29 Jul Why Your Genes Are Sabotaging Your Health and How to Fix It with Kashif Khan
Have you ever wondered why you and your best friend can eat the exact same foods, follow identical workout routines, yet have completely different results? Or why the health advice that worked brilliantly for you in your twenties now seems to backfire spectacularly in midlife?
As someone who’s spent years helping women navigate the complex maze of midlife health challenges, I’ve seen this frustration play out countless times. You’re doing everything “right,” yet your body seems to be speaking a completely different language. The truth is, there’s a missing piece to this puzzle that most doctors never discuss – and it’s hiding in your DNA.
I recently had another fascinating conversation with a genetic health expert, Kashif Khan, who experienced this firsthand. Despite living virtually identical lifestyles with his business partner – same office, same street, same age, same food – he developed FIVE chronic diseases while his partner had ZERO. While the doctor gave him the diagnosis…but not the reason WHY. So he went digging. The answer wasn’t found in lifestyle changes or willpower..it was written in his genetic code!
The DNA Detective Story That Changes Everything
Kashif’s journey began with devastating health challenges: severe eczema, psoriasis, gut issues, depression, and debilitating migraines that left him barely functional. When doctors couldn’t explain why he was sick while his partner stayed healthy, he dove into the world of genetic testing.
What he discovered was revolutionary. A gene called GSTM1, responsible for gut detoxification, was completely missing from his DNA – not just a variant, but entirely absent. Imagine reading a book with a page torn out. That’s what was happening in his genetic code.
While his business partner could easily process preservatives, plastics, and environmental toxins, this expert’s body was overwhelmed by even small amounts. The same lunch they shared daily was safe for one but caused leaky gut, inflammation, and systemic health issues for the other.
This discovery led to a profound realization: your genetic blueprint determines how your body responds to everything from food to stress to hormones. And understanding this blueprint is the key to finally making sense of your midlife health struggles.
Why Your Nervous System Holds the Master Key
Here’s where this gets particularly relevant for midlife women. Your DNA doesn’t just influence physical health; it drives the neurochemicals that control how you think, feel, and perceive the world.
Take dopamine, for example. Some people have high-density dopamine receptors, making it easy to feel satisfaction and pleasure. These are the “specialist” types who dive deep into what they love. Others have low dopamine levels, requiring more intense experiences to feel fulfilled – the “warrior” genetics that drive risk-taking and constant challenge-seeking.
Then there’s serotonin, often called the “happy hormone,” but its real job is information prioritization. Low serotonin production means your brain notices everything – every detail, every potential problem. Combined with rapid neurotransmitter clearance, this creates what many midlife women experience as “high-functioning anxiety.”
This isn’t a character flaw or something you need to medicate away. It’s your genetic wiring for leadership and problem-solving. The key is understanding when to activate this superpower and when to dial it down.
The Hormone Mystery Finally Solved
If you’ve been confused about hormone replacement therapy, struggling with mysterious weight gain, or dealing with symptoms that don’t match your “hormone dominant” profile, your DNA holds crucial answers.
The medical world typically focuses on step one of hormone metabolism: dominance. Are you estrogen dominant or testosterone dominant? But there are three critical steps to hormone processing:
Step 1: Hormone Production
Your genetic blueprint determines which hormones your body prioritizes. Dominance doesn’t mean volume – it means pathway priority.
Step 2: Hormone Metabolism
After making estrogen, your body creates three potential forms. Two are beneficial and protective, while one causes inflammation. Your genes determine which pathway dominates.
Step 3: Hormone Detoxification
Even if you’re making good hormones in the right amounts, your genetic detox capacity determines whether they get cleared properly or accumulate and cause problems.
Many women are experiencing the “trifecta”: making too much, creating inflammatory forms, and lacking the genetic capacity to clear them effectively. Add in today’s hormone-disrupting environment – from cosmetics to yoga pants – and you have a perfect storm.
The Mitochondrial Energy Crisis
If you’re experiencing unexplained fatigue, poor exercise recovery, or feeling like your energy crashes unpredictably, your mitochondrial genetics might be the culprit.
Mitochondria are your cellular power plants, combining oxygen and nutrients to create energy. Some people have robust mitochondrial genetics and thrive on high-intensity exercise and stress. Others have compromised systems that become overwhelmed by typical “healthy” activities.
Here’s the crucial part: if you have poor mitochondrial genetics, the standard biohacking approaches can actually make you feel worse. Throwing NAD or other advanced supplements at a struggling system is like adding premium gas to a car with a broken engine.
