DNA Test (Nutrigenomics)
A cheek-swab DNA test that looks at genetic variations influencing nutrition, detoxification, hormones, metabolism and overall wellbeing. Useful for gaining personalised insights into long-term tendencies rather than diagnosing conditions.
Which genetic traits DNA testing explores
Depending on the panel used, a nutrigenomic DNA test may assess variations in genes related to:
Nutrient metabolism - including how efficiently you process and use B vitamins (folate, B12, B6), choline, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, iron, calcium and antioxidants such as glutathione.
Detoxification pathways - particularly genes involved in phase I and phase II liver detoxification, glutathione production and methylation.
Inflammation and oxidative stress - including genes that influence how your body responds to inflammatory triggers and how well it resolves the inflammation.
Caffeine and alcohol metabolism - which can explain why some people tolerate caffeine well while others feel jittery or struggle to sleep.
Hormone metabolism - particularly oestrogen pathways, which may be relevant if you have hormone-related symptoms such as PMS, heavy periods or hormonal acne.
Blood sugar regulation and metabolic tendencies - including genes that influence insulin sensitivity, carbohydrate metabolism and fat storage.
Sleep and circadian rhythm genes - which can affect your natural sleep-wake cycle and how well you respond to shift work or jet lag.
Stress and mood-related pathways - including genes involved in neurotransmitter production and breakdown (for example, serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline).
Food sensitivity tendencies - such as genetic markers for lactose intolerance, coeliac disease risk or sensitivity to certain compounds in food.
These markers do not tell you what will happen. Rather, they show where your body may have higher or lower efficiency in certain pathways, so that nutrition and lifestyle strategies can be tailored to support those areas.
What happens during a cheek swab test?
DNA testing for nutrigenomics is straightforward and non-invasive. You use a small swab to collect a sample of cells from the inside of your cheek, or you provide a saliva sample in a tube (depending on the laboratory). The sample is placed into the provided container and returned to the laboratory using the prepaid packaging. Your DNA is analysed in an accredited laboratory, and results are processed securely. There is no need for fasting or any special preparation, and the sample takes only a minute or two to collect.
When DNA insights may add useful context
A DNA test for nutrigenomics may be helpful if you:
Want personalised, long-term insight into how your body responds to food, stress, sleep and lifestyle choices.
Experience persistent symptoms despite trying multiple approaches, and you are curious whether genetic factors might be playing a role.
Find that certain diets or habits work differently for you compared to others (for example, some people thrive on higher carbohydrate diets while others feel better with more fat and protein).
Have ongoing fatigue, mood changes, hormone imbalances or stress sensitivity that you would like to understand better.
Have nutrient patterns on blood tests that do not fully make sense (for example, low vitamin D despite supplementation, or low B12 despite adequate dietary intake).
Want to understand tendencies around hormone metabolism, detoxification or inflammation that may run in your family.
Enjoy an analytical or personalised approach to your health and like the idea of having genetic information to guide long-term choices.
It can be especially valuable for people who have a family history of certain conditions (for example, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes or autoimmune conditions) and want to understand which lifestyle factors may be most protective for them personally.
Why nutrigenomic testing sits outside routine NHS care
GPs and the NHS focus on diagnosing and treating medical conditions, and genetic testing is only offered when there is a strong suspicion of a hereditary disease or when results would directly change medical management (for example, BRCA testing for breast cancer risk, or genetic testing for suspected inherited metabolic disorders).
Nutrigenomic markers, by contrast, are about tendencies and efficiency, not disease. They help guide personalised nutrition and lifestyle strategies, but they do not indicate medical risk in the way that disease genes do, and they do not influence prescribing or NHS treatment pathways.
For this reason, nutrigenomic testing sits within functional nutrition and personalised health, not conventional medicine. GPs are not funded or trained to interpret nutrigenomic data, and it would not be practical or cost-effective to offer this type of testing to all NHS patients. This makes nutrigenomic testing complementary to NHS care, offering additional insights that can guide long-term health choices, but never replacing medical assessment or investigation.
