Episode Highlights With Dr. Erika Gray
- Important perspective about genetics and how to use this information for the biggest advantage
- The nuance when it comes to children and genes
- Genes do not exist in isolation and why focusing on one gene is not helpful
- How understanding genetics helped her teens (and mine)
- What COMT is and how this comes into play with influencing our worldview
- Fast COMT break down dopamine and norepinephrine faster (linked to moving around, not sitting still, etc.)
- How this understanding of genetics can relate directly to how we parent
- Yet another reason protein is so important, especially for kids and teens
- Genes related to serotonin and dopamine and neurotransmitters
- We have 2-5 lbs of bacteria in our gut, and there is a gene called FUT2 that ties to lower levels of bifidobacteria, and this can be linked to anxiety, longevity, and more
- Understanding choline genes and why this is a game changer for so many people, and this is critical for pregnancy and brain development
- Some caveat around MTHFR and why we might be overdoing our response to this
- Serotonin-related genes to look at if you get your kids' genes tested
- What BDNF genes can tell you
- MC4R is a snacking gene, and how to understand this
- Bitter taste receptor genes and how these can make kids more picky
Resources We Mention
