By using a DNA test kit for weight loss, you can unlock personal genetic insights and tailor your strategies to better fit your body’s unique needs, eliminating the guesswork and unnecessary frustrations. However, not all DNA kits are made the same, and not all of them will give you the information you need to get started.
In my pursuit to find the best DNA test kit for weight loss, I evaluated several kits based on their ability to provide actionable genetic insights, user-friendliness, result accuracy, and privacy policies. After extensive testing, I shortlisted the top DNA kits that truly stand out in this growing market.
Out of all these, LivingDNA is my top pick. It shines because it tells you a lot about how your genes affect your weight. It also explains how your body reacts to different foods and workouts. Best of all, it turns this information into clear steps to help you lose weight.
Start Your Weight Loss Journey
Short on time? Here are our top picks for DNA tests for weight loss:
- Living DNA – Best overall DNA test for weight loss; provides in-depth meal and exercise tips; prices start at $119 (with free shipping).
- 23andMe – Analyzes 300+ genetic markers to determine your weight predispositions as well as which foods work for you best.
- My Toolbox Genomics – Best for its detailed meal, training and vitamin plans; prices start at $199.
- SelfDecode – Best for uploading existing DNA data to get 350+ detailed reports on your health; prices start at $99.
- InsideTracker – Best for ongoing weight loss support; prices start at $249.
- Everlywell – Best for cheap food intolerance tests; prices start at $99.
Our Best DNA Test Kits for Weight Loss Reviewed
1. Living DNA – In-Depth Nutrition Advice & Exercise Tips
- Personalized diet recommendations and exercise routine
- Assesses food intolerances and vitamin needs
- Quick and easy mouth swab
- Results in 6-8 weeks
Living DNA’s Wellbeing report translates genetic data into actionable insights, concentrating on aspects such as weight management, energy levels, and nutrition. The explanations are straightforward, providing clarity on the implications for daily life.
The Wellbeing kit delves into your genetic predispositions regarding nutrition and exercise. In our review, it informed a colleague about their body’s response to various vitamins and the need for dietary adjustments. It also offered insights into how they metabolize different foods, like carbohydrates and sugars, and highlighted potential food sensitivities, including gluten or lactose intolerance.
What sets this report apart are its actionable dietary recommendations, customized according to the individual’s genetic makeup. Our colleague received advice on incorporating specific fish into their diet, avoiding high-fat foods, and identifying beneficial supplements. This guidance offered a tailored approach to nutrition.
Additionally, the test examines your genetic suitability for certain physical activities, suggesting optimal exercises for meeting fitness objectives. Our findings included personalized suggestions for resistance training and endurance exercises conducive to weight loss, accompanied by details on oxygen use, muscle fiber composition, recovery needs, training adaptability, blood flow, and tendon resilience. The report was both clear and detailed, enabling easy integration of these recommendations into daily routines.
2. 23andMe — Tailored Weight Management Insights
- Actionable tips and strategies
- FDA approved
- Messaging with healthcare professionals
- Virtual health consultations
- Results in 3 to 4 weeks
23andMe offers detailed genetic insights that can be instrumental in managing weight. It utilizes a comprehensive Genetic Weight Wellness report, which evaluates over 300 genetic markers to estimate your predisposition to being overweight or underweight. This report helps you understand how your genetics may influence your response to dietary fats, particularly saturated fats. For individuals with certain genetic variants, reducing saturated fat intake could be crucial for maintaining a healthy weight.
Additionally, 23andMe provides personalized feedback based on genetic data, which can guide your dietary choices. For example, if your genetic makeup shows a predisposition to weight gain from saturated fats, it might suggest a diet lower in these fats. This targeted approach helps you make informed decisions about your diet and lifestyle, potentially leading to more effective weight management.
The service continuously updates its findings and offers ongoing support through digital communication, giving you actionable tips and insights as new research emerges. This dynamic approach ensures that the advice you receive evolves with the latest scientific understanding, aiding your weight loss journey in a personalized manner.
3. My Toolbox Genomics – Huge Choice of Weight Loss Tests
- 7-day personalized meal plan based on your goals
- Screens your metabolism of all key vitamins and minerals
- Assesses your snacking risk, caffeine metabolism, and sensitivity to gluten
- Results in 3-4 weeks
My Toolbox Genomics offers a comprehensive DNA test that analyzes your diet and nutrition, with extra fitness insights included, too.
