Summary
Although the Vitagen-X reports were thoroughly researched and packed with helpful health information, I didn’t always find them easy to understand because they contained too much scientific jargon. Because the service came with a free phone consultation, I could get assistance whenever I had questions regarding the interpretation of any of my results. Since the ThyroidGEN and VitaGEM reports were of a more specialized nature, I would advise anyone who is taking these tests to take advantage of the complimentary consultations that are offered.
The VitaGEN report was impressively detailed, and I had no trouble comprehending its information. The results were presented in a table format, which made it simple to understand what my genetic profile was and what it indicated about my health, while the Nutrition and Lifestyle Guide contained a wealth of supplementary information that was both informative and applicable to my situation.
What Is VitaGen?
The director of Vitagen-X, Kate Scott, is a nutritional therapist who is certified in the United Kingdom and is a member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy. Vitagen-X is a nutrigenomics start-up company that was established in 2017. (BANT).
The purpose behind the development of the genetic tests provided by Vitagen-X was to investigate the basis of our health, which is contained in our DNA. The staff at Vitagen-X is of the opinion that our overall health and wellbeing are determined by lifestyle factors such as diet, stress levels, and amount of Sleep.
What to Expect from Vitagen
The Vitagen-X website had a professional appearance that was almost clinical. I discovered that they provided a variety of tests to choose from. The test known as “VitaGEN” focused on nutritional information, while the test known as “ThyroidGEN” was a more specialized DNA test for the thyroid, and the test known as “VitaFEM” was devoted to the health of females.
Both the ‘VitaGEN’ and the ‘ThyroidGEN’ tests offered varying degrees of thoroughness in their examinations. The ‘-GEN’ tests were the most fundamental, but they also included a DNA test, nutritional guidance, and phone support. The “-PLUS,” “-PRO,” and “ELITE” tests all included blood and adrenal gland testing in addition to a home visit from a nurse and a test for something called “intestinal dysbiosis,” which I presumed to be a test of the gut microbiome.
There was a request for me to get in touch with them if I already had the results of my DNA test from 23andMe, and I was curious as to whether there was a discount available to people who had previously had their DNA tested.
It wasn’t apparent that this text was clickable, and I would have appreciated a little more information about what exactly was included in the report. On the Order page, I discovered that I could view a description of what was included in each piece by clicking “DNA Test & Full Report.” However, it wasn’t clear that this text was clickable, it wasn’t clear that this text was clickable.
Ordering Experience
Through the Vitagen-X website, I was able to place an order for the DNA tests. Because of this, I was required to fill out a form that had a very medical air to it. It asked for a practitioner’s name, but I wasn’t required to provide one; that information was only required if I was taking the test with my own personal physician. It needed me to give my full name, email address, physical address, date of birth, and sex. There was a space for me to write down my symptoms and concerns, and it was right there.
Before placing an order, I was required to read and agree to the Terms and Conditions, and before doing so, I went ahead and read through the Privacy Policy as well. I read that my sample would be discarded after three months in the Privacy Policy in the event that I requested any additional testing (which would not be carried out without my express permission). I have the option of requesting that it be discarded earlier.
The company complied with GDPR, which was a nice touch, and they informed me and gave me the option to opt-out of having my information used for marketing purposes before doing so.
If I so desired, I was able to make the decision to discuss my genetic information with my healthcare provider. Because I could not find any indication that they would use or share my genetic information for their own research or with any other researchers, I naturally assumed that they would not do so.
After reading through all of their policies, I felt comfortable moving forward with my order.
I had the option to pay with either a credit card or a debit card. I didn’t have to wait more than a few days after placing my order to get my kit mailed to me.
The box that the kit came in was very similar to the one pictured on the website. I was taken aback by how antiquated the test was; rather than a code to register my kit online, there was a paper form to fill out and stickers with my kit number on them. When I was filling out the record, I was required to give my full name, the number of my kit, the current date, and my signature. Once more, I was required to provide my consent to the website’s Terms and Conditions.
The cheek swab sample could be taken with minimal effort, and there were instructions provided for how to do so in the kit. My sample could be sent back in an envelope that had already been paid for and labeled. I almost ignored a note that stated that I should only return the sample between Monday and Wednesday of each week, presumably because the model wouldn’t be able to survive the weekend.
I mailed the sample back the same day I received it. They had provided me with a first-class envelope, and the instructions for the kit stated that it would take one to two days for the package to arrive at the laboratory. I was told that my results would be emailed to me.
