Obesity - Your Genes Are More Responsible Than You Think

Diet (what you eat) and exercise (how much physical activity you engage in) are well-known factors which affect Body Mass Index (BMI) and obesity. However, if you wish to understand how BMI affects
your overall health, a more holistic view of other elements like body composition (lean versus fat mass), food interactions within your system, nutrition requirements (as per current lifestyle) and genetic makeup is
essential.

A classic example of how phenotypic (physical character) variations exist in people: A regular jogger who watches what he/she eats is heavier, has a greater BMI than someone who eats out thrice a week, has a desk job and does not exercise. We all have those thin friends who never need to watch their weight and can eat like there's no tomorrow. Do not blame them... it could be in their genes. However, it is more than just having good genes.

Genes actually execute functions related to fat tissue metabolism, excess fat storage, transport, brain signalling (for those moments when you feel you can eat everything in sight!) and energy conversion. The two most important genetic determinants are the Fat and Obesity-associated gene (FTO) and Melanocortin receptor-4 (MC4R). Be it American, European, African or Indian, there are common variations found in their codes that increase obesity risk and therefore, risk for metabolic disorders, diabetes, etc. An individual who carries such variants has a higher predisposition for excess fat, by causing uncontrolled hunger pangs, lesser satiety after meals and irregular appetite. The MC4R protein is present in the hypothalamus of your brain. When a genetic defect reduces the amount of this protein, you may feel excessively hungry (as energy levels are miscalculated by the brain) and eat food in larger quantities. This directly results in obesity. One such variant is reportedly found in at least 22% of the general population.

A smart person will probably lose weight, and keep it off for years, without going on a crash diet or killing hours in the gymnasium. This is possible through a combination of the right nutrients in daily meals, consistent workout programs, which torch calories and retain lean muscle, consciousness of metabolic requirements for their own body and scientific know-how as well. A little bit of gyan a day will help keep obesity and other evils away!

Written by: Rasika Raman

Type 2 Diabetes and Exercise

The concept of physical activity and exercise has slowly picked up pace in India. People have recognized the shortcomings in their daily routine that adversely affects their health, and consequently are making efforts to stay healthy by involving themselves in regular workouts, may it be hitting the gym, cycling, swimming, jogging, playing a sport or aerobics – there are many fitness choices.

Physical activity benefits everyone, but it is especially advantageous to diabetic people.

Benefits of exercise for diabetics

There are two types of exercises often prescribed. For patients with type-2 diabetes or pre-diabetes, a combination routine is often recommended.

Aerobic exercises

Aerobic exercise can be done at various intensity levels; thus, no matter what physical condition you are in there is an aerobic exercise for you. Aerobic exercise is known to be one of the main reasons for "fat burning." This is because: after about 20 minutes of aerobic exercise the body begins to use its stored fat as fuel. If you do it regularly, your body’s metabolism speeds up and you are able to use more calories even when at rest.

According to recent research just 10 minutes of aerobic exercise 3 times a day, 5 days a week will help your fitness levels tremendously.

It is the duration of the exercise rather than the intensity that matters. A beginner is recommended to start with low-intensity training.

Once you are comfortable with your daily exercise, you can proceed with the moderate level intensity training. Your priority should be to do at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity such as brisk walking or swimming every day. This can be two 15-minute sessions or even three 10-minute sessions. To achieve a level of moderate intensity physical activity, you need to notice your breathing and heart rate speeding up and perhaps a light sweat. If you are gasping and unable to talk, you probably require 1-2 minutes rest before getting back.

Eventually, you can step up to the final level, which includes more vigorous training and exercises. Three 20-minute sessions of vigorous physical activity equates to five 30-minute sessions of moderate intensity physical activity. It is advisable to consult your doctor and fitness trainer before you start exercising.

