Every day, we’re exposed to insanely high amounts of chemicals—through the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and even the products we put on our skin. While our bodies are equipped with detoxification systems designed to filter and eliminate these toxins, not everyone’s system works the same. I learned this firsthand after doing a DNA test that revealed I’m a poor detoxifier. That insight shifted how I approach nutrition, recovery, and long-term health.
In a world where toxic exposure is unavoidable, understanding and supporting your body’s detox pathways isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.
The image to the right is a screenshot of the 8 categories the Genomic Spotlight DNA test looks at.
- Endocrine
- Gastrointestinal
- Detoxification
- Methylation
- Structural
- Anti-Aging
- Cognition
- Inflammation
One of the categories I scored poorly in was Detoxification, with a 33% proficiency score, indicating that I’m compromised when it comes to functionality.
One of the genes looked at is the CYP1A1 gene, which tells you how well you metabolize caffeine, of which, I am a slow metabolizer. Below is a screenshot of three of the genes (CYP1A2 is the last one). And below the image is verbatim what it says.
CYP1A2 is one of the major P450 isoforms contributing by about 5-20% to the hepatic P450 pool and catalyzing oxidative biotransformation of up to 10% of clinically relevant drugs including clozapine and caffeine. CYP1A2 is subject to reversible and/or irreversible inhibition by a number of drugs, natural substances, and other compounds. CYP1A2 is induced by a number of environmental factors including smoking, some drugs and other compounds, and several dietary factors.CYP1A2 metabolizes several important endogenous substrates, such as melatonin, bilirubin, uroporphyrinogen, estrone and estradiol, and arachidonic acid. One well-known agent metabolized by CYP1A2 is caffeine. 35% to 75% of the interindividual variability in CYP1A2 activity is due to genetic factors.
This is pretty amazing to me, because every time I have an energy drink with a fair amount of caffeine, I can tell it affects my estrogen clearance. And that is exactly what the description of the CYP1A2 gene says about me (CYP1A2 metabolizes several important endogenous substrates, such as…estrone and estradiol).
For this reason, I’ve stopped drinking energy drinks with caffeine. I found the drink Update (zero caffeine) and switched to this, and also started taking a supplement called Prostate Supreme from Designs For Health, and I saw a substantial positive difference. Prostate Supreme helps clear estrogen.
If your energy, recovery, or results aren’t where they should be, your ability to handle toxins could be part of the equation. At Ascend Perform, we take a personalized approach — one that considers your biology, training, and lifestyle together.
For more on how nutrition fits into long-term health and performance, check out my ebook An Essential Guide to Nutritional Principles. It’s designed to help you build a strong foundation without the guesswork.
