Nutrigenomic Test with Analysis

Dietitians deliver science-backed, tailored dietary advice that can help any client with their health – whether it is managing a medical condition or boosting general fitness.

However, there is a gold standard that can provide an even greater degree of personalised nutritional advice. This is the use of nutrigenomic testing to understand everything about the individual, all about their nutritional requirements and how they react to different elements.

Nutrigenomics takes the work of a dietitian to a new level giving them previously unavailable information about the individual and their DNA make-up.

What Is A DNA Nutrigenomic Test?

The test is designed to understand the individual’s unique make-up and so enable the dietitian to use this information to create a fully tailored eating plan.

Step one is to take a sample so that this can be sent away to a certified lab for analysis. This is an easy process, no needles or taking of blood – instead it is a saliva sample that needs to be taken.

The sample is sent to a CLIA certified and CAP accredited lab where it is analysed using cutting edge technology.

A report is generated and it is this that the dietitian turns into the highly personalised advice for that patient.

Who Is A Nutrigenomic Test Suitable For?

The nutrigenomic test is not a one-size-fits-all approach, instead three different genetic tests are available, each of which analyses at least 70 genetic markers.

The three options are:

• health and wellness
• sports nutritional
• nutrition for fertility

While each of these will also be hugely beneficial to overall health, they have focusses on specific areas and aims. 

Health and wellness is the option for general health, the other two for specific cases where someone needs peak physical performance for sport, or is looking for dietary advice that can maximise their chances of a healthy pregnancy.

The health and wellness can help those looking to gain or lose weight healthily. 

Because the nutrigenomic testing is not separate to the work of a dietitian, it is suitable for everyone who is keen to have dietary advice or has had this service recommended. 

The level of insight further informs the work of the professional, rather than replacing it.

What is The Benefit of a Nutrigenomics Test?

All dietitians are highly qualified, it is a regulated profession that sees practitioners work in partnership with other healthcare professionals.

Given this level of service, what is the added benefit of a nutrigenomic test?

The answer is that it gives a level of detail that is otherwise unavailable.

A dietitian will always act upon all information that have available – the Nutrigenomic test gives them a lot more information, and information that is certain to be accurate as it is based on the client’s genetic make-up.

The analysis will show up any food intolerances – even ones that would otherwise be almost impossible to detect, yet have an impact on heath.

Analysis shows how that person reacts to different food types. It shows how they should receive key parts of their diet and how much they need – for instance what must their energy intake be and how should this be delivered. What percentage as protein, carbohydrates and then what form should these take?

The analysis provides certainty and enables the dietitian to provide advice that is tailored just to that one person, rather than being based on more general research and patterns seen in the wider population.

An Example of the Report

The best way to get a sense for the Nutrigenomic analysis is to see a sample report.

You will see just how detailed it is. The person in this example has information about the dietary intake they need and how this should be delivered. 

There is information about what should be avoided and also about the individual’s physical attributes.

Example findings are that:

• They should consume 1300mg of dairy on a daily basis
• They should not exceed the RDA for iron. There is also specific advice as to how iron should be delivered
• This person has a high likelihood for gluten intolerance
• Between 29 and 30% of their energy intake should be through protein
• They have a preference for sugary food and a tendency to eat between meals
• This person has a relatively high pain threshold
• They have an above average risk of Achilles injury

The report delivers things the client could never know about themselves and the dietitian could not ascertain without this service. 

However, all this information would be overwhelming if simply delivered to the client. How can it all be turned into a coherent plan?

Working With the Client

The dietitian will work with the patient or client to turn this report into a bespoke dietary plan. 

This plan is pragmatic, taking into account the person’s lifestyle and also how they will respond to any particular diet or suggestion.

There is, for example, no point recommending a diet high in oily fish if the person simply cannot stand to eat this form of food.

Any dietary advice is only beneficial if it is actually something the client can stick to and if it delivers eating that they find satisfying and enjoyable – otherwise there is the risk of fads and short term gains and the constant fluctuating in and out of health.

A dietitian works in partnership with the person they are helping and they also work with other healthcare professionals to ensure all advice fits in with the work of other experts.

Accelerating Dietitians’ Work

Previously, a dietitian would have made recommendations in good faith and then reviewed these.

They could not know, for instance, precisely how a client should consume energy or that iron must be taken a certain way. Over time and with sensible adaptation they would further refine the advice to make it more and more suitable for the individual.

This approach is still completely valid, it will deliver initial results and then refine these to get better and better.

However, the nutrigenomics reporting is a fast track that bypasses much of this need for constant refinement, it gives the information that the dietitian can immediately act upon.

Imagine the benefit if you are trying to get pregnant, the very first plan delivered by your dietitian will be based upon your own unique genetic code and the requirements your body has, rather than the typical requirements of a woman seeking a diet to aid fertility.

Or for those looking to lose weight, the benefit of knowing precisely what they need to consume and how, and to get a diet that leaves them with all the nutrients and energy they need, but also losing weight safely.

Many find that this also leads to cost savings as the fact that the very first dietary plan is perfect reduces the need for so many follow-up appointments. It certainly saves time.

If you are opting to see a dietitian, it surely makes sense for the dietitian to be armed with all available knowledge to help them create the very best bespoke plan.

How to find a dietitian offering Nutrigenomics

A number of UK dietitians offer the nutrigenomics service, all will be properly accredited to carry out this extra level of service.

One leading practitioner is Rachel Clarkson, the DNSA Dietitian. 

About Rachel, the DNA Dietitian

As the DNA Dietitian, Rachel Clarkson is at the forefront of the move to genetics-based dietary advice.

She has universally five star reviews and two of her most recent testimonials state:

“Rachel helped me change my eating habits and have much more awareness of what I put into my body. My digestion has completely changed and I am very grateful! I feel so much more knowledgeable now and would recommend her to anyone not only wanting to lose weight, but also to have a healthy approach in life”

“Would highly recommend Rachel to anyone seeking to improve their health! I found my genetic analysis to be an empowering and motivating tool to make healthy changes using Rachel’s techniques. In just 3 sessions I feel more in control of my health and feel like I have the knowledge to filter through all of the poor nutritional information I hear so much in the media!”

If you want to see if Rachel is the dietitian for you, why not book a free 15-minute discovery call? This will be an opportunity to chat with Rachel, discuss your requirements and also find out more about a DNA diet and its benefits for you.

Book a free discovery call.