Its nutritional test screens over 50 different genes to tell you everything you need to know about your diet. Our report showed which foods our test taker should be adding to or removing from their diet, not only to lose weight but also to increase overall health.
It can actually predict what type of diet you should stick to and comes with a 7-day personalized meal plan. You can filter your meal plan based on your goal, for example to lose weight or build muscle.
You get insights into your body’s metabolism of different food groups, including gluten and caffeine. We thought this was really detailed, and it comes with information on how your DNA impacts your response and advice on how to change your diet.
The test was really insightful when it comes to understanding how your DNA influences your likelihood of snacking. You get advice on how this can affect your ability to lose weight.
Your report comes with detailed exercise information. Our colleague learned which exercise routine to follow, alongside plenty of workout suggestions. It even has small demo videos to guide you, but we were a bit disappointed they had no audio!
It usually takes 3-4 weeks to get the report. We received ours in 4 weeks.
Assess Your Weight with My Toolbox Genomics!
4. SelfDecode – Subscription Service & Ongoing Weight Reports
- Huge choice of reports relating to weight and exercise
- Food sensitivity reports and vitamin assessment
- Ongoing subscription for access to new reports
- Option to upload DNA from other companies for quick results
SelfDecode has an ongoing subscription service that you can pay upfront for lifetime access, or on an annual basis. With this subscription, you get ongoing weight reports that you can pick and choose as you please. Although the reports are only free with lifetime access.
If you’ve already taken a DNA test with 23andMe, AncestryDNA, Courtagen, or FamilyTreeDNA, you can upload your raw data and save yourself the cost of a separate test. We tried it with 23andMe and AncestryDNA and it was really easy.
You also have the option of buying a DNA test from SelfDecode if you like.
SelfDecode has various reports relating to weight loss. Our favorite was the bodyweight report that analyzes your appetite, food choices, energy metabolism, and nutrient levels.
We also liked the food sensitivity report, which is a good way of finding out if you have any intolerances. Ours included reports for wheat, lactose, gluten, and alcohol, with an explanation of which foods to avoid.
There’s a fitness report, if you want insight into exercise. Our colleague learned about their response to exercise, risks of injury, and even how likely they are to be motivated for exercise.
Uploading existing DNA meant our report was ready in less than 24 hours. With the DNA test, it took 8 weeks.
Assess Your Weight & Fitness with SelfDecode!
5. InsideTracker – Ability to Track Weight Loss Goals
- Daily tasks to monitor your health and weight loss
- See which foods to eat and avoid
- Get recipes based on your nutrient deficiencies and calorie goals
- Results in 2-4 weeks
InsideTracker offers an all-in-one test so you can learn how to improve weight loss and enhance your overall health at the same time. The website promises results in 2-4 weeks, but we actually received ours in just 1 week.
The test gives you information on which foods to eat based on your body’s needs, deficiencies, and food preferences. For example, our colleague was low in vitamin D, so was advised to eat more fish.
You get daily actions like drinking more water or adding in oatmeal for breakfast. We found that you can tick these off every day from your online dashboard, which is a great feature for keeping track.
InsideTracker comes with hundreds of healthy recipes, which are all really easy to follow. You can see the full macronutrient breakdowns to keep on top of your intake. We liked that each recipe also tells you the nutrients it’s rich in, so they’re personalized to you and what your body needs.
You get tailored fitness recommendations, too. For our researcher, this included adding in high-intensity workouts, going for long walks, and regular bike rides. And you can see which supplements to take.
Combine Weight Loss & Health with InsideTracker!
6. Everlywell – Assess Metabolism & Thyroid
- Tests available to analyze metabolism and thyroid function
- Screens for hormones that influence weight loss with advice on next steps
- Subscription options for regular weight loss testing
- Results only take 3 days
Everlywell takes a slightly different approach to weight loss than the other kits on this list. It has a few different options available, and we like the thyroid and metabolism tests best.
With the metabolism test, we were able to learn about the three key hormones: cortisol, free testosterone, and TSH. Our report showed whether our researcher’s levels were high, medium, or low, with advice on how these hormones might affect weight loss.
You can also buy a dedicated thyroid kit, which we’ve also tested. This screens for T3, T4, and TSH. Our colleague not only learned about his overall thyroid function, but also how the thyroid gland can affect his weight loss goals. For example, he had a particularly low level of T3 and his report explained how this can lead to weight gain.
