Science has made it possible to do a simple test and use findings to create a personalized fitness and diet regimen, allowing optimal fitness, health, and wellness outcomes. The test is called the DNA fitness test, and this is how it works:  

Exercise Genetics 

The science of exercise genetics and its influence on muscle strength, endurance, and other fitness-related traits have created readily available fitness genes DNA tests. Conveniently, you can use this non-invasive DNA fitness in the comfort of your home. All you need is to take a saliva swab and send it to the company to do the analysis. 

What these tests do is help you identify more than a few genes that can impact your ability to exercise, lose weight, and reach your desired fitness and health goals. 

Some of the most notable genes that were found to make you genetically and biologically hardwired and predisposed for a particular diet and type of exercise include the following:   

  • FTO—Hunger gene 

FTO protein, which is encoded by the FTO gene that’s located on chromosome 16, is associated with fat mass and obesity. A specific variation of FTO is prevailing in obese women and men, causing them to have more and harder to satiate food cravings and hunger.  

  • ADRB2_2—Adrenaline signaling gene 

A particular variation of the ADRB2_2 gene can make some men more prone to obesity. With this gene, it’s difficult to have a successful weight loss plan. 

  • PPARG — Fat and carb processing  

PPARG is a protein and a receptor that affects how you store fat and how you process glucose. These two major factors contribute to the risk of developing diabetes and obesity. Apart from determining how your body responds to saturated fats and your ability to drop fat, PPARG also determines how well you respond to exercise. 

  • IL15RA—Muscle volume gene 

Known as the muscle volume gene, IL15RA is found to affect how quickly a person increases muscle size and the ability to prevent muscle breakdown. Some genes are connected to strength increase but not as much muscle size when doing resistance exercise training. In contrast, others may carry genes that are linked to small gains in strength and larger muscle size.  

  • ACE—Endurance gene 

Endurance athletes and middle-distance runners, rowers, and cyclists have a specific combination of genes that makes them genetically predisposed to perform better at long-distance events. On the other hand, those who have a gene that makes them naturally better equipped with power and strength find it harder to build up endurance.   

  • UCP2 and UCP3—Metabolism genes 

A particular UCP2 genotype is associated with a faster metabolism, making it harder to gain weight, especially when combined with exercise. On the contrary, UCP3 is linked with a lower metabolic rate that can cause a lower aerobic capacity and greater BMI.  

Personalizing Fitness Routine With DNA Fitness Test 

After finding your DNA fitness test results, a personalized fitness and diet routine helps you reach your optimal health-related outcome. 

For example, if the results show that you have a certain FTO gene variation, you may benefit from a diet plan that’s low in carbs and high in fat and protein. This diet is best suited for your genetic disposition and body composition with a specific set of exercises. Should you find yourself to be genetically hardwired with low testosterone levels, it means you’re at risk of poor metabolic health, increased body fat, and reduced muscle mass. In that case, you would benefit from changing your exercise and diet habits to eat food that boosts testosterone levels, taking magnesium supplements, and enough sleep, then completed with HIIT-style workouts.  

DNA Fitness Reports 

More than a few companies are offering DNA fitness tests with reports that may differ and are more or less extensive. Generally, most DNA fitness reports include: 

  • Genetic Nutrition Report

Based on your DNA, the nutrition report determines and recommends an optimal diet type you should follow. 

  • Genetic Fitness Report

A genetic fitness report helps you understand how your body reacts to different types of exercise and enables you to personalize your workout sessions to reach and maintain your fitness goals.

  • Consultation With A Registered Dietician And Sports Scientist

Along with reports, some companies also offer one-on-one consultation with registered dieticians and sports scientists to answer any questions and help you adopt recommended diet and exercise changes.  

  • Common health risk’s report

The reports can also include how exposed you are to different types of cancers, stroke, obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc.  

Conclusion: The Future Is Now 

Personalized exercise and diet plans based on DNA findings are the future of health and wellness. Although exercise genetics is relatively a young scientific discipline, there are enough findings and technological advancements that can help you live the best and healthiest version of yourself today.