Resistance training/ Strength training

Once you kick start with aerobic activity, you can incorporate resistance training in your regime. Resistance training gives you lean, efficient muscles, and it also helps you maintain strong, healthy bones. This is especially beneficial for you if you have type-2 diabetes, as muscles require more glucose, and increasing their activity can control blood sugar levels better.

Weight training is one of the most used resistance training techniques, although you can use your own body weight to build up strength — think of pull-ups and push-ups.

When you go ahead with a weight training program, make sure you know how to use all the equipment. Ask your fitness trainer to give you a demo on how you should properly use the weights and to learn the best exercises that are suitable for you.

Resistance training repetitions should be performed at a weight that cannot be lifted more than 8–10 times.

Prior to resistance training, it is advisable to do some basic flexibility exercises.

Perform an average of 8-10 different exercises using all the major muscle groups. Lifting weights for 20-30 minutes two or three times a week is sufficient to get the full benefits of strength training.

All these exercises suggested above are usually done in 2-4 sets and repeated 8-12 times.

Information Source: A position statement from Exercise and Sport Science Australia. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 15 (2012) 25-31.

The choices are many and choosing the right activity may be daunting. It is best to consult with a fitness advisor before starting an exercise routine. To consult with fitness consultants at Mapmygenome, write to info@mapmygenome.in or call 18001024595.

---

Written By: Arun Kiran
Geneticist, Mapmygenome India

Fight Diabetes with Food

by Jasmine Khurana

The best healthiest world approved foods to fight diabetes are unprocessed whole foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Here are some food choices to manage your diabetes.

	Apples The great saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” has been proven right in a study where it is found that eating five or more apples a week reduces LDL cholesterol by 40 percent.
	Asparagus Asparagus is highly rich in antioxidants that help in preventing many diseases, including diabetes and heart disease, by maintaining the blood sugar level and increase in insulin production.
	Veggies Include nonstarchy vegetable in your diet, such as broccoli, spinach, and green beans. These high in fibre and low in carbs foods are perfect for better sugar control.
	Blueberries They have anthocyanins, specific types of anitoxidants, that reduce type 2 diabetes risk by 23% and also shows anti-cancer effect.
	Flaxseeds Flaxseeds are a good source of alpha-linolenic acid and lignans; proved to be good for health by researchers.
	Sweet potatoes Sweet potato a low GI vegetable packed with vitamin A and fiber.
	Salmon and Lean meats For non-veg lovers, having fish, skinless chicken breast and lean cuts of meat in a balanced way keeps blood sugar in control. Chromium present in meat helps insulin to function properly and metabolize carbohydrates.
	Melons Watermelon, muskmelon, honeydew, casaba etc. could be used as alternatives to sugar cravings
	Nuts Most nuts such as almonds, peanuts, pecans etc. consists of heart healthy substances.
	Citrus Fruits Lemons, Oranges, grapefruits constitutes of soluble fiber and vitamin C.
	Avocados They have monosaturated fat content, lowers the risk of diabetes and heart disease as well.
	Oatmeal They have high fibre content; can also help with weight loss. Its slow digestion delays stomach emptying, thus, you feel fuller for long duration.
	Pulses and Beans They have less effect on blood glucose level in comparison to other carbohydrate containing foods. Beans are high in fiber deliver essential minerals, controls glycemic level in the body.
	Cranberries It has abundant phytonutrients which helps in reducing LDL cholesterol, maintain HDL cholesterol, lowering blood pressure and diabetes.

Food to avoid

Food containing high amounts of fat, sodium, carbohydrates, and calories might lead to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, uncontrollable sugar and thus, many diseases.

• Fruits: Avoid Canned fruit with sugar syrup, fruit rolls, fruit punch, fruit drinks, etc.
• Meat: Avoid fried meats, higher-fat cuts of meat and fried fish.
• Veggies Canned vegetables having added sodium, veggies cooked with butter or cheese, pickles.
• Avoid processed grains, white bread, French fries, coffee drinks, cookies and all the high carb beverages and high sodium food products.

