Deep Dive Into DNA Testing for Weight Management

DNA Testing For Weight Management

Lots of us struggle to lose weight and with all the conflicting advice out there it doesn't help matters. There are many diet loss myths that further confuse matters making it difficult to maintain the motivation due to not knowing what works and what doesn't. Weight management is about more than just how we look, it is vital for our overall health and wellbeing in preventing the onset of chronic diseases, from heart disease to type 2 diabetes and even certain cancers; however, the contributing factors toward obesity are extremely complex and weight management requires a multifaceted approach. So how does DNA testing help?

The DNA Diet test is one of the first products of its kind in the world, which tests for 15 genes that impact metabolism and exercise. The genes comprising the DNA Diet test have associations with body weight and body mass index.

Precision nutrition is an emerging therapeutic approach that takes into account an individual’s unique genetic code, as well as age, sex, and particular pathophysiological status. Personalised recommendations using this holistic approach to weight loss is essential to improving outcomes. The DNA Diet test provides valuable insights into individual priority areas that should be considered for successful and sustained weight management outcomes.

As a nutritionist and personal trainer the results of the test enables me to provide detailed recommendations that include dietary changes and an exercise programme appropriate for you. The test provides:

• Strategies for weight management based on genetic make-up
• Motivation to individuals with a goal to lose weight
• An understanding of why previous weight management programmes may have been unsuccessful
• Insight to which diet type (i.e. Mediterranean style, low carbohydrate, low fat diet) may be most suited to an individual to manage weight, based on genotype

The majority (90% to 95%) of obesity is influenced by both genes and various other external factors. This means that whilst an individual’s susceptibility to becoming overweight/obese has a strong genetic contribution, many other factors also play a significant role, including environmental exposure to toxins and stress, gut health, hormonal health and age, exercise behaviour, and dietary intake.

Therefore, both genes and environment should be considered to better understand the mechanisms behind becoming overweight/obese. There is substantial evidence to show that variants in genes associated with weight management are involved in different biological pathways, including the central nervous system, food sensing and digestion, insulin signalling, lipid metabolism, muscle and liver biology, and gut microbiota.

A growing body of research suggests changes in adiposity and metabolic response to low calorie diets may be modified by genetic variants related to obesity, metabolic status, and nutrient preferences. This knowledge further supports the implementation of a holistic and personalised approach to weight management, taking into account an individual’s unique genetic code and how you respond to dietary, lifestyle and exercise interventions, thus improving motivation, compliance, and sustainable weight management outcomes.

The DNA Diet test provides information on what key areas need focusing on, for example it could suggest increasing intake of polyunsaturated fats and working on improving sleep hygiene. The test also provides insights into whether you have a "sweet tooth," (yes you may suspect you have one but this test can show that you have an actual genetic predisposition to this). The test looks at fat absorption and metabolism and genes that may make you less responsive to weight loss from exercise. This would mean the emphasis would be focusing on diet for weight loss rather than exercise. Of course regular exercise still benefits everyone!

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to be able to eat whatever amount of carbs they want and appear not to put on any weight? Yep, you guessed it, genetic predisposition. The test can tell you if you would benefit from reducing your intake of carbohydrates.

The test even recommends the amount of exercise you should aim to do per week to maximise your chance of weight loss.

This test provides a fascinating insight into YOU. It takes the guesswork out of implementing new nutritional and lifestyle changes and can therefore increase motivation and adherence to any proposed plan.

If you would like to learn more book send me an email and keep an eye out for my new programme coming soon, for supporting sustained behaviour change through individualised fitness plans, nutritional advice and regular support.