How to Interpret My Results

The Science Behind it

BioCertica is the first African-based direct-to-consumer genetic testing company to estimate genetic predisposition to various traits and diseases using the polygenic risk scoring methodology.

 What is a Polygenetic Risk Score?

From a genetic perspective, traits and diseases can arise in a few ways. One way is known as monogenic, meaning that one genetic mutation in one gene causes the disease. An example of this is cystic fibrosis, which is caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene. However, most traits and diseases are complex and are caused by an accumulating effect of many genetic variants across many genes and this is known as polygenic. For example, there are multiple genes (more than those shown here) that contribute to the development of coronary artery disease.  

These genetic variants are called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and each SNP comes in different versions. These versions could contribute to a trait or disease, while others could be neutral. It’s the combination of versions of the SNPs you have that determine your genetic predisposition.

A polygenic risk score (PRS) is a type of genetic testing that gives an estimated relative risk score for how likely you are to develop a certain disease or trait by taking into account all the versions of the SNPs that contribute to the trait or disease and giving a net score.

One person may have more SNPs versions that contribute to a trait and therefore put them at a higher genetic predisposition for developing a trait while another person could have a combination of those SNP versions that puts them at a lower genetic predisposition.

 

Why Do a PRS Test?

Your genetic predisposition is known as your relative risk of developing a trait or a disease while your overall risk known as the absolute risk is a combination of the relative risk and lifestyle factors. Therefore, if you have a high relative risk for a disease and you combine that with a lifestyle that further increases your risk for the disease, you will have a high absolute risk and will likely develop the disease. However, although you cannot change your genes, you can change your lifestyle and subsequently lower your absolute risk.

On the other hand, having a low relative risk, does not necessarily protect you from developing a disease. 

Knowing your genetic predisposition can help you take actions that mitigate the risk or allow you to work with your genetic profile to enhance your life. In other cases, understanding your genetic make-up can give you a sense of acceptance.

How to Interpret My Results

 After calculating a PRS result, we get a number between -1 and 1 corresponding to a scale of genetic predisposition (highly decreased to highly increased). Based on this number we can place you on the genetic predisposition scale. To know if the genetic predisposition is a positive or a negative outcome, you need to consider the trait. For example, a decreased genetic predisposition to vitamin D absorption is not a good thing as it means you are prone to vitamin D deficiency. However, a decreased genetic predisposition to developing Type 2 Diabetes is a more favourable outcome. When you open a trait, there will be a short statement to help you interpret what your results indicate. 

To help put your results into perspective, we compare your results to other BioCertica users so that you can see where you fit in the general population. 

It is important to remember that these are only your genetic predispositions, not a diagnosis. If your genetic predisposition puts you at risk for developing a condition and you are experiencing the associated symptoms, you may have the condition, but you will need to consult your practitioner for a diagnosis.

Summary outcomes

Here is a quick guide to help you identify which of your traits may be of concern or not.

Cells marked in red highlight potential concerns, while green indicates a good outcome. Blue represents a result that is neither good nor bad but has some potential to be concerning.

