A DNA test can tell you lots of things about your health. But can a DNA test help you with a specific problem, such as to lose weight?

Here are the main problems a DNA test can help solve I bet you didn’t know about.

1. Can a DNA test help you lose weight?

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Yes, a DNA test can help you lose weight.

There are some genes associated with having a higher BMI and weight gain. Some of these genes affect your brain and eating habits, others affect your ability to store and burn fat.

Knowing which genes you have means you know exactly where to focus your efforts. This is far better than following diet advice that might not even work for your body.

Obviously a DNA test isn’t a magic pill. You still have to do the hard bit yourself, which is to eat in the best way for your body, genes and lifestyle to actually lose weight. So, if you’re not ready to make some changes to your diet, it might not be the right time to get a DNA test.

But if you ARE willing to learn about how your DNA affects your weight and follow the advice the DNA gives you, I recommend getting a DNA test to help you lose weight.

If you’re not sure about the DNA test, you’re not alone. Susanna was skeptical too, and here’s what she had to say after getting her results:

“Having battled weight and food my whole life, I knew diets were a temporary fix at best. I finally turned to Vojo for a more holistic approach - and I’ll never look back. My DNA results shone a light on what has been going on my whole life in my brain and body which turned out to be the huge missing pieces to the puzzle. But that was just the start! The guidance and coaching from Vojo has been a life and body changer. I won’t look at myself or food in the same way again. This worked and is working and will work for you!”

– Susanna W., 43

2. Can a DNA test help you manage your mental health and hormones?

Most mental health conditions are a complex combination of many factors, such as your genes, diet, environment and exposure to trauma.

A DNA test can tell you whether you have genes like COMT and MTHFR which significantly affect mental well-being. It may help you understand why you’ve always been sensitive to stress or had a tendency towards certain mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression. It can even tell you why you suffer from hormonal conditions such as bad PMS or infertility.

While a DNA test won’t diagnose, treat, cure or prevent a mental health condition, it can help you understand your body, eat the right foods and take the right supplements to improve your mood and manage your symptoms.

Here’s what Elisa said after getting her DNA results having battled depression her whole life:

“Getting my genes tested and looking at the results was such a relief. It’s been years since I’ve struggled with mental health issues and despite doing all the ‘right’ things (psychotherapy, medication, yoga, running, peaceful life in nature) it’s been an on-going battle. Now I know exactly what my body needs more of because of my genes and what I need to balance my serotonin and dopamine levels. Vojo’s results help me to get closer to a meds free life! Thank you!”

– Elisa Dimitri, 36

3. Can a DNA test help you understand your aches, pains, fatigue and other symptoms?

Yes, a DNA test can help you understand why you’re not feeling your best - in some cases.

For example, if you have genes related to an increased risk of inflammation, you could experience more joint pain, headaches, acne or sport injuries. If you have genes related to anaemia, you could need more iron and feel tired more often.

This doesn’t mean DNA testing can definitely solve your symptoms. For example, if you’ve developed an autoimmune disorder such as thyroid disease or rheumatoid arthritis, a DNA test can’t help you get rid of your fatigue or joint pain because it’s being caused by your immune system - not by your genes. But a DNA test could give you personalised tips on how to best manage your symptoms naturally through diet and lifestyle.

Fiona had a DNA test to find out why she was falling asleep on the sofa at 4pm every day. Here’s what she had to say:

“Since I started supplementing as Vojo recommended, I can’t believe the difference! I have so much more energy, focus, and my hair is thicker… The list goes on!”

– Fiona B., 39

4. Can a DNA test help you get better at sport?

Some people are more susceptible to inflammation and sport injuries than others. A DNA test can reveal your risk of inflammation and injuries. Plus you’ll know what to eat and supplement to improve recovery.

Not only that -  a DNA test can help you understand your muscle composition and how to best train and eat to reach your fitness goals, whether that’s running faster or building muscle.

But clearly a DNA test can’t do the training or food prep for you, so if you’re not willing to put in the effort you won’t get better at sport, no matter what genes you have.

Frank’s an experienced runner, but his knee pain was getting in the way of his training as he got older. Here’s what he had to say after his DNA results:

“I’m 63 and a marathon runner but had been struggling with joint pain and injuries for years on and off. Vojo helped me understand my body and showed me what I needed to eat and supplement to perform at my best. Go vegan, go Vojo!”

– Frank C., 63

5. Can a DNA test help you sleep better?

Did you know that how much sleep you need, and your risk of insomnia is related to your genes?

Yup, there are several genes which control your circadian rhythm (basically when and how well you sleep). That’s why some people need 8-9 hours of sleep per night to feel functional, while others seem to survive on six hours or less.

Your genes may make you more sensitive to caffeine. So while some people can have a coffee before bed without problems, others will need to have their dose before noon to have a good night’s sleep.

Yet, your sleep is related to more than your genes and diet. Stress, light exposure, exercise, hormones and many other things can also affect getting those zeds.

A DNA test can tell you how much sleep you should be aiming for, and your estimated optimal bedtime and wake up times.

“The DNA results were super interesting and I’ve already started supplementing according to the results which has definitely improved my sleep. I can definitely recommend Vojo if you really want to understand your body and make the right changes to your health!”

– Sille Juulens, 31

6. Can a DNA test help you find out if you’re intolerant to certain foods?

A DNA test can tell you your risk of some food (and drink) intolerances, especially:

But a DNA test can’t diagnose a food intolerance because it’s usually more than just your genes at play. Your genes increase your risk, but don’t cause food intolerances.

A DNA test can also tell you a bit about your gut health and microbiome balance too. It can give you insight into genetic root causes of gut issues such as IBS and how you can improve your symptoms.

However, your gut is very complicated, so don’t expect instant answers about your gut health after a DNA test.

“I often felt tired and “off my game”. I wanted to change my diet to prevent long-term troubles with my health. After sending my DNA sample, I got my result in a nice and easily accessible report, and a consultation with Ellie. With that I got some concrete tools and tasks to reach my health goal. I would definitely recommend Vojo for others.”

– Dennis L., 31

7. Can a DNA test tell you whether you’ll get the same health conditions as your family?

You can be at an increased genetic risk of certain ‘lifestyle’ diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and dementia.

The good news is you can turn your ‘fate’ around with diet and lifestyle. So if one of these conditions runs in your family, we recommend getting a DNA test to understand your risk, and following the personalised nutrition and lifestyle advice to reduce your risk.

These are the health conditions a DNA test can help you understand your risk of:

Susan was worried about getting dementia and diabetes like her parents, and here’s what she said after her DNA results:

“Getting my DNA results was like a light bulb moment for me. I’m 46 and the DNA test made me realise that by understanding my genetic make-up I can work with my body as I get older, rather than just carrying on as I am and hoping for the best! Now I feel like I can put all the jigsaw bits together and make the next 30 years of my life health much improved.”

– Susan S., 46

8. Can a DNA test help you come off your meds?

Our DNA tests are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. So if you are on medication, we will never recommend you to come off them without consulting your healthcare provider.

However, a DNA test can give you the insight and tools you need to better understand your body and improve your health through personalised diet and lifestyle. This can work alongside medication to help you manage your health naturally, and could contribute to reducing medication for certain conditions in the long-run.

The bottom line

DNA testing can be helpful in finding out more about your health and how to live a long, healthy life.

However, remember your genes are only one part of the picture. We don’t recommend using the results in isolation, and always take your diet, lifestyle and environment into account.

Get your DNA test here and improve your health today.

Our DNA tests are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult with your GP.