Why Genetic Interpretation Can Change Everything.

This post about genetic interpretation is by Jaclyn Downs, our guest in episode 466. Watch the video, listen to the audio or get both on Spotify

You are not broken — you may just be missing some key information.

This has become a core belief in my work as a functional genomic nutritionist. I help people uncover the genetic, nutritional, and environmental roots of their chronic conditions, fertility challenges, and that frustrating feeling of “something’s off” that conventional medicine can’t seem to solve.

For over a decade, I’ve been combining nutrigenomics with functional lab analysis, clinical experience, and intuition — and I’ve seen the results change lives.

It began with my background as a birth worker, as a doula and apprentice to homebirth midwife, which opened my eyes to the heartbreak of unexplained fertility struggles. I needed to know why so many people were doing “all the right things” and still not feeling well or conceiving. That led me deep into the science of how our genes express themselves in response to our environment, nutrition, and lifestyle.

Here’s what I want you to know about genetic interpretation:

Your body runs on enzymes — and every enzyme is made from a gene. When we lack the nutrients needed to fuel those enzymes, it’s like trying to run your metabolic engine on fumes.

Genetics give us a roadmap. My job is to interpret your unique gene blueprint alongside your symptoms and history — not in a vacuum. Just because you carry a genetic variant (like MTHFR) doesn’t mean it’s active. That’s why context is everything.

Conditions like fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, histamine sensitivity, period problems, and digestive issues often have roots in things like oxidative stress, poor detox pathways, methylation imbalances, or histamine overload. When we understand your body’s genetic tendencies, we can support them with highly specific nutrition and lifestyle interventions — sometimes even before symptoms develop.

genetic interpretation — Image by Concord90 from Pixabay

This work goes far beyond fertility. Yes, I help many people get pregnant — but the bigger goal is restoring your body’s metabolic pathways, energy, and resilience.

What can we uncover together? We can find out how your body:

Handles inflammation and oxidative stress (are your inflammatory messengers “trigger happy” causing excess inflammatory response?)
Produces and processes histamine (and whether it’s playing a role in your anxiety, sleep issues, or PMS)
Detoxifies from environmental toxins
Utilizes key nutrients like B12, folate, choline, and glutathione
Manages hormones and neurotransmitters
Handles histamine, oxalates, and other hidden food triggers

This is precision nutrition, not guesswork. Optimal health resides in your genetic blueprint!

Whether you’re preparing for IVF, dealing with autoimmunity or burnout, or simply want to feel better in your body, this kind of insight can fast-track your healing and help you make decisions that work for your body, not against it. It can also save you a boat-load of time, money, and even heartache.

If you’re ready to stop chasing symptoms and start understanding the root of what’s going on, I’d love to work together.

Let’s turn your genetic data into a roadmap for busting past puzzling roadblocks, and for healing and thriving.