VitaGen Resaults
The results of my genetic health test were sent to me approximately six weeks after I had sent in my sample, which is a reasonable amount of time. I was sent an email containing a link to Google Drive, and when I clicked on it, I discovered that my VitaGEN, ThyroidGEN, and VitaFEM reports were already waiting for me, along with a Vitagen-X Nutrition and Lifestyle Guide.
VitaGEN Benefits
The VitaGEN report was gratifyingly exhaustive, covering topics such as digestion, metabolism, blood sugar response to stress, immunity nutrients and stimulants, exercise, and sleep An explanation of the results and the color-coding that had been used to indicate whether a genotype (a combination of genetic variants) was desirable or detrimental was provided, as well as an introduction to genetics.
Digestion
Each section had its own introductory page, on which information about the biology that underlies that section and the genes that are involved was presented. They investigated three genes in relation to digestion: 5-HT2A, which is associated with serotonin sensitivity; HLA-DQA1, which is associated with gluten intolerance; and LCT/MCM6, which is associated with lactose intolerance.
All three of my genes had desirable genotypes, meaning they were either protective or non-detrimental to my health.
My sensitivity to serotonin was desirable, and as a result, I had a low risk of experiencing “gastrointestinal upsets.” This was encouraging news, and it rang true, given that I’ve never really struggled with digestive issues.
My genetics also suggested that I had a low risk of developing celiac disease and, as a result, a low risk of being gluten intolerant. Given that I do not have this intolerance, I found this information to be satisfying. My test results also showed that I am not lactose intolerant, so that’s one less thing I have to worry about. According to what I’ve read, just under fifty percent of Caucasians and sixteen percent of people from other populations have the genetic ability to produce lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose in cow’s milk) after the age of infanthood. It came as a surprise to me that the majority of people have a genetic predisposition to lactose intolerance.
Metabolism
They examined three genes related to insulin secretion, my leptin receptor, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, in order to gain insight into the relationship between these conditions and my metabolism and blood sugar levels.
I discovered that there was a good chance that I would have normal insulin secretion, which meant that I had a lower genetic risk of developing type 2 diabetes. According to what I’ve read, the hormone known as “leptin” is what causes a person to feel full after they’ve eaten. People who produce less of it have difficulty feeling full, which can lead to them eating more than they need to. I discovered that it is likely that I have healthy levels of the hormone leptin.
My genotype in the FTO gene, which is associated with the regulation of appetite, metabolic rate, and calorie intake, was not particularly favorable. This gene had an influence on satiety, similar to that of the LEPR gene, which was responsible for leptin. This time around, my genotype made it more difficult for me to stop eating when I felt full, and it also increased the likelihood that I would do so. I admit that I am hungry all the time, but it’s because my metabolism works so quickly!
A Reaction to Stress
The information provided in the stress response section was not encouraging for me. I discovered that I have the “Worrier” phenotype, which is caused by having the AG genotype of the COMT gene. This means that my body is less effective at breaking down dopamine and adrenaline, which results in higher stress responses and a lower pain threshold. I looked through the attached Nutrition and Lifestyle Guide, and I noticed that it included suggestions for stress management.
The gene that is responsible for the regulation of cortisol (in the preliminary information, I’d read that cortisol and adrenaline were both hormones that were released in response to stress) was also less effective, which meant that it would take me longer to stop feeling stressed after an event that was stressful. I’ve read that between 30 and 40 percent of the population has the same genotype that I do, so this didn’t strike me as being all that unusual.
In addition, I had a genetic predisposition for high blood pressure, which, when combined with extended periods of stress, could be harmful to my heart health.
Immunity
My genes related to immunity appeared to be somewhat more robust than those related to my response to stress. Even though I had read that an unhealthy lifestyle could cause chronic inflammation regardless of a person’s genotype, I found that it was doubtful that I would suffer from inflammatory conditions.
In addition to this, it was likely that the histamine in my brain and lungs would be broken down in a healthy manner. Others whose HNMT gene is hyperactive may experience allergy-type symptoms such as headaches, coughing, watery and itchy eyes and nose, and so on.
On the other hand, it’s possible that I have an increased sensitivity to ingested histamine, which can result in a variety of symptoms, including food allergies, sensitivity to gluten, skin irritation, anxiety, and other conditions. According to what I’ve read, if I were to experience these symptoms—which, thankfully, I haven’t—then I should cut back on the amount of histamine-containing foods, alcohol, and black tea that I consume (no chance).
