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New saliva test shows you how to eat based on your genes

Published  October 13, 2015 8:56pm EDT
Health
FOX 2 Detroit

A couple weeks ago Deena Centofanti offered up a little saliva for a new test that looks at your genes and tells you what your diet should look like.

America's holistic health doctor, Joel Kahn, said that Deena will be the first Michigan resident to learn how she can eat according to her genes with a personalized nutrition report.

Everyone gets frustrated when one person eats good food, the other bad food and one is skinny, the other is not," he said. "Some of it is your genetic breakdown. Are you okay to eat saturated fats, do you need vitamin C."

Deena took the test, called Nutrigenomix which analyzes the genes.

"It took cells from your spit, grew them in dishes and tested your actual genetic variations," Kahn said. "It showed a few interesting things."

So what did Deena find out about her genes?

"Some people need to stay away from the fourth cup of coffee, but you're cool," Kahn said. "Some people should really eat extra folates, which is green, leafy vegetables but you are okay with average amounts, but I would always promote more.

"You've got to be a little cautious with gluten and a little cautious with salt."

Kahn just started doing this test at the Kahn Center for Cardiac Longevity in Bloomfield. It will cost you $300, but it reveals quite a bit.

In Deena's results you see she carries the gene linked to high blood pressure, so she should be aware of her sodium.

The same goes for the gluten gene.

"Everybody with celiac disease - which you don't have, has HLA-DQ, which is a gene," Kahn said. "You have at least one copy of that from your parents. If your (gastrointestinal tract) tolerates whole grains, whole wheat, go for it.

"But if you're having issues or anybody listening, this would give you guidance or try four weeks of going gluten free based on your genes."

The personalized reports finds how your body responds to vitamin C, folate, whole grains, Omega-3 fat, saturated fat, sodium and caffeine. It is a whole new level of personalized medicine.