July 30, 2022
Many new science, research, and testing protocols have emerged lately in the field of genetic testing, so I decided it was high time I interviewed a DNA expert on sleep genetic types, parenting, personality types, mood, behavior, cancer, the fountain of “youth” and so much more.
My guest for this episode, Kashif Khan, is Chief Executive Officer and Founder of The DNA Company, where personalized medicine is being pioneered through unique insights into the human genome. With the largest study of its kind globally, The DNA Company has developed a functional approach to genomic interpretation overlaying environment, nutrition, and lifestyle on the genetic blueprint to create personalized and deterministic health outcomes.
Growing up in Vancouver, Canada, in an immigrant household, Kashif developed an industrious entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. Before his tenure at The DNA Company, Kashif advised many high-growth start-ups in various industries, including luxury retail, technology, finance, fine arts, healthcare, tourism, and real estate. He participated in over $300 million in revenue in his retail business before launching consulting services to help others thrive.
As Kashif dived into the field of functional genomics as the CEO of The DNA Company, it was revealed that his neural wiring was genetically designed to be entrepreneurial. However, his genes also revealed a particular sensitivity to pollutants. This inspired The DNA Company to develop a custom nutrient supplement to enhance this suboptimal detoxification pathway, enabling Kashif’s body to deal with pollutants and chemicals while reducing his risk of long-term illness.
Now seeing his health from a new lens, Kashif dove in further and started to see the genetic pathways that led to his own family’s challenges and the opportunities to reverse chronic disease. He has since made it his mission to build The DNA Company into a business that has an impact and whose success is measured not in dollars earned but in lives improved.
In this episode, you'll discover:
-How Kashif got started with DNA testing…06:04
- Debilitating illness, crazy migraines, eczema, psoriasis, etc.
- The challenge was how each illness was being treated as separate problems by different doctors; a pill for this, a pill for that
- This prompted Kashif to start his healing journey; found the science of Functional Genomics
- Had genome tested; discovered some SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) missing from his genetic code
- Most common genes missing are GSTT, GSTM, and GSTP (important to cellular health)
- In a research study:
- 49% of 7000 the participants tested do not have the GSTM1 gene
- 40% had only one copy of the GSTM1 gene
- The primary focus of the GSTM1 gene is gut detox; first line of defense to prevent things from entering blood
-How Kashif got involved with The DNA Company…13:01
- Journey of healing himself and his mother led him to Dr. Mansoor Mohammed's research team
- Podcast with Dr. Mansoor Mohammed:
- Ben and his sons were tested at The DNA Company
- Ben's twin sons now take supplements
- Lion's Mane – grows BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor)
- Glutathione – boost to counter missing GST gene (use code BENGREENFIELD10 to save 10%)
- Liver – for methylation
- You are not born sick – environment, nutrition, and lifestyle habits play an important part
- Chronic conditions start to happen when you are in your 50s or 60s; it takes that many years of making the wrong choices to have a problem
-Kashif’s genetic playbook, the actionable steps to using your Genetic code for optimal life decisions…16:10
- The key is to understand what you need to be optimal
- Identify genetic holes and gaps
- Environment, nutrition, and lifestyle
- Get rid of toxins
- Increase capacity – supplement, eat, and exercise for improvement
- Use your genetic code to prevent chronic illness
- The DNA Company Blog
-Mood and behavior / How genes impact things like depression and what to do about it…18:48
- Your genes conduct your feelings; your behavior is driven by genes instructing to what degree we experience neurochemicals and how long they last
- Mapping how the brain works at the personal level; utilizing our brain to optimize neurochemical and genetic responses
- Aligning your genes to your career; understanding your genetic motives
- Role of genes in addiction, depression, and achievement
- DRD2 gene defines to what degree you experience pleasure/reward (dopamine pathway)
- MAO gene breaks down and metabolizes dopamine
- COMT also clears out neurochemicals
- Podcast with Dr. Doug Brackmann:
- Driven by Dr. Doug Brackmann
- Warrior genetics – designed to continue fighting
- Profile is one thing; the context you wrap around it drives your outcome
-Are there neurochemicals that alleviate the need for success?…25:14
- Regulating your moods with Serotonin
- 5-HTP
- Getting good sleep
- Omega-3
- Nootopia
- Qualia Mind
- Coffee fruit extract
- Other ways to boost BDNF
- Start the day with a hot shower
- Deep breathing exercises
- Yoga or brisk walking
-Optimizing sleep/ sleep genetic types…34:29
- ChiliPad
- Essentia Mattresses
- 3 sleep “buckets”:
- I can't fall asleep – highly dependent on circadian rhythm
- CLOCK gene manages circadian rhythm with BDNF
- BDNF alone can disrupt circadian rhythm
- I can't get to sleep on time/I can't stay asleep/I wake up in the middle of the night
- I sleep through the night but wake up not feeling rested
- Usually caused by environmental issues
- I can't fall asleep – highly dependent on circadian rhythm
- When does Kashif take detox supplements?