How genetic tendencies are interpreted (and their limits)
DNA test results do not diagnose conditions, but they may indicate:
Pathways that may benefit from higher levels of specific nutrients (for example, if you have genetic variations that increase your need for folate, you may benefit from more leafy greens, lentils and fortified foods, or a methylated B-complex supplement).
Variations that influence how effectively you metabolise fats, carbohydrates, caffeine or alcohol (for example, some people have a slow caffeine metabolism gene and may feel better limiting coffee to the morning).
Tendencies towards higher or lower antioxidant needs, which may be relevant if you have high stress, exercise a lot or have significant environmental exposure.
Reduced efficiency in detoxification pathways, which may mean you benefit from supporting liver health through diet, reducing alcohol and toxin exposure, and ensuring adequate nutrients such as B vitamins and glutathione precursors.
Genetic influences on sleep, circadian rhythm or stress sensitivity, which can guide recommendations around sleep hygiene, light exposure, stress management and work patterns.
How your body may respond to saturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids or specific dietary patterns (for example, some genetic profiles respond better to Mediterranean-style eating, while others may tolerate higher fat or lower carbohydrate diets more easily).
How oestrogen or other hormones may be processed, which can be relevant if you have hormone-related symptoms or a family history of hormone-sensitive conditions.
Areas where lifestyle changes (movement, sleep, stress management, environment) may make the biggest difference for you personally.
It is important to emphasise that genes are not destiny. A commonly used phrase in nutrigenomics is that genetics load the gun, but the environment pulls the trigger. In other words, your genes set the background, but your nutrition, sleep, stress, movement and lifestyle play a huge role in how those genes are expressed. Having a genetic variation does not mean you will develop a condition. It simply means that you may benefit from extra support in that area, or that certain strategies may be more helpful for you than for others.
Using DNA insights to fine-tune your nutrition choices
When DNA results are reviewed, they are always considered alongside your symptoms, lifestyle, diet, GP test results, health history and goals. Depending on the findings, the focus may include:
Foods that support your nutrient needs based on genetic variations (for example, more leafy greens and legumes if you have higher folate needs, or more oily fish if you have reduced omega-3 conversion).
Approaches to balance blood sugar and energy, particularly if you have genetic variations that affect insulin sensitivity or carbohydrate metabolism.
Antioxidant or anti-inflammatory dietary patterns, such as a Mediterranean-style diet rich in colourful vegetables, olive oil, nuts, seeds and polyphenols.
How stress and sleep routines can support your natural tendencies (for example, if you have genetic variations affecting cortisol or melatonin, you may benefit even more from consistent sleep-wake times and stress management practices).
Hormone or detoxification-supportive foods (for example, cruciferous vegetables, fibre, adequate protein, foods rich in B vitamins and sulphur-containing amino acids)
Whether certain supplements may or may not be useful for you (for example, methylated B vitamins if you have MTHFR variations, or vitamin D if you have reduced activation capacity).
Because your DNA does not change, these insights can offer guidance not just for now but for the long term, helping you make informed choices that align with your genetic strengths and areas that may need extra support.
Genetic findings and family history that warrant medical discussion
A DNA test for nutrigenomics cannot identify medical conditions, and it should never replace medical evaluation. You should speak to your GP if you have a strong family history of serious conditions (for example, cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disease, early-onset dementia) and are concerned about your own risk. NHS genetic counselling and testing may be appropriate in these cases.
If your DNA results raise questions that should be explored medically, or if they identify a variant that could relate to a medical condition (for example, a gene linked to increased cardiovascular risk or coeliac disease), you will be guided to share them with your GP so that appropriate tests, monitoring or referrals can be arranged.
Want to explore your genetic blueprint?
If you’d like to explore your DNA in a guided way, I also offer structured DNA packages (you can read more about them here DNA Testing Packages that walk you through your results and help you apply them in a practical, realistic manner.
Or book in for a free call with me to discuss whether these tests would be of benefit to you.
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