Would YOU try the DNA diet? How knowing the link between your genes and the food you eat can help you lose weight faster
- The DNA diet sees people getting health programs tailored to their genes
- Different people react differently to different foods based on their genetics
- As a result, this can impact how easily they lose weight or even conceive a baby
- Eating foods that don't complement your genes can leave you tired and hungry
While cutting calories or developing an exercise regime can help you edge closer to your weight loss goals, a simple DNA test can also help.
Fitness gurus and wellness warriors around the world are currently going crazy for the so-called 'DNA diet' which sees an exercise and health regime tailored to your genes.
The official term for the field of research surrounding it is 'nutrigenomics', which looks at the genetic link between what we eat and our ability to lose weight as a result.
Fitness gurus and wellness warriors around the world are currently going crazy for the so-called 'DNA diet' which sees an exercise and health regime tailored to your genes
The results of a DNA test, which involves taking a swab test and sending the results for analysis, can tell you a number of important things about your health, including whether your body would react well to a gluten-free diet or whether you are drinking too much coffee.
'The results of this test can impact weight loss & body composition, nutrient metabolism, heart health, food intolerances, such as gluten intolerance, and eating habits,' Nutrition4Life explain on their website.
'The test also provides you with information related to the relationship between your genes and athletic performance & injury risk.'
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Dr. Denise Furnness recommends people look at their family tree of health to see their medical history and start food diary to clearly see what they're eating and when
According to Melbourne-based Dr. Denise Furnness, for Body + Soul, the test also looks at whether people have the tendency to put on weight easily, be susceptible to diseases like diabetes or heart disease and/or whether they are likely to have difficulty conceiving.
In turn, this allows people to make lifestyle and diet changes to improve their health.
One of the most important things that can make a difference to our health is the quality of the environment around us.
'This not only includes the toxins around you, but the products you put on your skin and use in everyday life,' Dr Furness said.
'Numerous chemicals are now present in our water, beauty products and on our fruit and veg, which can have a negative effect on our health, fertility and birth outcomes. Consider going organic – in all areas of your life.'
'Numerous chemicals are now present in our water, beauty products and on our fruit and veg, which can have a negative effect on our health, fertility and birth outcomes,' she said
She also recommends that people look at their family tree of health to see their medical history, taking supplements and multi vitamins to boost areas that are lacking and starting a food diary to clearly see what they're eating and when.
Educating yourself on these areas and having a good understanding of your genetic make up can also help you lose up to 33 per cent more weight as you are eating foods based on your genes - and not a random diet plan not specifically tailored to you.
Scientists behind the method have previously claimed our individual genetic make-up means that our bodies process fats and carbohydrates differently, so some of us put on more weight than others even when we eat the same foods.
In 2014, Dr Nicola Pirastu and her team, from the University of Trieste in Italy, monitored 87 obese patients on the DNA diet for two years, as well as 104 who were on standard diets, in which they simply ate 600 fewer calories a day.
Those on DNA diets saw their BMI go down by an average of 1.8 points, while the other group saw it decrease by 1.3 points. Patients on a DNA diet also gained more muscle, at an average of 6.1 per cent compared to 5.3 per cent.
