A few weeks ago, we shared an article titled “Could Your Genetics Help Personalize Your Wellness?” Today, I want to take that conversation a step further and share something personal—my own experience with genetic wellness testing and why I am so impressed with the information it provides.
First, let me say that I am absolutely fascinated by my results!
What impressed me most wasn’t just the amount of information in the report, but how easy it was to understand. The report uses a simple color-coded system—green, yellow, and red—to help identify areas where your genetic variations may influence how your body functions.
- Green: Generally indicates a lower genetic predisposition in the category evaluated.
- Yellow: Suggests an area where certain genetic variations may warrant additional attention.
- Red: Indicates a potentially higher genetic predisposition that may benefit from further evaluation.
These colors aren’t diagnoses or guarantees of future health problems. They are a helpful starting point for understanding our individual genetic tendencies and making more informed wellness decisions. And for someone like me, who loves learning about the human body, this information has been incredibly exciting!
A Year of Learning, Growing, and Connecting the Dots
As many of you know, I’ve spent this past year attending massage therapy school. What an incredible journey it has been! I’ve always believed that our bodies are wonderfully designed and that everything is connected. But studying anatomy, physiology, and the intricate systems of the human body has given me a much deeper appreciation for just how amazing we truly are.
Now, do I have anywhere near the knowledge my husband, Dr. Tim, has? Absolutely not! As many of you know, he has been blessed with an extraordinary gift for understanding the human body and how it functions. I’m just happy to be catching up a little! But the more I learned in school, the more I began thinking about my own health journey, particularly my lifelong challenges with asthma.
My Asthma Journey: Looking Beyond the Symptoms
My asthma became significantly worse after pregnancy, during a time when I was also struggling with what I understood to be adrenal dysfunction. Looking back, I was burning the candle at both ends—trying to be Super Mom, Super Corporate Lady, and everything in between. Sound familiar to anyone? I was constantly pushing myself, juggling responsibilities, and not always giving my body the support and rest it needed.
Over the past several years, I’ve worked hard to improve my overall health and stress resilience. I began feeling better in many ways, but my asthma continued to flare up. Dr. Tim and I explored several holistic approaches to support my health. Some helped in certain areas, but I still felt there was another piece of the puzzle we hadn’t fully understood.
And then I received my genetic wellness report.
The Nitric Oxide Connection: My Biggest Aha Moment!
One of the most fascinating sections of my report focused on nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a molecule our bodies naturally produce. It plays important roles in blood vessel function, circulation, and cellular communication. It also participates in processes involving the respiratory system. The gene report evaluated three genetic markers related to nitric oxide pathways.
All three came back yellow!
Now, yellow doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong or that my body is deficient in nitric oxide. It means I have genetic variations that the report identifies as potentially influencing these pathways. What really caught my attention was the report’s discussion of symptoms and wellness concerns associated with nitric oxide-related pathways, including:
- Poor sleep
- Respiratory concerns, including asthma
- Anxiety
- Irritability
I remember reading that section and thinking, Wow! Some of these sound so familiar! Of course, these symptoms can have many different causes, and a genetic report alone cannot tell us exactly why they occur. But for me, this information opened the door to exploring another aspect of my health.
What Happened Next?
After reviewing my results, I decided to incorporate a supplement called Nit-Ox Boost into my wellness routine. And here’s the part I’m especially excited to share. Since starting the supplement, my asthma flare-ups have been at an all-time low! This has been such an encouraging personal experience, especially after years of trying to better understand my respiratory challenges.
I want to emphasize that this is my individual experience. I can’t say with certainty that the supplement caused the improvement, and genetic testing doesn’t establish whether someone has low nitric oxide levels. Asthma is a complex medical condition, and supplements should never replace prescribed asthma medications or medical care.
Still, I am grateful for the improvement I’ve experienced and for the additional questions and insights my report has given me.
Why We Decided to Test Riley, Too
What if we could better understand our individual genetic tendencies earlier in life?
As parents, we spend so much time trying to make the best decisions for our children’s health and well-being. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have additional information that could help guide those conversations? That’s one of the reasons we recently decided to have Riley’s genetics tested as well. Our goal isn’t to predict every health issue she might face or assume her genes determine her future. It’s to better understand her unique genetic makeup and consider how that information might complement the healthy habits we’re already encouraging.
I believe there is tremendous potential in personalized wellness, especially as research continues to evolve. For our family, it’s another opportunity to learn and have meaningful conversations about long-term health.
Knowledge Is Empowering
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned this year, both through massage school and my own wellness journey, is that the more we understand about our bodies, the better equipped we are to care for them.
Our genes are part of our story, but they aren’t the entire story. Our nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, environment, and daily choices all play important roles in our health.
That’s what makes personalized wellness so fascinating to me. Rather than assuming that everyone needs exactly the same approach, we can begin asking better questions about what makes each of us unique.
Curious About Genetic Wellness Testing? Let’s Talk!
I actually have my personal genetic wellness report available at the office! If you’d like to look through it, see how the color-coded results are presented, or simply ask questions about my experience, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Dr. Tim and I are excited about the possibilities of using personalized information to support thoughtful, proactive wellness conversations. My hope in sharing this story is that it encourages you to become more curious about your own body and the many ways we can support our health throughout our lives.
In health and wellness,
Jill Strittmatter
Keystone Spinal Care
Disclaimer: This article shares a personal experience and is intended for educational purposes. Genetic wellness testing does not diagnose nitric oxide deficiency, asthma, or other medical conditions. Supplement responses vary, and genetic findings should be interpreted with appropriate clinical guidance. Always consult your healthcare provider before changing asthma treatments or beginning new supplements.