#67 – AMA #8: DNA tests, longevity genes, metformin, fasting markers, salt, inflammation, and more

In this “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode, Peter answers a wide range of questions from subscribers. Bob Kaplan, Peter’s head of research, asks the questions. If you’re not a subscriber and listening on a podcast player, you’ll only be able to hear a preview of the AMA. If you’re a subscriber, you can now listen to this full episode on your private RSS feed. You can also watch (or listen) to this full episode on our website at the AMA #8 show notes page. If you are not a subscriber, you can learn more about the subscriber benefits here.

AMA #8 Sneak Peak:

We discuss:

• Do DNA kits provide actionable info for cancer, CVD, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, nutrition, or exercise? [1:45];
• What genes increase longevity? And do those genes show up on genetic tests like 23andMe? [12:00];
• Who are some people that Peter would like to have as guests on The Drive? [15:00];
• Inflammation: Is CRP a useful marker? What can one do to reduce it? And what other inflammatory markers can I look at to gauge health? [18:30];
• What lipid test does Peter now use on his patients? What are the three best cardiovascular laboratories? [28:00];
• Metformin for longevity: What considerations should one think about before doing taking metformin for longevity purposes? [32:30];
• What is Peter’s take on salt and its role in things like high blood pressure and stomach cancer? [40:00];
• What markers does Peter find most interesting (and surprising) during his quarterly fasts? [47:30]; and
• More.

Do DNA kits provide actionable info for cancer, CVD, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, nutrition, or exercise? [1:45]

Let’s go back to the human genome project

• 20 years ago we were on the cusp of decoding the human genome
• We now know we have 20,000-30,000 genes
• But this notion that knowing the genome was going to change everything, it hasn’t panned out

Cancer: Do genetic tests help?

• We would think that the genetic revolution would help and that by knowing your genes you might know your susceptibility to a type of cancer
• However… there’s a difference between germline mutations and somatic mutations

⇒ Germline mutations

• Germline is the genes that you inherit
• So when you do a test like a 23andMe (not withstanding the huge inaccuracies that show up when you do these short kit SNP tests) what you’re doing is looking at the template you inherited (henec, germline)
• There are a subset of cancers where just knowing you inherited a certain gene dramatically increases your risk of that cancer
  • BRCA mutation (you risk depends on which variant of it you have, but it approaches 80% with at least one of the variants)
  • Lynch Syndrome (if you have the gene, it’s virtually guaranteed you’re going to get cancer)
• So would knowing you have those genes be helpful?
  • Yes, however, as a general rule, if you know your parents (i.e., not adopted) you will likely know you have this without the genetic test
  • However, patients who are adopted probably benefit from this

⇒ Somatic mutations

• Peter estimates that more than…

{end of show notes preview…}