Personalized medicine, guided by genomics, is revolutionizing our approach to health and longevity. The DNA Company, co-founded by Bryce Wylde and Kashif Khan in 2017, uses consumer-focused reports to highlight genetic glitches that influence health parameters including sleep, energy, hormones, nutrition, inflammation, detoxification, and much more. Such insights can enhance the efficacy of treatments like Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), previously considered risky. New analysis of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) data suggests HRT may be safer for certain demographics, but genetic makeup remains a crucial factor. The book ‘The DNA Way’ exemplifies our mission to optimize wellness by tailoring lifestyle and treatment plans to one’s unique genetic blueprint. Learn about your DNA and change the day you die.
In this BTv Segment: Using the Power of Personalized Medicine and Genetic Insights
- How we can use genomics to inform our healthspan (live longer in optimal health) and therefore literally change the day you die
- How DNA influences our individual nutritional needs
- How genomics can help us understand our predisposition to certain health challenges
- How genomics can help us understand how our bodies might react to different types of exercise or physical activities
- How genomics can help doctors prescribe more effective treatments
- How accessible are genomic tests to the average person? What should someone consider before getting one?
- Can genomics help us understand our mental health better?
- Book: “The DNA Way: Unlock the Secrets of Your Genes to Reverse Disease, Slow Aging, and Achieve Optimal Wellness”.
HRT and the WHI study:
Many menopausal women do not use of hormone replacement therapy due to a decades-old study that warned of serious health risks. However, the perception of hormones has changed over the years. Also newer formulations of hormones, not widely used when the WHI study began, may further minimize risks.
The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study (completed over 20 years ago), initially raised alarm bells about hormone therapy, however, later analysis of the WHI data reveals that the benefits of hormone therapy generally outweighed the risks for healthy women under 60 years old and within ten years of the onset of menopause. Despite these findings, many women and doctors still rely on the original warnings. But this may be good because there are still many exceptions when it comes to safe use: first of which is ones DNA.
HRT is Individualized: HRT has a complex matrix of benefits and risks that vary according to a woman’s age, time since menopause, and underlying health status. Decision making about HRT should be individualized and personalized, and women themselves play a crucial role in this shared decision-making process.
HRT for Symptom Relief: For women experiencing severe menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, disrupted sleep, and impaired quality of life, HRT can be a beneficial treatment. These symptoms can significantly affect a woman’s work productivity, day-to-day activities, and overall quality of life.
Lower Risks in Early Menopause: The absolute risks of adverse events on HRT are much lower in women in early menopause compared to those in later menopause. There were favorable signals with estrogen alone in younger women and also lower risks of adverse events.
HRT and Breast Cancer: While there is a small increase in the risk of breast cancer with HRT, especially with combination therapy, the benefits of treatment for bothersome symptoms are likely to outweigh these risks in early menopause.
HRT and Bone Health: HRT has been found to reduce the incidence of hip fracture, which is a significant cause of mortality in older women. However, the benefits to the bones in terms of preserving bone mineral density dissipate very quickly within a few years after stopping HRT.