, 2015
Not an easy read, but well worth it.
If you are trying to understand a diagnosis of MTHFR gene mutation, this book goes a long towards explaining a complex subject.
If you are trying to understand a diagnosis of MTHFR gene mutation, this book goes a long towards explaining a complex subject.
June 18, 2015
eh. I was expecting so much more. Didn't really learn anything from the book that I didn't already know and the charts were useless since they weren't in color.
May 4, 2014
Great book on the methylation pathway!!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews