The Science
We leverage the best science to improve health and wellness
Pharmacogenetics
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Pharmacogenetics can reduce risky side effects by 30% 3
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Pharmacogenetics is the science of how our genes affect the way we respond to medications, identifying the variants you carry to help personalize treatment. This approach ensures optimal medication and dosing, avoiding side effects and safety risks.
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Research shows that over 99.9% of people have genetic variants affecting their response to medications. ¹
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About 80% of people treated with antidepressants for anxiety, stress or OCD experience side effects. ²
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Understanding genetic responses to drugs can reduce the risk of side effects by 30%. ³
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76% of those who took Inagene’s pharmacogenetics test had a change made to their treatment plan as a result of the insights provided. ⁴
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How genetic variants affect medication response
Key proteins in the body play crucial roles in how medications work: enzymes activate or break down drugs, transporters direct them to where they're needed, and receptors allow them into cells. Genetic variants can affect the function and amount of these proteins, leading to varying medication responses among individuals.
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Knowing what genetic variations you have is important
The most common genetic variants are single nucleotide changes (polymorphisms), known as SNPs. Although most SNPs are harmless and mainly determine differences in traits like eye color, some variants can play a major role in how we respond to medications. Pharmacogenetic researchers study how certain gene variants impact how we will respond to different drugs, what this means in terms of which drugs and doses will work best, and which should be avoided.
Nutrigenomics
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Use nutrigenomics to fine-tune your nutrition and fitness
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Nutrigenomics uses modern genomics technology to study the relationship between genes, nutrition and health. Nutrigenomics allows us to understand how our genes affect the way we respond to the foods, beverages and supplements we consume, as well as our fitness habits.
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DNA analysis for personalized nutrition and fitness insights
Inagene’s Nutrition & Fitness testing for personalized nutrition and fitness is done in partnership with Nutrigenomix, a biotechnology company offering genetic testing for personalized nutrition in more than 50 countries worldwide. The test kit results provide a blueprint for developing a tailored plan to optimize your health and wellness.
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Backed by science
Evidence shows that one-size-fits-all nutrition recommendations are inefficient and often ineffective. Research in nutrigenomics can now explain why the same foods affect different people in different ways. The Nutrigenomix test kit was used in the first published, peer-reviewed randomized controlled trial of genetic information related to nutrition. This research showed that DNA-based nutrition recommendations result in greater dietary improvements than general advice.
Technology
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Our Technology
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How is Inagene different?
Search medicationsWe offer the most comprehensive test for pain, mental health, heart disease, and other conditions, analyzing more genes and variants than any other pharmacogenetics test in Canada. Unlike other tests, Inagene’s recommendations are backed by publicly available pharmacogenetic guidelines from well-recognized, government-funded bodies established over the past two decades in the USA, Europe, and Asia. We combine this science with insights from your DNA profile to provide personalized insights you can trust.
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Research Diversity
Inagene is dedicated to inclusivity, ensuring that our genetic insights are effective for a range of populations, reflecting the genetic diversity of all individuals. We incorporate genetic data from a wide range of ethnic groups, and continuously update our databases prioritizing studies that allow us to provide personalized insights that cater to the needs of all customers, regardless of background.
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Privacy
At Inagene, protecting your privacy and personal data is our top priority. We ensure your genetic data is secure, never shared or sold, and comply fully with Canadian Data Protection regulations, including PIPEDA and Provincial Privacy Regulations. Our comprehensive safeguards—physical, electronic, and procedural—protect against unauthorized access, use, alteration, duplication, destruction, disclosure, loss, or theft of your personal information.
FAQs
How do my genes affect the way drugs work in my body?
The human body has incredible processes to break down or activate medications. There are several important proteins in the body that play significant roles when a medication is ingested. Enzymes break down or activate a drug so it can take effect; protein transporters help a drug go to where it is needed; and protein receptors let the drug into the cell where it will take effect. Certain genetic variants can impact the quantity and effectiveness of these enzymes, transporters and receptors, driving wide variations in responses to medications between individuals.
When is the best time to do a pharmacogenetics test?
A pharmacogenetics test can be done at any time, from infancy on. But the best time to order a test is before you need it as a proactive measure. This way when you are ever prescribed a new medication, you can share your report with your Healthcare Practitioner to determine the best medication based on your genetic profile.
Why is it important to analyze your DNA for personalized nutrition and fitness insights?
Nutrition is vital for health, and standard recommendations overlook individual differences. Your genes can affect everything from weight management to cardiometabolic health to fitness performance and injury risk. Working with your healthcare provider or dietitian, you will be able to learn what foods you should be eating more or less based on your DNA to decrease your risk of developing chronic diseases, optimize your health, performance, fertility, and more.
If a drug is not in the report, will it work well for me?
Inagene offers one of the most comprehensive pharmacogenetic tests for pain, mental health, and other treatments and conditions like cardiology, oncology, gastroenterology, and more. If a medication isn’t on our list, it’s because no clinically relevant genetic variants have been identified yet. Other pharmacogenetic tests on the market may include medications that Inagene does not, but Inagene tests for more genes and variants than other providers in the market. This is key to getting accurate results that are 100% backed by science.
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References
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- Pharmacogenetics at scale: An analysis of the UK Biobank
- Health Canada
- Swen JJ, van der Wouden CH, Manson LE, et al. A 12-gene pharmacogenetic panel to prevent adverse drug reactions: an open-label, multicentre, controlled, cluster-randomised crossover implementation study. Lancet. 2023;401(10374):347-356. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01841-4
- Inagene Patient Pilot Study; 2021