Atlas Biomed Review: What Can Your DNA and Microbiome Tell You?

Overview

1. Products: A saliva DNA test and a gut microbiome test.
2. Cost: The company prices the tests at $180 each.
3. Reports: Health, nutrition, and fitness reports.
4. Raw data access: Yes.
5. Privacy: Atlas Biomed may share personal information with third parties who perform services on their behalf.
6. Alternatives: SelfDecode delivers personalized diet, lifestyle, and supplement recommendations based on DNA.

Pros

• Offers genetic and gut microbiome tests.
• Users can access their raw DNA data.

Cons

• The company does not allow for raw data uploading.
• Customers say some sections of the reports are difficult to understand.

About Atlas Biomed

Atlas Biomed was founded in 2016 by endocrinologist Andrey Perfiliev and current CEO Sergey Musienko.

Their tests were developed by a team of bioinformaticians, doctors, scientists, and IT experts. Their Scientific Board of Advisors is composed of international academics in the fields of medical and biological sciences.

Headquartered in the United Kingdom, their services are currently available in 16 countries across Europe and Canada.

Review of Atlas Biomed Products & Features

Atlas Biomed offers a DNA test and a microbiome test. While the company says that a person only needs to have their DNA tested once, they recommend that their customers have their gut biome retested every three months.

To facilitate periodical testing, they offer both a standalone microbiome test and a subscription plan. The genetic test is only available as a one-off purchase.

Atlas Biomed’s DNA Test requires a saliva sample. The company offers information about overall health, nutrition, physical activity, and ancestry. In total, they analyze over 400 traits divided into the following categories:

• Health: Informs the user’s risk for 20 diseases, their carrier status for over 300 hereditary conditions, and 16 other health-related traits
• Nutrition: Examines nutrient metabolism and makes food recommendations.

• Sports: Offers risk evaluation for sports injuries.

• Other Traits: Analyzes the impact of genetics on traits such as odor sensitivity and iris structure.

• Ancestry: Gives information about ancestry composition, paternal and maternal haplogroups, and the ratio of neanderthal genes.

The Microbiome Test uses a stool sample to analyze the DNA of the bacteria present in the gut. It gives information about the microbes present and their proportion in the microbiome. The test analyzes the following topics:

• Health: Gives a microbiome score and analyzes the user’s protection against 5 diseases.

• Vitamins and Nutrition: Provides information about vitamin synthesis and the microbiome’s ability to break down dietary fiber and produce butyrate. 

• Bacteria: Analyzes the microbiome type and bacterial diversity. 

The company states that both test results take 4 to 8 weeks to be available to the customer. They say that they will notify the customer personally about any changes to the timeframe.

Atlas Biomed has an app available for iOS and Android. Users can view their recommendations and score their meals with the food diary feature, in addition to having access to their full reports.

Users can choose to answer a series of personal questions to get more accurate health recommendations. The company offers paid counseling sessions for those who have taken their tests to help them better understand their results.

Review of Atlas Biomed Reports

Once the results are ready, users can view them on their secure online account. There, they can also access their raw DNA data. Atlas Biomed sends customers a notification email as soon as the results are available.

The company offers an overview of both DNA and microbiome test results. Users can access any section of the report from their dashboard. As can be seen below, the report provides weekly food recommendations aimed at improving a specific trait such as vitamin levels.

The screenshot below is an example of the carrier status report. Atlas Biomed clearly states if a genetic variant associated with the condition was detected and gives a description of the disease.

The app offers a way for users to consult their reports and recommendations. As shown below, the company categorizes the results according to the risk level they present to the individual.

The report explains if a recommendation is made based on the DNA, the gut microbiome results, or the information provided by the user in the questionnaire.

Another useful app feature is the food diary. Customers can take a picture of their meal and the company rates it depending on how beneficial it is for the microbiome, as seen below.

