In This Article
In This Article
Our verdict: Vitagene offered pretty good insights into my DNA, even if they were pretty broad. I didn’t think it would dive too deep given that Vitagene isn’t as pricy as other tests, so I’m satisfied even if the results aren’t as specific as other genetic tests’ results.
I really liked that it was so easy to get my sample—it just took a cheek swab. I prefer this since I don’t always trust myself with taking my own blood sample. I agree with some other reviews that the reports aren’t too detailed, but they cover a good number of categories like diet and exercise on top of ancestry.
Overall, it’s a great starting point for anyone looking to discover themselves further via their DNA.
We looked through dozens of reviews about Vitagene. These are the pros and cons we noticed coming up the most.
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Vitagene offers more than its Health and Ancestry test. Here are a few of their other tests:
Once you purchase one of the Vitagene testing products, you will receive an email. It will contain guidelines on how to fill out your online lifestyle questionnaire.
You should receive a DNA testing kit with a pre-paid return stamp within three to five days. Follow the instructions provided with the kit and return your sample. After that, Vitagene’s scientists will analyze your questionnaire and DNA sample. Results are issued on an online dashboard in 4-6 weeks.
Most clients praise Vitagene’s DNA test kit for being easy to use. You shouldn’t have any problems submitting a sample. All it takes is a simple cheek swab.
The package comes with a prepaid return envelope, so submitting the sample is hassle and cost-free. Although Vitagene does not ship outside the United States, there are plans to expand the service. You may join the international waiting list.
Remember not to eat or drink anything for at least half an hour before taking the samples. Doing so could affect the accuracy of your results.
If you already have a raw DNA file from another service, you just need to purchase a health report instead of going through the entire testing process. You will then receive credentials to an online account and detailed guidance on uploading your DNA file.
Vitagene will only accept files uploaded in the .txt format.
Vitagene’s clinical labs operate under strict standards. These were set forth by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988 and the College of American Pathologists. This is to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Clients’ DNA is run through a sophisticated, proprietary algorithm. The DNA is compared to an extensive database of the world’s best peer-reviewed research on nutrition, genomics, and exercise.
Your unique health information is then mapped to nutrition, diet, and supplementation plans that suit your specific health needs.
Vitagene has suffered breaches in the past.
However, it uses industry-standard security protocols to store and safeguard client DNA profiles, results, and any other information it may share. These and personal data are kept in secure cloud storage facilities. The company does not share any of it with third parties without explicit consent.
Vitagene does not willingly honor law enforcement requests. Neither does it share data with public databases or entities that might make it available to those agencies.
However, in specific circumstances, the company may be compelled by law to honor a valid court order, search warrant, or subpoena for personal or genetic information.
It is worth noting that the company has never received law enforcement requests to share genetic data in a legal proceeding.
Yes. It uses genotyping for accurate results. Because it’s CLIA-approved, you can be sure that it’s pretty thorough, as well.
You can buy Vitagene’s Health and Ancestry test and their other tests on their website.
Diet report: This mainly provides meal plan suggestions. It includes reports on specific gastrointestinal aspects like gluten sensitivity. It can also tell how well your body processes caffeine or fat. The report also shares gene mutations and other markers in your genes that affect your metabolism.
Supplement report: This report provides guidance on the supplement recommendations your body needs. This is supported by detailed explanations based on your genetic makeup.
Exercise report: This section addresses your body’s ability to create muscle and how you react to exercise. It also proposes what kinds of exercise are ideal for your body.
Ancestry report: The ancestry report provides ancestry information. It can identify matches to next of kin within the past five generations.
After you’ve done a test and received your Vitagene reports, you can order customized supplements. They contain everything from hormones to minerals and vitamins. The prices are not readily available on the website.
Your choice will largely depend on whether you’ve ever had a genetic test, your required level of detail, and whether you need supplements.
Direct-to-consumer tests like Vitagene facilitate awareness of genetic diseases. Vitagene tests provide personalized information about your disease risk, health, and other traits. It helps you make informed decisions about your lifestyle.
You do not need approval from a health care or health insurance provider to have a Vitagene DNA test. It is also less expensive than the DNA tests you’d get from a healthcare provider.
The DNA sample collection process is straightforward and non-invasive.
The information you submit to Vitagene will remain private. It won’t be shared or sold to any third-party service without your explicit consent.
Though extensive, Vitagene’s tests might not cover the health conditions or genetic traits that interest you.
In some cases, the tests may not give conclusive results on whether you will get a specific illness.
Vitagene does not ship internationally, so it’s hard to get the test if you’re outside the United States.
There are several direct-to-consumer DNA tests on the market. They all promise to reveal impactful information from your DNA.
These companies specialize in different features. These include:
Most DNA testing companies, including Vitagene, analyze SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms). It is a common genetic variation among populations.
Several scientific research studies have examined the associations between this genetic variation and the incidence of specific genetic diseases and traits. These studies have made several landmark discoveries. It is this data that DNA testing companies like Vitagene use to analyze clients’ genetic information.
When it comes to exploring your genetics and other things related to your DNA, you have options. There are several DNA testing kits in the market, and the only task is to find one that’s right for you.
Vitagene and 23andMe are leading names in the industry. Both have excellent reputations but they do not offer the same health reports or tests.
Here is a table that allows you to see the similarities and differences between the two DNA testing providers. With this, you can easily make an informed choice as to which DNA test meets your needs.
| Vitagene | 23andMe | |
|---|---|---|
| Insights | Health & Supplemental Care | Personal Traits |
| Sample | Cheek Swab | Saliva |
| Results | 4-6 weeks | 6-8 weeks |
| Tests | Autosomal, Health | Autosomal, Genealogy, mtDNA, Y-DNA |
| Cousin/Family Matching | No | Yes |
| Health Screening | Yes | Yes |
| Express Shipping | No | Yes |
| Security | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $49-$149 | $99-$199 |
| Report includes | Ancestry breakdown; detailed diet report; and customized food, fitness, and supplement plans. | Ancestry composition; haplogroups; Neanderthal ancestry; DNA family and DNA relative finder. |
I think Vitagene is worth it. It was a good way to get a general idea of my genetic predispositions, as well as some ideas about how to optimize my exercise and diet.
It’s probably a great starting point for anyone trying out DNA tests.
What sets Vitagene apart from other DNA testing services are the following:
Vitagene health test results will help you improve your sleep, weight, and energy levels. This may be accomplished through exercise, nutrition, and supplementation.
We made sure to follow the following criteria while evaluating Vitagene:
KnowYourDNA is committed to making healthcare more accessible to the public, which is why we feature products that meet industry standards.
We only choose at-home kits that provide reliable testing methods and science-backed reports to improve your health.
Our in-house medical experts help ensure the accuracy of the information we give to our readers by reviewing them before publication.
Vitagene is a genetic testing company founded by neurosurgeon Reza Malek in 2015.
It strives to empower individuals with the knowledge they need to make accurate lifestyle choices. They do this by offering Direct-to-consumer DNA testing technology.
Vitagene currently focuses on fitness and nutrition. It will probably expand its test kits in the future.
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