July 15, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Genetics and Nutrition at Ananda Integrative Medicine

A Westside health center that tailors diets to patients’ DNA. 

By Staff Writer 

From pressed juices to plant-based diets, Westsiders are known for leading the way in healthy eating trends, and a health center located in the heart of Brentwood takes healthy eating to a whole new level based on an individual’s genes. 

For the health savvy Westside resident, nutrition genomics can help guide personal diet, nutrition, and exercise that can not only optimize your health, but the health of future generations. 

“Epigenetic factors including diet, environment and lifestyle habits have the power to regulate our DNA by switching genes on and off, which can influence the health of up to four generations,” said Reshma Patel, PA-C, MMS, CEO & Founder of Ananda Integrative Medicine. 

Before opening Ananda Integrative Medicine, located at 11950 San Vicente Blvd, Suite 110, Patel spent 14 years practicing family medicine, urgent care and occupational medicine in the Los Angeles area. Ananda Integrative Medicine helps patients not only be healthy but address the root cause of issues. 

According to Patel, one diet cannot suit everybody and at her practice, patients can develop a nutrition plan tailored specifically to their DNA. 

“Nutrition has an ‘epigenetic’ effect on our DNA. In other words, nutrition is one of the major ways we can change the destiny of our genetic healthy history and reverse disease statistics,” Patel said. “Genetics and biochemistry help us discover how we are different, and what we can do to potentially overcome disease susceptibilities through the understanding of epigenetics by applying it to our diet, lifestyle and your environment.” 

A specific example of how Ananda Integrative Medicine can use genetics to overcome disease susceptibilities is with patients who have a change in the amino acid sequence of the MTHFR enzyme, which adds a methyl group to folic acid so that the body is able to use it.  MTHFR variants are linked with miscarriages, depression, fibromyalgia, autism, coronary artery disease, infertility and autism. At Ananda Integrative Medicine, however, nutritional genomics can be used to develop a diet with foods like dark leafy greens and supplements like methylfolate that can support any variants in this gene.  

“Carrying the MTHFR gene is a potential risk; it doesn’t mean that the enzyme won’t function well,” Patel said. “Genes are not your destiny.  They are a blueprint for diseases and conditions you may be at risk for.  We can use this information to mitigate the risk by using nutrition and lifestyle changes.” 

Other examples of gene variants nutritional genomics can help address include the BCOL gene which can be supplemented with Vitamin A, FUT2 gene and Vitamin B12 and PPAR-ALPHA GENE. Variants in this gene have a poor response to fasting due to low ketone bodies, and according to Patel, this may explain diverse reactions to a ketogenic diet. 

According to Patel, 15 years ago such personalized care was not available to patients, but rapid advances in science have made nutritional genomics something anybody can utilize to lead a healthier life. The Human Genome Project was completed in 2003 at the cost of $2.3 billion.  This opened the world to understanding what makes us unique.  In 2006 it cost $300,000 to sequence one human genome.  By 2016 the cost was under $5,000. Today you can get your whole genome sequenced for $1,000. 

“The hope is to have it down to $200 in the near future. The genome is the complete set of DNA, and where you find the instructions to build health. The DNA remains fixed for life, but the epigenome remains flexible,” Patel said. “Understanding your genes leads to personalized medicine that is made for you.” 

And nutritional genomics is just one of many ways Ananda Integrative Medicine help patients develop personalized health plans, including infrared sauna treatments and vitamin injections, both of which provide patients a wide range of health benefits.

“Infrared saunas are an effective tool for natural healing and prevention. Benefits include: relaxation, detoxification, pain relief, blood pressure reduction, improved circulation, skin purification, anti-aging, wound healing, cell health muscle recovery and immunity,” Patel said. “Vitamin injections are great for boosting energy, metabolism, promoting better mood, immune support and thyroid support.”

For more information about Ananda Integrative Medicine’s services, visit AnandaIntegrativeMedicine.com/Services, call (424) 259-2089 or follow on Facebook @AnandaIntegrativeMedicine and Instagram @integrative_Pa. To book an appointment, click HERE.

in News
Related Posts

Nonprofit Formed by Palisades High Alumni to Host Benefit Concert for Fire Recovery

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

All proceeds will support relief for the Hildebrand family, Palisades High School’s booster club and Palisades Dolphin Strong The Pacific...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...

Venice Family Clinic Slams HHS Funding Restrictions as Assault on Immigrants

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

HHS announced on July 10 that it would restrict access to programs like community health centers, Head Start, and other...

Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent...

Newly Built Mar Vista Home with Spa and Plunge Pool Offered at $3.6M

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

The home’s powder room stands out with Roman Clay walls and a marble sink, while European oak floors, brass fixtures,...

Veterans Tech Group to Launch Los Angeles Chapter with Networking Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Founded in San Francisco, VetsInTech operates 20 chapters nationwide and claims more than 60,000 veterans VetsInTech, a national nonprofit that...

Nine-Unit Apartment Building in Palms On Sale for $3.3M

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

Recent upgrades include a new roof coating and water heater tank, with no seismic retrofit required, according to listing details...

Weekly Yoga Sessions Offered at Venice Branch Library

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Open to all skill levels, the sessions aim to guide attendees in balancing body, mind, and spirit The Venice Branch...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...

Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas to Step Down

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted...

Mayor Bass Issues Directive to Protect Immigrant Communities

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The order expands access to city resources for affected families and requests records from ICE, including details on arrests Mayor...

Culver City Joins Legal Fight Against Federal Immigration Raids

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The legal action seeks to intervene in the class-action lawsuit Perdomo v. Noem, which alleges federal agencies have conducted unlawful...

Input Sought for Culver City Tourism Brand Ahead of Olympics

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The effort aims to highlight the city’s culinary, creative, and experiential attractions as it prepares The City of Culver City...