Cost of Atlas Biomed

The DNA and microbiome tests cost $180 each. Customers can choose to get a subscription to receive a microbiome test every three months for $120, charged every time the user receives a kit.

Health Recommendations from Atlas Biomed

Atlas Biomed offers lifestyle and diet recommendations based on multiple factors. They consider genetics, gut biome, and self-reported data to make their suggestions.

The company delivers weekly food recommendations to help users improve specific traits such as vitamin levels.

Besides the information available in the reports, customers can use the app to score their meals regarding gut health.

Review of Atlas Biomed Privacy & Data Security

Atlas Biomed states that they are compliant with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The company is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office.

They claim that user data is securely stored on certified servers located within the European Union. Data is stored in anonymized form on their servers and only Atlas software can read the information.

DNA samples are stored at their partnered ISO accredited laboratory for one year, but Atlas maintains that they can store samples for an indefinite period. At any time, customers can request that their sample be discarded and their information be deleted.

SelfDecode vs Atlas Biomed

1. SelfDecode delivers natural supplement, diet, and lifestyle suggestions based on your genes that you can implement right away. Atlas Biomed offers lifestyle and diet recommendations.
2. SelfDecode tells you why they make each recommendation so that you can understand the science behind the suggestion. Atlas Biomed tells users if the recommendations were made based on genetics, the microbiome, or self-reported information.
3. SelfDecode prioritizes recommendations based on their analysis of all the relevant genes instead of one gene at a time (through reports). Atlas Biomed categorizes the health conditions according to risk levels.
4. SelfDecode takes a holistic approach to give recommendations that are best for your genes AND the health topic. Atlas Biomed makes recommendations based on multiple health conditions.
5. SelfDecode is the most comprehensive and looks at more genes & SNPs (up to 83 million genetic variants) to deliver the best analysis of genetic risks. Atlas Biomed analyzes both the person’s DNA and the gut microbiome to make suggestions.
6. SelfDecode supports everything with peer-reviewed scientific studies in their research and checks for contradicting information. Atlas Biomed does not include scientific references in the reports.
7. SelfDecode never sells your data or gives it away. Atlas Biomed may share personal information with third parties who perform services on their behalf.

Comparisons

Atlas Biomed Reviews

21 Amazon customers rated Atlas an average of 4.4 of 5 stars. Users want the company to offer more guidance on food intolerances and be more specific about the amount of each food they should consume.

The expert at Top10DNATests appreciates that the company offers a saliva DNA test and a microbiome test and that they have both health and ancestry reports.

People on Facebook have mixed opinions about the company. Customers say that the microbiome test is simple and they like that the DNA test covers both ancestry and health. On the other hand, a few say that a few sections of the reports are too technical. Some users complain that their test results were not delivered within the specified time.

The blog Medical Futurist reviewed the DNA test and the microbiome test. They say that the online dashboard is user-friendly and appreciate the weekly food recommendations. Conversely, the reviewer states that the results can be overwhelming and that some sections of the reports are not easily interpreted. They disclose that Atlas Biomed provided them both tests free-of-charge.

Alternatives to Atlas Biomed

SelfDecode: The best health-focused DNA test that delivers personalized recommendations through detailed reports and a genetics blog. SelfDecode offers over 30 Wellness Reports covering a variety of health topics, all based on peer-reviewed science.

Atlas Biomed Review Summary

Atlas Biomed’s DNA and microbiome tests give people the knowledge they need to make informed decisions regarding their health. With weekly food recommendations, the company offers a valuable tool to those who wish to live better lives.

Despite being currently available in some European countries and Canada, Atlas Biomed is not widely available around the globe. Since the company does not allow customers to upload a preexisting DNA file, they are limited in the number of people they can reach.

An alternative such as SelfDecode accepts raw data files from other major DNA testing companies. If you still haven’t had your DNA tested, SelfDecode offers worldwide shipping for their DNA test. With SelfDecode, you get personalized diet, lifestyle, and supplement recommendations aimed at optimizing overall health.

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