Can Genetic Testing Reveal the Perfect Diet for Your Genes?
Many diet labs are now offering a new test that examines your DNA in order to discover the best diet for your unique needs. According to the claims by a number of diet lab companies, they will analyze your DNA and then give you a full report telling you what supplements you need, and exactly what diet best works for your genetic markers to help you lose weight and stay healthy
For decades, diet labs have analyzed blood and urine samples in order to reveal nutritional deficiencies and markers that can indicate the onset of common dietary-related diseases like high cholesterol, blood glucose levels, and thyroid gland activity. Now, many diet labs are claiming that they can analyze a simple Q-tip swab of the DNA cells in your cheek to craft the perfect diet.
This Emerging Field is Called Nutrigenomics.
While early results look promising, it is still too soon for experts to conclude whether or not it is possible to design a better diet simply by analyzing a person’s DNA. Some doctors support nutrigenomics because it is already established that genes control enzyme levels, metabolism, and hormone production. It is a reasonable assumption that understanding how an individual uniquely metabolizes and processes foods can help determine how many calories they need and any deficiencies in nutrition that can be addressed with the use of supplements. Furthermore, many common conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and certain forms of coronary disease are already known to be heavily influenced by inherited genetic factors
Using a DNA Test to Create a Customized Diet.
Supporters of nutrigenomics say that an analysis of an individual’s DNA can be used to successfully design a diet to help keep them healthy and at a good weight. For example, conventional wisdom recommends that people eat a low fat diet if they have a history of heart disease in their family and/or have high levels of the so-called “bad” LDL cholesterol. Likewise, a low-carbohydrate diet may be recommended for individuals whose DNA reveals that they have high blood pressure or abnormal levels of triglycerides.
DNA tests can also reveal the presence of, or lack thereof, of certain enzymes. Some people may be unaware that they are lactose or gluten intolerant, so a DNA test can reveal important clues about how to eat a balanced diet. DNA tests can also reveal the presence of certain markers that will put some people at a higher risk of developing inflammatory diseases or diabetes, giving them advanced warning to make changes in their diet in order to stay healthy.
Is DNA Diet Testing Worth It?
One advantage that DNA testing at a diet lab has over more traditional analyses from blood and urine samples is that you do not need to be present at the lab to give a sample. Most diet labs offer a simple mail-in kit where you take two cotton swabs (Q-tips) and send your sample off to the laboratory to be analyzed. While some diet labs charge a steep premium for their services, the price can often be far lower than traditional blood and urine analysis.
The verdict is still out on whether DNA testing to create a perfect diet is effective, however, many people believe that the low cost and simple process of mailing a cheek swab sample is worth a try. Certain DNA markers can reveal deficiencies in enzyme or hormone production, giving people valuable information about which types of foods or supplements are best for their unique needs. Other experts downplay the value of DNA diet testing, believing that eating a healthy, balanced diet outweighs the benefits of any special insights revealed by analyzing a person’s genes.