Free radicals, largely produced as byproducts of energy metabolism, can damage tissue and speed up the aging process through a process called oxidative stress. Managing a healthy level of free radicals is achieved by antioxidants, which can be obtained through diet and are produced naturally by the body. The GPX1 gene produces a protein (enzyme) that protects the body from the damaging effects of free radicals. GPX1 is often called the body's "master antioxidant."

However, a significant portion of the population have a dysfunctional version of GPX1 and are at increased risk of oxidative stress.

How Does the GPX-1 Gene Work?

GPX1 is a "selenoprotein" which means to function properly the GPX1 protein requires selenium. Due to the importance of GPX1 in maintaining a healthy level of free radicals, achieving an adequate level of daily selenium is essential. Here's how the process works in about 67% of people:

What Can Go Wrong: GPX1 Gene Mutation

About 33% of the population that has a genetic variation in the GPX1 gene. This small mutation impacts how the GPX1 protein is built and reduces its effectiveness. This is one of more than 50 genes analyzed by the Rootine DNA Test.

There are three genotypes for the GPX1 gene: C/C, C/T, and T/T. The C allele is the normal, functioning variant and the T allele represents the mutation. So, if your genotype is C/C you have a fully functioning GPX1 protein and are protected from free radicals. For the 33% of the population who have a C/T or T/T genotype, they carry one or two copies of the impacted allele and are at reduced protected from free radicals.

The table below outlines nine independent peer reviewed studies that each confirm that a genetic variation in the GPX1 gene limits protection against oxidative stress and free radicals.

This research shows that 1) the T-variant in the GPX1 gene negative impacts the body's ability to regulate ocidative stress and 2) approximately 33% of the population carry at least one T-variant. It works like this:

How We Fix It: More Selenium

Studies have shown that carriers of the genotypes C/T and T/T can increase their GPX1 activity by supplementing with higher doses of selenium. The extra selenium activates more of the GPX1 proteins.

Even though the GPX1 proteins are less effective, due to the genetic mutation, the total increase in active enzymes makes up for the genetic handicap and a similar level of free radical neutralization is achieved. Here's how it works: