Stratagene Limitations (Why Lifestyle Changes Matter Most)
We’ve been talking about the importance of genetic health for the past few months. If you’ve been following our Stratagene genetics series, we hope you’ve learned more about genetics, how they impact your health, and what you can do to support a healthy lifestyle.
Today, let’s break down the limitations of Stratagene and genetic focus. While genetics are a key part of examining health, they’re not a quick fix. They’re just one “puzzle piece” that should be considered in your overall picture of health.
But first, read more about genetic health in the other parts of this series:
- Strategene Analysis in San Francisco
- A Brief Intro to Epigenetics & How to Improve Your Health
- Five Health Conditions Impacted By Your Genes
Stratagene Basics
Our body functions are ultimately impacted by our genes—proteins that code for everything from skin color to metabolism to cell function. If our genes function optimally, our bodies in turn operate on a healthy level. On the flipside, genes that don’t function properly or “run slow” may leave us feeling sluggish or battling various health symptoms.
Our genetics affect how our bodies function, and therefore how well we live our lives. If you feel that you’ve tried everything and still don’t feel well, your genetics may be to blame.
Genetic information may also predispose us to develop certain health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, addiction, autism, mental illness, chronic conditions, and more.
When you understand your genetic makeup, you’re able to work with a doctor to treat current symptoms and prevent them from getting worse.
Enter: Stratagene.
Clare Cattarin (MSN, FNP, IFM-CP, S-CP) uses Stratagene in her practice to take a deeper dive into a patient’s genetic health. She provides Stratagene testing and analysis for San Francisco patients, as well as guidance for making lifestyle changes to support overall health.
Genetics Aren’t the “Holy Grail” of Health
It’s easy to think that fixing our genetics will be the end-all, be-all solution to our health problems. While understanding genetic information may be a key step in achieving peak vitality, it’s just one piece of the puzzle.
Clare Cattarin helps her patients understand their genetic information thanks to Stratagene testing. From there, she comes up with a custom treatment plan for each patient to support their genetic makeup and improve health problems.
However, true health doesn’t stop there. At Functional Health and Healing, we want to go beyond a treatment plan. We want to help you achieve a lifestyle that allows you to live life to the full.
To Infinity and Beyond: Health Beyond Stratagene
In our blog on epigenetics, we discussed the external factors that impact your genetic code: your lifestyle habits. You’re not stuck with the genes you have; instead, you’re able to influence your genetic health depending on your diet, exercise, stress levels, toxins, and more. Read more about epigenetics here.
After conducting adequate Stratagene testing and coming up with a treatment plan, Clare Cattarin wants to help you maintain health through lifestyle changes.
This may look like:
- Eating balanced meals with carbs, fat, and protein
- Journaling, stretching, or meditating to relieve stress
- Exercising regularly to build strength and endurance
- Talking to a therapist to support mental health
- Plugging into a community for connection and fulfillment
- Detoxing from daily toxins (such as plastic water bottles)
True health doesn’t lie in taking over-the-counter pills.
True health is independent of weight loss or improving your appearance.
True health lies in how you feel and how you care for your body, mind, and spirit in your day-to-day life.
A Functional Approach to Healthcare
The current traditional healthcare model is struggling to provide adequate support for every patient’s unique and complex health issue.
When thinking about traditional doctors’ practices, picture an iceberg.
On the surface, we only see the tip of an iceberg. When in reality, the majority of the iceberg rests beneath the water. However, if a nearby ship doesn’t account for the ice under the water, they may find themselves in dangerous territory.
The same is true for approaching health.
Your current symptoms are the “tip of the iceberg.” But there’s so much more beneath the surface. If doctors don’t address the underlying causes of your symptoms, you’ll also be in unfortunate waters.
Functional medicine seeks to discover this deeper cause behind every health problem. Providers like Clare Cattarin view the body as a system of interconnected parts that work together; sometimes a health issue may be caused by something seemingly unrelated!
Through understanding your current lifestyle situation and conducting adequate testing—like Stratagene—Clare is able to get to the root of your health problem and guide you to a vital, optimal lifestyle.
Stratagene Testing & Analysis in San Francisco
Clare Cattarin provides functional medicine for patients in and around the San Francisco area. She specializes in Stratagene testing and analysis and the accompanying lifestyle support for making lasting changes.
If you’re ready to take back control of your health once and for all, get started with an online assessment as your first step.
NOTE: Stratagene is a trademarked creation of Ben Lynch.
