Nutrition Genome Review: Can DNA Improve Your Diet?

Overview

1. Products: DNA testing, nutrition report.
2. Cost: $99 to $299.
3. Reports: Nutrition report.
4. Raw data access: Yes.
5. Privacy: Nutrition Genome claims not to sell user genetic information to third parties.
6. Alternatives: SelfDecode offers personalized health recommendations based on DNA and labs.

Pros

• The company offers a personalized grocery list to users.
• List of recommended blood work based on genetic results.
• Includes lifetime updates to the report.

Cons

• Only accepts raw genetic files from 23andMe.
• Despite providing customers with a list of approved healthcare practitioners, the company does not offer consultation services nor professional plans.
• Only analyzes 151 SNPs to generate reports.
• Narrow focus for DNA reports.

About Nutrition Genome

Nutrition Genome is a DNA testing company founded by nutritionist Alex Swanson. In 2017, Swanson closed his practice to focus on research and innovation for Nutrition Genome.

Headquartered in the state of California, in the United States, the company currently ships their DNA test kits internationally. Nutrition Genome aims to help their customers optimize their health through genetics.

Review of Nutrition Genome Products & Features

Nutrition Genome offers a direct-to-consumer DNA test kit that analyzes 100 clinically relevant genes and 151 SNPs. Their analysis includes 8 targeted reports:

• Diet: Explains the ideal diet type and macronutrient metabolism.
• Energy: Covers fatigue and folate requirements, among others.
• Hormones: Includes information about thyroid health and vitamin D levels.
• Stress & Cognitive Performance: Helps users reduce stress and improve cognitive performance.
• Inflammation & Longevity: Informs on how to optimize antioxidant levels and lower inflammation.
• Athletic Performance: Gives information on how to improve athletic performance.
• DNA Protection & Repair: Explains how to improve tumor suppressor gene function and DNA repair.
• Detoxification: Teaches how to detoxify chemicals in diet and environment.

Users can choose to upload a preexisting raw DNA file from 23andMe to get the report at a lower price. The company discloses that they only accept results from tests ordered before August 2017.

If users get their DNA tested with the company, they get access to their raw data .txt file containing over 650,000 SNPs. They explain that only SNPs included in the report are subject to three stages of quality assurance.

Although they do not offer specific plans for healthcare professionals nor consultation services, Nutrition Genome provides customers with a list of recommended practitioners they can contact directly.

To get featured on their website, providers are required to have certain credentials such as an MD, and they must purchase Nutrition Genome’s advanced training package. They have to complete the training and pass the exam with a minimum score of 85%.

Review of Nutrition Genome Reports

Nutrition Genome’s test results are uploaded to the user’s private dashboard within 5 weeks from the date the DNA sample is received by their laboratory. As mentioned earlier, the report is divided into different sections, as shown below.

The report offers an easy way for users to understand their results in the overview section. It includes a Personalized DNA-Based Grocery List, Strengths & Weaknesses Recap, Foods to Avoid, and Recommended Blood Work.

As can be seen in the sample report below, the Personalized DNA-Based Grocery List delivers a list of vitamins, minerals, and other compounds to help users improve their gene function. Additionally, Nutrition Genome gives a few examples of which foods to emphasize.

The Strengths & Weaknesses Recap provides an overview of how users’ genetic results influence their overall health. These are divided into categories, but there are no personalized recommendations in this section.

Nutrition Genome offers a list of foods, drinks, and toxins one should minimize or avoid based on their genetic results. Although some of the items presented can be regarded as obvious choices to avoid to maintain a healthy lifestyle, the company explains that they are included based on the user’s sensitivity to their negative effects.

Finally, the overview section of the report presents a list of personalized blood work recommendations derived from the customer’s DNA results and specifies which blood markers they should monitor closely. Unfortunately, the company does not offer blood tests or any way for users to analyze their lab results.

Although the report is well organized and easy to read, the company does not offer additional information for those who wish to further explore their genetics. While they cite the research used to generate the report, users do not have easy access to those scientific papers. Moreover, the reports do not cover a broad spectrum of health topics and limits the analysis to nutrition.