Case Study: Cardiomap for Type 2 Diabetes

by Sushma Patil

Introduction

Mr. Akshay (name changed), 28 years, came across an article regarding genetic testing for type 2 diabetes and approached Mapmygenome to know more about it. We scheduled a pre-test counseling for him, during which we collected his clinical history, diet and lifestyle preferences and detailed family history.

Findings from pre-test genetic counseling

Family History

Pedigree chart shows family history of diabetes on the maternal side. Mother, 2 maternal uncles, and maternal grandparents had diabetes. Grandfather died of diabetes-related complications.

Diet & Lifestyle Preferences

Diet and lifestyle information collected from a questionnaire

Genetic Testing

Genetic counselor recommended Cardiomap.

Cardiomap offers genomics-based predictive risk assessment and management panel for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. This test includes the risk for various heart diseases and diabetes, associated factors and lifestyle factors, as well as drug responses and nutrition and fitness recommendations.

Report Findings

After clarifying all his doubts, he underwent genetic testing. Some of the findings are:

Condition/Trait	Inference
Type 2 Diabetes	High risk
Heart Failure	High risk
Adiponectin Levels	Likely to be low
Homocysteine levels	Likely to be high
Response to metformin	Positive response likely

Posttest Genetic Counseling

During the posttest counseling, one of the major concern which he had was that now he will definitely have diabetes in future. This concern was addressed by the counselor by explaining that it was just a risk profile. That does not mean he will definitely get diabetes. The good part about diabetes is that proper exercise and diet will keep it at bay.

Taking into consideration his personal information, family history and genetic report, the genetic counselor recommended him the following:

Posttest genetic counseling recommendations

He was told to show this report to his physician.

Client’s Feedback

I did know that I am at risk; this result actually confirms it. This will act as a motivating factor for me to start exercising and the diet recommendations are very useful and easy to follow. Will revert to you if in doubt.

TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

by Rasika Raman

Trends in India and genetic background

India ranks high in the list of developing countries with the greatest number of people affected with diabetes. Estimates from the World Diabetes Atlas and the WHO records place India in the top ten countries in the world with the highest burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

• Projected numbers for diabetes in the Indian population - 87 million by the year 2030;

• Highest prevalence found in the urban regions, compared with semi-urban and rural areas;

• Asian Indian phenotype associated with greater risk and earlier onset for type 2 diabetes (a decade earlier than Europeans) - clinical features include increased visceral fat and serum triglycerides, low HDL-levels.

Type 2 diabetes is a "multifactorial" disorder, which means that a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors underlies the etiology of this condition. Individuals clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes complain of a lifelong burden in terms of daily medications, associated liver and kidney complications and dietary restrictions. There is no proven cure for type 2 diabetes, only "management". Since a majority of type 2 diabetes symptoms can be managed through epigenetic intervention, physicians have started calling it a "lifestyle syndrome".

Why genetic screening is useful

Type 2 diabetes is caused by impaired insulin secretion by the beta islet cells of the pancreas. Insulin is a very important hormone for metabolic function and is a key component of glucose "homeostasis" (state of balance). While investigating the mechanisms behind type 2 diabetes development and physiology, scientists have discovered at least 20 important loci (gene locations) linked to insulin function/insulin sensitivity.

Single base variations in the sequence of these genes, called Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs, pronounced "snips") increase an individual's risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Screening for all known variations is an uphill task and reduces accuracy. However, large-scale population studies in Indians and Caucasians have successfully elucidated reliable results to help narrow down causal variants which will provide accurate risk scores, while predicting.

Scientific findings from type 2 diabetes-based studies have shown to be consistent across different races and ethnicities, for the genes mentioned above. A screening procedure that analyzes variations in these loci is useful to identify high-risk individuals, to facilitate early intervention and/or delay onset.

