Should you get a DNA test?

Will it tell you things you need to know about your health or something you wish you hadn’t discovered? Our experts explain

- TANYA PEAREY

Fans of TV crime dramas probably know quite a bit about the use of DNA, but there’s a lot more to it than helping to nail criminals. Knowing your own unique genetic code can reveal things about your health which may help you improve your well-being or even extend your life expectancy.

What is DNA?

It stands for deoxyribonucleic acid and is your unique biological blueprint. ‘We get half of our DNA from our mother and a half from our father,’ explains Avi Lasarow. ‘Knowing information about your body helps individuals make decisions to prevent health issues.

How the kits work

Around one in 20 Brits has used a home DNA-testing kit – 8% to discover their likelihood of developing certain diseases*. It can be as quick and easy as swabbing your cheek in your own living room, so it’s no wonder home kits have become so popular.

‘Knowing your DNA can help you get to the root cause of problems such as headaches, weight gain, low energy, and anxiety – then fix it,’ says Emma. ‘Sometimes it might be quick and easy, like removing a food group or toxin you’re reacting to.’

Advances in technology mean tests are more affordable than ever but expect to pay upwards of £60.

What are the benefits?

‘The overwhelming positive is that if you understand your risk, you can do something to reduce it,’ says Emma. ‘For example, someone may have had poor immunity, low mood, or even depression their whole life, but not realized that it’s related to vitamin D. Then, at 70, they’ll fracture a hip and be diagnosed with osteoporosis – all because they were vitamin D deficient for years.

Could it help save your life?