DNA Diets: A new trend... but can they really do what they claim?
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I’ve recently seen more and more ads on Instagram and Facebook for “DNA Diets.” You’ve likely seen them too.
With a quick google just now, the first four links were ads for them.
So, what’s up with the DNA Diets? What are they? Do they work? Should you try them?
Let’s dig in.
First of all… what are DNA Diets?
The ideas is that you purchase a test from one of the many companies out there, take a blood sample, send it back to be processed, and they return to you an analysis of foods that are best for you to prioritize or avoid based on your particular DNA.
Then, you eat according to that DNA-related result, and you reach your goals faster.
One company says it can tell you:
“Your optimal macronutrient mix to set the foundation for a healthy diet
What amount of each micronutrient your body may benefit from the most
Which 100+ foods are the best match for your nutritional needs
how your body reacts to substances including alcohol, gluten, caffeine, lactose
How to make decisions at the grocery store, for instance whether to buy Brussels sprouts or broccoli”1
Sounds like that info could be pretty helpful…
… but, how real are those results? Do these tests really work?
The same company who said it could give you the results above sites 10 studies to back up their claims, but:
“most of the studies were inconclusive, preliminary, or not pertinent to the company’s claims. One thing glaringly missing is any study testing whether people who follow the company’s DNA-based diet recommendations are healthier in any way than people who follow standard evidence-based guidelines for a healthy diet.2
That’s right, there are no studies where the results of these recommendations are tested or followed up on. Interesting.
Some of these companies also offer meal programs and vitamins after you get your results that are specifically tailored to your results. In my opinion, anything that continues to try to sell you their products after you buy should be at least a little bit of a red flag!3
So, should you try a DNA Diet?
The idea is nice, and maybe in the future they will be more reputable and have more beneficial and actionable results, but at this point, there is not enough science behind it, and there are too many limitations and things that are not taken into account for them to be taken as fact.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics said these DNA Diets are “not yet ready for routine dietetics practice.” And,
The academy stated that determining personalized dietary interventions is complex, requiring not only advanced knowledge in genetics, but also additional information, including family history and personal risk factors. Direct-to-consumer genetic testing is not closely regulated, warned the agency, which also suggested that more evidence is needed to ensure personalized dietary recommendations result in actual health benefits and cause no harm.4
Also, different DNA Diet companies have provided different DNA-based diet recommendations to the same person… How could that be possible if these were “real” or based in science?
Not to mention the price point of these tests is not necessarily cheap. They ranged from $113-299 on the ones I saw.
One last, and potentially harsh, comment here. I imagine this is just another example of people wanting to cut corners on their nutrition and health efforts. Similar to how some people would prefer to turn to “magic” supplements and fat-burning teas instead of actually changing what they eat. Anything for people to avoid having to adjust their intake to hit the basics. I imagine these tests can also further create excuses for why we can’t find success with their food plan, like how “my metabolism is just too slow to lost weight”… now “my DNA Diet isn’t right to lose weight.”
Anyway… This is not to say that these tests could never become a reality and actually useful, but at this point it seems that the science isn’t there yet!
We can take this as a reminder to do your real, science-based research and not take things on face value. And, of course, to prioritize eating mostly whole, real foods, protein, fruits and veggies, move regularly and drink your water.
If you were considering investing in a DNA Diet, it looks like it’d be in your best interest to hold off for now.
However, if you’ve already done one, I would love to hear about your experience, your results, and how you felt about it all!
As always, thank you for reading!
xoxo,
Sara
https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/diet-recommendations-based-on-dna/
https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/diet-recommendations-based-on-dna/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5224962/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5224962/