Gyming Food Rules – Eat Smartly Is the New Cool

By: Jasmine Khurana

What to eat and what not to eat? When to eat and when not to eat? These are basic questions for
regular gym goers. Experts say people overestimate the number of calories they have burned and
compensate by eating more than they burn.

Pre-Workout Food:

Eating right before a workout would prevent low blood sugar and provide longer lasting energy. It is
preferable to eat an hour or two before the workout. Foods you may choose must be low in fat and
fiber, moderate in carbs and protein and includes fluids.

• Banana: Bananas are loaded with digestible carbohydrate and packed with potassium, which aids in maintaining nerve and muscle function.
• Smoothies: They are time friendly and building your own blend with your favorite fruit could make it more beneficial.
• Oats: These are full of fibers, keeps your energy levels consistent during your workout. You may have it 30 minutes before your exercise.
• Wholegrain bread: It’s a good source of carbohydrates. You may top it off with honey or sliced up hard-boiled eggs for high-quality protein.
• Apple: Something light like an apple 30 minutes before your workout is ideal. You may spread a tablespoon of almond butter on your slices to squash hunger and amplify energy level ups.

Post-Workout Food:

After your workout, muscles recover and grow: muscle protein and glycogen begin to break down.
However, within a 45 minute window your body is most responsive to absorbing carbohydrates and
protein.

• Chicken: It is an excellent source of lean protein and other important nutrients like niacin. You may add some veggies in olive oil to keep your ticket in shape.
• Egg: Eggs are a great source of protein. Have a veggie-packet omelet. You may add avocados, which would help your body better absorb fat soluble nutrients that your veggies have like vitamins A, D, E and K.
• Fruit salad: Pineapple is known to have anti-inflammatory properties to help your muscle recover. Kiwi aids with digestion and helps break down amino acids.
• Wholegrain breakfast cereal: Select a high protein, high fiber cereal to reload the muscle energy stores.
• Protein Shakes or powders: Choose protein powders made from whey protein or milk proteins. A good sports drink has 14-15 grams of carbohydrates in 8 ounces. It should also have about 110 milligrams of sodium and 30 milligrams of potassium in the same volume.
• Chocolate milk: It has carbohydrates and proteins for muscle recovery, water content to replace the fluids lost as sweat and calcium, sodium and sugar- so it’s a full package post-workout snack.

If your goal is to build muscle, eat at least 30 grams of protein and 30 to 35 grams of carbohydrates
within 15 minutes of your workout. If you’re just trying to shed few pounds, eat within 45 minutes or an hour after your work out.

Points to consider:

• Avoid high-calorie bars.
• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
• A lower intensity workout does not require as much energy as a demanding one. E.g.: if you’re
• planning to burn only 350 calories on the elliptical, a 200-calorie snack is not needed.
• Before working out, avoid raw sugar or candy – would cause a sugar rush and probably a crash mid-workout.
• Avoid overeating – may cause indigestion, sluggishness, nausea and vomiting.

How Genetics Influences “Fat vs Fit”

By: Rajani Aatre Keshavamurthy, Genetic Counsellor

We all know it is important to exercise and stay fit. However, when the person next door appears to complete triathlon after triathlon and her child is winning the under-14 State Tennis meets, all the while appearing cheerful and relaxed, you wonder about the edge their genes have given them versus the general population. It is easy to explain our weaknesses as a poorly dealt set of genetic cards while those who accomplish their fitness goal attribute it to perseverance and hard work. While ultimately it is the latter that is required to perform well athletically, professionally or recreationally, genetics can give some of us an advantage.

Many basic movement patterns are established during the first 7 years of a child's life though genetics plays a small role in the inherent differences between kids (Malina & Bouchard, 1986). Fat patterning is highly heritable, with ethnic and racial variation (Mueller & Wohlleb, 1981). Body size & composition, physique and biological maturation share similarities in genetic influences though human stature is also influenced by the environment (i.e., malnutrition). Weight, skinfolds and body circumferences show a lesser degree of genetic inheritance with more environmental influence.

