What Your Genes Can Teach You About Feeling Better: A Simple Guide to Key Variants and Easy First Steps

4 min readApr 25, 2025

Have you ever wondered why certain foods make you feel bad, why stress hits you harder than others, or why supplements that help your friend just make you feel worse? Sometimes, the answers can be found in your genes. But this isn’t about diagnosing or labeling yourself — it’s about learning how your body works so you can give it the care it’s asking for.

This guide breaks down some of the key genetic areas involved in detoxification, mood, energy, and overall wellness. It also shares simple ways to test, observe your own body’s responses, and make thoughtful choices to feel your best.

🧬 Understanding the Basics: Key Genes and What They Do

1. Methylation (MTR, MTRR, SHMT1, BHMT, CBS)

What it does: Supports energy, mood, detoxification, and DNA repair.
When this process struggles: You might feel tired, foggy, anxious, or have high homocysteine levels (which can affect heart health).
Simple ways to support:
Use methylated B12 (Methylcobalamin) and methylfolate (5-MTHF).
Add folate-rich foods like spinach, beets, and lentils.
Avoid synthetic folic acid (commonly added to cereals and processed foods).

How to test:

23andMe or Ancestry DNA + Genetic Genie for gene reports.
Homocysteine blood test.

2. Detoxification (SUOX, GSTP1, GSTM1, GSTT1)

What it does: Helps your body clear out chemicals, smoke, pesticides, and alcohol.
When this process struggles: Headaches from perfumes, feeling sick after wine, or reacting poorly to chemicals.
Simple ways to support:
Eat cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts).
Support glutathione with NAC supplements or liposomal glutathione.
Add selenium and molybdenum.
How to test:
23andMe for GST deletions (like GSTM1 “null”).
Organic Acids Test (OAT) for detox markers.

3. Oxidative Stress (SOD2, GPX1)

What it does: Protects your cells from damage caused by stress and pollution.
When this process struggles: Inflammation, fatigue, or slow recovery from exercise.
Simple ways to support:
Vitamin C (buffered or food-based).
Selenium and manganese.
CoQ10 or Alpha Lipoic Acid.
How to test:
Basic antioxidant bloodwork.
Organic Acids Test.

4. Histamine Breakdown (DAO, HNMT)

What it does: Breaks down histamine (which can trigger allergies, hives, headaches).
When this process struggles: Headaches after wine or cheese, itchy skin, sinus issues.
Simple ways to support:
DAO enzyme supplements before high-histamine meals.
Vitamin C, B6, magnesium.
Eat fresh foods and avoid aged or fermented foods.
How to test:
23andMe for DAO/HNMT genes.
DAO blood enzyme levels (available from some labs).

5. Neurotransmitters (COMT)

What it does: Helps balance dopamine, norepinephrine, and estrogen.
When this process struggles: May feel anxious, wired but tired, or low motivation (depending on “fast” or “slow” COMT).
Simple ways to support:
Slow COMT: Use calming magnesium, avoid high-dose methyl donors.
Fast COMT: May need dopamine support like tyrosine or adaptogens.
How to test:
23andMe for COMT variants.
Observe how you respond to B12, methylfolate, or tyrosine.

🚩 Major Things to Avoid (and Why)

Thing to Avoid Why It Matters Laughing Gas (Nitrous Oxide) Depletes B12 rapidly; risky if methylation is slow. Folic Acid (synthetic folate) Can block real folate, especially with MTHFR or MTR issues. Excessive alcohol Overburdens detox pathways, especially with GST deletions. Processed meats / aged foods High in histamine, may worsen headaches or hives. Pesticides, perfumes, cleaning chemicals Harder to clear from the body with detox gene issues.

🧪 At-Home Experiments to Learn What Works for You

Try methylated B12 + methylfolate — track mood, focus, and energy.
Remove high-histamine foods for 2–4 weeks — observe headaches, skin, sinus changes.
Reduce sulfur foods like eggs, garlic, onions — notice if energy improves.
Boost antioxidants (Vitamin C, selenium) — see if inflammation or joint issues improve.
Avoid nitrous oxide at the dentist — request alternatives.

🌿 Final Thoughts

These genetic variants are part of the many ways human bodies work. They offer insight into how your system handles processes like detoxification, neurotransmitter balance, and nutrient recycling. Understanding these patterns isn’t about “fixing” anything — it’s about working with your body in the ways it naturally asks to be supported.

We all carry unique combinations of genes, and these influence the chemistry behind how we experience the world — our energy, our focus, how we respond to stress, how we heal. This isn’t a verdict on your worth or ability — it’s simply information that can make your path a little clearer.

📚 Resources and Further Reading (PubMed and Credible Sources)

(Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare provider before making changes to your health plan.)