Today, Navigenics makes its fourth appearance on The Doctors TV show.
On today’s episode, Jillian Michaels receives her genetic results from Navigenics genetic counselor Shannon Kieran, M.S., CGC. Jillian, a celebrity personal trainer best known for her appearances on The Biggest Loser and Losing It With Jillian, was eager to find out her own genetic predispositions.
“I am a firm believer that knowledge is power and in preventative medicine, so I’m ready,” said Jillian.
As Shannon reminds Jillian, our genetics help determine: “We are each born with a unique genetic code that tells our body how to grow and function throughout our life. This genetic code is made of DNA. DNA among individuals is 99% similar.”
Dr. Travis points out that though he and Jillian share 99% similar DNA, “it’s those subtle differences in your DNA can that can put you at risk for certain illnesses.”
Indeed it is that small percentage of genetic markers that differ from person to person can help illuminate our genetic predispositions for future health conditions.
For Jillian, her genetic markers showed that she had increased risks for breast cancer and deep vein thrombosis. Her lifetime genetic risk for breast cancer was about twice that of the average woman, and she was reminded that her healthy lifestyle and the mammogram she had (as part of another episode of The Doctors) are just a few of the positive action steps she can take to reduce her overall risk.
“This is just a piece of the puzzle,” said Dr. Travis, who got his own results from Navigenics two years ago. “It gives you an idea of some things you may be susceptible to. This is not one of those things that tells you your destiny. This is a reminder that if each and every day we try to optimize our health, we still do have control.”
“I’m glad to know it,” said Jillian.
Watch the full clip of Jillian getting her Navigenics results, click here.
You can see Travis and the other hosts get their own Navigenics results, or hear from audience members that went through the Navigenics experience, on past episodes of The Doctors such as Secrets to Living Longer (3/23/09) and Dynamic DNA (12/18/2008).