Are your genes dirty?

I’m Brandon Wilson. I am constantly working toward improving my mind, body, and spirit using various ancient techniques and cutting-edge biohacking tools and devices. I want to be healthy, but not at the expense of being happy. This simple idea is what it means to be wellthy.

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🎧 Audio Teaser

Here is a taste of the audio voiceover that Be Wellthy Club members can listen to in every newsletter.

Most people tend to think that our genes determine our destiny. After all, we have about twenty thousand genes in our body, and our genes do not change from birth. Furthermore, we all have several genetic variations (technical term single-nucleotide polymorphisms—SNPs) that may predispose us to specific ways of functioning. For example, I’ve written previously about analyzing results from a genetic test and discovering that I have less-than-optimal detox capability. But even if your genes start ideal, they may become dirty.

Genetic expression is more important than your actual genes. This is how your genes express themselves in response to your environment, diet, lifestyle, and mindset. For example, you may have a genetic profile that makes it more likely for you to be an alcoholic, but if you never drink, those genes won’t be turned on. Gene expressions are like switches, turning off and on in response to your actions and the environment.

Genetic tests are helpful, but they only provide your genetic profile. Genes can be born dirty or become dirty, and the real test is how you are functioning now.

In the book Dirty Genes: A Breakthrough Program to Treat the Root Cause of Illness and Optimize Your Health, Dr. Ben Lynch lists the seven most common and well-researched genes that have far-reaching effects on your body. Let’s walk through these genes and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.

The Seven “Dirty” Genes

MTHFR, the methylation master gene.

This gene initiates your ability to methylate, a crucial process that affects your stress response, inflammation, brain chemistry, energy production, immune response, detoxification, antioxidant protection, cell repair, and genetic expression.

When MTHFR is dirty:

Strengths: Intensity, alertness, productivity, focus, improved DNA repair, decreased risk of colon cancer

Weaknesses: depression, anxiety, autoimmunity, migraines, increased risk of stomach cancer, autism, pregnancy complications, Down syndrome, birth defects, and cardiovascular conditions

COMT, the gene whose SNPs help determine whether you’re focused and buoyant or laidback and calm

COMT and its SNPs have potent effects on mood, focus, and how your body handles estrogen, a critical factor in the menstrual cycle in fibroids and some estrogen-sensitive cancers.

When COMT is dirty:

Strengths: Focus, tons of energy and alertness, good spirits, glowing skin

Weaknesses: Irritability, insomnia, anxiety, fibroids, increased risk of estrogen-sensitive cancers, test anxiety, neurological disorders, migraines, PMS, impatience, vulnerability to addictions

DAO, the gene whose SNPs can make you super sensitive to certain foods and chemicals

When this gene is dirty, it affects your response to the histamine that lurks in various foods and beverages, which is also produced by some gut bacteria, affecting your likelihood of food sensitivities and allergic reactions.

When DAO is dirty:

Strengths: Immediate awareness of allergens and trigger foods

Weaknesses: Food sensitivities, pregnancy complications, leaky gut syndrome, allergic reactions, and the risk of more severe conditions of autoimmunity

MAOA, the gene that affects mood swings and carb cravings.

This gene helps govern your dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels, primary brain chemicals that affect mood, alertness, energy, vulnerability to addictions, self-confidence, and sleep.

When MAOA is dirty:

Strengths: Energy, self-confidence, focus, “highs” of productivity and joy

Weaknesses: Mood swings, carb cravings, irritability, headaches, insomnia, addictions

GST/GPX, the gene(s) that can create detox dilemmas

A dirty GST or GPX affects your body’s ability to eliminate chemicals.

When GST/GPX are dirty:

Strengths: Immediate awareness of potentially harmful chemicals, improved response to chemotherapy

Weaknesses: Supersensitivity to potentially harmful chemicals (with response ranging from mild symptoms to severe autoimmune disorders and cancers), increased DNA damage

NOS3, the gene that can create heart issues

NOS3 affects your production of nitric oxide, a significant factor in heart health, affecting blood flow and blood vessel formation.

When NOS3 is dirty:

Strengths: Decreased blood vessel formation during cancer

Weaknesses: Headaches, high blood pressure, vulnerability to heart disease and heart attack, dementia

PEMT, the gene that supports your cell membranes and liver

This gene affects your body’s ability to produce phosphatidylcholine, an essential compound to maintain cell membranes, bile flow, muscle health, and brain development.

When PEMT is dirty:

Strengths: More support for methylation, better response to chemotherapy

Weaknesses: Gallbladder disorders, small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), pregnancy complications, cell membrane weakness, muscle pain

You might wonder how genes become dirty. There are many factors:

• Too much sugar/too many carbs

• Not enough protein/healthy fat

• Shortage of nutrients

• Sedentary lifestyle

• Overtraining

• Electrolyte deficiency

• Dehydration

• Not enough deep sleep

• Going to bed late, getting up late

• “Dirty” food/water/air

• “Dirty” products: sprays, cleaners, cosmetics, paints, pesticides, herbicides

• Physical/psychological stress

The book provides a self-assessment to help you understand which genes might adversely affect your health. Rather than reproduce it here, I found this version from the book online that you can print out. Once you have your results, you should work with a trusted healthcare professional to determine which protocols work best.

The book provides in-depth information, including a detailed clean genes protocol, if you’re a more do-it-yourself type.

Audiobook or Kindle or Paperback

(Note: These are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

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The Daily Habit is where I share my habits related to the fundamentals: sleep, diet, physical activity, mindfulness, and stress management.

When it comes to supplements, here is the order from easiest to hardest to absorb: Liposomal (liquid) > lozenge > powder > chewable > capsule > tablet.

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I start every morning with a glass of filtered, structured water with BEAM minerals. This is the best mineral supplement on the market, in my opinion. They even have formulations for dogs and cats and a cheaper pill form of the liquid supplement. I provided more details in a previous newsletter. Go to the BEAM minerals website and use code BRANDON51920 to save 20%.

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Last week’s answer

Free raffle entrants: Matt B., Barbara S.

Be Wellthy Club entrants: Scott S., Amy S., Ariel E., Renata B.

The August raffle is now closed with 5 free entries and 38 club entries.

Free subscribers can still enter to win one monthly raffle prize. Club members get an automatic entry each month to win one of two monthly raffle prizes. All you have to do is email bewellthy@substack.com the correct answer to each week’s brain training, and you will be entered into a monthly raffle to win cool biohacking prizes. You must be a subscriber to win! I do respond to every email.

This week:

Unscramble the words below to reveal synonyms for fine.

PABLSASE

FASSOCATITRY

TEPACBACLE

EQADTAUE

EAGARVE

See the answer.

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Three years ago, I wrote about the first genetic test I took, which was primarily focused on an optimal diet based on my genes. It was interesting information and might be a good place to start for a reasonable price and decent information.

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