To a lot of people, genetic testing still sounds like futuristic fiction. And that means people come to us with different misconceptions of what genetic testing is all about.

To help address some of those perceptions, we’ll start blogging from time to time about common myths that surround genetic testing and try to set the record straight.

Here’s one misconception our genetic counselors often hear:

Myth:  My DNA is my destiny, and I don’t want to know.

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What’s a secret to possibly preventing heart disease, diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease?

There are many effective strategies for reducing your risk, ranging from getting regular exercise and watching your diet to avoiding cigarettes and controlling your cholesterol.

But another measure has been emerging as a prevention powerhouse, one that is rarely discussed – and still frequently overlooked – by many health-conscious individuals.

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When the federal government released its snapshot of diabetes cases in the U.S. last October, the picture wasn’t pretty.

The incidence of new cases among adults had nearly doubled in just one decade. And the bulk of the newly diagnosed patients had type 2 diabetes, the form of the condition linked to obesity, genetic factors, and a sedentary lifestyle.

By all accounts, the statistics are alarming. Experts anticipate that 29 percent of American women and 25 percent of men will develop the disease in their lifetime. The new data suggests the diabetes epidemic is continuing, full speed ahead – and is nowhere near a peak.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

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It’s that time of year again. The time when we attempt to atone for an entire year of little exercise and lots of food – magnified during the holiday season – by going overboard with our New Year’s resolutions.

The desire or effort to lose weight is certainly not a bad thing. Obesity is a very serious health condition, often with genetic components, that afflicts an estimated 72 million Americans, putting them at risk for type 2 diabetes, heart attack and even some kinds of cancer.

Losing just 10 percent of your body weight can significantly lower your risk of developing these health-related complications.

But the way we go about slimming down is often short-sighted (not to mention ineffective), with far too many dieters feverishly working out at the gym only until the desire to shape up no longer grips them. An hour or two of exercise each day soon gives way to every other day, and then to not at all.

Not surprisingly, a majority of Americans who lose a substantial amount of weight go on to gain back at least half of it within two years.

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From the way some people talk about alcohol, you might think it’s almost a cure-all, capable of preventing heart attacks and strokes while reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and macular degeneration.

Others, however, will tell you alcohol is bad for your body and brain, causing addiction, cirrhosis of the liver and abnormal heart rhythms while raising the risk of breast cancer.

So who is right? Well, both sides, actually.

A growing body of research suggests that, when consumed in moderation, alcohol can have many significant health benefits.

The evidence purporting that alcohol may be associated with a reduction in heart disease – or at least a reduction in deaths from heart disease – has garnered the most attention.

One recent study of former teetotalers found that those who took up drinking wine in middle age experienced a 38 percent reduction in heart attacks and stroke over four years.

“The findings suggest that, for carefully selected individuals, a ‘heart healthy diet’ may include limited alcohol consumption, even among individuals who have not included alcohol previously,” the study’s authors wrote.

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“All natural sweetener.”

“Zero calories.”

Artificial sweeteners have been billed as the perfect alternative to sugar – a way for weight-conscious adults to have their cake and eat it, too. Yet more and more, a modicum of restraint is certainly advised when reaching for those packets of aspartame or sucralose.

While it’s true that sugar alternatives are much sweeter than table sugar, requiring smaller amounts to achieve the same level of sweetness, they won’t necessarily help you lose weight and keep it off. Simply taking the sugar out of a slab of chocolate cake doesn’t miraculously transform it into a low-calorie, high-nutrient food. At the end of the day, it’s still a slab of chocolate cake, with calories from flour, shortening, eggs, and other ingredients like nuts. So if you eat too much of it, your body will be the worse off from the encounter, regardless of which sweetener is used.

In fact, a growing body of evidence suggests that, when compared with sugar, no-calorie sweeteners may actually make it harder for people to control their body weight.

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If you’ve been blessed with genes that help you look good in your jeans, lucky you.

But you haven’t escaped the need to exercise.

Sure, being able to eat all you want without getting fat might seem like a blessing. Unlimited ice cream, limited time on the treadmill – what could sound better?  But studies clearly have shown that weight is not the best measurement of health. And if you’re physically inactive you aren’t doing yourself any favors, no matter what size you are.

Case in point: Recent research found that about one in four slim people had two cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar levels that are typically associated with obesity. Some of the obese people in the study, in fact, were in much better metabolic health than some who were considered to have “healthy” weights.