Muscular strength (isometric, contraction & explosive) show a significant degree of similarity among siblings as well as parent-offspring, indicating a strong genetic component. Muscle fiber numbers may be determined by the second trimester of fetal development (McArdle, Katch, & Katch, 1991) but physical training plays a significant role in modifying fiber size and area. The capacity of skeletal muscle to utilize oxygen has strong genetic and training components. Our body is highly adaptive to endurance training, and it is the extent of adaptation that appears to be determined by genetics.

There are a number of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs or genetic markers) that have been identified that may explain some of the variation in exercise response among individuals, both for endurance training (such as marathons, biking, distance swimming) and power-sports with short energy-burst activities (such as sprinting). Some genes may, for example, influence how muscles respond to interval training while others may stimulate higher cardiovascular output and efficient oxygen utilization, while yet others may play a role in how the body metabolizes fats.

As Dr. Claude Bouchard, an expert on the genetic of fitness said, “More fundamentally, elements of the interplay of genetics, environment, the human body and resolve probably always will remain mysterious and stubbornly individualized, no matter how much science disentangles the genome.

All this being said, the importance of two things cannot be stressed enough – one, that exercise can be fun and must become a daily part of a family routine with children being inculcated with this habit right from a young age and two, we must cite Mary Kom as an example to ourselves and our children where the opposite of Fat is Fit and consistent training is the only key to the latter.

Happy Diwali

This Diwali
May you find
Light over darkness
Increased self awareness
Knowledge over ignorance
Discover yourself through the genomic lens
Good over evil
Food that fits the health bill
Hope over despair
Exercise along with your prayer
Wishing you an amazing Diwali!

This Dhanteras, grab Cardiomap at 50% off

Let Fitness be your Main Course on World Food Day

Let Fitness be your Main Course on World Food Day and through the year.

Write to info@mapmygenome.in to learn more about Myfitgene - your personal DNA-based diet and fitness planner. Or buy it online at 40% discount at http://mapmygenome.in/shop/index.php/myfitgenetm.html, using the code MFG6K. 

Get Myfitgene today!

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

By: Sushma Patil

Mr. Kiran (name changed) is super tensed as his 24-year old-cousin Nishant died of a sudden cardiac arrest.  His death came as a shock to all family members as Nishant never had any health issues. Kiran asked the consulting cardiologist the reason behind it.

Questions asked by the cardiologist-

Q. What was Nishant doing when he died?

A.  He was at the gym, working out when he died.

Q. Did he have any fainting episodes before?

A. Yes, but we thought it was stress related.

Q. Any family history of sudden cardiac arrest?

A. Yes, my (Kiran) father passed away at the age of 40 years due to sudden cardiac arrest.

Q. Did you have any fainting episodes? Do you feel tired after strenuous exercise?

A. Yes, I did faint once but that was when my wife was admitted to the hospital and I thought it was because of the tension.

Taking into consideration all these answers the cardiologist suspected Nishant‘s cause of death to be cardiomyopathy and Kiran to be at risk for the same. He recommended that Kiran undergo genetic testing along with echocardiogram.

Kiran turned out to be positive for MYBPC3 (25 basepair deletion responsible for manifestation of HCM), screened in Cardiomap from Mapmygenome.

What is HCM?

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a condition wherein the heart muscles get thickened (enlarged).  This makes it harder for the heart to pump blood.  This can have serious implications like sudden cardiac death wherein the oxygen flow to the heart is stopped.

Does HCM run in families? Any tests which need to be done if family history of sudden cardiac death is there?

Yes. HCM does run in the family. If one of the parent has HCM, there is 50% chance that it is passed on to the next generation. Genetic testing can help in detecting the presence or absence of mutation.

Advice by Genetic Counselor:

Diet

Adequate water intake (6-8 glasses per day) is advised, with increased intake during warmer temperatures/climate. In case of heart failure, this may be contraindicated by the physician.

