With the advancement of technology, DNA sequence and analysis are now made available to the greater public through DNA test kits. These could provide quick and cost-effective information about a person’s genetics and health.
What are DNA Test Kits?
DNA test kits, such as those sold by My Psomagen and similar companies, work with client samples to assess and search for different DNA indicators. This personal genetic examination could provide data regarding nutritional and health traits.
DNA test kits could reveal more about your health and heritage. They could also provide information on the chances of contracting diseases and the possibility of passing on heritable characteristics to your offspring.
The majority of DNA test kit findings could also give you an indication of your chances of contracting a disease. Don’t worry, though. There’s no guarantee that a health problem will develop. It is just an estimate that tells you how susceptible your body is to this particular health problem.
How It’s Done
DNA test kits are available for purchase from commercial websites. Purchasing these doesn’t require a doctor’s prescription or health care insurances.
Companies would ship out the test kit containing instructions on how to get samples. The procedure could be done with saliva, a swab on the mouth, or blood samples.
The sample should then be shipped back to the company for analysis. The DNA would be extracted from it, and the sequence will be deduced. The data will be processed, and the result would be sent back to the client.
Clients could receive the results through mail or over the phone. Some companies have on-board professionals that could answer questions and clarify findings.
What Can It Reveal About Your Health?
DNA testing is a significant and useful instrument that could disclose a lot about a person’s body. These tests evaluate a sample of a person’s DNA to search for particular differences related to multiple diseases.
Test findings might also aid doctors in diagnosing and predicting a person’s likelihood of contracting an illness. Other DNA tests could reveal whether a person is prone to certain conditions.
Here are some ways how DNA tests may inform you about your health.
- DNA tests may warn if you are susceptible to hereditary diseases.
One of the advantages of DNA testing is that they enable specialists to diagnose inherited disorders at any age. Physicians may be able to help people prepare for treatment of their illness if they could detect the disorder before symptoms become serious.
This is particularly beneficial for hereditary diseases, such as familial hypercholesterolemia, which could lead to heart problems and strokes at an early age. Early diagnosis of these diseases could mean that a patient may have more medical treatment choices.
- DNA tests may tell you if you’re predisposed to certain traits
DNA test kits may also find a mutation in a person’s gene that is linked to a variety of characteristics that aren’t typically disorders or health problems. These tests may indicate the traits that you might have by cross-examining your DNA to the DNA of people that share these characteristics.
Knowing that you may be prone to a particular trait could motivate you to undertake healthy lifestyle decisions that will benefit your overall health. For example, once you find that you’re more likely to be overweight than the average person, you may be motivated to go to the gym often or begin a new exercise regimen.
Furthermore, some of the findings may also prompt you to have important discussions with your doctor regarding your diet or exercise schedule.
- DNA tests may inform you if you’re at risk of lifestyle diseases
DNA test kits may tell whether your DNA has variants that make you more likely to have a disease or disorder. However, this is not the same as concluding that you will undoubtedly contract an illness.
This is particularly true with diseases where genes and lifestyle decisions play a part in whether or not you get them. For instance, type 2 diabetes could be passed through genes. But that doesn’t mean you’ll have it as well. Rather, it means you’ll have a higher risk of getting it.
Type 2 diabetes could be caused by genes, but lifestyle decisions are also significant. You may have a genetic trait that makes you vulnerable to type 2 diabetes, but if you maintain good health and take care of your body, you may avoid developing it.
DNA test results are just an underlying detail among other factors which all play a role in whether or not you develop the disease. Other factors that may affect the risk for diseases include the following:
- Your diet
- Exercise level
- Blood pressure
- Lifestyle
Tips Before Trying DNA Test Kits
Here are some things to consider when it comes to trying a DNA test kit for health reasons:
- DNA Test kits may not be as systematic as those provided by qualified medical geneticists. The outcomes of these testing generally don’t take into account other significant risk factors, such as behavioral factors and the like.
- Companies offering DNA Test kits are different from each other. They may vary in testing, technology, and data policies. Do your research and learn about the brand, the tests they provide, and what they’re doing with your information.
- Be ready for the results. Most genes are shared by family members. You may discover something that may affect you and your family.
Bottom Line
Many health problems are not solely dictated by genes. The development of a disease is dependent on several factors interacting with one another, including biology, climate, lifestyle, and habits.
As a consequence, the findings of DNA tests do not indicate the existence or absence of illness. The findings don’t imply that you have a certain disease. There is a difference between being at higher risk of developing the disease versus actually having the disease.
You may, for example, receive reports indicating that you have a low chance of contracting a disease. This would not rule out the possibility of contracting the disease. DNA testing is valuable for providing you with more information on your body and its needs. This way, you can improve your quality of life through appropriate lifestyle changes.
