Genetic analysis has evolved considerably since the first sequence of the human genome was completed in 2003. Since then, scientists have been able to decipher all the information hidden in our genes thanks to DNA tests. But do you know exactly what information you can know from a genetic test? 

What is a genetic test?

A genetic test is an analysis performed in a specialized laboratory and consists of extracting all the information contained in your genes through a saliva sample. In the case of 24Genetics, this information is translated by a team of expert geneticists who develop a detailed report, relating all this information to different areas of your life.

What information can I obtain with a genetic test?

Our DNA contains a lot of information about different areas of our life, especially related to health such as nutrition, diseases that you’re more likely to suffer, the drugs that best suit your body, or the products that will produce a better effect on your skin. But we can also learn curious facts about other areas related to physical activity, talent or our ancestors:

● Nutrition: if you knew which nutrients you tend to assimilate better, or how effective a Mediterranean diet, a low-fat or low-carbohydrate diet will be on your body, wouldn't you achieve your goals earlier? Thanks to a genetic nutrition test you can learn valuable information that will save you time and money.
● Health: in the field of health, it’s especially important to know which diseases you are more prone to develop in order to be able to guide the doctor in making an appropriate diagnosis. But, in addition, you’ll also learn information related to your genetic predisposition to have certain biomarker levels or to react in a certain way to a particular drug.
● Pharmacogenetics: this data allow you to learn more about the drugs to which your body will react better or worse, focusing on fields such as cardiology, oncology or pain, among others.
● Skin care: perhaps you have never stopped to think that skin products don’t have the same effect on all people, even if they have similar skin types. Genetically speaking, this has an explanation that you’ll learn with this test. Among the most important data, you’ll get to know how is your sensitivity to sunspots, your predisposition to cellulite or your risk of having higher or lower vitamin levels than the rest of the population.
● Sport: the part of the genetic analysis that affects physical activity will show you your genetic predispositions related to your sporting; muscular, cardiovascular or metabolic profile; as well as your risk of suffering certain injuries.
● Personality: this may be the most curious information you’ll find in a genetic test. Believe it or not, our personality and talent is also genetically determined or, at least, we’re more or less predisposed to be a certain way. In this case, you’ll be able to know, for example, your genetic predisposition to develop figurative creativity, to present impulsive traits or to be more or less affected by the change of season.
● Ancestry: one of the main reasons why people want to take a genetic test is usually to find out information about their ancestors. Thanks to an ancestry study, you’ll know from which areas of the world your ancestors come from, even the specific regions within those areas.

Genetic tests are nowadays available to everyone. It’s very easy to know all this information and make the best use of it. If you want to know what your genes can tell about you, try a genetic test and find out for sure. You’ll discover surprising results!