Your health should be a top priority. But when it comes to healthy eating, everyone’s body is different. Something that’s ideal for someone else may negatively impact you. One of the big factors that affect your ability to handle certain fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals is your genetic profile. GenoPalate provides an in-depth nutritional analysis so you can become more familiar with your unique genetic profile, with a focus on nutrition.
So if you want to start eating for your genes, genetic testing is a great place to start. But how accurate is GenoPalate? Can you trust them with your data? And is their nutritional analysis even useful?
In this GenoPalate review, we’ll cover all these things and more. By the end of this review, you’ll be able to decide if GenoPalate is the right test for you, or if you’ll be better off using one of their competitors.
GenoPalate:
- GenoPalate was founded in 2016
- Formed by two doctors and a nutritionist — Dr. Sherry Zhang, Dr. Paul Auer, and Matt Edwards
- Their mission is to help people understand nutritional science based upon their own genetic profile
- DNA testing lab is certified by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)
- Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Quick facts:
Sample Collection: Saliva swab
DNA Testing Type: Genetic variants analysis
Speed: 4-6 weeks)
Privacy Protection: Poor
How much does GenoPalate’s DNA kit cost?
When ordering a kit through GenoPalate, you are given four different options, all with varying prices. If you’ve already taken a DNA test through a service that lets you download raw DNA data, such as AncestryDNA or 23andMe, you can save big by uploading your raw DNA data. If not, you’ll have to choose one of the two more pricey GenoPalate tests.
The price of each GenoPalate test kit is as follows:
- Existing DNA — $39.95
- Only upload raw data from 23andMe or AncestryDNA (must have taken a prior DNA test through one of these two companies)
- 100+ best foods for your genetic profile
- Nutrition profile — your genetic need for 23 nutrients
- Food sensitivities
- Metabolism rate for alcohol and caffeine
- Filtered by allergies and preferences
- Check results from anywhere with the app
- Existing DNA + 5 Recipes — $69.95
- Comes with everything that’s included with the Existing DNA GenoPalate test
- Mix and match recipes based upon your genetic profile
- DNA Kit — $149.95
- Includes a DNA analysis in CLIA-certified lab, no need to upload raw DNA data
- 100+ best foods for your genetic profile
- Nutrition profile — your genetic need for 23 nutrients
- Food sensitivities
- Metabolism rate for alcohol and caffeine
- Filtered by allergies and preferences
- Check results from anywhere with the app
- DNA Kit + 5 Recipes — $179.95
- Comes with everything that’s included with the DNA Kit GenoPalate test
- Mix and match recipes based upon your genetic profile
What is in the box?
When you order a GenoPalate DNA test kit, the box should contain the following (if you ordered one of the Existing DNA kits, you will not receive sample collection tools):
- Barcode for registering your kit
- Cheek Swab for collecting your DNA sample
- Vial with sample collection liquid for storing your sample
- Cap for sealing vial
- Biohazard bag for storing vial
- Prepaid shipping envelope
Send in steps
GeoPalate test kits are pain-free and it only takes a few minutes to properly collect your DNA sample and prepare it for shipping.
When using a GeoPalate DNA test kit, follow these 5 easy steps:
How to send in Genopalate kit
Create your online account
Go to GenoPalate.com and choose the Account option along the top of the homepage. Here, you’ll need to input your first and last name, email address, and the product code of your kit (check the barcode that came with the kit)
Collect sample
Do not eat, drink, or smoke for at least 30 minutes prior to collecting your DNA sample. Begin by removing the saliva swab from its packaging. Place the swab against the inside of your cheek and firmly rotate around 15 to 20 times.
Store sample
Find the vial that came with your kit and open it. Place the sample collecting end of your swab into the vial and rotate it in a corkscrew motion. Push the swab into the collection liquid and rapidly move it up and down (without removing it from the liquid) about 10 to 15 times.
Dispose of swab
Pull the swab out of the vial by moving it in a corkscrew motion. Toss the used swab into the garbage.
Prepare for shipment
Twist the cap back onto the vial, and place it into the biohazard bag and securely seal it. Place the bag containing the sample vial into the prepaid shipping envelope that came with the kit. Place package into outgoing mail.
