Book Review: ‘Dirty Genes’ by Dr Ben Lynch
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to thrive on little sleep while others struggle with energy crashes? Or why your partner can drink coffee after dinner with no effect, whereas you are still buzzing hours after your last cuppa?
Dirty Genes by Dr Ben Lynch dives deep into how our genes influence our health, exploring genetic variations (mutations) that can affect everything from detoxification to mental health, and how we can “clean up” genetic weaknesses through diet, lifestyle and targeted supplements.
The book focuses on the following “dirty genes”:
MTHFR (Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase) – This gene plays a crucial role in folate metabolism and methylation. When it's "dirty," it can lead to issues with detoxification, mood disorders and cardiovascular problems, as it impacts the body’s ability to process toxins and regulate neurotransmitters.
COMT (Catechol-O-Methyltransferase) – Responsible for breaking down stress hormones like dopamine and adrenaline, a "dirty" COMT gene can make it difficult to manage stress, resulting in anxiety, mood swings, and other emotional challenges.
DAO (Diamine Oxidase) – This gene helps with breaking down histamine in the body. When it’s not working efficiently, it can lead to symptoms like headaches, digestive problems and allergic reactions due to excess histamine.
MAOA (Monoamine Oxidase A) – This gene helps regulate mood by breaking down neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. A malfunctioning MAOA gene may be linked to mood swings, aggression, or susceptibility to depression and anxiety.
NOS3 (Nitric Oxide Synthase 3) – NOS3 plays a role in the production of nitric oxide, which helps maintain healthy blood vessels. If this gene is "dirty," it can affect cardiovascular health, leading to problems with blood pressure and circulation.
PEMT (Phosphatidylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase) – This gene is involved in the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, which is essential for liver detoxification and brain health. A "dirty" PEMT gene can affect fat metabolism and liver function, contributing to liver disease and cognitive issues.
GST (Glutathione S-Transferase) – GST is crucial for detoxification, helping to neutralise toxins and free radicals in the body. If this gene is "dirty," it can impair the body’s ability to detoxify, leading to inflammation and a higher risk of chronic diseases.
GPX (Glutathione Peroxidase) – This gene helps protect the body against oxidative stress by neutralising free radicals. When it's "dirty," it can lead to increased oxidative damage, contributing to early signs of ageing and raising the risk of chronic conditions related to oxidative stress.
A few fascinating facts from the book:
- Glowing skin, workaholic tendencies, anxiety and sleep challenges can indicate a slow COMT gene.
- Chemical sensitivity, mental health issues and a hair-trigger temper can be signs of a dirty MTHFR gene
- Early greying of hair can be a sign of problems with the GPX gene, which is involved in protecting against oxidative stress.
My biggest takeaway - “𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐭, 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞, 𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩, 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟, 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧-𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝/𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲…𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧-𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞” (p.55).
The best part is, you don’t need to have had DNA testing to benefit from this book, as it includes detailed checklists to help you determine whether you may have an issue with any of the genes he covers. That said, I’m a big fan of using DNA testing to get a clear picture of how a person’s genetics are impacting their nutrition and overall health.
If you're curious about how well your genes are working and how to optimise them for better health, feel free to get in touch as this is something I love to help clients with!
You can learn more about DNA testing in these blog posts -