The Silver Gene DNA Roadmap
Chapter 2:
What Is a SNP
You’re made of about 30 trillion cells…that’s 30,000,000,000,000. Every single one of them carries DNA—your unique instruction manual for how your body works.
Inside that manual are over 20,000 genes, and those genes are made of 4 letters: A, T, C, and G.
Usually, those letters follow a perfect pattern. But sometimes? One letter switches.
That’s called a SNP (pronounced “snip”).
So What’s a SNP, Exactly?
SNP stands for Single Nucleotide Polymorphism. That’s a fancy way of saying:
A single-letter change in your DNA.
Think of it like a typo in a recipe.
Instead of "1 tsp salt," it says "1 tbsp salt."
Still edible. But now it tastes different.
In your body, that one small change can affect:
How well your immune system responds
How quickly you detox toxins
How you absorb vitamins and minerals
Whether your body sees certain tissues as “friend” or “enemy”
Why It Matters in Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmune disease happens when your immune system gets confused.
It starts attacking parts of your own body—your joints, skin, organs, nerves—mistaking them for threats.
Some SNPs may make this confusion more likely.
Here’s how:
A change in a HLA gene may affect how your body shows antigens (foreign invaders) to immune cells
A SNP in PTPN22 might make your T cells too aggressive
Variants in MTHFR can affect how you process B vitamins, which are key for inflammation control
A mutation in NOD2 is linked to Crohn’s disease and other gut-related autoimmune issues
You don’t catch autoimmune disease like a cold.
You build toward it—step by step, stress by stress, gene by gene.
A SNP Is Not a Sentence
Having a SNP doesn’t mean you’ll get sick.
It just means your genetic wiring may need extra support.
Think of your genes like the roads on a map.
A SNP is a detour sign.
With the right knowledge, you can still reach your destination—you just take a smarter route.
What Silver Gene Looks At
Our Silver Helix Test looks for SNPs linked to:
Immune overactivation
Nutrient deficiencies
Detox and methylation problems
Inflammation imbalance
Gut barrier dysfunction
Hormonal issues tied to autoimmunity
You get a full picture of how your genes may be influencing your health…even if your lab results keep coming back “normal.”
“When I learned how SNPs could help explain my symptoms, everything started to make sense. One tiny change in my DNA helped me see the bigger picture. That’s why I started Silver Gene—so others could find answers much sooner than I did.”
— Dr. Dennis G. Hooper
Coming Up Next:
Now that you understand SNPs, let’s talk about how they connect to your immune system.
In the next chapter, we’ll explain how genes, toxins, and triggers can flip the switch toward autoimmunity—and what you can do to take control.
Continue to: Chapter 3: The Autoimmune Connection
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