Is my variant good or bad?
Short answer: A genetic variant isn’t “good” or “bad.” Variants are small differences in your DNA that make you unique. Some may be linked to certain traits or conditions, but they don’t determine your health on their own.
What Are Genes and Variants?
Your DNA is like an instruction manual for how your body works.
Each section of that manual is called a gene, and genes are made up of smaller parts known as variants.
A genetic variant is a tiny change in your DNA sequence. These changes are completely normal — everyone has them. In fact, it’s these differences that make us all unique in how we look, feel, and respond to the world around us.
Are My Variants Good or Bad?
There’s no such thing as a “good” or “bad” gene. A single variant can influence your body in many ways — sometimes helpful, sometimes less so, depending on the context.
For example:
- A variant might slightly increase your risk for one condition while also providing benefits in another area.
- Many variants only have an effect when combined with environmental or lifestyle factors, like diet, stress, or sleep.
So, instead of labeling variants as good or bad, it’s more accurate to think of them as clues that help explain your unique biology.
Exceptions: Variants with Stronger Effects
Most genetic variants have small effects, but a few well-studied variants can meaningfully influence health. Examples include:
- MTHFR (Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase) – Certain variants can affect how your body processes folate and homocysteine, which may impact cardiovascular or metabolic health.
- APOE (Apolipoprotein E) – Some variants (like APOE ε4) are associated with a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular issues.
Even in these cases, your genes are not the sole determinant. Lifestyle, environment, and other genetic factors can modify risk. SelfDecode reports provide context, research-backed insights, and actionable strategies to help you manage these risks.
How Do Variants Influence Health?
Variants can affect how your body produces certain proteins or responds to nutrients and hormones.
Scientists study these variants to understand how they relate to health traits such as metabolism, inflammation, or sleep patterns.
However, most genetic effects are small on their own. What really matters is how multiple variants interact with each other — and with your lifestyle and environment.
What Is a Polygenic Risk Score (PRS)?
At SelfDecode, we use an advanced method called polygenic risk scoring (PRS).
A PRS looks at thousands of variants together to estimate how they may influence a particular health trait or condition. This gives a more complete and accurate picture than focusing on just one or two genes.
Your DNA Health Reports combine these genetic insights with research-based recommendations — showing you which areas may need extra attention and how to take action.
Can I Change My Genetic Risks?
Yes — your genes influence your health, but they don’t decide it.
Many people carry “higher-risk” variants yet never develop related conditions. That’s because lifestyle and environment play a major role in how genes are expressed.
By making informed changes to your nutrition, supplements, and daily habits, you can help your body work with your genetics rather than against them.
Key Takeaways
- Variants are not inherently good or bad.
- Genes interact with lifestyle, not destiny.
- SelfDecode uses polygenic risk scores (PRS) to assess your genetic predispositions more accurately.
- You can take proactive steps to support your health based on your unique genetic profile.
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