Are DNA Nutrition Tests Accurate?
At-home DNA tests have become popular lately, thanks to all the things a person can learn from them. Ancestry research is one reason so many people are excited about DNA testing, but adding leaves to the family tree is only part of what you can do with a DNA test.
Today, people use at-home DNA kits to confirm paternity, find out their risk for certain health conditions, and plan their families. Some people also look to DNA testing as a way to improve their fitness levels.
A genetic diet test may sound unusual, but recent studies have found that DNA is part of the reason some diets work for some people but not others. Humans are unique in so many ways; it should be no surprise to learn our nutritional needs also differ.
If you’re looking for ways to fine-tune your healthy lifestyle, nutrition genetic testing may be the answer.
What Is a DNA Diet Test?
Have you ever wondered why you can follow the same diet as your friend but never lose a pound while they slim down quickly? Many factors are at play with weight loss, including metabolism and levels of activity, but your struggle to maintain a healthy weight could also be genetic.
A DNA diet test is the same type of at-home DNA test you would take to learn about your ancestry or to get other health information. Customers provide a DNA sample and send the test to a lab for analysis.
In this case, professionals are studying your genes to find out how your body processes and reacts to certain nutrients, how effective those nutrients are for sustaining your health, and how your body eliminates them.
You can use all of this information to make better decisions about your nutrition and meet your health goals. Whether you’re looking for ways to cope with a chronic health issue or would just like to increase your vitality, a genetic nutrition test can help you achieve your goals.
What Can You Learn from a Genetic Diet Test?
Using genetic testing to inform your personal health care is more than just the newest diet trend. A genetic nutrition test is actual science that can improve your life in numerous ways.
First, it can help you develop a healthy eating plan to provide your body with foods and supplements that will fulfill your nutritional requirements based on your DNA.
Genetic nutrition testing offers these additional benefits:
- Create a diet and exercise plan to increase your chances of weight loss
- Identify potential health risks like diabetes and alter your diet accordingly
- Learn about food intolerance to avoid bloating or other digestive problems
- Learn how your body tolerates caffeine and other chemicals that can affect health
- Know which conditions you’re at risk for and use genetic nutrition for prevention
- Find the source of symptoms such as lactose intolerance or food allergies
- Improve injury recovery by boosting your immune system with proper nutrition
- Find out which micronutrients you’re lacking
- Reduce stress through better nutrition
- Sleep better by eating better
The data from a DNA diet test can help you improve your health on almost every level. Always consult with your physician about any health concerns your DNA test reveals.
DNA testing does not predict whether you will develop a condition, but it can calculate your risk level for certain health issues. Sharing this information with your physician will be helpful in guiding a preventive treatment plan.
How Reliable Is a DNA Diet Test?
Inaccuracies in a DNA test are never a good thing. Whether you’re having fun building a family tree or looking for important genetic information to guide your health care, you expect the results to be reliable.
No testing method is 100% accurate all the time, but DNA tests are considered highly accurate overall. The science of DNA sequencing has become more accessible in price and availability in the last few years, and the process of reading genetic markers has been well-tested.
There are two main reasons why test results could be wrong: a contaminated sample or an error at the lab.
Sample Contamination
Most DNA diet test kits require a simple cheek swab for a testing sample. If you fail to follow the instructions or accidentally collect droplets from your tongue instead of the cheek, the sample could be compromised.
External factors could also influence testing accuracy. For example, if you drop the swab or set it on a dirty counter, it could contain other material besides your DNA.
Unaccredited Laboratory
Errors in accuracy can happen at any lab. However, patronizing an unaccredited lab increases the chances of inaccuracies in your nutrition genetic testing results.
There are many times when the most economical choice is the right one, but when selecting a lab to analyze your raw DNA data, make sure that you choose one that is accredited and experienced with nutrition genetic testing.
Variant Analysis
Variant analysis is not technically a mistake in the research, but it could account for some differences. If you have your genetic sequencing done at more than one laboratory, variant analysis could make the results appear incorrect.
Different companies may analyze different variants of the same thing. For example, if lab A tests for variants 1–20 of a certain disease and lab B tests for variants 1–100, lab B may offer different conclusions than lab A. It may seem like the results are conflicting, but in fact, one laboratory is simply conducting more thorough tests than the other.
Is DNA Diet Testing for You?
Genetic nutrition testing is easy, simple, and highly accurate. It can help you maintain a healthy weight and give you vital information about your unique nutritional needs. If you decide to find out what a DNA diet test can teach you, follow all of the instructions and use a reliable, accredited company to analyze your sample.
Genomelink offers expert DNA analysis and genetic testing you can trust. Contact Genomelink today to learn more about the benefits of a genetic diet test.
