Best DNA Kits to Test for Allergies
Allergies are the worst. They always strike when you least expect them, and that is without even mentioning allergies caused by food or by a particular season. But did you know that genetics play a role in allergic disease and that there is a strong familial tendency for a variety of allergies such as asthma, atopic eczema, hay fever, and others? If you want to know whether or not you have a higher risk of developing allergies due to your genetics, DNA testing kits are exactly what you need.
Because the science of allergy detection and treatment is rapidly evolving, you do not want to fall behind when it comes to learning more about yourself. Read on to learn how DNA testing kits for allergies can help you determine your likelihood of developing various allergies with a simple test. Also, find out how much each service provided by the companies listed below will cost you, as well as how to get the most out of your DNA testing kit.
Index#123andMe
Pros
- Short processing time
- Provides Seasonal allergies tests
- User-Friendly Reports and Interface
- Some of the health tests are FDA-approved
Cons
- A little pricey
- No Raw Genetic Data Uploading
- The utility of this testing is currently unknown
23andMe is one of the best DNA testing services available, and the variety of testing kits it provides is truly impressive. They believe DNA is a fascinating phenomenon and that everyone should be able to obtain personal information from a simple test. When it comes to allergy testing, the company does not lag behind, offering a seasonal allergy DNA test. Seasonal allergies occur at specific times of the year, which can vary depending on the allergen and where a person lives. Seasonal allergy sufferers are more likely to develop asthma and may have difficulty breathing.
23andMe provides personalized genetic insights and tools to help you take better care of your health and learn more about how your body works. Offering one of the best DNA health testing kits, the service will assist you in determining how your DNA may influence your likelihood of developing specific medical conditions. However, keep in mind that, while the information in the allergy reports is certainly fascinating, the utility of the testing is still unknown. Another issue is that you cannot upload raw genetic data from other companies, which necessitates a DNA testing kit even if you already have a report from a competing service.
Getting your hands on 23andMe's Seasonal allergies testing kit requires purchasing the Health + Ancestry kit, which costs $199. The processing time for 23andMe, on the other hand, is very short, and you get access to fantastic interactive features and an excellent mobile app. Another option is to order the kits as a gift and include a personal message for someone you care about. The Health + Ancestry testing kit, which includes seasonal allergy testing, is available in the United States and certain European countries.
Specifications
Types of tests
How DNA sample is obtained
DNA Kits
#2InsideTracker
Pros
- Processing time is short
- Results are simple to comprehend
- Studies back up well-established science
- Over 40 different biomarkers are tested
Cons
- Relatively costly
- Only available in North America
- Accepting only raw data from two companies
InsideTracker pairs your DNA kit with a blood test plan to help you comprehend how your genetics work in your favor and determine what you should focus on first. An easy at-home DNA test kit analyzing up to 261 gene variants and a personalized DNA report revealing your genetic potential for food sensitivities can help you determine your likelihood of developing various allergies. You'll also gain access to your personalized health analytics dashboard, where you'll receive actionable, science-backed recommendations to improve your body's most important metrics.
In addition to food allergies, InsideTracker tests for other health-related issues such as gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, and peanut allergies. Higher testosterone or free testosterone levels, as well as the ability to excel at endurance activities, may influence your proclivity to develop certain sensitivities. Furthermore, the DNA testing kits will provide you with useful information about your weight, sleep, aging, and performance. For your convenience, all of the information about your genetic analysis has been packaged into a PDF.
InsideTracker is not among the cheapest DNA testing kits you can find. Both blood test plans cost more than comparable plans from other services, and the price only goes up when DNA testing is included. Testing your likelihood to develop a certain food allergy requires purchasing one of the two relevant kits: the DNA kit, which analysis of up to 261 gene variants including food allergies at $249, or the more extensive Immunity kit, which offers a complete investigation of your immune system by analyzing 25 biomarkers and costs $269. In this regard, it is unavoidable to turn to other services that offer lower-cost testing for additional biomarkers or genetic traits.
Specifications
Types of tests
How DNA sample is obtained
DNA Kits
#3SelfDecode
Pros
- Provides Food Sensitivity Test
- Short processing time
- Option to pay-per-report
- Accessible and easy to understand
Cons
- Additional reports are more expensive
- Subscriptions are required for access
- Only 5 reports are available with a subscription
SelfDecode focuses on providing personalized lifestyle, diet, and supplement recommendations to assist you in living a better life. It also provides the IgG Food Allergy Test, a home test kit used to determine if you are allergic to specific foods. Its overgrowth causes an inflammatory response in the GI tract. The test determines whether you are allergic to 96 foods, which represent major food groups in the Western diet. It is also beneficial in people who have long-term medical conditions because they are more prone to delayed food reactions.
When looking for one of the best DNA mental health testing kits, SelfDecode provides excellent services aimed at improving your mental health. To get a better understanding of your psychological well-being, you can choose between three different DNA reports: anxiety & depression, poor sleep quality & insomnia. This is in addition to lectins, dairy, soy, eggs, wheat, gluten, and other foods that can irritate allergy sufferers.
SelfDecode costs $97 per year for unlimited access, or $297 if you already have appropriate DNA data. For those who do not already have DNA information, the SelfDecode DNA testing kit costs $99 USD. The IgG Food Allergy Test, which is used to determine your sensitivities to specific foods, is an additional $45, which adds up quickly when combined with the costs of the other packages. These DNA kits can be used to have your body's genes sequenced at a SelfDecode facility. A lifetime subscription gives you access to the SelfDecode personalized genetics blog as well as all previous and future DNA health reports.
Specifications
Types of tests
How DNA sample is obtained
DNA Kits
23andMe | InsideTracker | SelfDecode | |
---|---|---|---|
Processing time | 3-4 Weeks | 4-6 Weeks | 1-2 Weeks |
Types of tests | |||
FamilyTreeDNA Test | |||
Y-DNA Test | |||
mtDNA Test | |||
Health Testing | |||
How DNA sample is obtained | |||
Saliva Sample | |||
Cheek swab Sample | |||
Feces Sample | |||
Family Tree Software | |||
Imports From Other Software | |||
Export Results |
Your DNA Can Reveal Your Potential Reaction to Allergens
After reading our comparison, you may be wondering, "What exactly is an allergy?". An allergy is caused by a hypersensitive immune system, which protects your body from outside invaders and overreacts to allergens. Dust, grass, insects, medications, and foods such as milk, eggs, gluten, and nuts are examples of allergens. Adults, like children, can develop allergies to things they were not previously allergic to. And it can happen at any moment.
When a person who is prone to allergic reactions to specific allergens comes into contact with a stimulus, which could either be dust, food or even physical contact, their immune system recognizes the foreign object as a threat. An inappropriate immune response is evoked, and the observed reaction frequently indicates inflammation. The symptoms of an allergic reaction can range from minor manifestations like a runny nose and irritation to the potentially fatal form of anaphylactic shock.
DNA testing kits for allergies determine a person's genetic proclivity to develop allergies. The results contain information about the susceptibility, or lack thereof, to the development of an allergy, as well as many other difficulties linked to immune system hypersensitivity. But most importantly, the test can determine the proclivity to develop an allergy even before symptoms occur. You will also learn about the other preventative actions that can be taken to lower the risk of allergies in people of all ages.
It is unclear why, but some adults develop allergies to foods they used to eat without issue. What is certain is that genetic factors play a role in the development of food allergies, and in recent years, an increasing number of genes have been identified as potential candidates for food allergies. However, DNA testing for food allergies is not yet available, and more research is required before clear correlations can be made.
The science of allergy detection and treatment is evolving at a rapid pace. Industry leaders admit that DNA allergy testing for food and other allergens is still in its early stages. Furthermore, while the likelihood of developing allergies appears to be inherited and linked to an immune system abnormality, the specific allergen is still unknown.
Genetic testing services collect more than just your DNA. They collect a variety of other personal information, such as your name, basic identifiers, and information about your relatives and health. As a result, all DNA testing comparisons on 9Ranks have met or exceeded the bare minimum of basic security required to appear in our rankings.