Tag: medical advancement

4 Benefits of Genetic Testing You Should Note

Have you ever been curious about where you come from? Do you want to know more about your unique genetic makeup?

Whether you want to find out where in the world your ancestors are from or want to gain insight into specific health conditions, genetic testing can help.

If you’re on the fence about this kind of testing, keep reading. Listed below are four great benefits of genetic testing that you ought to consider.

What is Genetic Testing?

You’ve probably seen that there are lots of businesses out there that offer genetic and DNA testing. But, what actually are these tests?

Genetic testing is a type of voluntary testing that identifies changes in the body’s chromosomes, proteins, and genes.

There are several methods used for gene testing. You can visit a lab to get your tests done, but many people are also turning to at-home tests provided by companies like Legacy Tree. These tests typically only require a simple saliva sample.

Top Four Benefits of Genetic Testing

There are lots of reasons to consider genetic testing, including the following:

1. Gain Insights into Your Health

Genetic testing allows you to gain important insights into your health. For example, the results of a genetic test can help you learn more about your predisposition to specific diseases like cancer or dementia.

Genetic testing also lets you know if you have any genetic mutations — such as the MTHFR mutation — that could stop your genes from making normal proteins and functioning properly.

2. Ease Anxiety

If you have a family history of a specific illness and are worried about the chances that you or your child could develop it, genetic testing can provide a source of relief.

Why spend years worrying about whether or not you’ll be stricken with an illness when you can rule it out with a simple test?

3. Make Informed Family Planning Decisions

If you’re planning for future children, genetic testing can help you determine whether or not your child will be at risk of inheriting a genetic condition that you or your partner possess.

When you have this knowledge, you can make informed family planning decisions and be better prepared for future obstacles.

4. Take Action Early

Just because you test positive for a certain gene, that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to develop the disease associated with it.

That positive result, though, can help encourage you to take action and change your lifestyle to reduce your risk of getting sick later in life.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are lots of benefits of genetic testing. One of the most important, though, is the information it can provide you about your health.

Armed with knowledge about specific health risks you may be facing, you can use the results of your tests to motivate you to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Worried about the costs associated with healthy living? Don’t be.

There are lots of ways that you can save money while also making your health a top priority. Check out the health and fitness section of the site today to learn how you can get healthy without breaking the bank.