Is DNA Testing The Future Of Wellness?

We talk to Ron Hanerfeld of DNA Code to get to know all about the booming investment that is DNA Testing -- is this something you should consider? We list down some points to consider when it comes to harnessing genetics to guide your lifestyle:

1. DNA Testing Isn't As Scary As You Think

DNA (which stands for "Deoxyribonucleic Acid") is something we all learn about in school, but how often do we really use this information in daily life? If we hark back to the fact that it is basically the stuff that carries our biological identity... it begs the question: shouldn't we know more about it? When asked about the common misconceptions that surround DNA Testing, Hanerfled pointed these out:

Blood Needs to Be Drawn
There are absolutely no needles involved in taking a DNA test. They are done by swabbing out the saliva from your cheek for about half a minute with a Q-tip and then sending it to a lab. That’s it.

Personal Information Might Be Shared
All results are completely confidential.

DNA Test Kit Is Expensive
You can order our Fitness & Nutrition test for only $149.

It Takes a Long Time to Get the Results
The typical turnaround time is 4-6 weeks once the sample reaches our lab.

2. It's A Good Longterm Investment

"Everyone should have the ability to learn more about their bodies and how best they can live a healthier lifestyle. Finding out potential health risk markers you may have could help you educate your family and create better habits earlier on for yourself and for them."

3. Nothing Beats A Healthy (and Balanced) Lifestyle

When it comes to classic fitness advice, Hanerfeld had this to say: "being active daily is one of the biggest advice I give my friends, family, colleagues and clients. Our bodies are much like cars, in that it needs fuel and oil to operate properly. A balanced diet, coupled with exercise and proper sleep is the number one formula for living a healthy lifestyle". So, whether or not you're planning on investing in DNA testing, be sure you match your enthusiasm for knowledge with an equally eager attitude towards holistic health.

4. Aim To Understand Your Body More

Instead of remaning as something you vaguely remember learning in school, DNA can help you understand your body and physicality. As for Hanerfeld, he recounts his personal experience as such: "[Eversince], each workout or meal I have, I think twice about cutting my gym session short or cheating on my diet for that quick fix!"

5. Set Better (More Personalised) Fitness Goals 

If you really want to go that extra mile, how can DNA testing help you exactly? "By providing irrefutable information about oneself. It’s with this information that we take away the guessing game on how to ‘be’ healthy. No more wasting time, money, and effort in achieving one's fitness goal. With the accurate DNA results that will tell you which workout or what food would work best for your body, then the approach is more focused."

To know more about DNAcode, you can visit dnacode.com.

Tatler Asia