Try This: 5 Things I Changed After Getting Genetic Testing

Try This community, I always keep you updated on my health progress, and today, I’m sharing five things I changed about my diet and lifestyle after getting some specialized genetic testing done a few years ago.

I’ll be honest, when it comes to heart disease risk, my genetics and family history are not doing me any favors.

So after thinking I was doing everything right and still seeing high LDL, apoB, and triglycerides, my cardiologist back in 2023 decided to do some genetic testing to see what changes were critical for heart disease prevention. 

This test was eye-opening, to say the least. 

Today, I want to share some of these results with you, how you can get access to a test like this, and five major changes I’ve made since receiving the results. 

Let’s dive in…

Genetic Testing Background 

If you’re interested in the type of genetic testing that I did, here’s some background. 

• Test: The company is called GB HealthWatch and the test I completed is called GBinsight!
  

• Ordering: You’re only able to order this test through a doctor. My cardiologist, Michael Twyman, MD, ordered this for me. But you can find practitioners who provide this test here. 

Many of the changes I made can be applied by most people, starting today (especially if your risk factors are high).

If you want to nerd out on my results, here’s a snapshot of the variants that could possibly increase my risk of developing heart disease. 

Dhru’s Genetic Risk Factors:

1. APOE E4: Strong risk factor for higher LDL cholesterol and possibly higher lipoprotein (a). Increases atherosclerosis risk.
   

2. CDKN2B-AS1 (9p21 region): Strongly associated with increased coronary artery disease and heart attack risk through effects on blood vessel wall health.
   

3. PHACTR1: Modestly raises coronary artery disease risk by influencing blood vessel constriction and remodeling.
   

4. CREB3L3: Likely increases triglyceride levels and may affect HDL and insulin sensitivity.
   

5. MC4R: Modestly increases risk for obesity through effects on appetite regulation.
   

6. CPT2: Variant of uncertain significance; in rare cases, may contribute to muscle problems with extreme exercise or statin use.
   

7. CYP27A1: Variant of uncertain significance; may affect cholesterol metabolism.

Here’s the TLDR (too long, didn’t read) version: I have genetic variants that could impact my LDL, cholesterol, triglycerides, endothelial health, and weight. 

After chatting with Dr. Twyman about all of this, here are the five things I did immediately back in 2023 to lower my risk of developing heart disease in the future!

#1: Cutting Down on Saturated Fat + Alcohol 

A few years ago, there was a lot of information going around about how saturated fat is not the enemy, and it’s actually a high-carb diet that’s the problem. The truth is so much more nuanced than this.

After personally going on a super-high-fat diet and seeing my numbers (LDL and apoB) go sky high, I started to get a little concerned. Because these numbers do matter, even if you are metabolically healthy, despite what some may say.

Here’s how I’ve heard it: high LDL and apoB are still shots on goal. No matter how good your goalie is, you still don’t want extra shots at the goal because eventually the opposition will score!

When it comes to saturated fat, there are people who can eat a high-fat diet, but their lipids stay low, and they feel great. I am not that person. A high-saturated-fat diet (especially with added fats like coconut oil) not only jacked my lipids up, but I started to notice weird symptoms like red skin patches on my face and poor stool quality.

Now, I eat smaller amounts of saturated fat and focus more on monounsaturated fats like avocado, olive oil, nuts, and seeds.

Alcohol is known to impact cardiovascular risk—everything from high blood pressure to heart muscle function, risk of stroke, and more. 

So while I was never really a big drinker to start with, I switched to only having a glass of wine on very rare and special occasions (and currently, I’m actually off alcohol completely). 

#2: Eat More Fiber + Omega 3s 

For years, I didn’t think much about fiber. Sure, I knew it was “good for you,” but it wasn’t something I actively prioritized. 

Then I got my genetic results back and realized I carry variants that put me at higher risk for elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, and inflammation. 

That’s when fiber suddenly became nonnegotiable. Dietary fiber helps lower LDL cholesterol by binding it in the gut and ushering it out of the body before it can clog arteries. It also feeds beneficial gut bacteria, which play a surprising role in regulating inflammation and supporting metabolic health (two big factors when you have genetic tendencies like mine).

Now, I aim for about 30–40 grams of fiber a day from psyllium husk, fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and Gut Fiber Shots by Farmer’s Juice (I’m proud to be an investor and a customer).

The other nutrient that jumped to the top of my list? Omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats, found in fatty fish like salmon and sardines, as well as supplements, can help lower triglycerides, reduce arterial inflammation, and improve blood vessel function—all especially relevant if you have APOE, CDKN2B-AS1, or CREB3L3 variants like I do. 

Omega-3s work on multiple fronts: they make blood less sticky (reducing clot risk), support heart rhythms, and counteract the inflammatory effects that some genetic profiles are more prone to. 

I do eat fish a few times a week, but I also take fish oil every single day because I know it’s that important. I personally take about 4 grams of EPA/DHA daily, but talk to your doctor about how much you need. 

#3: Get Serious About Exercise 

A few of my variants, like those linked to endothelial dysfunction and coronary artery disease, make it more important for me to keep my blood vessels healthy and flexible. 

That’s where nitric oxide comes in. When you move (especially during activities that get your heart rate up, like fast walking, rucking, cycling, or strength training), your blood vessels release nitric oxide, a powerful compound that relaxes arteries, improves circulation, and reduces plaque buildup. 

Think of nitric oxide as nature’s way of keeping your arteries “slippery” and resistant to the stiffness that can lead to heart disease. 

I can’t afford to skip out on exercise, and that’s pretty much the truth for everyone. So, it’s a priority on my calendar at least 3–4 times a week, and it looks like strength training, hiking, or pickleball. 

#4: Not Low-Carb or High-Carb

Now, what about carbs? Well, since I tend toward higher triglycerides, I still have to be careful about my carb intake (excess carbohydrates in the diet can be converted into triglycerides and then stored in our fat cells). 

But, I’m also not super low-carb either, since I need fiber and fuel to help bind to cholesterol, support my gut microbiome, and give me energy for workouts. 

I would say I’ve taken a very balanced approach when it comes to carbohydrates. I still eat lots of veggies, fruits, rice, and sometimes oats, but I’ve significantly limited things like bread, pasta, cereals, and other ultra-refined forms of carbohydrates.

Some people fare better on a higher- or lower-carb diet, but for me, the middle is the sweet spot. 

#5: The Right Medication 

After talking to many experts, including Dr. Twyman, here’s what I’ve come to realize. If your risk factors are high, medication is often necessary. This is where I’ve changed my mind. For years, I was pretty against taking prescription medication, but I’ve changed my mind based on new information. 

You can do all of the lifestyle and dietary things, but sometimes the body needs extra support. I’m now all about tackling the challenge from all angles. 

However, as you can see in my results, I have a variant (CPT2) which makes me more prone to statin-induced myopathy (muscle weakness). Based on this information and the fact that I am a cholesterol hyper-reabsorber, my doctor prescribed ezetimibe and recommended a few other supplements, which you can read about here.

My dad, who is on a statin, has been experiencing myopathy, and I also want to get him this test to see if he has the same variant, which I suspect he does.

Concluding Thoughts

This is an evolving journey for me. So far, I’ve been able to lower my apoB by 64 points and even lower my LDL.

I’ve also done a Cleerly Scan, which looks at soft plaque in the heart, and I have virtually zero, which is pretty great. 

I’ll keep updating you on my journey, but I wanted to share this because I hope it shows you that there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach to health. 

See you next week, 
Dhru Purohit