Explore Genetic Impact on Stress & Anxiety Management

Start of the September for many can be a busy and stressful and anxious time of year. For many people this is the start of fiscal school year, return to scheduled busy routines, and for many seasonal changes to fall depending on where you live. Our personal genes have an influence on how we handle stress.

Understanding your personalized genetics can help you access the proper tools to support stress management this September no matter where your stress may come from.

There are many genes in the 3X4 “Mood & Behavior” pathway that may contribute to and support management of anxiety such as the COMT, MTHFRs, MAOA, GABRA2, HTRI1, VDRs, CHRNA5, CACNA1C that we see on the 3X4 Blueprint

Let’s look at COMT gene for example where genetic variants have been referred to as the “Warrior” or “Worrier.” The COMT A Met the “Worrier” is associated with decreased enzyme activity in degradation of catecholamines such as dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine which may lead to enhanced vulnerability to stress and anxiety, but also enhanced cognitive performance, memory, and attention.

“Worrier” COMT individuals can support anxiety but reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, intaking adequate magnesium, address adrenal and microbiome function, and support Nrf2 with nutrients such as sulforaphanes.

The COMT Val the “Warrior” variant is associated with increased enzyme activity, and increased breakdown stress hormones, and lower synaptic availability of dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine. This is associated with better performance under stress, stress resilience, and lower anxiety.

However associated memory deficits & lower attention. Warrier COMT Individuals may benefit from lifestyle and dietary changes such as; regular physical exercise, creative activities, and adequate sleep. Supporting B-vitamin rich foods and or methylated B-vitamin nutritional supplement. Phytonutrients including quercetin, catechins, and epicatechins and foods such as onion, capers, apples, blackberries, apricots, grapes, and strawberries with a catechol structure may inhibit COMT activity.

Multiple vitamin D genes such as Vitamin D receptor genes VDRs, GC D Binding Protein, and CYP2R1 activation of vitamin D are not only involved with anti-inflammatory and immune processes in the body but also the formation of neurotransmitters than may help anxiety and stress management.

The 3X4 Blueprint asses multiple VDR genes, as well as Activation and Transport genes to better understand vitamin D3 needs and processing to connect an individual’s connection between D3 and Mood Modification such as anxiety.

Vitamin D may improve mood and reduce anxiety with involvement in the formation of serotonin “stress buffer” and calming neurotransmitter GABA. VDR receptors are in many places of the body, and particularly in the brain pre-frontal cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus.

The active form of Vitamin D calcitriol can cross the blood-brain barrier BBB, and be directly or indirectly involved with cognitive function and neurotransmitter formation. The CYP2R1 encodes for the enzyme Vitamin D

25-hydroxylase which converts vitamin D3 to its active form Calcitriol which can cross the BBB. VDR genes require active Vitamin D3 to properly function, but do not make vitamin D. The GC Vitamin D Binding Protein Gene assists in the transportation of vitamin in the body even places like cerebral spinal fluid. GC variants in the C alle are associated with 49% Vitamin D insufficiency.

Therefore low or insufficient Vitamin D levels may contribute poorer stress management, and depression. Individuals who may have difficult raising D3 levels with supplements may benefit from co-administration of Sulforaphanes to raise levels.

D3 levels can be achieved at different and higher altitudes of sunlight exposure, Vitamin D rich foods; foods, free-range eggs wild-caught fatty fish, sun-exposed mushrooms, avoiding medications that interfere with Vitamin D3 activation.

Understanding an individual vitamin D needs and processing at a genetic level will help clinical decisions such as testing and monitoring D3 levels in laboratory evaluation, dosing and forms of D3 supplementation, lifestyle habits of sunlight exposure, and diet modifications to support Vitamin D intake.