The Genetic Advantage: Why Knowing Your DNA Can Transform Your Health (And How I’m Using Mine)
We often talk about food as medicine.
But what if your genes were part of the prescription?
As a clinical nutritionist, I’ve guided hundreds of women through hormone chaos, gut distress, postnatal depletion, and burnout. But this year, I turned the lens inward — not just as a practitioner, but as a woman, a mother, and someone rebuilding her own vitality after the whirlwind of pregnancy, birth, and a demanding life season.
After reviewing my own DNA and my daughter Sophia’s genetic report, I created a personalised Legacy Protocol to match my biology, calm my nervous system, and nourish my energy.
Here’s what I discovered — and how it might change everything for you too.
What Your DNA Can Tell You About Your Health
Your genes influence how you:
Detox estrogen and environmental toxins
Make and break down neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin
Handle stress, anxiety, and sensory overload
Convert nutrients like B12, folate, and choline
Regulate thyroid function and metabolism
In my case, I carry COMT gene variants (rs4680 AG and rs4633 CT) — which slow down the breakdown of dopamine and stress hormones. This makes me naturally focused, motivated, and sensitive — but also more prone to anxiety, poor sleep, and burnout if I don’t actively support my nervous system and detox pathways.
And as it turns out, Sophia shares some of these traits, too — giving me even more motivation to model and teach these tools early.
How COMT Genes Shape Mood, Hormones & Stress
COMT (Catechol-O-Methyltransferase) is an enzyme that clears out dopamine, norepinephrine, and estrogen. When this gene works slowly (as mine does), those neurotransmitters can build up — making us feel overstimulated, irritable, or “on edge.”
Signs of slow COMT function include:
Racing thoughts or “brain on overdrive”
Sensitivity to stress, noise, or stimulation
Sleep disturbances (trouble switching off)
Heavy periods or PMS (estrogen dominance)
Feeling great under pressure, but crashing afterward
It’s not a flaw. It’s a feature — one that requires the right kind of care.
With targeted magnesium, liver support, protein timing, and nervous system regulation, I can stay sharp and present without tipping into overwhelm.
Why Genetic Nutrition Works When Diets Don’t
Most diets and protocols ignore your unique genetic blueprint.
They give blanket advice and expect every woman’s body to respond the same way.
But your DNA holds valuable clues — and when you work with it, everything clicks.
For example, I also carry MTNR1B, a gene that affects melatonin and blood sugar. This means I do best with:
Late breakfast (after 8:30 AM)
Early dinner (by 6 PM)
Avoiding nighttime snacking
Just those three shifts have improved my energy, sleep, and mood more than any fancy powder or rigid diet ever did.
My Legacy Protocol — Personalised by Genetics
Based on what I know about my genes, symptoms, and current life load, I built a protocol around five Legacy pillars:
1. Methylation Support
Using active B vitamins (like B12 methylcobalamin and folate as 5-MTHF) to support detoxification, neurotransmitter production, and hormone balance.
2. Thyroid Nourishment
With selenium, zinc, and iodine-rich foods, plus blood sugar balance and stress reduction to support T4 → T3 conversion.
3. Estrogen Detoxification
Cruciferous veggies (like broccoli sprouts), magnesium, and fiber to support liver detox and reduce estrogen dominance.
4. Nervous System Support
Magnesium glycinate, L-theanine, breathwork, cold exposure, blue-light limits, and deep sleep hygiene — all essential for my COMT profile.
5. Mitochondrial & Mood Support
CoQ10, NAC, acetyl-L-carnitine, and protein-rich meals to rebuild postnatal resilience, cognition, and cellular energy.
Sophia’s Genetics — A Case for Early Support
Sophia’s report helped connect the dots in ways I didn’t expect.
She’s smart, sensitive, emotionally intense, and easily overwhelmed — especially with changes to her routine or when hungry. Her COMT and dopamine sensitivity show up in behaviour, gut symptoms, and sensory processing.
Because of her genetics, I now focus on:
Choline, zinc, and magnesium-rich foods
Limiting inflammatory and triggering foods (like dairy and additives)
Gut support with prebiotics, fiber, and probiotics
Co-regulation through routine, nature, and emotional connection
Supporting her nervous system is one of the greatest gifts I can give her. And it starts with nourishing her from the inside out.
3 Things You Can Try This Week (Without Genetic Testing)
You don’t need to test your DNA to start supporting your genes. Try these Legacy-approved, gene-smart shifts this week:
Prioritise protein + magnesium daily
Start your morning with 20–30g of protein. Wind down at night with magnesium-rich foods (like pumpkin seeds or cacao) or a supplement.
Finish dinner by 6:30 PM
Supports blood sugar, detox, and circadian rhythm — especially important if you’re waking at 2–3 AM or struggling to fall asleep.
Get grounded
Take your shoes off and walk barefoot on the grass or sand. Breathe deeply. Pause.
Your nervous system thrives on stillness.
This Isn’t Just About Me — It’s About You Too
If you’ve ever thought, “Why does my body feel like it’s working against me?” — your genes might hold the answer.
You don’t need to be guessing. You don’t need to settle for another restrictive diet. You deserve a plan that reflects your biology, your life season, and your story.
Want Your Own Personalised Protocol?
At Legacy Nutrition, I help women like you:
Decode their genetic report
Understand how their hormones, mood, and metabolism really work
Build food, supplement, and lifestyle plans that make sense for their real life
Whether you’re postpartum, in perimenopause, or just trying to feel like yourself again, there is a path forward.
And it’s already written in your genes.
Book your 1:1 Genetic Deep Dive here
