About Us
The Team
Ascend Genetics offers simple and inexpensive genetic testing for nutrition and fitness optimization. Our goal is to allow everyone access to their genetic information to develop a better diet and workout plan that fits their body's strengths and limitations. To achieve this goal, we offer testing that is quick, easy, and affordable, with results that have simple, non-medical courses of action to help you achieve your optimum fitness.
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The Ascend Genetics team of scientists have designed tests based on scientific studies published in peer-reviewed scientific publications. Researching the database of published genomic studies related to diet and exercise allows us to leverage cutting edge research from world experts in the field of nutrition and exercise science. Armed with this information, our scientists have used their extensive experience in genetic test design to create a test that is affordable with easy to understand results.
The Science
Ascend Genetics tests focus on specific genes known to be associated with nutrition or exercise based on compiled scientific and clinical research data. These are genes that may have mutations which could affect what you should eat or how you should exercise. We know the mutations location in the chromosome, their "normal" wild type and mutation state (the genotype), how often the mutation state appears in the general population, and how the mutation state affects a certain physical characteristic (or phenotype).
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Our testing simply involves determining the genotype of these mutations (whether "normal" or mutant), and telling you what your phenotype will be based on published scientific research of that mutation. While this is simple in theory, the complicated part involves choosing what SNPs to test, the most effective way to test them, and how best to communicate the results to the test subject.
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AscendNutrition panel includes tests for the following traits:
matching diet type (carbohydrate sensitivity)
matching diet type (dietary fat sensitivity)
matching diet type (monounsaturated fats benefit)
matching diet type (polyunsaturated fats benefit)
potential for gluten intolerance
potential for lactose tolerance
BMI response to dairy
BMI potential
BMI potential response to exercise
diet (fat loss potenatial response to diet)
food intake (risk of increased)
food intake (% fat eaten)
food intake (addictive eating)
food intake (appetite)
food intake (energy expenditure)
food intake (hunger response)
food intake (satiety)
food intake (snacking desire)
obesity risk
obesity (risk of obesity on "western" diet)
blood sugar (risk of high)
blood sugar (insulin resistance, glucose levels)
blood sugar (type2diabetes risk)
cholesterol and blood lipids (risk of higher LDL levels)
cholesterol and blood lipids (risk of higher triglyceride levels)
cholesterol and blood lipids (risk of reduce HDL levels)
weight loss potential
weight loss (response to diet body weight and insulin resistance)
weight loss/regain potential
bitter taste potential
snacking potential
risk for decreased vitamin B12
risk of decreased folate conversion
risk of decreased Vitamin A
risk of decreased Vitamin A
risk of decreased vitamin B2
risk of decreased vitamin b6
risk of decreased vitamin c
risk of decreased vitamin d
risk of decreased vitamin e
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.....by testing for mutations in the following genes:
ACSL5, ADIPOQ, ADRA2A, ADRB2, ADRB3, ANKK1/DRD2, APOA2, BCAA associated PPM1K SNP, BCMO1, CCR3, FABP2, FADS1, FTO, FUT2, GC,HLA-DG2.5, IL21, IRS1, ITGB2, KCTD10, LEPR, LIPC, LPL, MC4R, MCM6, MMAB, MTHFR, MYO9B, NBPF3, NMB, PLIN, PPARG, SLC23A1, TAS2R38.
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AscendFit panel includes tests for the following traits:
endurance training - potential
endurance training - benefit
endurance vs. sprinter
VO2Max genetic potential
fat loss potential response to exercise
fat mass and % body fat potential response to exercise
weight loss potential
obesity risk
muscle cramping (increased risk)
soreness post exercise (increased risk)
power - peak muscle potential
resistance training (subcutaneous fat) potential benefit
resistance training potential response
strength potential response to resistance training
response to exercise - "good" cholesterol (HDL)
response to exercise - blood pressure
response to exercise - blood pressure
response to exercise - insulin sensitivity
genetic risk of exercise induced ischemia
genetic risk of venous thromboembolism
genetic risk of ischemic heart disease
genetic risk of osteoarthritis
genetic risk of osteoarthritis (knee)
achilles tendinopathy
.....by testing for mutations in the following genes: MMP3, NOS3, EDN1, FTO, LEP, LIPC, PPARD, ADRB3, NRF2, PPARGC1A, ADRB2, GABPB1 (NRF2), GABPB1 (NRF2), ACTN3, CCL2, LEPR, MYH7, MYH7, ADRB2, FTO, AMPD1, GDF5, intergenic, MSTN, INSIG2, IL15, LEPR, IL15RA, SLC30A8, GABPB1 (NRF2), GABPB1 (NRF2), PPARGC1A, NRF2, INSIG2.
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There are other companies that offer this service, but none matches our attention to detail, ease of testing, and affordability. Ascend Genetics focuses on making this test as affordable as possible to encourage everyone to look inside themselves to unlock their true potential.