The 5 Genes You Need to Know About (If You Want to Feel Like Yourself Again)

By Dr. Jack Belitz, DC — Omaha’s Expert in DNA-Guided Wellness

Let’s face it. Most people know more about their coffee order than they do about their own genes. And yet, those genes could be the very reason you feel tired, anxious, foggy, irritable — or why you gain weight even when you’re eating kale and doing yoga by candlelight.

So today, we’re cutting through the confusion and diving into the top 5 genes I think everyone should know about — because when you understand what’s going on inside your body, you can finally do something about it.

1. MAO (The “Warrior” Gene) — Mood Mayhem, Explained

If you feel like you’re one email away from snapping or your brain goes into overdrive the minute you sit down to relax, say hello to your MAO gene. It breaks down serotonin — you know, the so-called “happy” chemical.

🧠 Too much serotonin? Think anxiety, rage, irritability, and even panic.

📉 Too little? Depression.

👎 A sluggish MAO gene + an SSRI? Recipe for disaster (and I’ve seen it firsthand).

This is one of the most mood-sensitive genes I test — and it often reveals why some people feel worse on medication.

2. COMT — The Adrenaline Traffic Cop

This one controls how you break down adrenaline, dopamine, and noradrenaline. When COMT’s moving too slowly, your brain basically says: “Let’s never relax again!”

Symptoms of a slow COMT:

Racing thoughts
Insomnia
Anxiety
Can’t shut your brain off
Super reactive to stress

I call this the Scout Gene — your ancestors needed this hyper-alertness to survive saber-tooth tigers. Today, you just get insomnia and panic attacks.

3. Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) — Immunity, Energy & Brain Chemistry

Vitamin D isn’t just about bones. This receptor is crucial for:

Making serotonin and dopamine
Turning on immune cells
Properly using calcium and magnesium
Reducing inflammation

Here’s the kicker: you can take tons of vitamin D, but if this receptor is sluggish, your body might not absorb it properly. I’ve helped countless patients turn around mood and immune challenges just by activating this pathway correctly.

4. NDUFS — The Energy Switch (aka “The END-US Gene”)

Feeling like your battery never quite charges?

The NDUFS gene controls the point where food becomes energy. If it’s not firing, you’re not making enough ATP (your cells’ fuel), which leads to:

Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Brain fog
Sluggish metabolism
In more severe cases: neurological disorders like Parkinson’s

This is one of the genes I’m most passionate about because when we support it correctly — I’ve seen jaw-dropping improvements in energy and muscle strength.

5. MTHFR — The Famous “Mother Flip-Flop” Gene

You’ve probably heard of this one. The MTHFR gene turns folic acid into its usable form and kickstarts your methylation pathways — the body’s system for detoxing, making neurotransmitters, repairing DNA, and so much more.

If you’re not methylating properly, you’re not clearing toxins. You’re not balancing brain chemistry. You’re not repairing damage.

👉 And if you’re pregnant or trying to be? It’s essential for preventing birth defects and supporting healthy development.

So What’s the Point of All This?

If you’ve ever said:

“I don’t feel like myself.”
“My doctor says my labs are fine, but I feel awful.”
“I can’t handle stress like I used to.”
“I’ve tried everything and nothing works…”

You need to get your genes tested — and you need someone who knows how to read the whole picture.

🧬 I don’t just look at one gene. I look at the interactions, the pathways, and how to support your unique blueprint so your body actually works with you — not against you.

🗓️ Ready to Find Out What Your Genes Are Trying to Tell You?

I’ve helped patients across Omaha get their energy back, balance their moods, lose weight, sleep better, and feel in control of their bodies again — all by using targeted, personalized insights from their DNA.

📞 Call now or click here to schedule a consultation.

Let’s decode your health and unlock your full potential — because guess what?

It’s not all in your head. It’s in your genes.

The 5 Genes You Need to Know About (If You Want to Feel Like Yourself Again)