HOW TO LIVE A LONGER HEALTHIER LIFE

Genetic sequencing at Yale Medicine revealed that Amanda Gonzalez‑Bunster, who had endured nearly two decades of unexplained health issues—such as severe hypertriglyceridemia, fatty liver disease, and pancreatitis—harbored a rare mutation in the PPARG gene, diagnosing her with familial partial lipodystrophy type 3. This mutation, which occurred de novo, explained her body’s inability to produce healthy fat cells and the resulting metabolic complications . As one of only about 31 people worldwide known to have this condition, her case was both extraordinary and medically significant . Armed with this diagnosis, doctors prescribed metreleptin—a leptin hormone replacement—which dramatically improved her energy levels and metabolic health. 

Today, she reports feeling “miraculous” improvements and has reinvigorated her life and academic pursuits.

Bryan, a Florida-based software professional, endured 25 years of depression and multiple ineffective medications with debilitating side effects. During a particularly severe episode, his psychiatric provider recommended a genetic test, and within days of submitting a saliva sample, the results were in .

The report identified medications he should avoid and guided his provider to choose a better-fitting treatment, leading to significant mental health improvement.

Coupled with cognitive behavioral therapy, Bryan reports feeling approximately 80% better than he had in decades. He now describes the test as life-changing and highly recommends it for its clear clinical value.

When Ilene’s sister Laura was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 44, genetic testing revealed she carried a BRCA mutation linked to a high risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Ilene also tested positive for the mutation and chose to undergo preventive surgery—only to discover she already had early-stage ovarian cancer.

Thanks to her sister’s diagnosis and the genetic testing that followed, Ilene’s cancer was caught before it became advanced.

Today, both sisters are cancer-free, and Ilene actively supports cancer awareness and research, grateful that genetic testing gave her a second chance at life.