We hear a lot about genetics today, from tracing ancestry to screening for disease risk. Yet for many people, what genes are, what genetics actually studies, and how genetic insights can guide personalized health recommendations still feel unclear.
This guide explains genetics in plain language and shows how understanding your genetic makeup can help you make smarter choices about nutrition, exercise, and long term wellness.
What are genes?
Genes are segments of code within your DNA that carry instructions for your unique traits. Some traits are visible, like eye color or height. Others operate behind the scenes, influencing metabolism, cardiovascular function, nutrient processing, and disease risk.
About 99.9% of human genes are identical across all people. The remaining 0.1% is where individuality lives, and where the most actionable health insights often appear.
What is genetics?
Genetics is the scientific study of genes: how traits are inherited, which genes influence specific body systems, and how those genes express themselves in response to daily life.
Genetics helps explain how you respond to the food you eat, the exercise you do, environmental exposures, and stress. In functional and personalized medicine, genetics is used not to predict fate, but to guide better, individualized health decisions.
What are genetic variants?
That 0.1% difference in your DNA is where genetic variants appear. A genetic variant is a small spelling change in your genetic code that may alter how a gene functions. Because variants can affect cellular and system level processes, two people can respond very differently to the same diet, supplement, or lifestyle habit. The National Human Genome Research Institute offers a helpful overview of how genomics relates to everyday health.
What are some examples of genetic variants?
Genes influence health from the cellular level upward. Common examples include:
ACE influences fitness endurance or power potential
GSTM1 helps the body eliminate certain toxins, which connects closely to metabolic detoxification pathways HFE affects iron storage and regulation APOE influences inflammation and lipid metabolism
When a variant changes how a gene works, it can affect everything from energy levels to chronic disease risk. That is why genetic testing is increasingly used to personalize prevention and treatment plans.
How do genetic variants impact my health and wellness?
A common myth is that genes are fixed and unchangeable. While you cannot rewrite your DNA, you can influence how your genes are expressed through lifestyle. If you know which variants you carry, you can make targeted choices such as:
Additional lab testing and dietary adjustments if iron storage variants like HFE cause iron levels to run high
Limiting caffeine if your body clears it slowly due to a caffeine metabolism variant
Supporting liver and antioxidant pathways if detox related variants like GSTM1 affect toxin processing, which may also relate to environmental toxin exposure
Genetics does not dictate your future. It provides a blueprint for smarter, personalized care.
What is genetic testing and what does it do?
Genetic testing identifies your unique genetic makeup, usually through a simple, painless cheek swab. Results can reveal insights about cellular function, cardiovascular health, energy processing, nutrient needs, and potential root causes of persistent symptoms. The CDC offers a clear guide to genetic testing and what results can and cannot tell you.
Because your DNA sequence does not change, you typically only need this test once, making it a long term reference for personalized health planning. At BluWillo, genetic insights are reviewed alongside your health history and lab testing strategy during your initial visit.
Why should I get my genes tested?
Knowing your genetic profile can help you:
Eat for your biology by choosing foods that match your metabolism and nutrient needs
Train for your body by aligning exercise with your genetic strengths
Prevent problems early by identifying predispositions before symptoms appear
Personalize treatment by addressing root causes with a tailored functional medicine approach
Think of genetic testing as a personal health blueprint. It shows how your body is built so you can build your wellness plan the right way.
Get to Know Your Genes
You may know your preferences, habits, and history, but your genes reveal how your body actually works at a deeper level. That knowledge can put you on a clearer path toward optimized health, energy, and longevity.
Ready to explore personalized genetics? Schedule a complimentary 15 minute consultation at BluWillo or book your 90 minute initial functional medicine visit to learn how genetic testing fits into your care plan.
Gina Ditta Donahue, FNP C, is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Anti Aging Medicine provider. As Your Functional Medicine Partner at BluWillo Precision Medicine, she helps patients identify and treat root causes of illness.