My DNA says to do a low-fat diet and cardio.

victoriavoodoo

Hello all, I did the 23andme DNA testing thing for ancestry recently and ran my results through promethease. If you aren't familiar, 23andme recently had to stop offering their DNA health results because the FDA ordered them to and it's an ongoing legal thing blah blah. But promethease can take the raw data you download from 23andme(or ancestry.com) and give you health results.

Anyway my report showed that I have the "high intensity exercise" gene and the "low-fat-diet" gene seen at the below website:

http://rockstarresearch.com/these-5-genes-predict-what-kind-of-diet-and-exercise-is-best-for-your-body-2/

What does high intensity even mean? Cardio?

I was wondering if anyone else has done DNA testing and/or applied it to their weight loss and had results? I don't want to go on a low-fat diet or exercise more if its not going to work when I have been losing steadily(but very slowly) just counting calories. I definitely don't want to do it if it's not like, real science. I keep hearing mixed things about this sort of research and I don't personally know anything about SNPs or genetic-y things.


If it matters I'm 22, 143 lbs 5'5'' recently diagnosed as insulin resistant. Also what is a good low fat macro ratio? I've been doing 40:30:30.

Thoughts?

missiontofitness

I personally wouldn't trust a website that offers DNA tests.
Your best bet is to speak to a nutritionist to find a plan good for your needs.

snazzyjazzy21

DNA isn't that simple, which is one of the reason these tests are so problematic. If what you're doing is working, why change?

3dogsrunning

In for genetic privilege.

victoriavoodoo

I personally wouldn't trust a website that offers DNA tests.
Your best bet is to speak to a nutritionist to find a plan good for your needs.

So I should not trust the ancestry results? The website that offers DNA tests is for ancestry, it just also included raw DNA data/a list of SNPs my DNA contains.

The second website ran that list against a database of researched genetic markers and showed me which ones I have. None of it is marketed towards weight loss. I did the Promethease thing to find out what medications I might react poorly to.

victoriavoodoo

DNA isn't that simple, which is one of the reason these tests are so problematic. If what you're doing is working, why change?

Because it is working slowly! Like a pound a month/2 weeks sometimes.

dbmata

low-fat diet gene?

ROFL.

That's not really how it works. If you like the idea, go with it, sure, but that's not how this whole DNA science/magick/reason thing works.

dbmata

So I should not trust the ancestry results? The website that offers DNA tests is for ancestry, it just also included raw DNA data/a list of SNPs my DNA contains.

Two completely different things.

fivethreeone

Let's play a little game called, "guess what's wrong."


The FDA got involved.


This is a clue.

InevitableButterfly

So I should not trust the ancestry results?

victoriavoodoo

Let's play a little game called, "guess what's wrong."


The FDA got involved.


This is a clue.

Because they said a dr needs to administer the test for them to give out health results. The validity of said results was not in question.

Like, results were showing increased risks for certain cancers/diseases and people were taking medical action based on them so the FDA said this test needs to be classified as a medical device and not distributed without a dr.'s consent.

DanaDark

Low Fat diet will mean higher carbs generally... which is not good if you are insulin resistant...

Unless it is suggesting you go balls to the wall with 100% protein... heh.

Given insulin resistance, you should actually favor a bit more fat and a bit less carbohydrates.

Overall, DNA won't tell you jack about the diet you should go for... unless you have very specific genes that make you DIE from consuming X, Y, or Z for example.

InevitableButterfly

Because it is working slowly! Like a pound a month/2 weeks sometimes.

Maybe that's because you're already at a healthy weight for your height. Sure, there is some room for more loss, but you're in the healthy range already and loss will happen much more slowly now than when you had more to lose. What kind of loss rate are you expecting? Your expectations are probably unrealistic and unhealthy.

victoriavoodoo

low-fat diet gene?

ROFL.

That's not really how it works. If you like the idea, go with it, sure, but that's not how this whole DNA science/magick/reason thing works.

I am aware that my choice of words oversimplifies things or whatever. If you'd prefer I can call it Gs281. If you know that single-nucleotide polymorphism by name I'm impressed. I didn't but I had to call it something.

TX_Rhon

Let's play a little game called, "guess what's wrong."


The FDA got involved.


This is a clue.

If its on the internet it must be true. I mean, you can't post something on the internet that isn't true.

dbmata

low-fat diet gene?

ROFL.

That's not really how it works. If you like the idea, go with it, sure, but that's not how this whole DNA science/magick/reason thing works.

I am aware that my choice of words oversimplifies things or whatever. If you'd prefer I can call it Gs281.

again, that's not how it works.

The ancestry stuff is, while a toy, potentially reasonably accurate for horseshoes and hand grenades. I know I also don't need to say it, but I will say it, having a marker does not mean it is expressed.

victoriavoodoo

low-fat diet gene?