Nutrients
The Nutrients section started off with genes that were associated with possible vitamin deficiency. I was probably getting an adequate amount of vitamin B9, also known as folate, which is necessary for methylation and aids in detoxification. On the other hand, it was possible that I had a diminished capacity to transport B12, which is required for the destruction of harmful homocysteine, which can be neurotoxic. It was also likely that I would have a low receptivity to vitamin D, which would mean that I would require a higher daily intake.
I discovered that a variation in my FTO gene, also known as the “fat gene,” made me more predisposed to developing obesity and type 2 diabetes, despite the fact that I have not yet been diagnosed with either condition.
On the other hand, another gene made me less sensitive to refined and simple carbohydrates as well as saturated fats. As a result, I am less likely to gain weight and less likely to suffer from decreased insulin secretion as a result of consuming these things.
Because I had a healthy ability to produce nitric oxide, which is beneficial to good cardiovascular health, this meant that I would not require as much omega-3 as other people might, though I should still consume an adequate amount of it because it is beneficial to general health.
Stimulants When I looked into inspirations, I discovered that although I had one gene that allowed me to metabolize caffeine quickly, I also had another gene that made it likely that I would experience sleep disruption if I consumed it in the evening.
On the other hand, I did not experience a heightened sensitivity to alcohol. According to what I’ve read, individuals who have variants in their ADH1B gene may have a metabolism of alcohol to acetaldehyde that is up to one hundred times faster than average, resulting in more severe symptoms of toxicity (facial flushing, nausea, headaches, and increased oxidative damage).
Exercising I did not inherit the best genes for being active. I realized that a combination of strength and endurance training would be the most beneficial for me, as well as that I had a good chance of having a high aerobic efficiency and V02max (which I assumed had something to do with oxygen).
On the other hand, I discovered that I had variants in a gene that is associated with the production of type 1 collagen, which can be found in connective tissues like tendons and ligaments, and that this made me genetically predisposed to tendon and ligament injuries. It has been suggested that I up my intake of vitamin C in order to stimulate the production of collagen and reduce the risk of osteoporosis, which is another condition that could be associated with my increased vulnerability.
I discovered that I, along with more than half of all Caucasians, lacked the GSTM1 gene, which is associated with quelling the effects of free radicals. This means that I am more likely to experience oxidative stress. I recently read that my risk of oxidative damage, which accelerates aging, could be increased by chronic stress, dietary and environmental toxins, and exposure to toxins in the environment. In the Nutrition and Lifestyle Guide, I would find advice on how to better manage stress, cut down on inflammation, and boost my intake of antioxidants to better support detoxification.
Sleep
Due to the fact that Sleep isn’t covered in many genetic health reports, I found the section on Sleep to be very interesting. I discovered that my genotype in the CLOCK gene made me an “Early Bird.” People with this genotype are more likely to have normal or longer sleep durations (which is true for me), as well as to favor daytime activity and to get up early (true).
Because of another gene called PER1, I fall somewhere in the middle of being an early bird and a night owl. I am more likely to get up earlier than the early bird but later than the night owl. There were also lifestyle tips for maintaining healthy Sleep, which stated that caffeine, stress, alcohol, and bright light could all disrupt the body clock in their own unique ways.
I also discovered that I had a variant in my MTNR1B gene that increased the likelihood that I would experience disrupted sleep patterns, most notably early waking. I discovered this information after conducting research on myself. Even though I usually make it through the night without waking up, I have a bad habit of waking up too early, especially on the nights when I need Sleep the most. I recently read that I should try to get between seven and nine hours of Sleep each night, increase the amount of physical activity I get, lessen or eliminate my consumption of simple carbohydrates, and not expose myself to bright light in the hours leading up to bedtime.
Report on the Thyroid GEN
After that, I looked over my ThyroidGEN report, which is a dedicated analysis of how my genetics affect the functioning of my thyroid gland. I did this so that I could get a better understanding of my condition. The first part of the report consisted of an additional introduction to genetics, as well as explanations of the function of the thyroid, as well as disorders and disruptors that affect the thyroid.
This analyzed variations in eight genes and offered interpretations and recommendations based on the various genotypes I possessed. I discovered that some of the genes I possessed were detrimental to the pathway that my thyroid hormone took, whereas others were more beneficial.
There were also dietary and lifestyle recommendations for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, as well as lifestyle advice concerning the management of stress, physical activity, adequate Sleep, and the avoidance of unhealthy behaviors such as excessive consumption of caffeine or alcohol and smoking .
Despite the fact that the report began with an explanation of the role and purpose of the thyroid gland, I found it difficult to comprehend the majority of the information presented in this report. Having said that, I don’t believe that many people would order a specialized thyroid report without a reason or knowledge of the thyroid, and I believe that many people would order the report through their doctor, who hopefully would understand it!
