Why You Should Consider Taking 23andMe®
Genetic testing has recently become more popular, as many people want to know about their genetic history. There are numerous tests available that you can use to test your DNA, but one of the most popular tests on the market is the 23andMe® test. This test will give you more than just information about your ancestors. Depending on how in-depth you want to get with your test, you can find out if your DNA contains markers for certain health risks, such as breast cancer or Alzheimer's. In today’s post, we will take a look at a few things you should know if you’re considering having your DNA tested with 23andMe.
At Clinical Nutrition Centers, our main goal is to give you everything you need to heal your body and reach your optimum level of health. In addition to our extensive collection of natural vitamin supplements, we also offer a variety of lab services that will help you find the answers about your health that you deserve. As part of of our lab services, our experts can also help you read and understand your 23andMe test results! Sometimes it can be difficult to understand the science behind the DNA test, and if you need assistance with understanding what your results are telling you, we can help! Contact Clinical Nutrition Centers to learn more about our lab services, and pick up your 23andMe test kit today!
Ancestry vs. Health + Ancestry
Before you send in your DNA sample, you should first consider what type of results you would like to receive. 23andMe gives you two kit options to choose from — ancestry and health + ancestry. As you can imagine, the ancestry kit will only tell you about what parts of the world you come from and which regions make up your DNA. On the other hand, the health + ancestry kit will give you a more in-depth look at your genetic health, what risk factors you have, and why you may be more prone to certain traits.
You Can Choose to Not Receive Certain Results
If you choose to buy the health + ancestry kit, you can choose to opt out of some of the results. There may be some people who don’t want to know if they are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer or Alzheimer’s. The health portion of your results will give you a lot of information about your overall wellness and why you are more likely to develop certain traits, as well as your risk for certain diseases. If you’re only interested in learning about your wellness or your traits, you can choose to not see your results for the other tests.
Your Results Don’t Determine Your Health
When you finally receive the results of your DNA test, it’s important to keep in mind that your results do not determine your health. It’s common for people to see that they are at a high risk of developing a certain disease and believe that they have a 100 percent chance of developing that disease later in life. However, that is not necessarily the case. Your health is always changing, and there are a variety of factors that go into determining whether or not you will develop certain diseases. Your environment, lifestyle, and overall wellness have an effect on your health. Not to mention, if you are at a high risk for certain diseases, you may be able to take precautionary measures that will lower your risk.
You Choose How Your Data is Used
Once the lab has tested your saliva and given you your results, you can make a decision on what happens to your saliva. 23andMe gives you the option of having your sample destroyed, or the company can keep your sample on file for later use. It may sound strange to have the company save your saliva, but your saliva can be used in further studies, or you can choose to participate in a program where the company will connect you to relatives with similar DNA. It’s also important to note that if you elect to save your sample, 23andMe is not allowed to sell, lease, or rent any identifiable customer information.
Interested in Learning More?
If you are interested in learning more about where you come from and your personal health and wellness, Clinical Nutrition Centers is here to help! In addition to offering the 23andMe kit, we also offer lab services that will help you decipher your test results in order to understand how to improve your personal health and wellness. Contact Clinical Nutrition Centers to schedule your appointment today!