ROFL.

That's not really how it works. If you like the idea, go with it, sure, but that's not how this whole DNA science/magick/reason thing works.

I am aware that my choice of words oversimplifies things or whatever. If you'd prefer I can call it Gs281.

again, that's not how it works.

The ancestry stuff is, while a toy, potentially reasonably accurate for horseshoes and hand grenades. I know I also don't need to say it, but I will say it, having a marker does not mean it is expressed.

Rather than "try everything until you find what works for your body," I was going to try this first. If there is any science behind it. If you're telling me there isn't then thank you for answering my question.

I know it doesn't mean it is expressed. I wanted to know if it could be a valid starting point or if its complete crap. I didn't pay for the test expecting weight loss results I did it for the ancestry and was curious enough about this other information to ask.

dbmata

Let's play a little game called, "guess what's wrong."


The FDA got involved.


This is a clue.

If its on the internet it must be true. I mean, you can't post something on the internet that isn't true.

Not necessarily, the FDA got involved because they claimed it was a medical device, which if they can make that stick will involve years of tests that are excellent revenue from the FDA. Their involvement in this type of toy is basically the mafia expecting protection money. It has no bearing whatsoever as to the safety or quality of the product. As we've seen time and again with FDA approved devices.

AlabasterVerve

If it matters I'm 22, 143 lbs 5'5'' recently diagnosed as insulin resistant. Also what is a good low fat macro ratio? I've been doing 40:30:30.

Thoughts?

If you're insulin resistant the last thing you want to be eating is a low fat diet. Low carb is what you want and start exercising if you're not already.

dbmata

low-fat diet gene?

ROFL.

That's not really how it works. If you like the idea, go with it, sure, but that's not how this whole DNA science/magick/reason thing works.

I am aware that my choice of words oversimplifies things or whatever. If you'd prefer I can call it Gs281.

again, that's not how it works.

The ancestry stuff is, while a toy, potentially reasonably accurate for horseshoes and hand grenades. I know I also don't need to say it, but I will say it, having a marker does not mean it is expressed.

Rather than "try everything until you find what works for your body," I was going to try this first. If there is any science behind it. If you're telling me there isn't then thank you for answering my question.

I'm not going to tell you there isn't, because it's great to research this stuff for yourself, but I live with someone who teaches genetics to undergrads. We've discussed it, there's no reasonable basis at this time. Doesn't mean there may not be better proof in the future though.

popstarwow

I´m a Farmacy student and yes, I did those kind of test but in a laboratory in my university. To sum up, the test said that I have predisposition to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

Basically, DNA has different positions and SNPs are variations in these positions. If you have a variation (a SNPs) in a particular position you have predisposition to this kind of deseases.

Maybe your results are like mine and you have predisposition to this deseases ( actually, you are insulin resistant). This results just mean that you have to care a little bit more about the food you eat and do some excersise, nothing else.

However, you said that you did the test online (or thats what I understood). This test can´t be done online because they need you DNA. Also, they are really expensive, so I don´t think any web would do them for free.

I hope it helped you. Sorry if I got something wrong.

PJPrimrose

Well, my genetics , without some hokey rip-off test, tell me that my tall, skinny *kitten* genes will assure I never have J-LO's butt. Look in the mirror for free! As for the diet...you gotta be kidding me. Just eat normal foods folks! If I followed my genetic back ground I'd eat nothing by flakas(oh wait I can't they contain flour and I have celiac), cabbage rolls(ick), vodka and potatoes.

InevitableButterfly

Let's play a little game called, "guess what's wrong."


The FDA got involved.


This is a clue.

Because they said a dr needs to administer the test for them to give out health results. The validity of said results was not in question.

Like, results were showing increased risks for certain cancers/diseases and people were taking medical action based on them so the FDA said this test needs to be classified as a medical device and not distributed without a dr.'s consent.

From a letter to 23andme from the FDA:

As part of our interactions with you, including more than 14 face-to-face and teleconference meetings, hundreds of email exchanges, and dozens of written communications, we provided you with specific feedback on study protocols and clinical and analytical validation requirements, discussed potential classifications and regulatory pathways (including reasonable submission timelines), provided statistical advice, and discussed potential risk mitigation strategies. As discussed above, FDA is concerned about the public health consequences of inaccurate results from the PGS device; the main purpose of compliance with FDA’s regulatory requirements is to ensure that the tests work.

