EmbodyDNA is a DNA-based weight loss plan that promises to give you diet and exercise advice customized to your unique genetic traits. Here’s our EmbodyDNA review.
About EmbodyDNA
EmbodyDNA is a weight loss program created by Lose It!, the popular weight loss app used by 30 million people around the world. The EmbodyDNA program analyzes your DNA, then creates a custom diet and exercise program based on your genetic traits. The program is available to purchase through the Lose It! iOS app.
The app will also monitor your daily habits and give you insights into those habits based on your genetics. You get actionable advice designed to push you towards your weight loss goals.
The package is priced at $190 USD, which includes an $80 one-time fee for the Helix DNA Kit and a $110 fee for the EmbodyDNA program itself. You can also purchase the program on its own – say, if you already own a Helix DNA Kit.
You’ll also need to download the Lose It! app, available for free for the iPhone or iPad, to get started.
EmbodyDNA Features
Obviously, the idea of using your DNA to lose weight may seem like a crazy concept. However, DNA tests are cheaper today than they’ve ever been before – so it makes sense that we have companies catering to DNA-based weight loss. With that in mind, here are some of the key features of EmbodyDNA:
Fine Tune your Weight Loss Plan:
You can get actionable recommendations customized to your unique genetic insights. These recommendations, according to the company, are created by “world-class nutrition experts.”
Actionable Advice:
EmbodyDNA uses your genetic information to give you genetic advice about your diet and exercise habits. How well does your body handle the foods you’re eating? Is exercise hurting or helping your weight loss goals? You receive reports from nutrition experts to put you on the path to success.
Trend Tracking:
EmbodyDNA makes it easy to track trends to make sure your habits are lining up with your long-term goals. Users are encouraged to log their diet and exercise information using the Lose It! iOS app, revealing trends and getting feedback on their actual behaviors.
Understand the Science of Nutrition:
EmbodyDNA claims that all their advice is backed by research. You can get a behind-the-scenes look at how your body reacts to dieting and exercise. Plus, discover how DNA insights and current habits influence your health goals.
Available on iOS:
The Lose It! app is available on iPhone and iPad. There’s no information about an Android version.
How Does EmbodyDNA Work?
How can a genetic test help boost your diet and exercise results? Your DNA can give you surprising insight into how your body handles dieting and exercise. Some of the things you’ll learn through the EmbodyDNA program include:
Lactose Intolerance:
The human body isn’t always designed to handle lactose. Discover if you have the variant associated with being unable to digest lactose in adulthood.
Low Fat Diets:
Low fat diets are the weight loss answer for some people, but not everyone. Some people actually lose more weight by following a high fat diet. Find out what your genetics says about your body’s ability to handle fat.
Gluten Tolerance:
Your DNA tells you about your gluten tolerance, also known as your body’s ability to digest gluten.
Saturated Fat:
Some people with a specific genetic variation will have particular trouble digesting saturated fat. These people can enjoy significant weight loss benefits by removing saturated fat from their diets.
Blood Glucose:
Blood glucose is more than just a level of glucose in your blood. It’s a proxy way to track the foods you eat, when you eat them, and how your body responds to different foods. EmbodyDNA’s genetic test can explain how your blood glucose is linked to diet and exercise.
Sugary Beverages:
Some people will gain more weight when drinking sugary beverages, based on their genetic information.
Vitamins and Minerals:
Your genetic test can reveal if you need more of certain specific vitamins, including vitamin B12, B6, magnesium, omega 3 fatty acids, iron, vitamin D, and other crucial nutrients.
Body Mass Index:
Two people can eat the same food and have dramatically different bodily responses to that food. Your EmbodyDNA test can explain how genetics can influence your BMI.
Physical Activity:
Some people need more physical activity than others to lose weight. For other people, certain types of physical activity are particularly beneficial.
Endurance Versus Power Exercises:
Should you focus on strength training or the elliptical to lose weight? People can have vastly different bodies and exercise training programs, based on their DNA.
Sodium Levels and Hydration:
Your DNA influences the levels of sodium in your body. Your EmbodyDNA test will tell you if you have the variant associated with lower sodium levels – and how to properly hydrate when exercising.
How To Take your EmbodyDNA Test?
Taking the test is straightforward:
Step 1) Order the test through the Lose It! app, or order it online through EmbodyDNA.com or Helix.com (it’s priced $190 either way)
Step 2) Helix (EmbodyDNA’s DNA test partner) will send a DNA collection kit to your house; that kit includes everything you need to perform the test
Step 3) Provide a saliva sample, then return the kit in the mail using the prepaid shipping box
Step 4) Helix will sequence your DNA from your saliva, then give you an email with your results when you’re ready
The EmbodyDNA sales page is careful to mention that your genetic results “will not provide any medical information”. They also claim that “results may be more accurate for individuals of certain genetic backgrounds”, although they don’t go into further detail.
Who’s Behind EmbodyDNA?
EmbodyDNA was created as a partnership between Lose It! and Helix.
Lose It! is a weight loss app and online platform used by millions of people worldwide. The platform has helped its members lose over 50 million pounds.
Helix, on the other hand, is a genetic testing company designed to bring DNA testing to the general public at a reasonable rate.
EmbodyDNA Pricing
The total price for the EmbodyDNA genetic test and weight loss program is $189.99 USD
- EmbodyDNA: $109.99
- Helix DNA Kit: $80
If you already purchased a Helix DNA kit, or you’ve previously taken a Helix DNA test, then you can just pay the $109.99 fee for the weight loss program.
embodyDNA Summary
EmbodyDNA is a genetics-based weight loss plan introduced in July 2017 by Lose It! and Helix. The program involves providing a DNA sample to Helix, then waiting for the company to analyze your results. Lose It! will then create a weight loss plan based on that information, including specific insights into how your body handles different foods and exercises, and ongoing advice on how to maximize your weight loss results.
At a price of $190, the kit may not be for everyone. However, some may enjoy learning about things like their body’s ability to handle lactose, or how their body handles sugary drinks, saturated fat, and high-intensity exercise.
