Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2013 | Page 92

FASHION HEALTH & BEAUTY

Genetic test
may be answer

A genetic test may help you lose
more weight by matching diet
and exercise to your personal
genes.
It has long been known that
people react to certain nutrients
differently according to their
genetic makeup. Lactose
intolerance, for example, is more
common among Asians and
Africans than in people of North
European descent.
A study conducted at Stanford
University looked at the
long-term effects of weight
loss using a few different diets
assigned at random. Results
showed that some participants
lost weight on one type of diet,
such as low-fat, while others
did not. The study then tested
participants' DNA for three
specific gene variations and
found that those using the best
diet for their DNA lost as much
as two-and-a-half times more
weight than those not using
their best DNA diet.
At St James Clinic we
have teamed up with
myGenomicsTM to offer
those wishing to lose weight a
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nutrigenetic cheek swab.
Most of the genome is the
same but the small DNA
differences make everyone
unique. These variations are
known as Single Nucleotide
Polymorphisms (SNPs). These
unique differences in our
genome influence all sorts
of things from hair colour
to athletic performance and
absorption of nutrients. Once
you understand your genome
you can understand what
lifestyle and exercise changes
you may need.
There is huge variation in
response to diet and exercise.
Twin studies show that half the
variation in body weight is due
to genetic factors.
Your wellbeing is influenced
by your genome and lifestyle.
Your DNA sequence cannot
change but you can change your
lifestyle to match your genes
and optimize your wellness.
myGenomics helps you optimise
wellness by providing you with
knowledge about your SNPs.

WHY TALK ABOUT
OBESITY
By Dr Emma Sainsbury
Psychological Therapist

Obesity is a hot topic. It now affects more people
worldwide than malnutrition. In October 2007 the
document commissioning strategy 2008 – 2013 for
the I.O.W Primary Care Trust presented alarming
statistics on the levels of obesity on the Island.
It showed 27,000 adults and 2,400 children are
clinically obese and another 46,000 adults and
2,300 children are overweight.
Dr Emma Sainsbury is Service Lead for the IW
Eating Disorders & Obesity Service CIC and now
works from St James Clinic, Newport, and on an ad
hoc basis at Harley Street.
Emma said: “St James Clinic recognised the
need for psychological support to tackle the
obesity epidemic, and is helping people change
their attitude towards food. Since the majority of
people already know about healthy eating and the
benefits of exercise, it’s more about motivation and
psychological barriers to change.
Emma has experience of working with patients
over 30-stone. The service won an award by MIND
for obesity work with mental health patients in
2010. The clinic offers individual as well as six and
12-week psychotherapeutic weight management
programmes, which are backed up by volunteer
support to ensure effective changes are maintained
long-term.
Psychological factors are central to understanding
why individuals have developed weight problems.
If you fail to address motivational aspects of weight
loss and neglect the key psychological factors it is
impossible to bring about lasting change. The clinic
also offers patients the opportunity to have the
innovative DNA test to assist them in weight loss.

THEN

NOW