Wait for results
Your results should be available both on GenoPalate.com and through the company’s app within 4-6 weeks.
How is my privacy protected with GenoPalate?
When it comes to keeping your data secure, GenoPalate has plenty of room for improvement. According to the privacy policy, the company will collect several types of data. Some of this data is volunteered, such as your name, address, credit card information, and email. GenoPalate obviously has access to your genetic information as well.
The company also collects data when you download their app or log in to their website, such as your IP address and cookies. When you install the app, GenoPalate collects your service usage information, your geolocation, the websites you visit, and your app store info.
Clearly, GenoPalate collects a lot of your information, but what exactly do they do with it? Is this something you need to be worried about? Luckily, their privacy policy tells you exactly who the company will share your information with.
Your GenoPalate data could be shared with:
- Third-party service providers and suppliers
- Third-party laboratories for DNA testing services
- Third-party partners
- Professional advisors·
- Subsequent owners, assignees, and successors
- Government/law enforcement
The above list may seem alarming. But while the company could potentially share your data with anyone we mentioned, GenoPalate claims they will only do so under certain circumstances.
Below, you’ll find a list of the different circumstances that would need to be present for your data to be shared:
- For the purpose collected — All of GenoPalate’s DNA testing is handled by independent labs that the company contracts with. Therefore, a certain amount of your information (including your DNA test results) will be seen by a third-party laboratory.
- Process payment — Your payment info will be shared with the company’s third-party service providers who handle running your credit card.
- Product development — GenoPalate may use your private information in order to help improve their products and services. If your data is used for this purpose, it will be de-identified and aggregated so that the info can’t be used to personally identify you.
- Advertising — When you use GenoPalate’s app, online account, or mailing list, you’re likely to receive personally targeted ads. The company uses your personal information to figure out which ads you’re most likely to respond to so they can sell to you better. They also use your data to let you know about any new products and features on their mobile app or website.
- Evaluate and improve services — They may use or disclose your personal information to help analyze or improve just about any aspect of their business. Things they may use your personal data for includes to troubleshoot problems, improve content, tailor features, and to inform marketing and communication plans and strategies. This is done by using non-identifiable aggregate data.
- Government requests it — If GenoPalate receives a court order, law enforcement request, subpoena, or any other legal request, they will share your data with the requesting organization. Non-criminals probably don’t need to worry about this but it’s still good to be aware of.
Because of the amount of information that the company collects, as well as the number of situations in which they will share it, we decided to give GenoPalate a low rating for privacy. While their privacy policy is unlikely to cause you any issues, their willingness to give private information to third parties in order to advertise to you better is unsettling, especially for a fairly costly service.
The competition
While plenty of DNA testing companies include a health portion in their test results, there aren’t nearly as many DNA test kits with a sole focus on bettering your health outcomes through nutrition.
Some of the more popular GenoPalate test alternatives include:
- Vitagene Health + Ancestry DNA Test ($89-$269) — These tests offer personalized nutritional data with actionable diet, supplement, and exercise recommendations. Additionally, they’ll tell you about your skin’s genetic profile and your ancestry. These healthy eating recommendations aren’t as in-depth as GenoPalate’s, but they do a decent job.
- Gene Food Custom Nutrition Plan ($139.99) — If you’re simply looking for a diet plan that’s customized to your genetic profile, Gene Food’s DNA test kit is a good option. This test doesn’t offer as much actionable advice as GenoPalate, but their custom diet plans are usually quite excellent.
- Orig3n Nutrition DNA Test ($149) — The popular DNA testing company, Orig3n, offers several different tests. However, the Nutrition DNA Test offers pretty similar test results to GenoPalate. With it, you’ll receive personalized nutritional recommendations, a list of your ideal food choices, and why you like or dislike certain foods.
The results
GenoPalate’s test results are broken up into a few specific categories. We’ll cover each category that’s tested by GenoPalate below:
Optimal nutritional intake
Your test results will cover the 23 different vitamins and minerals that you could use more — or less — of in your diet.