VitaGen Review
The VitaGen report was specifically geared toward the health of women and focused on the role that genetics play in the estrogen pathway, the cardiovascular system, and healthy aging.
Oestrogen
There was an explanation of the science behind the production and metabolism of estrogen, but it was rather too complex for me to feel like I had really understood it after reading it.
The genetic test results provided specific information about the ways in which my genes influence the production of estrogen, my oestrogen receptors, and the manner in which my body breaks down estrogen. These were all quite complicated and difficult for me to comprehend, but I assumed that the majority of people would order this test on the advice of their physician, and I was aware that a free phone consultation was included in the package.
Heart Health
I learned that one’s estrogen levels can have an effect on their risk of developing blood clots and cardiovascular disease in the information provided for the section titled “Heart Health.”
I discovered that I have two variations in my APOE gene that have a negative impact on my cholesterol levels. This means that I have a higher risk of elevated LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, which is not a good thing. In addition, I had a variant that was linked to an increased risk of blood clots, which are potentially fatal conditions.
On the other hand, as I’d seen in the results of my VitaGEN test, I possessed the genetic variants that are associated with normal NOS activity and healthy nitric oxide production, both of which safeguard the wellbeing of blood vessels.
Aging in Good Health
I discovered, after reading the section on healthy aging, that I am not exactly predisposed to healthy aging! I had the genetic variants that are associated with low choline levels, which gave me a higher risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In addition to this, I had elevated homocysteine levels, which increased the risk of cardiovascular disease.
I also discovered that I had a variant in my SOD2 gene that reduced my ability to break down superoxide, a harmful free radical. This resulted in a lower overall antioxidant capacity in my body. This indicated that I am more likely to experience oxidative stress, particularly if I consume a lot of alcohol. It would be helpful to limit free radicals by consuming a healthy diet that is rich in manganese foods (such as pineapples, chia seeds, hazelnuts, and so on), as well as antioxidants.
My most recent tests revealed variants associated with the metabolism of vitamin D, an area in which my genes did not excel. One variant caused me to have a lower receptivity to vitamin D, which meant that I would need to consume a greater quantity than other people, and another variant caused my D3 receptor activity to be lower, which meant that I would need to consume a greater quantity once more.
According to what I’ve read, vitamin D is necessary for the body to perform a wide variety of functions, such as the production of the “feel good” chemical dopamine and the absorption of calcium and phosphate (which are necessary for maintaining healthy bones and teeth).
The recommendations for my diet and lifestyle came at the end of the report. They outlined the things that I should cut back on or get rid of, as well as the things that I should do more of.
Both Nutrition and Way of Life
The Nutrition and Lifestyle Guide was the last thing I looked at. I had seen many references to it in my VitaGEN report, which was the reason I decided to look at it last. This included recommendations for diet and lifestyle changes that were intended to complement the various genetic predispositions that were outlined in the VitaGEN report.
The guide was not personalized, however, and because of this, I was free to choose which pieces of guidance to follow based on the genetic results I already possessed.
For example, one page provided a list of gluten-free food options, despite the fact that I do not have an intolerance to gluten, as indicated by the results of my genetic testing. This did not imply that the guide was not helpful; however, it was imperative that I not forget to cherry-pick the sections that pertained specifically to me.
The majority of the guidance was presented in the format shown below, which includes a chart that details what to look for and what to steer clear of.
The book offered a wealth of information that was both helpful and clearly presented. Some of the topics covered in the book included how to live a healthier lifestyle in terms of getting enough rest, lowering stress levels, preventing injuries, and enhancing recovery after physical activity.
View more information about this DNA test that is offered by Vitagen-X >.
VitaGEN Summary
Although the Vitagen-X reports were thoroughly researched and packed with useful health information, I didn’t always find them easy to understand because they contained a bit too much scientific jargon at times. Because the service came with a free phone consultation, I was able to get assistance whenever I had questions regarding the interpretation of any of my results. Since the ThyroidGEN and VitaFEM reports were of a more specialized nature, I would advise anyone who is taking these tests to take advantage of the complimentary consultations that are offered.
The VitaGEN report was impressively detailed, and I had no trouble comprehending the information it contained. The results were presented in a table format, which made it simple to understand what my genetic profile was and what it indicated about my health, while the Nutrition and Lifestyle Guide contained a wealth of supplementary information that was both informative and applicable to my situation.
Note that we were given the opportunity to participate in this test at no cost.