Remember when 23andMe came out? I don’t remember exactly when it was but it was over seven years ago because Dean and I were seriously dating but not married or even engaged. We were serious enough to where I brought him to meet my family in Idaho for my cousin's wedding later that year. I remember showing them my results there.

This is my 23andMe health chart. The macular degeneration is bothersome, but not surprising as my grandma suffered from it in her 90s. But from what I’ve looked at, my current diet is helpful. Hopefully they’ll have some new treatments for it by the time I need them.

Regardless, Dean and I got in right before the FDA decided they wanted a piece of the pie and shut down the delivery of some of the more essential bits, like whether you carry certain genetic markers for cancer and other diseases. We were able to get all of that information because we had sent our kits off literally days before that happened.

They add stuff to it all the time as research continues to grow and every now and then I go check it out. I find it fascinating.

Recently, a new add-on came available from a separate company that could use your information from a variety of genetics services (23andMe, Ancestry.com, etc.) and give you some additional information regarding how your body processes vitamins, how it responds to exercise, personality, etc. I impulse bought the first tier, which was only $20 and really enjoyed all the information. I decided to go ahead and go for the second tier to get more information.

It was interesting to have. A lot of it was stuff that I had figured out on my own but it was nice to have validation and it’s good to know that I’m doing the right things for the most part.

For fun, I’ve decided to break down some of the things that I learned and how they affect me. I’m only going to discuss the ones that are ‘highly reliable’ where there are several genetic markers are linked. (Some are statistically significant and some are suggestive.)

Nutrition

I have a very high ability to metabolize carbs and saturated fat compared to most people. So that’s awesome! However, I have a low ability to digest fiber. Which isn’t great considering I’m pescatarian and eat high fiber for most of my diet. My fiber issue I had kind of figured out already, although I thought it was just raw vegetables and it did improve when I started taking Beano right before I eat my steamed veggies, so I thought I had it figured out. I’m going to start looking into some healthy lower fiber options.

My weight is genetically average. So any significant gain or loss is due to my own lifestyle choices and not the blessing or curse of my genes.

Fitness

Exercise will significantly affect my weight loss. So that’s great! And probably why my weight is where it is. I’m glad I’ve always made it a priority.

I have a very low likelihood of exercise lowering my blood pressure. The recommendation was that I focus on a diet that is heart healthy. So I’m glad that this is something that I already do as my dad has issues with high blood pressure.

My post exercise recovery rate is intermediate. This is something I need to pay attention to and something that I’ve been noticing more as I get older. Even though there were no races last year —I did two virtual ones, but only because I liked the swag, they don’t really motivate me like live races—I stayed on a training plan specifically because when I run what I want, I won’t do speedwork and I won’t take rest days.

I am perfectly balanced between power and endurance exercise. That’s great! I do weight train three times a week, but I could probably lift heavier, another thing I’m consciously working on.

Health and Wellness - FASCINATING

This part was really interesting to me. It covered addictive behaviors and random things like motion sickness. (Yes, addictive behaviors are genetic. Sometimes people literally can’t ‘just have one’ and we should leave them alone about it if they’re doing the hard thing by having zero.)

Having trouble opening that champagne? There’s always the edge of your shirt.

I have a high likelihood of alcohol consumption, and I also genetically metabolize alcohol faster than most people. This means that I may end up drinking more because it affects me less. This isn’t great because my body is still having to deal with processing all of those toxins and I don’t get the ‘back off’ signals that many people do after the same level of alcohol.

I have a low likelihood of alcohol addiction. Quite frankly, this was a huge relief as members of my family on both sides have struggled with alcoholism. I have recognized that when I do hang with heavy drinkers, I do hang… so (Dean can vouch) I go through periods of time where I stress about any desire for a sip, wondering if this means I’m becoming an alcoholic. This doesn’t mean I don’t have to watch myself because of what I’ve mentioned above, but it is a relief.