Caffeine and fat intake must be limited. Fried/processed food must be replaced by wholesome nutritious meals.

Lifestyle

Weight management is essential, with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Regular dental cleaning and care (antibiotic prophylaxis if necessary) is recommended. Medications (especially cold) must not taken without a prescription. Use of hot tub/sauna is not recommended. Smoking and drinking habits must be ceased.

Exercise

Low impact sporting activities can be pursued by patient. He or she can also participate in mild to moderate aerobic activity based on clinical presentation (such as walking, water aerobics) under supervision and with a companion. Practice of yoga is also beneficial. However, high weight-training and interval aerobics are contraindicated.

Next course of action for Mr. Kiran:

• Visit to a cardiologist to undergo appropriate test to detect the thickening of the heart muscles. The cardiologist will also suggest appropriate diet and exercise to him. Mr. Kiran will also have to visit cardiologist regularly to monitor his condition.
• Extended family screening- Not only Mr. Kiran’s siblings need to get tested but also his paternal side  need to be tested.  

Do you want to have a healthy heart?  This is what our genetic counselors advise you- 

http://mapmygenome.in/cardiomap.html

Healthy Lifestyle for Adolescent Females

By: Easha Sagar

While evolution is often considered highly beneficial to mankind, we tend to overlook the fact that it has come to us at a price. With advancement in all fields, society has become stricter, and regulations have sprung up for every possible situation. Adolescent females are caught up in this whirlwind of high standards, and are forced to adhere to regimens that make them presentable.

Firstly, teenage girls have to be skinny. Having the perfect body is a dire requirement for them, and if they fail to do so, they are often shunned. For this, they follow diets that are synonymous with starving themselves. Health is always their last priority, and maintaining a good figure, their first. They often eat either a single egg or a few carrot sticks and consider it a meal. What they do not realize is that they are causing immense harm to their bodies in the process. What is the point of having the perfect body, when you are too weak to walk around and flaunt it?

The first step to a healthier lifestyle, is to understand that a perfect body is merely a healthy body, not an anorexic one. The key to maintaining good health is to plan a diet that consists of all the required mineral nutrients. As the adolescent phase is that of growth, the body has an increased need for proteins, iron, and calcium. These are beneficial in skeletal growth, as well as the other bodily functions that accompany puberty. Lean meat, milk, eggs, leafy vegetables and fruits are only the tip of the iceberg. It is also important that teenagers drink enough water to keep the body quenched throughout the day. Water helps cleanse the body of toxic materials and maintains a balance in body fluids.

On the contrary, there are quite a few teenagers who choose to do the exact opposite, and consume way more calories than required. With junk food and soft drinks becoming a trend, it is only realistic that obesity, diabetes, and other such lifestyle diseases will become increasingly common. What teenagers need to realize is that extremities are never good, and excessive eating can have severe effects on the body. In case it becomes a necessity to consume burgers and pizzas often, then exercise should follow.

Exercising is the most important influencing factor of all, and a simple walk every day can do wonders. Playing sports, jogging in the park, yoga, swimming, and dancing are a few ways to burn extra calories and keep the body healthy. However, it is not appropriate to only exercise and not eat, because exercise and nutrition are two sides of the same coin.

As a teenage girl who has gone through the phase of adolescence, I understand that it is difficult to juggle our hectic schedules and healthy habits, but that is a choice for us to make. High school is an important time for us, and it determines the course of our future. It is up to us to decide whether we want to keep studying and neglect a healthy lifestyle, or if we want to balance the both.

The day that we teenage girls realize that eating disorders are not the only way to keep ourselves fit, is the day that society has truly developed.

Adiponectin levels and your health

By: Rasika Raman

Plasma adiponectin is an important chemical entity for various physiological functions and overall wellness. Circulating adiponection ranges between 5 and 30 µg/ml2 . Synthesis happens in the adipose tissue, where adiponectin is the most abundantly expressed protein, among all adipokines.

