Shape up with the DNA diet
Want to shape up? The answer could be in your genes
Hands up who’s tortured themselves with the latest celebrity “must-try” diet only for it not to work? That’s because, according to scientists, everyone’s body responds differently to the foods we eat and the exercise we do. But there’s a big change happening in the diet industry as boffins smash the myth there’s one magic solution that works for everyone. Gone are the fad diets that promise amazing weight-loss results in just a few weeks. Now, people are swapping their tape measures for test tubes as they unlock the hidden clues within our DNA to find out how we should be eating and working out.
The ‘fat’ gene
The world of nutrition has become a minefield. Should we eat low-carb or low-fat? Sugar-free or plant-based? Paleo or Mediterranean ? But DNA tests claim to analyse how your body reacts to different foods to help determine which diet would be the most effective for you. By taking a simple saliva swab, you can unlock the secrets behind your snacking habits, find out if you’re susceptible to storing fat, and if you have the dreaded – whisper it – fat gene. Some also claim to show you how to get more Zzzs and what you need to do to reach your abs goals in the gym. So far, so good.
As it happens, Dna-based nutrition is often used by elite athletes to achieve their best physical performance, or A-list stars who need to shape up for a movie role. Obviously, they have a team of nutritionists to create easy-to-eat meals, but now the tests are becoming easier to understand and readily available, with one brand costing just £49.
The future of fitness
Gym chain Third Space, which counts Prince Harry and Maya Jama among its members, has replaced the traditional induction with an assessment from their medical team, which includes food intolerances and a biometric body scan. And Justin Gelband, who sculpts the bodies of the Victoria’s Secret models, has long been inspired by Dr Peter D’adamo, who created the Eat Right For Your Blood Type diet, followed by Miranda Kerr and Cheryl. Justin says, “We all have foods that make us bloated and give us problems digesting. They keep us from being at our best because we refuse to let go!” So can we really find out how to lose weight just by spitting into a tube? We tried three tests to see if they lived up to the hype…