No matter which test you choose, sample collection is really easy. Our kit came with detailed instructions and all the equipment you need to take the finger-prick blood sample. It’s painless.
We were impressed with the results times, too. It only took 3 days to get our reports, which are available from your online dashboard.
Our colleague’s report was nicely color-coded so he could identify any concerns with hormone levels, and also see how his levels compared to normal averages.
We also liked that you can pay with HSA/FSA cards to save some dollars. And there’s a subscription option which is a great feature for regular weight loss testing.
Assess Your Hormones with Everlywell!
What We Look For in the Best Weight Loss DNA Tests
Consider these essential criteria when choosing a DNA test for weight loss. While their importance may vary based on your personal preferences, keep them in mind during your decision-making process.
- Trustworthiness: Evaluate the company’s reputation. Have people achieved positive outcomes using the DNA findings provided by the company?
- Relevance: Check if the company offers one or more tests specifically designed to address weight loss concerns.
- Report clarity: Ensure that your DNA results are coherent and easy to comprehend. Do they make sense to you?
- Actionability: Assess whether your report presents clear and actionable strategies, plans, and recipes tailored to your unique genetic predispositions, helping you implement effective diet and fitness approaches.
How DNA Testing For Weight Loss Works
Your DNA contains unique markers influencing your body’s processes related to digesting food, absorbing nutrients, and engaging in physical activity. Understanding these markers can pave the way for a personalized approach to managing weight. Genes like FTO and MC4R play roles in regulating appetite and fat storage, while PPARG impacts your body’s insulin response. DNA tests examining these markers can provide tailored advice on diet and exercise, specifically aligned with your genetic makeup.
Why You Should Take a DNA Test for Weight Loss
Taking a DNA test before planning a diet can offer insights that general recommendations cannot. While conventional diets operate on a one-size-fits-all principle, a DNA-based diet can identify your individual carbohydrate and fat sensitivities, or your likelihood to regain weight after losing it. This makes your approach to weight loss more efficient and tailored to you, potentially improving adherence and long-term success.
Can Children Get a DNA Test for Weight Loss?
Yes, children can get DNA-tested for weight management, but consult a healthcare provider first. Children’s nutritional needs differ from adults, and using genetic information for weight management in minors can be sensitive. Medical professionals can offer guidance on whether such a test is appropriate and how to interpret the results in the context of a child’s overall health and development.
Can DNA Testing Give You Fitness Information?
Beyond diet, DNA testing can also assist in shaping an effective fitness plan. Genes like ACTN3, which are associated with muscle composition, and VEGFR, related to cardiovascular fitness, can be crucial. These genetic markers can guide you on whether you might benefit more from high-intensity exercises, endurance training, or a balance of both. This allows you to maximize the impact of your workouts, making your fitness journey more efficient.
What’s in the Fine Print?
When selecting DNA tests for weight loss, it’s important to carefully read the terms and conditions, as they may contain crucial details affecting your experience and the test’s limitations. For instance, Living DNA provides a comprehensive weight management test, but according to its fine print, your data may be used to enhance its services.
Everlywell prioritizes privacy, yet requires a subscription for access to tailored meal plans and ongoing support. It’s advisable to thoroughly understand their pricing and cancellation policies to avoid unforeseen complications.
My Toolbox Genomics offers in-depth insights, but its disclaimer clarifies that the information should not be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional before making health-related decisions based on these insights.
Scrutinizing the fine print helps you choose the most suitable DNA test to help you achieve your weight loss goals.
Payment Options for DNA Testing Services: HSA/FSA Cards and Insurance
The ability to pay for DNA testing services using Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), or insurance varies depending on the company and the nature of the test. Here’s a breakdown for some popular DNA testing services:
- LivingDNA: Generally, LivingDNA does not accept HSA/FSA cards or insurance. Their focus is mostly on ancestry testing, which usually is not covered by these payment options.
- MyToolbox Genomics: This company specializes in health-focused testing, including weight loss. They don’t accept insurance but their tests are eligible for HSA/FSA.
- SelfDecode: SelfDecode offers comprehensive genetic reports aimed at personalized health advice. While they provide valuable health-related insights, they also do not currently accept HSA/FSA or insurance payments.
