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- DNA testing can teach you everything from your ethnic background and disease pre-disposition to food preferences and exercise habits.
- A DNA testing company called Vitagene approached me to take a DNA test for $100, so I swabbed the inside of my cheek and mailed the sample to their lab.
- I wasn't expecting anything significant, yet the results of my DNA test were a complete shock.
- A caveat: DNA testing is an imperfect
science , and the FDA is only beginning to investigate the claims made by companies like Vitagene.
When I was approached to take a DNA test by a company called Vitagene, I was intrigued. I'd always wanted to know my ethnic breakdown (spoiler alert: mostly European). But what really fascinated me was the prospect of demystifying my genetic code - sort of.
Vitagene promised to dig into my one-of-a-kind DNA to determine my sensitivities and predisposed ailments. Plus, they'd give me a custom diet and exercise regimen and handpick the exact supplements I should be taking based not only on my genetics, but also on my family medical history, lifestyle habits, and health goals.
Of course, DNA testing is still an imperfect science, and there are currently no universal standards for accuracy. The FDA is only just starting to regulate the health claims made by DNA testing services. I never expected my test results to hold the same kind of weight as real diagnostic testing or be a substitute for real health professionals (and neither should you).
I swabbed the inside of my cheek, mailed the sample to their lab, and completed a quick questionnaire on their site. Easy peasy - and the whole thing costs a cool $100, cheaper than some other brands.
A month later, Vitagene emailed me a link to retrieve my password-protected results online. Some of the findings didn't surprise me: I have a high alcohol tolerance but I'm lactose intolerant. Carbs make me pack on the pounds, but fatty foods do not.
What did surprise me? Everything else.
Here are the most eye-opening things I learned from my DNA test.