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. 

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:
  • Beyond 23&Me: A Deep Dive Into Ben Greenfield’s Personal DNA Results (& How To Get Your Own Genes Interpreted).
• 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: Understanding and Harnessing the Genetic Gifts Shared by Entrepreneurs, Navy SEALs, Pro Athletes (& Maybe You).
• 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”:
  1. I can't fall asleep – highly dependent on circadian rhythm
     • CLOCK gene manages circadian rhythm with BDNF
     • BDNF alone can disrupt circadian rhythm
  2. I can't get to sleep on time/I can't stay asleep/I wake up in the middle of the night
  3. I sleep through the night but wake up not feeling rested
     • Usually caused by environmental issues
•  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:
  • Beyond 23&Me: A Deep Dive Into Ben Greenfield’s Personal DNA Results (& How To Get Your Own Genes Interpreted).
• 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.

Do you have questions, comments, or feedback for me or Kashif Khan about today's episode? Leave a comment below, and one of us will reply!