Simple But Effective Genetic Testing Focused On Feeling Better

By Thomas Stark, MD As a specialist in Ear, Nose and Throat as well as Allergy, every day in my office I see patients with chronic health conditions that are very hard to cure. A short list of these would include allergies, asthma, sinusitis, cough, headaches, muscle pain, fatigue, thyroid problems, digestive disorders and auto-immune diseases. Modern medicine has made great progress over the last 33 years since I finished my residency training. Yet all of us in medicine know that many conditions have no effective cure. Much has been written and discussed regarding the effect of human genes on health and disease. Each of us has a unique pattern of genetic information passed from our parents that makes us who we are, controlling everything from eye color to length of our toes. In simple terms, most genes are codes for the cells to make certain proteins. The proteins then control most of the growth, energy and healing processes in our bodies, often through formations of enzymes. Enzymes are like the key in the ignition switch of your car, getting things started. Many genetic tests are available, to check anything from our ancestry to our chance of developing cancer. Many tests for complex disease processes are expensive. Many give so much information that it is almost impossible to find the part that is relevant to what is making a person feel sick. Over the last year, I have been impressed by the work of an ENT specialist in Austin, Kendal Stewart, MD. He is a brilliant and well respected physician who has been successful in treating many chronic neurological and immune diseases. He feels, like I do, that the best treatment involves the use of the right kind of essential nutrients, vitamins and supplements and well researched drugs, both synthetic and natural sourced. According to Wikipedia, each of us have around 20,000 different genes that code for making proteins. Dr. Stewart has identified 22 genes that are key in controlling the areas of energy production, nerve stability, immune function (including autoimmune disease and allergy) and ability to absorb essential vitamins. I have decided to provide the tests he has developed in my office. The testing itself is painless, just a cotton swab in the inner cheek of the mouth. Unfortunately, at present the cost of the testing at present is not covered by most medical insurance or Medicare plans. The cost to patients for the 22 tests is. While I realize to many people that is a lot to spend. But there are other more expensive tests out there that do not give the same focused information that you can apply immediately to solving a chronis health problem. Also the money spent on the test can in the long run lead to spending much less on medications, supplements or other treatments that will not work for your genetic profile. Plus of course, wellness means less trips to the doctor and less sick time.