At Dignity Integrative, we believe in addressing the entire individual and underlying causes of disease, not just the symptoms. 3X4 Genetics (pronounced "three-ex-four") is a new type of genetic test that helps pinpoint the root causes of your symptoms and allows us to work with you to develop a plan that will help you feel better.
Unlike traditional genetic tests that offer a mere glimpse into our genes, 3X4 Genetics reveals individual genes and how they connect within complex pathways and systems governing our genetic makeup. It provides a holistic comprehension of how our genes collaborate and influence our overall well-being.
Furthermore, 3X4 provides a detailed plan for each of our patients. The name “3X4 Genetics” comes from the final report the test provides that is tailored to each person’s unique genetic profile. The report includes:
Your 3 top “genetic pathways”
3 dietary recommendations
3 lifestyle recommendations
3 supplement recommendations
What Is 3X4 Genetics?
Traditional genetic tests generally offer isolated insights, but 3X4 Genetics takes a more advanced and comprehensive approach. Imagine your genetic code as a vast network of roads, with each road representing a specific genetic pathway. These pathways control essential processes within your body, from how you metabolize nutrients to how your immune system functions.
What sets 3X4 Genetics apart is its precision in examining these pathways. Rather than focusing on isolated genetic traits, it delves deep into the interplay between them. By analyzing these genetic pathways, 3X4 Genetics aims to unravel the complex interplay of molecular interactions that govern your health—and therefore your overall well-being.
How does it work?
Imagine having access to a comprehensive map of your genetic pathways, highlighting how your genes influence various aspects of your health. It's like having a personalized instruction manual for your well-being and allows us to craft tailored care plans that target the root causes of your health concerns.
The 3X4 Genetic Blueprint evaluates your genetic makeup across 36 pathways, categorized into six main areas:
Cellular: This category encompasses pathways related to methylation, inflammation, oxidative stress, and detoxification. It sheds light on how your cells function and interact with the environment.
Systems: Here, you'll find pathways such as mood and behavior, collagen and joint health, bone health, glucose and insulin regulation, memory and brain health, histamine overload, and hormone balance. These pathways delve into how your genes influence various bodily systems, impacting your overall well-being.
Cardiovascular Health: This category explores vascular health, cholesterol levels, blood clotting tendencies, and blood pressure regulation. Understanding these pathways can be vital in assessing your cardiovascular risk.
Energy: Energy-related pathways include adipogenesis (the formation of fat tissue), weight gain and resistance to weight loss, exercise response, pro-inflammatory fat management, energy expenditure, and appetite regulation. These pathways play a significant role in your metabolism and weight management.
Activity: This section gives insights into your genetic predisposition for power activities, endurance, injury susceptibility, recovery capabilities, and responses to different training regimens. It helps tailor your fitness routines to your genetic strengths.
Nutrients: The final category explores how your genes influence nutrient processing. It covers caffeine metabolism, choline utilization, folate and vitamin B12 processing, vitamin D absorption, fatty acid metabolism, gluten sensitivity, vitamin C utilization, salt sensitivity, and iron overload. These pathways can guide your dietary choices for optimal health.
Sustainable Health Choices
Health is not a static condition but a daily choice. Part of your journey in integrative medicine includes discovering sustainable changes that will lead to lasting well-being. 3X4 Genetics aligns perfectly with this philosophy. Armed with a deep understanding of your genetic pathways, you can make daily choices that align with your unique genetic blueprint.
This means tailoring your diet, exercise routine, lifestyle, and even stress management to what your genes reveal. It's a far more personalized approach to health that can lead to remarkable improvements in your overall well-being. In integrative medicine, where the goal is to treat the whole person rather than just the symptoms, 3X4 Genetics can play a pivotal role.
Beyond Symptom Management
Limitations of Symptom-Focused Healthcare
Traditional healthcare is focused on symptom management. If you have a headache, you take a pain reliever. If you're overweight, you're prescribed weight loss strategies. While these interventions can be effective in the short term, they often miss the bigger picture. Symptoms are signals, much like warning lights on a dashboard, indicating that something deeper may be amiss.
Here's where 3X4 Genetic Testing steps in. Instead of simply managing symptoms, it seeks to identify and address the underlying health issues that give rise to those symptoms. By exploring your genetic blueprint, 3X4 Genetics empowers healthcare providers to understand your unique genetic makeup and craft personalized care plans. These plans go beyond surface-level symptom management, targeting the specific genetic pathways and systems contributing to your health concerns.
For instance, consider a common scenario: persistent fatigue. In conventional medicine, this might lead to prescriptions for stimulants or advice on lifestyle changes to boost energy temporarily. However, if the root cause, which could be a genetic predisposition, dietary deficiency, or hormonal imbalance, remains unaddressed, the fatigue may persist, and new symptoms might emerge.
Personalized Care Plans in Integrative Medicine
By understanding how your genes interact with other aspects of your health and lifestyle, we can design care plans that are uniquely suited to you. These plans encompass personalized dietary recommendations, exercise routines, stress management strategies, and more.
Having a personal genetic blueprint—spanning cellular functions, cardiovascular health, and more—will help you make more informed decisions about your health.
If you're ready to start your genetic health journey, reach out to us to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation. We'll guide you toward uncovering the secrets of your genes, paving the way for optimized well-being.