DNA Testing and Food

You often hear people blame their weight on their genes, but can DNA testing inform people of what kinds of foods they need in their diets?

DNA testing and diets

It seems people will do anything to be thin. With the debate raging over ‘size zero’ models on one hand and growing obesity on the other, is it just social pressures and psychological weaknesses that make us thin or fat? Or can we blame our genes? DNA testing can certainly reveal a gene that can be responsible for obesity with the right environmental triggers. In fact, DNA testing can reveal what diseases we are genetically vulnerable to.

DNA testing - controversy over genetics

But controversy has kicked off now DNA testing is available over the internet that claims to offer personalized diets to suit a person’s genetic make-up.

DNA testing has plenty of vital uses such as finding out paternity or tracing our ancestral heritage. And in science and medicine, DNA testing can be crucial in detecting genetic diseases, but the idea that a diet based on our DNA can be effective is unproven.

DNA testing kits

‘Nutrigenomic diets’ have been marketed as eating plans that are suited to a person’s genes, but some believe this kind of DNA testing kits are misleading. DNA testing kits can be sold at a cost of up to £1,000 over the internet and they promise to advise on the kinds of foods to avoid in reducing the risk of certain diseases. Although research has been done that suggests links between genetics and being vulnerable to disorders which might react to certain diets, no research has been done that suggests food can protect you from a disease which your genes make you vulnerable to.

DNA testing regulated

Investigations and testing are on-going to discover if diets based on DNA testing can be effective. In Britain the Centre of Genomics in Society at the University of Exeter is looking into whether the marketing of ‘nutrigenomic’ DNA testing for diets needs to be regulated.

DNA testing – wild claims

There are also concerns in the USA, where DNA testing is offered with varying wild claims - such as making your children more intelligent by adopting a nutrigenomic diet. Other claims include losing weight, toning up and living longer based on an analysis on DNA samples from DNA testing.

Clearly, marketing DNA tests and DNA testing as a cure for everything from intellect to disease control is exploitative and there is a lot of research needed before any such claims can be proven.

International Biosciences offer a broad range of DNA testing services designed to provide indisputable answers to emotional questions. Whether you seek to establish paternity, prove siblingship or research genealogy, for legal definition or peace of mind, we are able to provide the appropriate DNA testing at competitive rates, professionally and confidentially. Using state of the art technology we are able to provide conclusive evidence on time, every time. Contact International Biosciences on 01342 850945 or click here to email us.

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