DNA Diet Test: Pros and Cons
The DNA diet test is the best option today for discovering how your body reacts to certain diets. Not only that, it gives you the information that you need to adapt them to your weight-loss or weight-gain goals. It can also help you to avoid possible future diseases that may be connected to your diet.
Notable research data tells us that genetic factors are the underlying cause for 70 percent of overweight people. Additionally, genetics can be responsible for cardiovascular, hypertension, cholesterol, and sugar-related diseases. Experts begin the DNA diet test by extracting your DNA. The expert does this through clinical testing, which is why it’s a painless process for the patient.
In order to go through this process, you must be evaluated by a specialist. This is because it’s a clinical test. The specialist should explain what the results of the test are in detail. This is no surprise, since you must apply the results to complement the diet that you eat in your daily life.
It’s not a miracle diet. It’s a proven and efficient scientific tool with surprising and very positive results. Your health and physical state can improve when you know why your body reacts in a certain way.
How does a DNA diet test work?
The specialist analyzes the patient’s DNA in search of certain genes that may appear in his or her genetic make up. Depending on the presence of certain genes, the patient must behave in one way or another. These are the most important genes:
- INSIG2 polymorphism: people who have this variant tend to have a high predisposition to developing obesity. They also present a significantly heightened body mass index (BMI).
- nMC4R polymorphism: carriers of this gene can’t resist the temptation to eat high-calorie foods. Therefore, they also have a higher risk of becoming obese.
- ADRB2 polymorphism: people who carry this gene experience changes in their metabolism. These changes make it difficult or impossible eliminate accumulated fat.
- APOAV polymorphism: carriers of this gene are already obese or overweight and have a high risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, they respond well to low-fat diets and exercise. They can also lose weight rapidly by following some very simple diet plans.
- GNB3 polymorphism: Those people who are carriers of this gene have a higher risk of becoming obese. Not only that, they are more likely to suffer from hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. Aside from that, they tolerate low-calorie diets very badly and they tend to always feel hungry.
- FTO polymorphism: Those who carry this have a tendency to eat excessively. They are especially attracted to foods that are very high in calories. Additionally, these people have a 70 percent chance of becoming obese and a heightened risk of suffering diabetes.
Arguments in favor of the DNA diet test
Those people who argue that this type of genetic testing works and is effective, base their arguments on the following data:
- If you follow the advice appropriately, your risk of developing health problems will be reduced. This is even true of those health issues to which you are genetically predisposed.
- It helps you to find the most healthy diet for your situation and it’s effective and tolerable. This test helps you to identify the best foods and substitutes for you.
- The test also helps you to acquire the lifestyle habits that are most appropriate for your genetic profile.
Arguments against the DNA diet test
The University of Stanford conducted a study costing more than eight million dollars. According to this study, it’s impossible to combat your genotype through dieting.
Moreover, this study randomly assigned 609 overweight adults to specific diets. These were healthy diets, low in carbohydrates or fats.
Once the participants finished the diets, the experts studied the genetic profile of the participants. Obviously, they lost weight because they didn’t consume fats or sugar. However, they found no scientific evidence linking their genomes with the diets that they followed.
The study concluded that if you correctly follow an appropriate diet, you will lose weight regardless of other factors. This is independent of your genetic profile.