You inherited your parents' genes. You didn't inherit their fate.
This is nutrigenomics. And it's changing everything we thought we knew about genetics and health.
Dr. Diana Molander has built her entire practice on this principle. She holds multiple certifications from Cornell, Stanford, and George Washington universities in nutrigenomics—the science of how food talks to your genes.
The old story was simple
Your genes determine your health. If heart disease runs in your family, you're likely doomed. If your mother had diabetes, watch out.
Wrong.
The new story is empowering
Your genes load the gun. Your lifestyle pulls the trigger.
Or doesn't.
This is what nutrigenomics reveals: genes can be turned on or off. And food is one of the most powerful switches.
What are SNPs?
SNPs (pronounced "snips") are single nucleotide polymorphisms. Think of them as tiny spelling variations in your genetic code.
These variations determine:
- How you process caffeine
- Whether you need more folate
- How efficiently you produce glutathione (your body's master antioxidant)
- Your risk for inflammation
- How you metabolize fats
Dr. Molander uses SNP testing to decode these variations. Then she builds nutrition plans based on what YOUR genes actually need.
Real example: The MTHFR gene
About 40% of people have a variation in the MTHFR gene. This affects how they process folate—a B vitamin critical for:
- DNA repair
- Detoxification
- Mood regulation
- Cardiovascular health
People with this variation can't use synthetic folic acid well. They need methylfolate instead.
Generic supplements often contain the wrong form. Personalized nutrition uses the right one.
That's the difference between wasting money and changing outcomes.
It's not about restriction
Most diet advice is about what NOT to eat. Nutrigenomics flips this.
It tells you what TO eat. What your specific body needs more of. What will turn on protective genes and turn off inflammatory ones.
Dr. Molander sees patients struggling with:
- Brain fog that won't lift
- Energy that crashes daily
- Digestive issues that seem random
- Mood swings they can't explain
Often, these aren't diseases. They're mismatches. Between what they're eating and what their genes need.
The science is early. The results aren't.
"Food is medicine," Dr. Molander notes. "However, the science explaining how diet prevents, manages and reverses diseases is still in an early stage."
She's right. We're at the frontier. But patients aren't waiting for perfect science. They're getting results now.
Because knowing your genetic blueprint changes everything. It removes the guesswork. It replaces generic protocols with precision.
What this means for you
Stop blaming your genes. Start feeding them properly.
Your SNPs aren't a life sentence. They're an instruction manual.
The question isn't whether you inherited risk. It's whether you're going to activate it or silence it.