DNA kit adntro box

Discover your genetic predisposition and protection to more than 120 diseases and much more with the most complete DNA kit.

Use the coupon BLOG10

Already genotyped? Upload your RAW DNA for free!

Mental health refers to a person's psychological and emotional state. It involves the ability to handle daily demands and challenges, form healthy interpersonal relationships, and make constructive decisions. In contemporary society, the importance of mental health has gained recognition, highlighting the need to understand and address conditions such as anxiety. At the same time, greater awareness of how factors such as genetics, environment and lifestyle influence our mental health is being promoted.

Mental health is therefore a dynamic field that encompasses both the prevention and treatment of mental illness and the promotion of strategies for a healthy and fulfilling mental life, focusing in this article on mental health and genetics.

Anxiety

How much does genetics influence mental health?

Certain mental health conditions, such as anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, have been shown to have a strong genetic component.

These are multifactorial diseases, those whose development and manifestation are the result of the interaction of multiple factors, both genetic and environmental.

The "weight" of genetics in the development of a disease varies according to the disease. A small number of diseases are caused by mutations in a single gene (monogenic diseases such as cystic fibrosis). For other diseases, our genes can increase the probability of developing them or, on the contrary, offer us some protection (multifactorial diseases), which is possible to know thanks to genetic tests such as ADNTRO tests.

Mental health and genetics

Within the latter group, the genetic "weight" varies and this is what is technically known as heritability. Heritability is a statistical concept that describes how much of the variation in a given trait can be attributed to variation in genetic factors, as opposed to variation in environmental factors.

Within the mental health diseases we are going to focus on anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorder and genetics

Anxiety disorder is a term that includes generalized anxiety, panic disorders, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and phobias, among others. Anxiety disorder is defined as clinically significant anxiety that is not restricted to a particular environmental situation.

This disorder is characterized by chronic, excessive worry and anxiety about various events or activities. Symptoms include restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension and sleep problems.

In Spain, it is the mental health problem most frequently recorded in primary care clinical records and affects 6.7% of the population with a health card. Worldwide, prevalence decreases to 4.8%.

The heritability of anxiety disorder is around 50%, leaving the other 50% to environmental and lifestyle factors. The genetic component causes a physical alteration in the functioning of the brain or in the physiological response to stress.

Mental health - anxiety

To date, 26% can be explained genetically. This is possible thanks to the analysis of genetic variants that determine whether you have a greater or lesser probability of suffering from the disease. Among the associated variants we find variants in the genes:

  • TMEM132D: This gene has been studied directly in relation to anxiety. It is believed to play a role in the regulation of emotional behavior, and certain variants of this gene have been associated with an increased risk of developing anxiety disorders.
  • PKD1L1: This gene is involved in the function of primary cilia and may be related to several cell signaling pathways. Abnormalities in signaling pathways may affect brain development and function, which could contribute to disorders such as anxiety.

Recommendations for managing anxiety

Managing anxiety is not easy, but there are some recommendations that may help:

  • Incorporate mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms and nori seaweed in your diet. They contain an amino acid (l-theanine) that increases brain levels of GABA. This compound acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, thus slowing down brain excitation.
  • Make sure you get enough good quality proteins and fats.
  • Avoid refined flours, sugar and stimulating drinks.
  • Exercise to reduce stress and release happy hormones such as endorphins.
  • Promote situations that stimulate the synthesis of oxytocin, also known as the hormone of love, calm and contact.
  • Learn to relax using techniques such as meditation that directly impact the quality of sleep.
  • Avoid caffeine, alcohol and other drugs.

Discover your genetic predisposition to suffer from anxiety disorder and much more with the DNA TEST ADNTRO.

Share this post

More interesting articles

DNA kit adntro box

Discover your genetic predisposition and protection to more than 120 diseases and much more with the most complete DNA kit.

Use the coupon BLOG10

Already genotyped? Upload your RAW DNA for free!

Other topics

Start a unique journey inside your DNA

Kind regards from ADNTRO team

Share this post:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
E-mail

Get a 10% discount!

An Investment
for all Life

DNA test with saliva sample
More complete analysis
Ancestry, Nutrigenetics, Traits and Diseases,...
Already genotyped?

If you have taken a test with 23andMe, MyHeritage, Ancestry.com and others, you can upload your DNA for free at 23andMe, MyHeritage, Ancestry.com and others.

Digestive Medicine

For digestive clinics or physicians. Provides information on the genetic predisposition to develop diseases of the digestive system- such as Chron's, Inflammatory Bowel Disease among many others - as well as intolerances. This supports a possible early diagnosis and preventionThe results of this study are very positive, allowing for more precise and personalized interventions to improve the quality of life of the patients.

nutrition

Cardio

The applicability and importance of the PRSs in cardio is endorsed by the American Heart Association (AHA). The applicability of PRS is made possible thanks to this tool that helps in the cardiovascular disease prevention: identifying patients with a higher genetic risk of developing conditions such as diabetes, thromboembolism, hypercholesterolemia, and coronary artery disease (CAD), among others, enabling early interventions and preventive measures to improve patients' cardiovascular health.

integrate genetics into your practice

Biobanks, Pharmacies and CROs

Access and consultation of genetic data relevant to health and pharmacology. Thanks to this tool, it is possible to know the predisposition of patients to suffer adverse effects and what dose adjustments are necessary for more than 150 drugs, thus improving safety, efficacy and treatment personalization. This information is backed by Stanford University and approved by the FDA and gives solutions for biobanks, and research organizations.

integrate genetics into your practice

Dermatology

Specialized for dermatological clinics, this service provides information on dermatogenomics: skin sensitivities, efficacy of various topical and oral treatments, essential vitamins and minerals for skin health, dermatological conditions, skin types and more data to help you customize your skin care recommendations.

integrate genetics into your practice

Fitness and wellness centers

Genetic analysis allows for the design of personalized training programs that, taking into account genetic characteristics focused on the world of sports, such as muscle fiber types and predisposition to injuries, maximize performance and reduce the risk of injuries. Additionally, by considering genetic factors related to sleep and longevity, recommendations can be offered for a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

integrate genetics into your practice

Nutri & Fitness

The practical application of nutrigenomics allows you to differentiate yourself from the competition by offering your patients personalized and accurate information on genetic predispositions to food intolerances.The results of this approach allow the design of dietary plans completely adapted to the genetic profile of the patient. This approach makes it possible to design dietary plans completely adapted to the individual needs maximizing results and providing an exceptional and differentiated service in the field of nutrition.

integrate genetics into your practice

Neuro

Very useful for psychiatric clinics and psychological clinics. Provides information on the genetic predisposition to develop nervous system diseases and mental disorders, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and OCD, among others. This supports a possible early diagnosis and prevention of these conditions, allowing for more precise and personalized interventions for improve the quality of life of patients.

integrate genetics into your practice