Cost of Nutrition Genome

A DNA Test Kit + Report costs $299. Users can upload their raw DNA files from 23andMe and get the report for $99. Nutrition Genome offers a 10% discount for orders of 4 kits or more, but users need to contact customer service to acquire the code.

The company charges practitioners a one-time fee of $249 to be featured on their recommended practitioner’s page. Additionally, professionals get access to a 12-module training course to learn how to interpret the information provided in the report.

Health Recommendations from Nutrition Genome

Nutrition Genome delivers personalized food recommendations based on one’s genetic profile. The report is well organized, and the overview section provides an easy way for customers to consult their results. However, they do not offer any information beyond this limited scope.

The personalized grocery list and foods to avoid are intuitive and offer many examples of which food contains the nutrient or compound listed. However, the company does not account for food allergies to generate these extensive lists.

Review of Nutrition Genome Privacy & Data Security

Nutrition Genome claims not to sell customer genetic information, and that they do not provide personal information to insurance companies or employers. They may share personal information as stated in their privacy policy, such as to fulfill orders or as required by law.

Users can request the deletion of their data at any time, in which case they will not receive any updates to their reports. The company maintains that samples submitted to them become their property and cannot be returned.

Nutrition Genome states they take steps to protect personal information from loss, misuse, and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

SelfDecode vs Nutrition Genome

1. SelfDecode delivers natural supplements, diet, and lifestyle suggestions based on your genes that you can implement right away. Nutrition Genome offers food recommendations.
2. SelfDecode tells you why they make each recommendation so that you can understand the science behind the suggestion. Nutrition Genome explains the connection between genetics and their suggestions.
3. SelfDecode prioritizes recommendations based on their analysis of all the relevant genes instead of one gene at a time (through reports). Nutrition Genome divides the results into ‘Strengths’ and ‘Weaknesses’ to help users understand their priorities.
4. SelfDecode takes a holistic approach to give recommendations that are best for your genes AND the health topic. Nutrition Genome focuses on nutrition to make their recommendations.
5. SelfDecode has a team of over 60 highly skilled scientists, MDs, PhDs, NDs, and software engineers to make sure they deliver the most accurate and science-based health information. According to their website, Nutrition Genome’s advisory board consists of 3 NDs, MS, and PhDs.
6. SelfDecode is the most comprehensive and looks at more genes & SNPs (up to 83 million) to deliver the best analysis of genetic risks. Nutrition Genome analyzes 151 SNPs to generate their reports.
7. SelfDecode supports everything with peer-reviewed scientific studies in their research and checks for contradicting information. Nutrition Genome cites scientific research throughout the report, but they do not provide an easy way for users to directly access them.
8. SelfDecode never sells your data or gives it away. Nutrition Genome claims to not sell customer genetic information.

Comparisons

Nutrition Genome Reviews

Online reviews for Nutrition Genome are scarce, and the company is not very active on social media. Currently, one Facebook user does not recommend the company.

The reviewer from the blog Solution To All Your Problems enjoys the information about which food sources are more beneficial to them regarding nutrient absorption. They appreciate that the report includes foods and toxins they might be sensitive to.

Alternatives to Nutrition Genome

SelfDecode: The best health-focused DNA test that delivers personalized health recommendations through detailed reports.

Nutrition Genome Review Summary

Nutrition Genome offers a valuable tool to those who wish to understand which foods, drinks, and toxins they are most sensitive to. The report includes useful and actionable information regarding which foods one should consume or avoid, and which blood test results they should pay attention to. However, despite recommending blood tests, the company does not offer any way for users to order labs or have their results analyzed.

It’s also worth noting that the company only offers an analysis of a limited number of SNPs, possibly leaving out many that can affect health. They explain how nutrient deficiencies or toxicity can affect gene function and overall health, but these may not account for the full picture of your health. Plus, Nutrition Genome’s test can be costly.

An alternative such as SelfDecode delivers personalized diet, lifestyle, and supplement recommendations through over 25 reports based on an analysis of up to 83 million genetic variants. Additionally, SelfDecode’s Lab Test Analyzer helps you better understand your blood test results by analyzing over 500 markers to deliver insights aimed at optimizing your health.

SelfDecode also offers a special membership options for healthcare professionals with unlimited DNA files uploads and reports downloads so they can work with as many clients as possible.

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