Sleep Test
The alarm is set for the morning, your head touches the pillow, and the events of the day become a distant memory as you sink into a state of relaxation and, eventually, sleep. Ironically, as you lay and physically do nothing for on average eight hours per night, your body is extremely awake, conducting a series of biological processes that aim to restore and rejuvenate, repair tissue, synthesize hormones and grow muscle. The National Sleep Foundation advises 7-9 hours of sleep per night for adults, 11-14 hours for young children, and between 8 and 10 hours for teenagers. Sleep is integral for cognitive processes such as processing and storing memories and contributing to positive mental health; the Dalai Lama himself claims that “sleep is the best meditation”. It’s of great concern, therefore, that 35.3% adults report having less than 7 hours of sleep during a typical 24-hour period.
Genetics of sleep:
One-third of population deal with sleep disorders which might be due to social, economic or medical problems. Genetic predisposing factors are among the ones which necessitates further research to elucidate their role in sleep disorders. The heritability of sleep patterns has been shown in studies of monozygotic twins, and sleep electroencephalogram patterns offer a unique genetic fingerprint which may assist in the identification of genes involved in the regulation of sleep. Recent genetic advances have clarified the role of Hypocretin/ Orexin System in sleep disorders. Although it is agreed upon that sleep fulfills a fundamental biological need, the function of sleep remains an enigma. Genetic factors have also effects on normal sleep. Monozygotic twins have a very similar hypnogram. Specially their sleep cycle periods, rapid eye movement (REM) manifestations, and sleep latency times are very similar to each other. Most sleep disorders result from complex interactions between genes and the environment. Recent progress in molecular genetics and the development of detailed human genome map have already led to the identification of genetic factors in several complex disorders.
Sleep Disorders such as:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
- Duration of sleep
- Caffeine related Insomnia
- Sleeplessness
- Short Sleep Syndrome
- Sleep/wake fragmentation
- Sleep Bruxism
- PGx (Modafinil)
- Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
- Narcolepsy
- Chronic Obstructive Airway Disease
Micronutrients
The quality and amount of sleep is important for ensuring the health of an individual. Good quality of sleep is linked to good health and may have a role in determining cognitive and mental health as well. Many studies have linked sleep to quality of nutrition, indicating that the quality of sleep may be linked to presence or absence of essential vitamins and minerals in a person's diet. It’s been revealed that as many as 47 per cent of adults over 19 years of age experience poor quality of sleep and sleep timings of seven hours and less was linked to low levels of essential micronutrients like Vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, niacin etc.
Sensitivity and Intolerances
There are genetic tests that can provide insights into various aspects of sleep health and patterns, including factors that might influence sensitivity to certain environmental or lifestyle factors affecting sleep. These tests typically analyse genetic variations related to circadian rhythms, sleep duration, sleep quality, and susceptibility to sleep disorders like insomnia or sleep apnoea.
This section covers the following parameters of Sensitivities and Intolerances:
- Lactose Intolerance
- Gluten Intolerance
- Alcohol
Weight Management
It provides valuable insights into how genetic factors may interact with sleep patterns and overall health. Sleep plays a crucial role in metabolism, appetite regulation, and energy balance, so optimizing sleep quality and duration is essential for effective weight management. It's important to approach weight management holistically, considering factors beyond genetics, such as lifestyle, behaviour, and environmental influences.
This section covers the following parameters of Weight Management:
- Pre Disposition to Obesity
- Adiponectin Levels
- FAT Storage
Eating Behaviour
Understanding how genetic factors interact with sleep patterns and eating behaviour can provide valuable insights into personalized approaches for improving overall health and well-being. However, it's important to consider genetic testing results in conjunction with other factors such as lifestyle, behaviour, and environmental influences when addressing eating behaviour and sleep-related issues.
This section covers the following parameters of Eating Behaviour:
- Satiety
Genetic Lipid Profile
Genetic tests related to lipid metabolism may analyse genetic variations associated with lipid levels, cholesterol metabolism, and predispositions to cardiovascular conditions such as hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. These tests can offer personalized information about an individual's genetic predispositions that could indirectly affect their cardiovascular health and potentially their sleep patterns.
This section covers the following parameters of Genetic Lipid Profile:
- Elevated LDL Cholesterol
- Higher HDL Cholesterol
