Liver Testing

May 2008
Barbara MacDonald, ND, LAc

New genetic testing can tell us what toxins may play
a role in cancer development and what
you can do to protect yourself in the future!

Test name: Detoxigenomics Profile by Genovations
Who performs the test: some naturopathic physicians (any doctor can order it)
How it’s done: non-fasting blood draw
Cost: $400 + draw fee

The field of genomics has expanded our understanding of how toxins affect our bodies differently.  Why can some people smoke packs of cigarettes a day and never get lung cancer – while someone exposed to minimal second-hand smoke gets it at 40?  Why can some women take HRT and not get breast cancer and others do?  We all have some efficient detoxification pathways and others that are not efficient; some toxins we can render harmless and others are cleared from our bodies as slow as a congested Interstate-5 at rush hour.  This genetic blood test identifies your biochemical individuality.  By knowing how you detoxify each type of toxin (such as solvents, heavy metals, estrogens, medications, pesticides, etc.), you can make lifestyle choices to reduce your exposure.  You can learn what things you can take to improve your body’s ability to remove these toxins when exposed.

“What I have found is that there are very common patterns in genomic variations that most of my breast cancer patients have.  By knowing the answers to these questions, women are empowered to know what to change and what doesn’t need changing. They are able to stop blaming themselves for getting cancer and become excited to know there are things they can do to improve their health.”  Barbara MacDonald, N.D., L.Ac..

Once we identify the genetic variations, called single nucleotide polymorphisms (snp), we make recommendations in lifestyle, diet and nutritional supplements that should help their body to reduce the toxic load that may cause carcinogenic mutations.  For example those with CYP1B1 and COMT polymorphisms have a hard time eliminating estrogens from their body and they tend to make the more harmful form of estrogens (16-hydroxyestrone).  Estrogens come in many forms, from those in our water, from fossil fuels, to growth hormones in meat to those made by our bodies.  Once we know how someone deals with them, we can order a test to see how this estrogen ratio is doing.  Then, we can teach them how to avoid exposure and prescribe products that can improve this ratio and hopefully prevent future breast cancers.

To get a Detoxigenomics Profile, consult with a naturopathic physician to see if they are familiar with this testing, interpreting them and what to do with the results.  Share the results with your physician and pharmacist so they too can personalize your care.

Dr. Barbara MacDonald is Naturopathic and Chinese medicine physician practicing natural adjunctive cancer care at A Woman’s Time in N.W. Portland.