Genetics and Overall Wellness

The Impact Genetics Have on Overall Wellness

When thinking about whether a Life Plan Community is right for you, you want to consider what you need to plan for. There are the normal considerations of aging, such as loss of mobility or decreased energy, but Fellowship Village goes further by offering genetic counseling services to help you make a plan that is more specific to you. Through genetic testing, they can help you determine what you are more genetically predisposed to and make a plan that focuses on preventative options to promote your best health. 

What is genetic predisposition?

Simply put, genetic predisposition is defined as how likely you are to develop certain diseases or conditions based on your genes. There are many diseases that have genetic predispositions or suspected genetic predispositions, including the following: 

• Asthma 
• Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia 
• Cancer 
• Heart disease 

• Obesity 
• Stroke 
• Type 2 diabetes 

It’s important to note that just because you are predisposed to something, doesn’t mean you’ll develop it. For many conditions, diet, exercise, and overall lifestyle play just as big a role as genetics. 

Understanding your genetic family tree

Knowing your family’s medical history is just part of understanding what you might be predisposed to. You receive approximately 50% of each parent’s DNA, which adds up to your 100%. They in turn received 50% from each of their parents, which means you receive approximately 25% from each grandparent. The percentage gets smaller the further back in your genealogical tree you go. 

So just because your grandfather had heart disease and great grandma died from a stroke, doesn’t mean you will. It all depends on what genes you inherited and what other contributing lifestyle factors may come in to play. That’s where genetic testing comes in. 

What to expect from genetic tests

There are many different types of genetic tests. Some require blood work while others just need a check swab or spit sample. Genetic counseling can help you determine what genetic tests are right for you, and then, once the tests are done, help you decide what your best course of action is based on the results. Genetic testing can even help your doctor understand how you’ll react to certain medications and know which ones are the best options for you. 

Genetic counseling at Fellowship Village

Fellowship Village wants to help you make informed decisions about your health. Genetic counseling provides a more personalized, in-depth healthcare plan. The genetic counselor is there to help you respond to your results objectively and create a plan for your overall wellness.