“We found that 23.5 percent of normal-weight adult Americans — or about 16.3 million people — are metabolically abnormal when it comes to heart-disease risk,” said Rachel Wildman, the study’s lead author, in a written statement.

I can’t say it enough: Skinny people need to exercise, too.

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As we pointed out in our blog a few weeks back, the Scripps Translational Science Institute has launched an ambitious 20-year study on how people respond to genetic test results, using the Navigenics service as a basis for the research.

Upon learning they are at increased genetic risk for conditions such as obesity, diabetes or cancer, do people start to exercise more and eat a little less? Are they more conscientious about going to the doctor at the first sign of trouble? Do they ignore the information entirely, refusing to kick their pack-a-day habit?

Previous smaller studies have found that genetic information holds promising motivational potential. Now, the Scripps study’s principal investigator, Dr. Eric J. Topol, plans to follow 10,000 adults to find out more.

He already has one very important set of results in hand—his own.

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There’s been much ado lately about bisphenol-A, a chemical used in the packaging of some foods and drinks – and found in the bodies of 93 percent of Americans.

While some scientists insist it is impossible to say that BPA is safe, others say there isn’t enough evidence yet to conclude that it’s unsafe.

Among the research studies raising eyebrows – and concerns that consumers may be better off avoiding the substance: a large study published in September, the first to link BPA to heart disease and type 2 diabetes in humans.

Researchers found that the 25 percent of the adult population with the highest BPA levels were more than twice as likely to have heart disease or diabetes as the 25 percent with the lowest BPA levels. High BPA levels were also linked to liver enzyme abnormalities.

“Our study has revealed, for the first time, an association between raised BPA loads and two common diseases in adults,” said David Melzer, one of the study’s authors, in a written statement. “At the moment we can’t be absolutely sure that BPA is the direct cause of the extra cases of heart disease and diabetes: if it is, some cases of these serious conditions could be prevented by reducing BPA exposure.”

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Psoriasis is a dermatological condition that is more than skin deep.

This chronic skin disease, known for its silvery scales and itchy red patches, has been linked to a whole host of other health problems.

These include heart attack, type 2 diabetes, obesity and Crohn’s disease. Scientific evidence continues to mount that psoriasis is associated with other diseases, as well.

In some cases, the association is quite significant.

One study found that 20- to 30-year-olds with severe psoriasis had a 310 percent increased risk of having a heart attack compared with peers who didn’t have the skin disorder.

And the risks don’t stop there.

In a review this spring of recent research on the association between psoriasis and other ailments, the National Psoriasis Foundation warned that psoriasis patients are at heightened risk for many serious health conditions. The organization urged psoriasis patients to work with their physicians to come up with an appropriate prevention program, and to ensure they are continually monitored for the “potential onset of any health issues related to psoriasis.”

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Last month, I blogged about a concept getting more attention in weight and health – the size of your waist may be even more important than the number on the scale.  Now, two recent developments further highlight that point. 

In that last post, I talked about a powerful study from the Mayo Clinic on a phenomenon called “normal-weight obesity.” That research indicated that more than half of American adults not considered overweight by regular standards such as Body Mass Index actually had high body-fat percentages, especially in their midsection. Those with wider waists also had higher rates of heart and metabolic risk factors.

Recent news illustrates that more findings support that idea. After looking at the health records of more than 20,000 people, researchers at Ohio State University spotted similar problems.

People included in the study who were not considered formally overweight but had a “marginally increased” waist circumference were much more likely to have high blood pressure than those with slim midsections. The scientists determined that adults with “normal” weights but a wide waist have an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. 

In other words, Americans need to get a handle on their love handles.

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If you consider yourself fairly trim—perhaps a woman who is 5’7’’ and weighs about 135 to 140 pounds, or a man who measures an even 6 feet and weighs 170 pounds—you may think you don’t have to worry about your weight and your health. You may need to think again.

We’ve all been trained to assume that a lower BMI, or Body Mass Index, always equals better health. But recent research from the Mayo Clinic says what really matters is body fat, not weight or BMI. You may appear to be in pretty good shape, but form isn’t always an accurate indicator of body fat. And if you carry a relatively high percentage of body fat – more than 20 percent for men or 30 percent for women—you may still be at increased risk for serious health problems such as diabetes or heart disease. 

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