Michelle Ricker - DNA-Based Nutrition and Fitness

The Ironman Executive

Our guest Michelle Ricker is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Health & Fitness Instructor. She is one of the founders of FitNow Health, which specializes in providing DNA-based Nutrition and Fitness programs. She chats with us today about how genetics affects our overall well-being and the benefits of a genomic-based dietary approach.

The Genomic-Based Dietary Approach

A 2014 study conducted by the European Society of Human Genetics showed that people who followed a diet based on their genetic profile lost 33% more weight and built more lean body mass. It is clear that genetics plays a significant role in how our dietary and fitness habits affect our health.

Genomic tests can reveal a number of things, including how your genes relate to sodium and sugar sensitivities, the production of appetite controlling hormones, and insulin resistance. All these genetic factors explain why the same diet works well for some people and doesn’t work well for others.

The benefit of having a clinician examine your genetic profile is that you won’t have to waste time testing different diet plans until you find the right one. With genomics you can narrow things down right from the start.

FitNow Health

FitNow Health is a consulting practice founded by Michelle that specializes in DNA-based nutrition and health. Based on your genetic profile, Michelle and her team create a detailed, user-friendly program designed specifically for you.

The Role of the Clinician

Genetics is probability based and it is the role of the clinician to interpret a client’s genetic profile. Genetic information is valuable, but you need to understand what to do with it. Using their extensive experience and training, a clinician can create a lifestyle plan that alters a client’s genetic expression to optimize health and well-being.

Oftentimes, clients are unaware of the true impact of genetics and may engage in dietary habits that they perceive as healthy, but are in fact in opposition of their genetic profile. This is where a clinician can step in and steer the client down a different path that makes it easier to instill the lifestyle changes that will have a positive impact on their well-being.

The Future of Genomics and Health

Genomics has promising applications for professional and Olympic athletes. Information gathered from genetic profiles can improve training programs, enhance nutrition to maintain endurance, and help athletes recover properly.

From a nutritional perspective, Michelle hopes that DNA-based approaches will soon make a difference in mainstream weight loss and have a positive impact on the current obesity epidemic.

Resource Links

Fit Now Health

23andMe

Apeiron Center for Human Potential