However, even after these many interactions with 23andMe, we still do not have any assurance that the firm has analytically or clinically validated the PGS for its intended uses, which have expanded from the uses that the firm identified in its submissions. In your letter dated January 9, 2013, you stated that the firm is “completing the additional analytical and clinical validations for the tests that have been submitted” and is “planning extensive labeling studies that will take several months to complete.” Thus, months after you submitted your 510(k)s and more than 5 years after you began marketing, you still had not completed some of the studies and had not even started other studies necessary to support a marketing submission for the PGS. It is now eleven months later, and you have yet to provide FDA with any new information about these tests. You have not worked with us toward de novo classification, did not provide the additional information we requested necessary to complete review of your 510(k)s, and FDA has not received any communication from 23andMe since May. Instead, we have become aware that you have initiated new marketing campaigns, including television commercials that, together with an increasing list of indications, show that you plan to expand the PGS’s uses and consumer base without obtaining marketing authorization from FDA.

LINK: http://www.fda.gov/iceci/enforcementactions/warningletters/2013/ucm376296.htm

Yeah, it's nothing about 'oh, a doctor has to administer this'. It's not approved by the FDA because it is a medical device, and in the United States a medical device must meet requirements outlined by the Federal Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act which the FDA enforces.

victoriavoodoo

I´m a Farmacy student and yes, I did those kind of test but in a laboratory in my university. To sum up, the test said that I have predisposition to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

Basically, DNA has different positions and SNPs are variations in these positions. If you have a variation (a SNPs) in a particular position you have predisposition to this kind of deseases.

Maybe your results are like mine and you have predisposition to this deseases ( actually, you are insulin resistant). This results just mean that you have to care a little bit more about the food you eat and do some excersise, nothing else.

However, you said that you did the test online (or thats what I understood). This test can´t be done online because they need you DNA. Also, they are really expensive, so I don´t think any web would do them for free.

I hope it helped you. Sorry if I got something wrong.

You mail in a sample. They calculate ancestry results and then for ****s and giggles offer you the raw data to download. You can then upload this data to the database thing online. Sorry if I was unclear. Thank you for your answer. I understand that the genetic markers indicate an "increased chance" of or "predisposition" towards certain things and don't mean that you have it. I just wanted to know if there is science to back up the predisposition thing or if its complete crap.

It was 99 dollars for the ancestry test thing that includes the raw data to do with what you will.

Aaron_K123

DNA testing to figure out how to diet? No, no I actually had never considered doing that.

I figured I'd just eat less calories than I expended during my daily activities plus exercise a bit for health.

toadg53

Low Fat diet will mean higher carbs generally... which is not good if you are insulin resistant...

Unless it is suggesting you go balls to the wall with 100% protein... heh.

Given insulin resistance, you should actually favor a bit more fat and a bit less carbohydrates.

Overall, DNA won't tell you jack about the diet you should go for... unless you have very specific genes that make you DIE from consuming X, Y, or Z for example.

This is absolutely correct. I am insulin resistant and my doctor put me on a high protein/high fat in that I use full fat products not low fat or no fat products and low carb.

There's definitely something amiss with the info you have.

victoriavoodoo

Low Fat diet will mean higher carbs generally... which is not good if you are insulin resistant...

Unless it is suggesting you go balls to the wall with 100% protein... heh.

Given insulin resistance, you should actually favor a bit more fat and a bit less carbohydrates.

Overall, DNA won't tell you jack about the diet you should go for... unless you have very specific genes that make you DIE from consuming X, Y, or Z for example.

This is absolutely correct. I am insulin resistant and my doctor put me on a high protein/high fat in that I use full fat products not low fat or no fat products and low carb.

There's definitely something amiss with the info you have.

Most helpful answer in thread. Thank you.

The insulin resistance diagnosis came from my dr and is unrelated to the dna thing I just thought it might be worth mentioning in relation to considering a low-fat diet.

popstarwow

Oh, you sent a sample! Then the test is valid. And yes, there is science to backup the predisposition, it´s not crap.
The whole data thing is also true, that´s how we do it in the laboratory.

InevitableButterfly

Oh, you sent a sample! Then the test is valid. And yes, there is science to backup the predisposition, it´s not crap.
The whole data thing is also true, that´s how we do it in the laboratory.

For this to be valid in the United States it has to be PROVEN TO BE SAFE AND ACCURATE! This service the OP used is NOT approved because the company has failed to prove its product is safe and accurate.

lemon629

That's interesting. My DNA says the same thing. I already knew that about the high intensity exercise, but not about the fat. I might try a low fat diet just out of curiosity, but I don't know, I love fat, so I wouldn't go all that low.

dbmata

For this to be valid in the United States it has to be PROVEN TO BE SAFE AND ACCURATE! This service the OP used is NOT approved because the company has failed to prove its product is safe and accurate.

*sigh*
No ma'am, it just has to get through the testing.

FDA testing guarantees neither safety nor effectiveness.