I have long argued that you’ll never see a “one size fits all” solution for weight loss due to one thing- bioindividuality. Simply put each person is inherently unique with their body make-up. Everything from your metabolism, hormonal levels, down to your DNA is different.
Taking hormonal balances (or more accurately imbalances) out of the equation for a second, basically what works for weight loss is eating clean, natural foods and exercising enough to burn slightly more energy than you’re bringing in with your diet. No matter how much we break it down, the answer on what works has always been the same.
What’s interesting though is I just read of a recent study conducted at Stanford University which makes an interesting case for your DNA revealing which type of diet you’d be more likely to lose weight on.
The researchers at Stanford randomly assigned 140 women to one of four different diets.
- Low carb Atkins Diet
- Ultra low fat Ornish Diet
- Low fat LEARN Diet
- Balanced Zone Diet
The women were then issued a cheek swab to test their DNA.
Over a one year period, the women on diets appropriate to their genetic make-up, as determined by the DNA test, lost 5.3 percent of body weight.
On the other hand, women on the mismatched diet lost only 2.3 percent of body weight.
Now this study makes no reference to exercise and it makes me question whether or not it was permitted (you’d think it would be naturally due to the health benefits) but how did that affect results and was it measured?
What I’m getting at is it’s just hard to draw a clear conclusion with most research like this. However, the concept is intriguing and worth evaluation in my opinion. There’s no doubt that everyone is different in their genetic make-up and it seems to me that the intelligent approach would be to work with that unique make-up rather than against it.
The DNA testing looks at gene variations that affect metabolism, absorption of fats in the intestine, insulin sensitivity, etc.
While I’m always going to be more of a proponent of a balanced “primal diet” over an extreme low carb or low fat diet, knowing your DNA could be valuable.
Following a primal diet with a slight adjustment to what your body responds best to (lower carb vrs lower fat) could be very helpful.
Could you probably discover this on your own through trial and error? Yes, I would say it’s certainly possible as most bodybuilders could pinpoint how certain foods affect their body after such strict dieting and attention to detail.
While this is not practical for most people, the DNA testing could take all the guesswork out pretty quickly.
I should mention this is by no means going to be the holy grail of weight loss. But never-the-less, I find it interesting because I certainly believe in the idea of bioindividuality.
I personally think you should avoid the extremes like ultra low-carb or ultra low fat diets regardless of what your unique make-up reveals. These diets don’t work well with regular, vigorous exercise which I feel is an essential part of health. The human body was designed to work and have strength.
In my opinion, any diet that compromises strength and vitality is not worth the trade off in any other benefits.
If you’d like more information on the DNA tests check out the company’s website by Googling “Inherent Health.”
While I’m not encouraging everyone to run out and buy this DNA testing, I will say that it’s one investment that certainly wouldn’t hurt you. The same can’t be said with the numerous prescription drugs, pills, and other potentially dangerous weight loss “solutions.”
I’ll be investigating the DNA testing in more detail and as always report back to you with my unbiased opinion. If you or anybody you know has the DNA testing done hit me back on this post and let me know what you think.
Shane Doll is a certified Charleston personal trainer, fat loss expert, speaker and founder of Shaping Concepts Personal Training Studios. You can receive a free trial of his Charleston personal training program and experience the Shaping Concepts difference with no-obligations.
Tags: genetic test for weight loss
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Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 10:09 am
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Another great option is to look at the Berkeley Heart Labs (BHL) blood tests. These tests get into more specific breakdowns of the types of cholesterol, markers of inflammation, and genetic testing to both determine how each person responds to different amounts of dietary fat and a person’s risk for cardiac events or other heart disease risks.
We offer these screenings through our facility and have found them to be highly beneficial when working through the nutritional plan of attack for our clients. A great benefit of utilizing BHL’s labs is that the participants have unlimited access to the clinical educators (usually a nutritionist/dietitian) for ongoing support and information.
Dear Shane,
I am at the moment a Group Exercise Instructor and Home Executive (fancy name for house wife). When I first met my husband I weighed in at about 48kg (1.68m) and I was gyming almost everyday. I did not eat red meat unless it was mince in Lasagne or pasta. I lived on Salmon Salads, not because I was dieting but because I just loved it. At that time I never new what my blood type was. I then had my first child and picked up 27kgs during my pregnacy. I’ll admit that I literaly ate like a pig. I also had to stop gyming because I was sick with runny nose, bladder infections and you name it………In this time after meeting my husband I also started to eat alot of meat. I then heard that my blood type (A+) is not meant to eat red meat. I’m supposed to follow a vegetarian diet.
I have never been one for diets, I cannot follow them so I dont bother. Four years ago I started to exercise vigorously, got my weight down to 62kg, but still found that I just wanted to loose 5kg more to be at my ideal weight. I did not up my exercise, I decided to eat alot less red meat and magically I slowly started to loose those extra kilos.
So although there is not alot of research, I’m living proof that genetics has everything to do how our body’s will respond to what we put in our mouths.
Hi Charlene, thanks for sharing and I really appreciate your feedback. There’s a lot that can be learned from your story. The basics of eating whole, natural foods and exercising will always be at the foundation of a healthy weight loss plan. From there, each person will want to adjust their specific diet to what foods work best for them. I’m glad you stuck with it long enough with perserverance to find out what works for you. I commend you on your efforts and success.