- Inside Tracker: Inside Tracker provides blood and DNA analysis to give nutritional and lifestyle advice. Some of their tests may be eligible for HSA/FSA reimbursement, but it is advisable to check with your account provider first. They generally do not accept insurance.
- Everlywell: Everlywell offers a range of tests, including some that focus on health and wellness. They do accept HSA/FSA cards for payment but do not accept insurance.
If you’re considering using HSA/FSA cards or insurance to pay for a DNA test, always confirm eligibility with your account provider and read the fine print. Some services may provide you with a detailed invoice that you can submit to your insurance for a potential reimbursement, but this is not guaranteed. Always consult your healthcare provider and insurance company for specific advice tailored to your needs.
How Do Our Top Picks Compete On Price?
In terms of value for money, it doesn’t get much better than Living DNA. This is my top choice because it’s affordable, only costing you just over $125, and it gives you way more information than you’d expect for that price, including food sensitivities and a full exercise breakdown.
If you’re looking for a cheaper option, Everlywell comes in at the lowest cost just shy of $50 for the metabolism test. And you can save up to 30% with the subscription option, too.
My Toolbox Genomics is in a higher price range, but you do get quite a lot of information for that cost. It comes with fitness and diet information, plus loads of health insights that you usually have to pay extra for.
SelfDecode is probably one of the most expensive on this list. You have to pay a subscription fee to access reports, which costs nearly $300. If you don’t have existing DNA, you also need to buy a separate kit for $90. And the annual subscription is $97 a year, but you still have to pay for individual reports. They’re half price, but still, not free.
Best DNA Test Kits for Weight Loss: Comparison
| DNA Test Kit | Exercise Plans | Food Recommendations | Food Intolerance Reports | Vitamin Reports | Weight Loss Hormone Reports | Starting Price |
| Living DNA | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | $139.00 |
| 23andMe | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | $199.00 |
| My Toolbox Genomics | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | $99.00 |
| SelfDecode | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | $199.00 |
| InsideTracker | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | $249.00 |
| Everlywell | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | $159.00 |
FAQs
How does DNA affect weight and weight loss?
Some of the factors that affect your weight – including your appetite, fitness levels, and ability to lose weight and keep it off – are genetic. Being aware of these genetic predispositions may help you decide what type of weight management strategy is best suited to your goals.
With that said, biology is not destiny, and your genes are only part of the picture. Factors such as your eating habits, level of physical activity, and age also play a huge role in your weight. When you’re looking for an effective weight management strategy, you should take all of these factors into account – and consult with a doctor or nutritionist before embarking on any new diet program.
Can a DNA test help you lose weight?
A DNA test by itself can’t help you lose weight, but it can help you formulate a diet and weight loss plan that’s tailored to your specific genetic traits. This helps you make the most of your weight loss efforts and lets you manage your weight and fitness long term.
How accurate are DNA weight loss kits?
A DNA test looks at specific genetic markers in your DNA that have been shown to be associated with various physical and physiological traits. DNA tests are able to interpret these markers pretty accurately and tell you what they mean. While no DNA test is 100% accurate, the companies listed here use the latest science and accredited labs.
What sort of things do DNA weight loss kits measure?
DNA weight loss kits can explore factors such as the speed of your metabolism, your genetic likelihood of being overweight, whether you’re genetically predisposed to experience food cravings, and how quickly you may regain weight after weight loss. The reports can also give you insights into how your body responds to exercise and whether you could potentially have a vitamin deficiency.
Can a DNA test tell you what to eat?
No DNA test will give you a complete diet plan. But, depending on the test you take, your results may include recommendations for foods that meet the nutritional needs of your genes. These foods might be recommended based on what your body responds to best for weight loss, or what your body needs based on deficiencies. A test like LivingDNA can tell you exactly which foods to include in your diet, and which ones to drop out.
Does insurance cover the cost of DNA weight loss kits?
Insurance does not typically cover the cost of DNA weight loss test kits. That said, you should get in touch with your insurance provider to fully understand your options.
What is the best DNA weight loss kit?
There are many DNA tests available to facilitate weight loss. The one that works best for you will depend on your personal preferences and goals. All of the tests on this list meet our high expectations for accuracy, thoroughness, and actionable insight.
Our top choice overall though, has to be Living DNA. It gives you the most comprehensive results, with a detailed look at which foods to include to help with weight loss, what to avoid, where you have deficiencies, and how your body metabolizes certain foods.