I have a high likelihood of an increased resting heart rate. This is an indicator of cardiovascular issues and a recommendation of aerobic exercise was recommended. Again, with my dad’s high blood pressure and the heart issues in our family, I’m glad that I started running at a young age and that it’s something I enjoy. I’m thankful that I’ve found biking for when I’ve got a running injury that needs rest. I also bought a walking desk for my new full time desk job.

I have an intermediate likelihood of smoking and nicotine dependence. I'm so glad I never took up smoking, even though when I was young, I thought it looked cool. I also have a low likelihood of cannabis dependence. Not something I really partake in. Maybe that’s why?

I have a high likelihood of living to 100. My maternal grandmother was 94 when she died, and her older sister is still walking around like she’s 70. This determination wasn’t a surprise, but it was a nice reminder not to do anything too stupid and to take care of this vehicle my soul is driving around in. I might get to experience a few things yet.

Personality

From the first time I knowingly experienced depression. I was just never hungry and lost a ton of weight.

I have a high risk of depression. This was only a mild surprise, because I have had close family members who have dealt with this. I myself have experienced it, but I always wrote it off as ‘situational’ or ‘seasonal’—and there was that one time it was definitely seasonal—but it’s also good to know. I already do most of the things that you’re supposed to do to deal with depression. I get out in the sun every day. Exercise is woven into my lifestyle. I eat healthy 80% of the time.

However, it’s validating to know that it’s not just ‘something I did’ when I landed in those dark places. And there were one or two times when I crawled out on my own because ‘there’s no reason for you to be unhappy’ was a thing I told myself and believed. It’s a good trait to be aware of and I will keep taking vitamin D in the winter, I will keep making myself exercise when I don’t want to and goddammit, maybe I’ll try harder to bring meditation back. It’s a habit I lost after the fire.

I’m at a high risk for age related hearing loss. This isn’t too much of a surprise as my grandma had trouble hearing during all of my memories of her and my dad started having trouble hearing when I was in junior high, although most of that can probably be blamed on a speaker he stood next to while he was on a float in a Mardi Gras parade. The 90s, eh? However, the genes that link to age-related hearing loss are also related to depression and dementia. Apparently NSAIDs affect this. I had no idea. I already do my best not to take any kind of medication if I don’t have to, and this just reinforces my decision to add more turmeric to my diet.

I am at an intermediate likelihood for a few traits that I wouldn’t have believed they have on a DNA test, except that they have it all broken down. I’m intermediate in openness. So it’s possible that I could explore new experiences. I’m intermediate in loneliness. So I may be lonely, I may not. Being a morning person. I could be, I could not be. I find that to be true. I adapt in whichever way the calling I’m pursuing needs me to. And I’ve even tried to do both. But honestly, I like seeing the sunrise.

Right after I passed my NASM CPT test. (On the first try!) I was soooooo relieved and happy.

Intelligence: Yes, I had a high likelihood of being intelligent. I had an average likelihood of pursuing additional education. That’s what makes me proud. Although most people think that fitness is something that dumb people do, there are a lot of intense certifications that go in to making sure that you’re helping people move their bodies in the way that’s right for them at the place they are now: physically, mentally and emotionally. I have done more continuing education for my Group Fitness, Yoga, Personal Trainer and Health Coach certifications than I ever would have thought to pursue in my formal education years. I feel proud that I have risen about the ‘average’ for my genetics. And I do see why it’s there. I have always felt that education just for a certificate is ridiculous. I could have had a minor in Latin in addition to my two B.A. majors if I had stayed just one more semester. But why the hell would I have done that? I do have a lot of interests that I’d like to explore, but I want to be able to use everything that I learn.

