Review: the DNA health test helps you learn more about genetic and lifestyle-related ailments you might be prone to

The test was able to look at my risk of high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as whether I was prone to lactose intolerance and caffeine sensitivity.

While I would consider myself healthy, there are a number of health issues that are rampant in my family – type 2 diabetes and heart conditions, in particular. I have three grandparents, several aunts and cousins with diabetes. One grandmother has a pacemaker, the other had a bypass in her 60s and my grandfather died after his fifth heart attack. I was interested to see whether these health issues were in our genetic make-up or whether they were largely due to poor lifestyle choices. The DNA Health test, conducted through the Hundred Wellness Centre in Dubai, was able to look at my risk of high cholesterol, heart disease (and factors contributing to it), diabetes, inflammation and oxidative stress (which can lead to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and more). It also looked at other things, such as whether I was prone to lactose intolerance and caffeine sensitivity. A few weeks after my saliva swab test was sent to DNAnalysis in South Africa, I sat down with homoeopathic practitioner Sean Penny to discuss the results. The follow-up consultation was vital to explaining the combinations of letters and numbers in the report. Here’s what I learnt.

Surprise one: Despite the high rate of diabetes in my family, my genes indicate that my risk of the disease is low. Of course, if I ate doughnuts all day, did no exercise and allowed my weight to spiral out of control, I’d definitely be a candidate for the condition.

Surprise two: I actually have a gene that is associated with increased HDL (good) cholesterol and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Despite this, though, my test showed high risk of inflammation, which is associated with obesity, heart disease, arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Penny says a good way to overcome this is by increasing intake of omega-3s and decreasing saturated fats. He also stresses the need to eat a lot of antioxidant-rich foods.

Surprise three: For about 20 years, I have believed I was lactose intolerant, although for the past few years, I have questioned whether it was the lactose in dairy that I was reacting to, or the protein. Turns out, according to my test, that my genotype does not predispose me to lactose intolerance. That’s one mystery solved.

What didn’t surprise me: A number of the results, such as the presence of genes that affect oxidative stress, point to a plant-based diet being best for me. This makes sense considering I always feel better when I limit my intake of animal products. The test also indicated a moderate sensitivity to caffeine, which I long suspected.

The test and follow-up consultation costs Dh1,600, which in my opinion is a small price to pay to learn more about your health. It doesn’t guarantee that you won’t get a condition, but it gives you an indication of a course of action that is least likely to trigger these genes.