Home Diet & Fitness DNA Caffeine Sensitivity Test

DNA Caffeine Sensitivity Test

$129.00

Ever wonder if you need to cut back your caffeine intake? Discover whether you are a fast or slow caffeine metabolizer with the DNA Caffeine Sensitivity Test.

• Genetic variants in the CYP1A2 gene
• “Slow” metabolizers are at increased risk of heart attacks and hypertension
• Quick and painless sample collection
• 100% private and confidential online results

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Description

Detailed Description

Not all of us are equally affected by caffeine. Caffeine sensitivity depends on how long it stays around in our bodies. Some of us are “fast” caffeine metabolizers and clear caffeine much faster, while “slow” metabolizers take longer to clear it from their body.

The longer caffeine stays in the circulation, the higher the risk of a heart attack or high blood pressure (hypertension). By drinking more than 3 cups of coffee per day a slow metabolizer may be increasing their risk of

  • a heart attack by 2- to 4-fold
  • hypertension by 3-fold

Take this simple genetic analysis to determine if caffeine consumption may be harming your health.


Genetics of Caffeine Sensitivity

Close to 95% of the caffeine in the body is broken down by the CYP1A2 enzyme.

There are two common genetic variants of this enzyme – a “fast” metabolizer variant and a “slow” metabolizer variant.

The “slow” genetic variant is associated with lower levels of the CYP1A2 enzyme and a slower rate of caffeine breakdown. People who inherit the “slow” variant take longer to clear caffeine from their body.

The longer the caffeine stays in circulation, the higher the risk of heart problems and hypertension. Reduced caffeine consumption is recommended for “slow” metabolizers.


Effects of Caffeine

Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive drug in the world. But, unlike other drugs that affect the brain, it’s legal, unregulated, and is available in many different forms.

Once in our bodies, caffeine will

  • bind to receptors on the surface of nerve cells increasing their activity
  • stimulate the pituitary glad to release hormones
  • prompt the adrenal glands to make the “fight or flight” hormone adrenaline

Caffeine also increases the levels of the “feel good” dopamine, a chemical messenger in our brain, activating the pleasure centers of the brain. This increase in dopamine may be behind caffeine addiction.


How it Works

STEP 1.ORDER YOUR KIT: Purchase your kit online.

STEP 2. COLLECT & SEND

Quick and painless DNA sample collection in the comfort of your own home. Mail your sample back to our lab for testing.

STEP3. VIEW RESULTS

Receive your results by mail or email, or view online.


Recommended Links:
Cornelis MC et al. (2006). Coffee, CYP1A2 Genotype, and Risk of Myocardial Infarction. JAMA. 295(10): 1135-1141.

Jernström H et al. (2008). Coffee intake and CYP1A2*1F genotype predict breast volume in young women: implications for breast cancer. Br J Cancer. 99(9): 1534-1538.