DNA Fitness tests

[Ukase]

For those of you that may not know me - which is arguably all of you except a dozen or so - I am frugal. 

I love technology - to a degree. Lately I've been thinking about these companies that take your DNA and provide insights into your DNA. I was listening to a podcast and learned that in the US - for whatever reason, the same company that does this test can't suggest a diet plan for you - you have to send those results to a different company. It was all a bit confusing, so I urge you to double check that info if you're inclined to order such a service. 

However - I wanted to share with you my thoughts on it. Having been as much as 280 pounds (maybe more - there was a time when I refused to look and see) at 5'10, I know the shame and desperation that some feel when they have a superior famine preparation system. (See what I did there?) 

There's a fellow named Ben Greenfield, one of those fitness trainers, and if you'll do a little searching, you can find where he pays for the breakdown - and you can see what those reports look like. 

The thing is - the diseases they check for - by and large, if you're an adult, you'll know if you have that disease. You may not know if you're a carrier of the gene that didn't express, but you'll know if you're sick. 

The part that I was most interested in was the part where the test would share with me whether I was built for endurance, speed, or power. Or pretty much even, or with a slight bias one way or the other. 

But, when I got to thinking about spending $250 bucks to find out - I thought - I already know I'm more inclined towards power than speed, and although probably I have some endurance bias, that's still something my own life has pretty much already shown me. 

There are some things it tells us about our ability to handle certain foods like caffiene and lactose.(dairy) 

I have no problems with either one. I'm sure I have a sensitivity to carbs, given the amount I've consumed over the years and the impact that's had on famine preparation. 

So, I just want to encourage you folks to think carefully about spending your money on this "test". Sure, it's interesting stuff, but honestly, unless this is something you're doing for your child, I think you'll know the answers to the DNA test already, at least the fitness ones. 

Of course, opinions and experiences will vary. 

[BLLingg]

I did the 23andMe DNA Test several Years ago, @Ukase.  Mine was half for the Genetic Health and half for the Genetic Genealogy. 

I've never run into anything in there about having to go to a different Company for a Diet Plan.  However, since it seems as though almost everyone in there is also in there for the Genetic Genealogy or for the potential to develop certain Diseases, that Question may not have come up in the Areas I have accessed. 

I do see a Result that says I inherited from one of my Parents the alpha-actinin-3 Protein which might give me a Sprinter / Power Muscle Type of Muscle Composition.  There's another Result that says my Weight isn't likely affected by Saturated Fat.  And there are the ones that say I'm likely Lactose Tolerant and that I'm likely to consume more Caffine than the Average Person.  There are a bunch of others.  But the "primary" DNA Test Results relate to your Potential for certain Diseases and Genealogy.

I definitely would not recommend that anyone take the 23andMe Test just for Fitness Fitness Reasons!!!

[Ukase]

Thanks very much for sharing that! Very helpful and useful. 

Thus far, I've resisted the urge because I pretty much know my genealogy; and at 50 years old (almost) I pretty much know that I can consume gallons of caffeine and milk without any issue. 

And - Lord help me, if I have some gene that makes me more likely to have cancer - the only thing I can do about that is watch what I eat - and I do that anyway.