What affects adiponectin levels:

• Genetic factors: polymorphisms in the ADIPOQ gene are linked with hypoadiponectiniaemia
• Diet
• Gender: Higher levels in females when compared with males
• Anthropometrics: waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference

Protective role of adiponectin:

Adiponectin exhibits strong antioxidant action and helps reduce excess free radical formation. It also reduces insulin resistance, a major development in diabetic patients.

Studies have shown that adiponectin level is inversely proportional to the level of cytokines, which are important regulatory molecules of the immune system. This implies that lower the adiponectin, greater is the risk for inflammation and sepsis.

Apart from fat metabolizing enzymes, ''good'' cholesterol and lipid profile, regulation of adiponectin levels is essential for cardiovascular health. A deficiency in adiponectin promotes atherosclerosis and can result in coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction or cardiac hypertrophy.

The role of adiponectin in cancer protection has also been widely studied. Promotion of angiogenesis (production of new blood vessels-an unwanted event in cancer development) is supposedly regulated by adiponectin, although some experts say that further evidence is warranted.

Increasing adiponectin levels

Lifestyle intervention such as increased aerobic activity over long periods of time helps increase adiponectin levels in the bloodstream, if they are low.

How to eat:

Restricted caloric intake (by 20-40%) over long period of time helps regulate body weight in obese individuals, metabolism and adiponectin levels in the body. Monounsaturated fats (omega-3 fatty acid) intake is also beneficial. Fish oil (preferably in native form, instead of supplements) is recommended. Consumption of foods high in fiber content, such as whole grains, also help boost adiponectin, especially in women.

How to train your body:

High intensity endurance training is recommended for substantial effect on plasma adiponectin.

World Mental Health Day

Mapmygenome at The Fifth Elephant

Mapmygenome's CEO Anu Acharya was a speaker at The Fifth Elephant conference on Big Data, organized by hasgeek in Bangalore, July 24-26. Watch her presentation now:

The God of All Things New, Good, and Healthy

Ganesh, the God with the head of an elephant (Gajamukh) is the God of all things new, good and healthy. The new and good aspects have been expounded by many experts. Our focus is as usual on the “Healthy”. There are many who would probably argue that the myth of overeating until the stomach bursts contradicts the title of this post. But we have our own counter-arguments:

• A God Who symbolizes alertness and intelligence? Health here doesn’t stop with physical fitness.
• A God Whose most accessible idol is made out of turmeric paste? The health benefits of this herb almost lead to it being patented!
• A God Who is decorated with a variety of fruits (Palavelli in Andhra Pradesh)? Add high fiber and loads of vitamins to your diet by simply consuming them later.
• A God Who is worshipped with the “Dhurva” grass? Even listing the medicinal properties of the Cynodon dactylon will require more than a few pages; you can probably find entire ayurvedic treatises.
•  A God Who is offered steam cooked delicacies (we love modaks too)? What a relief from the acne-inducing sweet-meats we gorge on other festive occasions!
• A God Who is pleased with “Thoppu-karanams” (a kind of squats)? Consider fitness an added bonus here. Another bonus is the improved brain function with regular practice.
• A God Who is offered “Puja” by all members of the family, young and old? Family time for better health.
• A God Whose “Pandals” see communities of people forgetting their differences for nine days of celebrations? That’s Harmony for Health.
• A God Who can inspire an environment awareness drive? And we continue to pollute lakes and water bodies in His name…

Do we need more? Let your quest to better health begin here (Shree Ganesh to better health). All things new, good and healthy have His blessings.

Mapmygenome with the Next Generation of Geneticists

Mapmygenome interacted with students of the Department of Genetics, St. Ann’s College for Women, Hyderabad. Dr. Shibichakravarthy Kannan from our team talked to the students on "Frontiers in Medical Genetics & Clinical Genomics".