DNA Vitamin Metabolism Test

Why test the vitamin metabolism and nutrient requirements?

People have varying needs for nutrients: For example, some people absorb larger amounts of vitamins. Others absorb particular nutrients less efficiently from food. Still others tend to be at risk of disease, which they can counteract with an adequate intake of minerals and vitamins.

Which nutrients your body particularly needs is also determined by your genetics. If you know your genetic predisposition and your metabolism better, you can take care of a sufficient supply of the required nutrients - for example with nutrient deficiency tests, a targeted change in diet or nutritional supplements.

The cerascreen® DNA Vitamin Metabolism Test provides you with information on how your DNA determines your nutrient requirements and what you should focus on in your daily diet.

Important: If the DNA analysis shows an increased risk of a nutrient deficiency or disease predisposition, it does not automatically mean that you will develop these! These genetic predispositions are probabilities and the possibility of problems occurring. Moreover, the recommendations regarding a balanced diet that meets needs are also useful for people who do not display these predispositions.

Who should take the DNA Vitamin Metabolism Test?

The DNA Metabolism Test is an excellent choice for everybody who wants to ensure an optimal intake of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. The information gained from the DNA Vitamin Metabolism Test helps you to identify crucial nutrients and to take targeted countermeasures through nutrient deficiency tests, nutrition and supplements.

For some people, these insights are particularly interesting: lifestyle, illness and diets such as veganism can influence how high your nutritional needs are for certain nutrients. If you already have special requirements for your vitamin and mineral intake, it can be useful to learn about your genetic preconditions for nutrient needs as well.

How does the DNA Vitamin Metabolism Test work?

For the DNA Vitamin Metabolism Test, take a small saliva sample from the oral mucosa with the cotton swab that is included in the DNA Vitamin Metabolism Test kit. After the swab, you insert the saliva sample into the enclosed sample tube. Send the saliva sample to our medical partner laboratory by using the free return envelope. The lab will then carry out the analysis based on DNA sequencing.

DNA sequencing is a highly complex, state-of-the-art process. How long the analysis will take depends on the quality of the sample provided - sometimes the medical laboratory has to repeat the analysis multiple times. Therefore, it can take up to four weeks until you receive your individual test results.

What do I need to consider when I take the DNA Vitamin Metabolism Test?

The higher the quality of the sample, the faster and easier the laboratory is able to analyse it. You can contribute to this by adhering to the following guidelines for saliva sample taking:

• Do  not eat or drink anything for at least half an hour before collect the saliva sample.
• Do  not brush your teeth or use mouthwash at least half an hour before collecting the saliva sample.
• Do not smoke in the 30 minutes before taking the test 
• The  sample must be stored in a dry place for 24 hours before sending. Throughout this time the sample dries via the aeration membrane at the bottom of the sample tube.

What does the results report tell me?

Based on the 26 analysed genes, the result report provides you with information about your genetic variants with regard to your individual requirement for six nutrient groups. You will receive a possible interpretation of whether your genetics indicate a "normal" or "increased" need.

The requirement for the following nutrients will be analysed:

• Antioxidants
• B12 vitamin and folic acid
• C vitamin
• D vitamin and calcium
• Iron
  
• Unsaturated fatty acids

What kind of recommendations will I receive?

You will receive specific recommendations on how to supply yourself with the various vitamins and nutrients - depending on how well your metabolism works.

We also give you general tips for a healthy diet that you can practice in your day-to-day life.

What does the requirement for antioxidants mean?

You have an increased need for antioxidants if your body is prone to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when there are too many free radicals in the body - oxygen molecules that can damage the genetic material of cells. Antioxidants are the counterparts of free radicals and can curb their effect.

You can manage an increased need through your daily diet: As humans, we take in antioxidants through a range of nutrients, including secondary plant compounds, zinc, selenium, iodine and the vitamins A, B2, C and E.

What does the requirement for C vitamin mean?

Vitamin C has an antioxidant effect and is involved in numerous important processes in the body, for example in the immune system, in the formation of collagen and hormones and in the transport of fatty acids.

Although vitamin C deficiency is rare in the modern lifestyle, it can have serious consequences, such as impaired wound healing, anaemia and bleeding gums.

If your genes indicate an increased need, it makes sense to pay targeted attention to the intake of foods rich in vitamin C. These include many berries, citrus fruits, peppers and green vegetables such as kale and spinach.

What does the requirement for B12 vitamins and folic acid mean?

Gene variants can increase the risk of elevated levels of the amino acid homocysteine in the body. This in turn can increase the likelihood of atherosclerosis and other circulatory disorders.

You can counteract this by ensuring a sufficient supply of folic acid and vitamin B12. These two nutrients regulate the production of homocysteine and counteract an oversupply.

This is particularly relevant for those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet - because vitamin B12 is found almost exclusively in animal products. Vegans should therefore regularly check their status and take vitamin B12 supplements.

What does the requirement for D vitamin and calcium mean?

Vitamin D and calcium are essential for healthy bones. Vitamin D controls calcium absorption in the gut. Calcium, in turn, is incorporated into the bones and makes them stable.

This is why vitamin D deficiency has been shown to have a major impact on the risk of diseases such as osteoporosis (bone loss) and osteomalacia (softening of the bones), among others.

If your genetics indicate an increased risk of bone loss, it is therefore worth checking your supply of vitamin D and calcium. Many people in Europe lack vitamin D, which our bodies produce with the help of sunlight.

What does the requirement for iron mean?

Iron is crucial for blood formation. Your body needs the trace element to transport the blood pigment haemoglobin and to supply the whole body with oxygen. An iron deficiency usually leads to anaemia in the long run.

The iron that your body can absorb best is from animal foods such as liver, red meat, herring and chicken eggs.

You should pay particular attention to a possibly increased requirement if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. In order to utilise the iron from organic foods such as wholemeal products, legumes and tofu in the best possible way, you should combine them with a vitamin C-rich diet.

What does the requirement for unsaturated fatty acids mean?

The "healthy fats": the unsaturated fatty acids and among them especially the omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3 counteracts inflammation, improves blood circulation and has a positive effect on cholesterol levels.

In today's western diet, however, many people consume very few omega-3 fatty acids and too many of the unhealthy saturated and trans fatty acids.

Omega 3 is mainly found in fatty sea fish and some vegetable oils, such as rapeseed, walnut and flax oil. If you do not eat fish, it may be worthwhile to turn to omega-3 supplements - especially if the analysis of your genetics reveals an increased need.

Who is the test not suitable for?

The DNA Vitamin Metabolism Test is not suitable or only suitable for certain groups of people:

People with contagious diseases like hepatitis are not allowed to take the DNA Vitamin Metabolism Test.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should only carry out the DNA Metabolism Test under medical supervision. The reference values and recommendations do not apply to them, so they should obtain recommendations on the test result from their doctor.

The DNA Vitamin Metabolism Test is not suitable for children under the age of 18.

The test is not intended to diagnose diseases. For example, if you suffer from pain or suspect deficiency symptoms, consult a doctor.