How do you explain one guy living to 103 on a diet of cigarettes and beer, while a vegetarian athlete is cut down by heart disease at 30? Diet, exercise, stress and the environment all affect longevity, but the biggest wild card of all is DNA.

Every day scientists make headway in understanding the symbiotic relationship between our genes, choices and environment. Genetics isn’t the only area of our health where science is progressing at lightning speed: the medical and technological fraternities are producing a host of new tests, gadgets and procedures that can determine everything from whether you’d perform better on hill climbs or flat surfaces while training for the Argus cycle race to the likelihood of your developing cancer and at what age.

Now the folks over at Health Renewal are a wise bunch and they believe prevention is better than cure. Knowing about potential risk factors can assist in helping you live a healthier life, thereby reducing the chances of the onset of disease and hereditary conditions.

In addition, knowing potential risk factors (as discussed after a simple test between patient and a trained Health Renewal Medical Practitioner) and supporting your body with the correct supplements, lifestyle advice and preventative treatments will maintain optimal wellness. It will also promote a higher quality of life, a bonus none of us would turn our noses up at.

Over at Health Renewal you’ll find what’s called the DNA Gene Test, something that takes on four facets; DNA Diet, DNA Health, DNA Oestrogen and DNA Sport. We’ll give you a brief rundown of each then:

DNA Diet – one of the first products of its kind in the world, and amongst the most comprehensive and accurate weight-related genetic tests available. The genes comprising the DNA Diet test have associations with the body weight and body mass index, and all meet stringent criteria for utility in genetic screening tests.

DNA Health – this reports on the genes involved in the following areas: cholesterol metabolism, bone health, methylation, inflammation, oxidative stress, insulin sensitivity and food responsiveness.

DNA Oestrogen – tests for a high risk polymorphisms that have been shown to effect metabolism of oestrogen and related compounds. The test is therefore particularly important for women considering oral contraceptives hormone replacement therapy, bio-identical supplementation, women who are considering in vitro fertilisation or who have been diagnosed with oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

DNA Sport – looks at genes that affect power and endurance, tendon pathology and recovery. Results provide insight into an individual’s potential for sporting performance and trainability, optimal exercise selection, recovery strategies and injury risk. The test is suitable for the performance athlete as well as the recreational athlete looking to maximise their fitness potential and reach peak levels of conditioning.

This analysis uses the latest scientific information on genetics as part of its test. It’s simple to administer and requires taking three cheek swabs and sending them to a lab for analysis. Once these results have been processed you receive a comprehensive report, where you should then have an accredited practitioner assist with the interpretation and management of the genetic advice.

You see there’s no way to know for certain how, when and what will happen to our bodies but if we arm ourselves with the best information available we can make informed decisions. You don’t need a DNA test to tell you that smoking is bad, this isn’t the 1950’s, but if we can reduce health risks going forward and better understand the science involved we’re halfway to living until the century mark.

Just think how happy that will make your children, I’m sure they can’t wait to look after you well into the twilight years.