How Your DNA Results Could Help You Lose Weight

We’ve been told that losing weight was a matter of burning more calories than you take in. But if you struggle to lose weight and keep it off, weight loss is much more than a numbers game. A DNA test focused on your weight-loss goals can be a valuable tool in helping you lose weight.

Knowing your genetic tendencies toward weight gain — and how to maximize your own personal weight-loss potential — could provide you with the answers you’ve been seeking. For man years, we simply didn’t know why some people would achieve their weight loss goals effortlessly, while others would do everything right and hold on to excess pounds.

Science has come a long way in recent years in discovering the multitude of factors that may play a critical role in how and why we lose weight — as well as why we gain it. And one of those key pieces to the puzzle is your individual genetic profile.

If you’ve been asking yourself, “How can I lose these pounds for good?” then perhaps it’s time to look at what the science says about you and your DNA, and how it determines your success with weight loss. Doing so could help you find out how to use your DNA to your advantage, and put your time and energy into a weight-loss plan that truly works with you and your body.

Your DNA can give you pointers on how easily your body loses weight, as well as how to avoid weight regain

Perhaps nothing is more frustrating — or more common — than gaining weight back after you’ve worked so hard to lose it. In fact, studies have shown that weight regain affects a large percentage of people who lose weight through diet and exercise, but it’s unclear why this happens so frequently.

Your DNA test, however, will reveal factors that could play a major role in how easily you can lose weight and keep it off. Up to 70 percent of a person’s susceptibility to obesity is linked to genetics, and your DNA test will give you insight into whether your genes could be making weight loss more challenging.

Your results also tell you whether you have a DNA type that tends to gain weight back more easily and whether your metabolism could be working for — or against — you as you try to lose weight. Another component of your results will tell you whether you have enough of a certain hormone that triggers your body to use energy from fat, which can play a role in your weight-loss success.

It can tell you which fats to eat — and which ones to skip

The days of avoiding all fats are long gone. Today, it’s more about eating healthy fats such as omega-3s and monounsaturated fats and avoiding processed, unhealthy trans fats.

But there’s much more to fat intake and weight loss than these basic rules. In fact, your specific genes could reveal how your body responds to different kinds of fats, such as saturated fats. Some DNA types may be more prone to weight gain — or difficulty losing weight — from eating too many saturated fats. This can even be the case in someone who eats a healthy diet that includes saturated fats from foods such as cheese or yogurt.

You may also learn which unsaturated fats, including omega-3s and omega-6s, are best for you. While some omega-6s are healthy, different bodies process and store them differently. Your genetics may determine whether your body tends to naturally have higher levels of some of these good fats, or whether you should focus on getting more of these healthy unsaturated fats to aid in weight loss and general health.

You’ll learn which vitamins and supplements could give you the best weight-loss boost

A standard multivitamin might provide you with basic nutrients, but most people don’t benefit from a one-size-fits-all formula. Rather than spending your money on supplements that may not do you any favors, find out which ones tend to be beneficial for your DNA type. Your DNA test can tell you which nutrients you should maximize for weight-loss success and which ones don’t need as much attention.

A healthy diet should be the primary way to get vitamins and nutrients. The nutrients that tend to be lower for your DNA type should, first and foremost, be consumed through healthy foods. But, for those whose DNA reveals potential lower levels of certain nutrients, supplements may give a much-needed boost in energy levels and weight-loss potential.

It can help you get control of your cravings and portion sizes

Anyone who’s ever tried a diet knows that there’s more to food choices and weight loss than the age-old belief of “will power.” Even if you have a deep desire to lose weight, you may find it difficult — or nearly impossible — to turn away from favorite foods or to stop eating after finishing a smaller portion. These tendencies could be linked to your genetics.

Certain DNA types may actually influence factors like how strong your hunger feels, how full you feel after a meal, whether you tend to overeat, and whether you have a “sweet tooth” that can be hard to ignore. Simply having this information can help you understand what you’re up against, giving you the knowledge to plan your meals and portion sizes and perhaps keep certain “high risk” tempting foods out of the house.

You’ll know which exercises give you the maximum weight-loss benefits

Not only can your DNA test reveal how your body responds to different types of exercise, but it will also give you an idea of how easily you’ll lose body fat through exercise. This means you can save valuable time and energy by focusing on the types of exercise that will work with your genetic profile. Your results can help you learn what to expect on the scale as you incorporate these exercises into your routine. You may even find it more motivating to stick with your exercise program if you’re getting better results from your efforts.

A healthy exercise program is important for everyone because it offers a number of physical and mental health benefits beyond weight loss. So, keep exercising even after you’ve gotten to your goal weight!

Discover your genotype with Vivaliti DNA

Find out about these weight-loss factors — and many others — by ordering your genetic report from Vivaliti DNA. Your full report will include results of more than 80 different genetic markers to give you a complete picture of how you can give yourself a weight-loss edge and optimize your health. Order your genetic test today!

Vivaliti DNA is not a diagnostic tool. Genetic testing should not be used as a substitute for treating and diagnosing conditions, or the provision of health care services by a physician or other health care provider.