Nutrigenomics
About This Project
DNA Diet Overview
What is it?
One of the first products of its kind in the world, DNA Diet is designed to assist the healthcare practitioner in the design of a personalised healthy eating plan based on individual genetic differences.
DNA Diet also provides additional insight into how each individual reacts to carbohydrates, saturated fats and intensity of exercise, allowing your dietician to further personalise your eating plan to suit your needs.
The Science:
DNA Diet tests a number of well-researched gene variations that impact metabolism, absorption and storage of fats and carbohydrates, as well as eating behaviour. We have analysed these SNPs to understand how an individual’s genetic profile will impact their response to what we believe to be the three most effective healthy eating plans. i.e. Low fat, Mediterranean, and Low Carbohydrate. Research suggests that individuals do respond differently to different food combinations and no ONE way of eating is right for everyone. DNA Diet tests some of the following genes involved in key metabolic processes:
| Relevant area | Gene name |
| Obesity risk/ insulin resistance | FTO |
| Binge eating | DRD2 |
| Carbohydrates and obesity | ADRB2 |
| Fat absorption | FABP2 |
Who’s it for?
Overweight and obesity are risk factors for poor health and various chronic diseases. Weight management and healthy eating are integral to long-term health. DNA Diet is used by medical practitioners to gain insight into their patients’ requirements for healthy eating.
DNA Diet is not a diet plan and simply having the test done in no way contributes to weight loss. It is a tool that your healthcare practitioner will use to better understand your genetic profile, helping them to recommend a healthy eating plan best suited to you.
DNA Health Overview
What is it
The DNA Health test is designed to optimise wellbeing and health by personalising lifestyle and diet choices and, where necessary, using supplements tailored to offset any particular nutritional deficit based on specific gene variants. The DNA Health approach assists the healthcare practitioner in establishing the optimal nutrition necessary for good health, longevity and disease risk mitigation.
The Science:
DNA Health tests for 36 gene variants involved in the following biological processes that have been linked to risk for diseases of lifestyle:
- Cholesterol metabolism and risk for heart disease
- Bone Health & risk for osteoporosis
- Vitamin B Metabolism and risk for cancer
- Inflammation and oxidative stress
- Detoxification
- Insulin Sensitivity and risk for diabetes
- Food Responsiveness, including Lactose intolerance, Caffeine processing, Salt sensitivity and blood pressure & Iron overload disorders
DNA Oestrogen Overview
What is it?
80% of breast cancer occurs in women with no family history. Oestrogen gene testing may help you lessen your risk. Research has shown that an increased lifetime exposure to oestrogen is a strong risk factor in the development of breast cancer. DNA Oestrogen tests for gene variants that have been shown to have an impact on how oestrogen is processed in your body and if the processing of oestrogen and related compounds is efficient and healthy. DNA Oestrogen reports on the following areas:
- Variations in key genes involved in metabolizing oestrogen and related compounds
- Impact of high-risk gene variations
- Intervention strategies for carriers of high-risk genetic variations
- Personal risk factors associated with HRT, Oral contraceptives, bio-identical supplementation and in vitro fertilization
The Science:
Oestrogen affects the function of a number of target tissues. Guiding the personalisation of diet, hormone and nutritional supplement recommendations, based on the insight gained from the DNA Oestrogen test, to improve oestrogen metabolism is of benefit to men and women who suffer from numerous oestrogen-dominant conditions.
Who’s it for:
The test is particularly important for woman considering oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, bio-identical supplementation, women who are considering in vitro fertilization or who have been diagnosed with oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Practitioners use DNA Oestrogen test results to prescribe individualised nutritional and lifestyle interventions in order to mitigate breast cancer risk in woman with high-risk genetic profiles.
DNA Sport Overview
What is it?
DNA Sport examines various biological areas that impact training responsiveness and sporting performance. These include soft tissue remodeling, inflammation, blood flow and respiration, energy production and fuel metabolism.
Athletic success results firstly from personalising a training strategy that optimises your genetic potential, and secondly choosing the right lifestyle, nutrition and environmental interactions to optimally express your inherited genes.
DNA Sport reports on the following areas:
- structural integrity of soft tissues
- inflammation & oxidative stress
- blood flow & respiration
- energy during exercise
- fuel during exercise
- caffeine metabolism
- muscle and bone composition
- aerobic capacity
- power/strength potential
The Science
Knowledge of variations in genes involved in these biological areas can be used to personalise a training programme in order to gain as much as possible from sessions by exploiting potential advantages, as well as to identify weaknesses that need to be worked on. This insight can also be used to make appropriate training and nutrition choices in an attempt to prevent injury as well as optimise recovery in order to perform at one’s best.
Who’s it for?
DNA Sport is suitable for a range of individuals, from the elite performance athlete to the recreational athlete looking to maximize their fitness potential and reach peak levels of conditioning. Beginner athletes just starting out, or those individuals building exercise programs for weight management will also benefit from the DNA Sport test.