- Before sleep
- Before boarding an airplane
- Milk Thistle (use code GREENFIELD10 to save 10%)
- Dandelion
- Activated charcoal
- Kion Sleep
- Ebb sleep
-Applying genetics to parenting and personalization…49:56
- Kashif's personal advocacy, not a product
- Raising your kids accordingly to their genetic makeup
- “The day you start is the best day to start” – the earlier, the better
- Looking for red flags and see how they relate to the problem
- 2,000 of the 22,000 genes require Vitamin D to function
- L-Theanine
-Interpreting your genetic results to make informed daily decisions…1:02:15
- What questions to ask is important; data is dumb
- Data needs interpretation
- Genetics is too hard to use
- Dr. BJ Fogg
- The report lists
- The problems and what genes drive those traits
- The habits that need to be built
- The behavior needed to be removed
- The behavior that you need to add
- The recommendations are given in context to the problem
- A personalized, AI-generated report puts together recordings that are available for those who want to dive deeper into the genome, as if a Ph.D. is sitting in front of you and reviewing results
- Podcast with Dr. Mansoor Mohammed:
- The DNA Company – new clients get $50 off ($349 instead of $399)
- Offer – Anyone who bought the OLD version of our test previously can upgrade to the new portal at a 50% ($49 instead of $99) discount (there are new genes, and we need to rerun your sample)
-And much more…
-Upcoming Events:
- Keep up on Ben's LIVE appearances by following bengreenfieldlife.com/calendar
Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
– Kashif Khan:
- The DNA Company – use code BEN to get $50 off ($349 instead of $399)
- The DNA Company Blog
– Podcasts:
- Beyond 23&Me: A Deep Dive Into Ben Greenfield’s Personal DNA Results (& How To Get Your Own Genes Interpreted).
- Driven: Understanding and Harnessing the Genetic Gifts Shared by Entrepreneurs, Navy SEALs, Pro Athletes (& Maybe You).
– Other Resources:
- Driven by Dr. Doug Brackmann
- Lion's Mane
- Glutathione (use code BENGREENFIELD10 to save 10%)
- Liver
- 5-HTP
- Omega-3
- Nootopia
- Qualia Mind
- Coffee Fruit Extract
- Milk Thistle (use code GREENFIELD10 to save 10%)
- Dandelion
- Activated Charcoal
- Kion Sleep
- Vitamin D
- L-Theanine
- ChiliPad
- Essentia Mattresses
- Ebb sleep
- Dr. BJ Fogg
- Single Nucleotide Polymorphism
Episode sponsors:
–Essentia: The organic mattress that scores best on eliminating all sleep-interrupting stimulants.
–Timeline Nutrition: Timeline is offering 10% off your first order of Mitopure. Go to timelinenutrition.com/BEN and use code BEN to get 10% off your order.
–Kion Aminos: Building blocks for muscle recovery, reduced cravings, better cognition, immunity, and more.
–Traeger: 6-in1 versatility, perfected by decades of mastering the craft of wood-fired cooking, a Traeger grill will transform the way you cook, giving you consistent results – every single time.
I too would like to know if the DNA Company sells or reserves the right to sell (e.g. at a later date) any of my DNA data to anyone. That’s a show stopper if they do. To be clear and comprehensive, if there is an opt out that must be executed to effectuate not selling my data, is that permanent?
Great topic and interview about genetics. Very relevant information about how to improve dopamine or sleep!
I hadn´ t heard before about serotonin in the second half of the sleep, but I already knew that being low in carbs wakes me up at midnight, so finally I believe I know how to fix my REM sleep problem!
I’d not do it.
Anything one might want to know can be answered with a pendulum. Just formulate the question correctly.
The more interesting question is, what is informing the DNA to express itself that way, and how to change it without doing harm (like CRISPR) ?
Russians are most advanced in this field
Great info…
But if I use your service are you going to sell my DNA data to the highest bidder if I don’t jump through difficult to find/use opt out form.