I have an intermediate likelihood of anxiety, frustration and fear. Basically, one gene was high in this, one was low. So they canceled each other out. It said that strong bonds with family and friends, as well as a job that didn’t stress me out, were good ways to fix this. I’m happy to say that I’ve been able to cultivate this. Meredith of 11 years ago didn’t have this comfortable situation. I get an almost daily reminder in my Facebook memories. I didn’t say much. Every now and then, it was an ‘I hate my job’ but more often, it was drier stuff about how people treated me and how I couldn’t stand it anymore. Sometimes stuff about how I was crying at my desk. I’m so glad I am in a different place now. And I’m so glad that once that place dissolved, I decided to follow whatever passions I had. Don’t get me wrong, I have been budgeting heavily since 2012 and I have the spreadsheets to prove it. But it’s been worth it.

Vitamins

My immunity is low. My vitamin C and E levels are weak, and my Zinc levels are intermediate. Jesus, thank goodness I was taking all of the precautions during the pandemic, since I had to go out among people for my jobs at the time.

My iron is low. This wasn’t a surprise, as my mom is famously anemic. They once asked her at the doctor how she was staying awake during the day. My copper levels are also low. Basically I need to find a way to get these minerals into my bloodstream since I don’t eat red meat. This was a good discovery.

My liver, brain and bone health was all normal. My natal health was not. Basically, if I were someone who wanted to have children, this would have been incredibly valuable information for me to have. Especially as my diet is already very restricted.

My eye health was normal.

My hair and nails were weak. Not a surprise as my nails have always been brittle, and although I still wear my natural hair with no greys, it is just as frizzy as it was when I was young. I take fish oil. Shrug. This doesn’t bother me too much at the moment.

My KIDNEYS. Are STRONG. This is the one thing that I came out above average on and I’ll take it. Kidneys! The blood filters of the body! Go get ‘em.

Skin

Besides, facemasks are fun! I love putting one on and then sneaking up on Dean.

Boring. I mean. I know we all love our skin and why shouldn’t we? It’s very important. But we also like to really judge it for not being perpetually 19 years old. I really hope that we’re starting to change this view. If you have skin that is carrying you around still? If you’ve been through war? A fire? An accident? Old age? Middle age? Surgery? Medication? Et cetera? And you’re still here? Well thank the heavens. Feel free to mourn what you’ve lost, but take a moment and appreciate the skin that you still have. Your skin did an amazing job and it’s still protecting you like nothing else will.

Apparently, my skin has a low level of elasticity. It recommended a lot of sunscreen. This made me feel good because a lot of people express surprise when they learn how many decades I’ve been prowling around on this earth. I have been taking care of my facial skin since I was in high school though. And that’s because of my mom. And I’m a fitness person. I wear sunscreen. Most of the time.

I have a low risk of skin abnormalities. Which is nice, because I have a ton of moles. I’m still getting it all checked out this year.

Personality and Cognition

This is the weirdest one to me because… how can they know that? And yet, you do seem to take on your parents’ traits in this way, so how is it strange? Here we go… personality genetics.

Agreeableness. I’m just going to quote this one from the website because it feels weird. “Agreeableness is one of the five personality traits of the Big Five personality theory. People with a high level of agreeableness are associated with good leadership skills, social interactions, and a persuasive nature.” I have a high level of agreeableness. I didn’t even know that was a word until spell-check didn’t correct me.

Depression. Once again! Here I had to double check. Yes, this is really in two different sections. I understand that some people may have had access to one section and not have paid for the other, but I did kind of feel like I was getting beaten over the head with it. But it’s good to know. I believe that I’m one of those people that seems optimistic and sunny. Like I’m someone who wouldn’t be depressed. And I’m fortunate that I don’t think I’ve dealt with it often. But now I know that it’s there and I can give myself a break about some of those times. I don’t have to pretend that ‘it was hormones’ and I can be sure to take care of myself.

I wanted to bring attention to the fact that some things are in your genes and that fighting them is more difficult. Also, you may have some hidden superpowers. (Kidneys!)

This was a fun and fascinating journey! Thanks for letting me share it with you.

Genetics and Personality