The solution isn’t to push harder – it’s to rebuild first. Focus on foundational support, gentle movement, and targeted nutrients that help your mitochondria recover and grow stronger.
The Glutathione Paradox
One of the most eye-opening examples involves glutathione, often called the “master antioxidant.” A woman in Hawaii was struggling with severe fatigue, convinced she had a mold problem. Her genetic testing revealed excellent mold detox pathways, ruling out that theory.
The real culprit? She was taking glutathione supplements daily, but her DNA was missing the gene (GSTT1) that instructs the body how to use supplemental glutathione properly. Instead of helping, the glutathione was pulling essential nutrients from her body, leaving her malnourished and exhausted.
This illustrates a crucial principle: supplements aren’t universally helpful. What works for your favorite influencer might be harmful for your unique genetic makeup.
The Vitamin D Revelation
Most people assume that if their blood levels of vitamin D look good, they’re fine. But genetic testing reveals a more complex story involving three critical steps:
- Converting inactive D2 to active D3
- Transporting D3 to your cells
- Creating receptors that can actually use the vitamin D
A woman in Toronto had all three genetic variants compromised. Despite taking vitamin D and having “high” blood levels, she wasn’t actually getting the benefits at the cellular level. The solution wasn’t more vitamin D – it was taking smaller amounts three times daily to work around her genetic limitations.
The Sun, Skin, and Inflammation Connection
The relationship between sun exposure and skin health isn’t as simple as “sun bad, sunscreen good.” Your genetic makeup determines how well you process vitamin D, manage oxidative stress, and handle inflammation.
Research shows that animals fed an inflammatory diet (seed oils, processed foods) developed skin cancer when exposed to sun, while those on a clean, anti-inflammatory diet had zero cancer incidence. The sun isn’t the enemy – chronic inflammation is.
Your skin sensitivity is like a check engine light, signaling internal inflammation rather than indicating a sun allergy. Addressing gut health, reducing inflammatory foods, and gradually building sun tolerance can transform your relationship with sunlight.
The Weight Loss System Approach
When it comes to weight struggles in midlife, there’s never just one genetic factor at play. A comprehensive approach examines:
Stress and Cortisol Response Your genetic stress response determines whether challenging situations trigger fat storage or fat burning.
Gut Microbiome Management Specific genes control your ability to maintain beneficial bacteria like lactobacillus and bifidobacteria, which are essential for healthy metabolism.
Hormone Balance and Body Composition Your genetic hormone profile influences whether your body defaults to storing or burning fat.
Satiety and Appetite Regulation Some people have genetic variants that make it harder to feel full or create cravings for food variety even after adequate nutrition.
Neurochemical Balance High-functioning anxiety can trigger stress eating as your body attempts to cope with chronic activation.
Your Personalized Path Forward
Understanding your genetic blueprint isn’t about accepting limitations – it’s about working with your body instead of against it. Once you know your unique wiring, you can:
- Choose supplements that actually work for your genetics
- Modify your exercise approach to match your mitochondrial capacity
- Support your specific detox pathways
- Balance hormones based on your metabolism patterns
- Manage stress in ways that align with your neurochemical profile
The goal isn’t to fight your genetics but to optimize them. You can influence gene expression through lifestyle choices, targeted nutrition, and strategic supplementation.
Taking Action on Your Genetic Health
Five years ago, this level of genetic insight wasn’t available. Today, we have the technology to answer questions that previously left doctors and patients guessing. This isn’t about replacing medical care – it’s about adding a crucial missing piece to your health puzzle.
As this expert noted, about 30% of his clients are healthcare providers themselves, seeking answers they can’t find through conventional testing and treatment approaches.
If you’re tired of playing guessing games with your health, feeling frustrated by one-size-fits-all approaches, or wondering why your body seems to work differently than everyone else’s, genetic testing might provide the clarity you’ve been seeking.
The key is working with practitioners who understand how to translate genetic information into practical, actionable strategies. Raw genetic data is just the beginning – the real value comes from understanding how to optimize your unique blueprint.
Remember, your DNA isn’t your destiny – it’s your instruction manual. And just like any complex system, when you understand how it works, you can make it work better for you.
Your midlife health challenges aren’t a mystery to be endured. They’re a puzzle with genetic pieces waiting to be understood and optimized. The question isn’t whether you can feel amazing in your body again – it’s whether you’re ready to discover the personalized roadmap that’s been written in your DNA all along.
The contents of the Midlife Conversations podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider. Some episodes of Midlife Conversations may be sponsored by products or services discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation for such advertisements or if you purchase products through affiliate links mentioned on this podcast.