DNA Nutrition and Wellbeing
Trait Title	Decreased	Average	Increased
Antioxidants
Calcium
Folate
Iron overload risk
Iron
Vitamin A
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B6
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Risk for the ineffectiveness of omega-3 supplementation
Ability to manage blood triglycerides (omega-3)
Inflammation (CRP)
Inflammation (IL-6)
Methylation: MTHFR status
Post-meal insulin response
Insulin sensitivity
Fasting insulin
Ability to remove chemicals in smoked and charred meats
Resistance to cockroach allergy
Estrogen levels
Fat taste
Gluten sensitivity
Risk of hay fever
Gut microbiota
Ability to cope with alcohol flush reaction
Risk of peanut allergy
Risk of egg allergy
DNA Fitness
Trait Title	Decreased	Average	Increased
Risk for osteoporosis
Triglyceride response to exercise
Pain sensitivity
Risk for tendinopathy
Risk for hip and knee osteoarthritis
Body fat percentage
Lean body mass
Hand grip strength
Testosterone levels
Growth hormone levels
Insulin-like growth factor 1 levels
Power
Hemoglobin concentration
LV stroke volume
DNA Weight Management
Trait Title	Decreased	Average	Increased
Adiponectin
Sugar intake
Obesity
Post-meal insulin response
Insulin sensitivity
Fasting insulin
Resting metabolic rate
Portion size
Leptin levels
DNA Cardiovascular Health
Trait Title	Decreased	Average	Increased
Risk of atrial fibrillation
Caffeine metabolite levels
HDL ("good") cholesterol
LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels
Triglyceride levels
Risk of a heart attack
Ability to manage blood triglycerides (omega-3)
Risk of PAD
Risk of venous thrombosis
T-peak to T-end interval change
Risk for hypertension (high blood pressure)
DNA Mental Health
Trait Title	Decreased	Average	Increased
Risk for alcohol dependence
Risk for cannabis dependence
Chronotype measurement
Dealing with stress
Ability to stay awake
Alcohol intake
Risk for developing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Nicotine addiction risk
DNA Skin Care
Trait Title	Decreased	Average	Increased
Risk for developing acne
Antioxidant enzymes
Folate (skincare related)
Risk for developing freckles
Omega 3 and omega 6
Protection against rosacea
Advanced glycation end products
Protection from developing stretch marks
Tanning ability
Risk of developing varicose veins
Eczema
Psoriasis
Superficial cellulitis and abcess
Vitamin A (skincare related)
Vitamin B12 (skincare related)
Vitamin B6 (skincare related)
Vitamin C (skincare related)
Vitamin D (skincare related)
Vitamin E (skincare related)
DNA traits
Trait Title	Decreased	Average	Increased
Baldness
Earwax type and body odor
Hyperactivity
Long-term memory
Working memory
Pair bonding and sociability
Rheumatoid arthritis joint injury risk
Likelihood of having thin and wavy hair
DNA COVID-19
Trait Title	Decreased	Average	Increased
Risk of severe COVID19
DNA Mindfulness
Trait Title	Decreased	Average	Increased
Feeling worried or anxious
Nervousness
Friendships satisfaction
Time spent in front of the screens
Neuroticism
Sleep duration
Attending social or leisure activities
Likelihood of feeling hurt or being sensitive
Likelihood of feeling hurt or being sensitive
Likelihood of worrying for long after embarrassment
Likelihood of feeling tired or lethargic
General happiness
Ease of getting up in the morning
Likelihood of napping during the day
Risk-taking behaviour
Conscientiousness
Extraversion
Ease of feeling guilty
Ease of feeling miserable
Irritability
Ability to confide in someone
Social communication impairment
Psychological resilience
DNA Autoimmune
Trait Title	Decreased	Average	Increased
Multiple sclerosis
Myasthenia gravis (late onset)
Ankylosing spondylitis
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Ulcerative colitis
Oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Dermatomyositis
Takayasu’s arteritis
Wegener’s disease
Appendicitis
Type 1 diabetes
Thyrotoxicosis
Primary biliary cirrhosis
IgA nephropathy
Systemic sclerosis
Alopecia areata
DNA Metabolic health
Trait Title	Decreased	Average	Increased
Estrogen levels
Growth hormone levels
Insulin-like growth factor 1 levels
Hypothyroidism
Nontoxic multinodular goiter
Abdominal pain
Risk for celiac disease
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Risk for hyperbilirubinemia
Eating or appetite disorders
Diseases of iron metabolism
Insulin sensitivity
Fasting insulin
Type 2 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes
Gout
Methylation: MTHFR status

 

 What Should I do with this Information? 

How to take action based on the genetic predisposition depends on the trait. We provide a basic outline in the recommendations section of the app for each trait but we highly recommend that you go to a qualified practitioner to help you piece together the actionable outcomes based on your genetics.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to get in touch with us!

Email: info@biocertica.com

Customer Service Line: 0872502272