The nutrients that GenoPalate’s test kit covers include:
- Fiber
- Fat
- Sugar
- Carbohydrates
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Saturated fat
- Omega-6 fatty acids
- Protein
- Sodium
- Iron
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
- Folate
- Vitamin E
- Monosaturated fats
- Selenium
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
Diet advice
If eating for your genes is a top priority, GenoPalate’s test results have you covered. Through genetic testing, you’ll learn the top 100+ fruits, vegetables, and other foods that are necessary for your specific genetic profile. This nutritional analysis covers a variety of foods across 16 different categories. They even include some customized meal plans and recipes for your given genome.
The food categories that GenoPalate covers include:
- Fats and oils
- Breads
- Cheese
- Herbs and spices
- Fruits
- Leafy vegetables
- Meats
- Legumes
- Nuts and seeds
- Milk
- Pastas
- Other proteins
- Yogurts
- Seafoods
- Vegetables
- Grains
Food sensitivities
Lastly, your GenoPalate test results will cover your sensitivities to certain common food items.
The four types of food sensitivities that the test covers are gluten, lactose, alcohol, and caffeine sensitivities.
They provide a scale of how likely you are to be sensitive to these foods based upon the results of your genetic testing. The scale will let you know if you’re not likely, likely, or very likely to have problems when consuming these items.
Using raw DNA data
If you’ve already taken a DNA test through either AncestryDNA or 23andMe, you can download your raw data and run GenoPalate’s nutritional analysis for cheaper. Taking the Existing DNA or the Existing DNA + 5 Recipes tests will save you more than 50% off of the normal retail price.
All you need to do is simply upload your raw data to GeoPalate’s website, and you can get the same in-depth nutritional analysis at a huge discount. Unfortunately, due to the genetic markers that GeoPalate needs to analyze, they will only accept raw data from either 23andMe or AncestryDNA at this time.
GenoPalate review of accuracy
While genetic testing can give you some insight into your nutritional profile, it won’t give you the full picture. Your genetics are just one factor that affects what constitutes “healthy eating” for a person.
Your test results, while informative, shouldn’t be relied upon as solid medical advice. Use your test results as a fun way to learn a bit more about your genetic profile, but they’re simply no replacement for advice from a licensed doctor or nutritionist.
Overall Review of GenoPalate: The Good and the Bad
PROS
- Learn your genetic needs for 23 different nutrients
- Recommendations of over 100 foods across 16 different categories
- Upload raw data from 23andMe or AncestryDNA
- Customized recipes and meal plans
- Food sensitivities to lactose, gluten, alcohol, and caffeine
- Check your results anywhere using the app
- Nutritional analysis is handled by a CLIA-certified lab
CONS
- No replacement for advice from a doctor
- Doesn’t include any ancestry information
- Slightly expensive
While GeoPalate can be a fun way to learn a little more about your health and to help motivate you into healthy eating habits, it is no replacement for a doctor or certified nutritionist. Regardless, the informative test results are a good starting point for learning a little more about your genetic profile and how it relates to different health outcomes.
While the price tag is a little high, if you already have existing raw data from AncestryDNA or 23andMe, you can get a substantial discount.
We recommend GeoPalate for anyone who’s interested in a personalized nutritional analysis and custom meal plans based on their genome.
FAQ
Is GenoPalate worth it?
If you want to learn more about your nutritional profile based on genetic testing and are interested in custom food recommendations and meal plans, GeoPalate is definitely worth the price. This is especially so if you have raw data from either AncestryDNA or 23andMe to upload, as you’ll receive substantial savings.
Does GenoPalate really work?
GenoPalate analyzes your DNA to determine foods you’re likely to be sensitive to and foods that may benefit you. While their suggestions aren’t meant to be solid medical advice, the company’s CLIA-certified labs do an excellent job performing accurate genetic testing.
Is GenoPalate accurate?
GenoPalate’s genetic testing is fairly accurate and does provide a pretty reliable nutritional analysis. While it’s not meant to replace the advice of a licensed nutritionist or doctor, their test results are a great starting point for improving your health.
How does GenoPalate work?
By providing a small DNA sample in the form of saliva, GenoPalate can analyze a variety of genetic variants linked to nutrition. They use this genetic information to provide personalized nutritional recommendations and meal plans.
