You’ve probably come across online ads for mail-in DNA health testing, and you may have even seen your friends talking about their testing results on social media. That’s because, thanks to advancements in medical technology and our growing interest in the role genetics plays in our lives, DNA testing is currently more popular than ever.
There are currently two types of DNA testing available.
- DNA Testing to Determine Ancestry
Companies like 23and me, Ancestry, MyHeritage, Living DNA, and a handful of others. This form of DNA testing satisfies your curiosity as to your ethnic lineage.
- DNA Testing for Health Issues
According to Stamford Professor of Biochemistry, Dr. Douglas Brutlag, many diseases, along with our predispositions to them, are determined by our genes. Knowing your DNA can greatly help with your dietary and medical choices. For example, if you know you’re a candidate for cardiovascular disease based on your DNA, you can make the choice to eat a more plant-based diet and increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids to stave off heart problems. Similarly, if you know you are a carrier for a particular gene that often leads to cancer, you can make sure to get screened early and often to detect any incidences sooner rather than later.
In other words, this form of DNA testing does not tell of any current health issues, but it does address things that you can do now to prevent health problems in the future. The DNA testing reveals:
- Metabolism traits
- Guidance on how to reach and maintain a healthy weight
- Which type of exercise is the best for you
- How to optimize the nutritional balance of your diet
- Know which food supplements are most needed
More specifically, DNA testing can provide the following guidance and insight:
- Ability to handle fats
- Ability to handle carbohydrates
- Your tendency to have blood fat problems (cholesterol, triglycerides)
- Your ability to process certain vitamins
- If you struggle to digest dairy products
- What type of exercise best suits your metabolism, or will be the most effective (aerobic, or strength training)
- If you have a genetic tendency to be overweight
- If you are prone to high blood pressure
- It you tend to have a sweet tooth and therefore crave sweets
- If you struggle to be satisfied for eating regular meals
- How well your body handles caffeine
- How well your body handles alcohol
- If you have a tendency for developing diabetes
- If you are genetically predisposed to breast cancer
- What nutrients (supplements) would most benefit your health
- If you are prone to get injured easily from exercising or doing manual labor and, thereafter, how efficiently your body heals from injury
Getting the Test Done
Up until recently, DNA testing was typically done in a lab via blood draw. Now it can be done in the comfort of your home. A specimen is sent to you. The test involves taking a couple of saliva samples from the mouth, placing the swabs in the provided container, dropping it in the mail. The results are back in about two weeks. Along with the DNA report, most companies that offer DNA testing will provide suggestions for diet and exercise based on your results. However, when you receive the report from the lab, if you would like more specific recommendations than the report offers, then a consult (in person or by phone) can be scheduled with Dr. Robbins.
None of us can control our genetics, but through DNA testing, we can learn steps we can engage in to give us the best opportunity to stave off disease and live in health.
Give Us a Call
If you are interested, call or email the clinic and we will get you started. The cost of the kit is $350, which includes shipping (to and from you), and a free copy of either Dr. Robbins’ book, Juicing for Health, or his CD, Health Through Nutrition, your choice.