Chris Barnes DNA Panel

The following genes are included within the scope of this test report:

Cardiovascular health reflects how well your body manages cholesterol, blood pressure, and circulation over time. Variations in APOE and LPA can influence lipid transport and cardiovascular risk tendencies, while PON1 and GPX1 may affect antioxidant protection and oxidative stress. Genes such as ACE1, AGTR1, NOS1, and ADRB2 can also impact vascular tone and blood pressure regulation, helping highlight personalised focus areas for heart health support.

Metabolic health affects how efficiently your body converts food into energy and maintains steady blood sugar and lipid balance. Variants in TCF7L2 and MTNR1B are linked to glucose regulation and insulin response, which can influence cravings, energy levels, and long-term metabolic resilience. Genes like PPARGC1A, PPAR-alpha, and ACSL1 may also shape fat metabolism and fuel usage, supporting more targeted approaches to weight management and body composition.

Your genes can influence digestion, nutrient absorption, and how your immune system responds to certain foods. Variants in HLA-DQ2.5 and HLA-DQ8 may be relevant for gluten-related immune sensitivity patterns, while LCT is associated with lactose tolerance and dairy digestion. Genes such as FUT2, along with nutrient-processing pathways including MTHFR, MTR, MTRR, MTHFD1, and TCN2, can also shape gut wellbeing through microbiome interactions, methylation, and B-vitamin metabolism.

Emotional wellbeing is influenced by neurotransmitter balance, stress response, and how quickly your brain processes mood-related chemicals. Variations in COMT and MAO-A can affect dopamine and other neurotransmitter activity, influencing stress sensitivity, focus, and emotional regulation. Genes like 5-HT2A and BDNF may also play a role in serotonin signalling and neuroplasticity, helping guide more personalised strategies for resilience, mood, and mental clarity.

Cognitive function depends on healthy neurotransmitter pathways, brain resilience, and long-term inflammatory balance. Variants in APOE may influence brain repair and ageing-related pathways, while COMT, BDNF, MAO-A, and 5-HT2A can affect focus, memory, motivation, and cognitive stress response. Methylation-related genes such as MTHFR, MTR, MTRR, and TCN2 may also impact brain-supportive nutrient pathways that influence overall neurological performance.

Strength and stability rely on coordinated muscle function, joint support, and recovery capacity. Variants in VDR and CYP2R1 may influence vitamin D metabolism, which plays an important role in bone strength and muscle performance. Genes such as GSTM1, GPX1, PPARGC1A, and PPAR-alpha can also contribute to recovery and endurance-related pathways, supporting more individualised training and long-term musculoskeletal health.

Immune health is shaped by how your body regulates inflammation and responds to internal or environmental stressors. Variants in IL-6 and TNF-a may influence inflammatory signalling and how strongly your body responds to immune triggers. Genes such as HLA-DQ2.5 and HLA-DQ8 may also be relevant for certain food-related immune patterns, while GSTM1, GPX1, and PON1 support antioxidant and detox pathways linked to immune balance.

Hormone health plays a key role in fertility, cycle regularity, energy, and overall wellbeing. Variants in SHBG may influence hormone transport and availability, which can affect how hormones are balanced in the body. Genes like MTNR1B and TCF7L2 can also impact glucose and circadian-related pathways that interact with hormone function, while MTHFR, MTR, MTRR, and TCN2 support nutrient processing pathways involved in healthy hormone metabolism.

This genetic methylation test includes the essential MTHFR, COMT, MTRR, MTR, MTHFD1, PEMT, CBS, and AHCY methylation genes. Knowing your methylation genotype can uncover needs for nutritional support such as amino acids, vitamins, and minerals and help guide dietary and lifestyle treatment plans.

Your methylation profile describes your body's ability to regulate methylation, a vital process affecting DNA repair, detoxification, neurotransmitter balance, and cardiovascular health. Imbalances can result in undermethylation which is linked to high histamine, detox challenges, and depression, or overmethylation which is associated with low histamine, anxiety, and mood instability. Poor methylation may also elevate homocysteine levels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and impaired cognitive function.

Methylation plays a key role in cardiovascular health by regulating processes essential for heart and blood vessel function. Methylation also helps produce nitric oxide which relaxes blood vessels to improve blood flow, supports fat metabolism and repairs cardiovascular cells. Methylation defects (specifically MTHFR, MTR, MTRR or CBS) can raise blood homocysteine levels - homocysteine is an inflammatory byproduct with no useful role in the body. Elevated levels of homocysteine can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, and in rare cases drive whole-body inflammation.

Methylation is essential for brain health through its effects on neurotransmitter production, brain cell repair, and inflammation regulation. Elevated homocysteine levels are linked to brain inflammation, oxidative stress, and an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases. This test highlights genetic inefficiencies in these areas, helping you understand your risk factors for cognitive decline or chronic inflammation.

Sleep onset, maintenance and quality can be influenced by genetic variations in the PEMT and COMT genes. These genes play crucial roles in neurotransmitter regulation and sleep-wake cycles. Variations in these genes can disrupt neurotransmitter balance, leading to difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep. Knowing your genetic profile can help you optimise your nutrient intake and lifestyle to enhance sleep quality.

Methylation supports gut health by regulating the genes involved in digestion, inflammation, and gut barrier function. Proper methylation helps maintain the integrity of the intestinal lining, preventing "leaky gut". Methylation also influences the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which play a key role in gut-brain communication. Impaired methylation can lead to inflammation, increased nutrient demand, poor nutrient absorption, and imbalances in the gut microbiome, affecting overall digestive health.

Methylation is crucial for energy production as it influences the function of mitochondria, the cell's powerhouses. Methylation defects can impair mitochondrial function, leading to reduced energy production and fatigue. Methylation also plays a vital role in detoxification processes, particularly in the liver - genetic variations can compromise the liver's ability to efficiently eliminate toxins, causing their accumulation and potential health issues.

Methylation plays a crucial role in regulating immune response and cellular repair. Abnormal methylation patterns can disrupt immune regulation, causing the body to attack its own tissues and contributing to autoimmune diseases. Poor methylation can also reduce the body’s ability to combat oxidative stress, leading to inflammation and tissue damage. Identifying genetic variations that affect methylation helps assess your predisposition to inflammatory, autoimmune, and oxidative stress-related conditions.