LifeDNA was founded in 2017 by Steve Markowitz. It is headquartered in Hawaii and specializes in DNA-based health and wellness services. They offer three pricing plans, ranging from $99 to $249. Before investing in their genetic reports, it’s best to know all the facts. Read on to learn more about LifeDNA’s reports and whether they’re worth your money.
LifeDNA primarily offers reports on nutrition, health, and wellness.
The report studies mutations of the MTHFR gene and other associated methylation genes.
Everything in Methylation Genes Report +
Additional freebies and discounts with this bundle include:
Everything in the Wellness Report Bundle +
A typical LifeDNA report contains several traits, each with a circle indicating the level of risk in the result.
It also contains a short trait summary and a “research level” as a quality measure.
They elaborate on each trait, listing the analyzed DNA markers, breaking down your result, and offering recommendations.
The nutrition report contains information on about 18 traits, some of which are:
This report gives you information on 26 vitamins and other micronutrients. The recommendations included tell you whether to maintain your intake or modify it.
The report includes analyses of:
The LifeDNA Fitness report includes a genetic analysis of 19 fitness-related traits, some of which include:
The LifeDNA wellness report includes 16 traits concerning your wellbeing, some of which include:
The Personality and Cognition report provides information about how your genetic makeup will likely affect your personality and cognition. Includes 27 traits, like:
The Skincare Report contains genetic information and active recommendations on 15 skin-related traits such as:
LifeDNA regularly offers coupons that lower the price of the items in your cart.
Some of these (as per couponbirds.com on 8th October 2024) include:
Wethrift.com mentions the following coupons as of 8th October 2024:
Note: These coupons may or may not work, depending on the items in your cart and the time you redeem them.
LifeDNA is transparent about user data security.
They guarantee the protection and safety of genetic data through encryption.
According to LifeDNA, they do not own raw data upon upload; instead, ownership remains 100% with the client.
Without the client’s consent, LifeDNA does not use or share genetic data for research or commercial purposes.
Clients may view their data, delete it, or wipe their accounts by emailing the company’s support team.
For more information on LifeDNA’s privacy policy, click here.
LifeDNA’s reputation amongst netizens on Reddit is mixed.
Some users aren’t satisfied with the accuracy of the results.
On Quora, users remain skeptical about its usefulness.
Overall, there’s very little discourse regarding LifeDNA online.
Note: The images in this article may or may not be up-to-date representations of LifeDNA’s reports. LifeDNA does not provide sample reports.
| LifeDNA | Xcode Life | |
| Type of genetic testing | DNA kit and analysis | DNA raw data analysis |
| Health report | Nit offered | Offered |
| Pharmacogenomic report | Not offered | Offered |
| Raw data upload | Available but only from 23andMe, MyHeritage, Living DNA, Ancestry, and Family Tree DNA | DNA raw data from all major providers accepted. Comprehensive list |
| Number of traits analyzed | 120+ | 850+ |
| Report updates | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $99-$249 | Reports: $30-$50 Bundles: $160-$199 Price details |
| Sample reports | Unavailable | Available as detailed report walkthrough videos |
LifeDNA vs. 10X Health Gene Testing: Make The Right Call
AncestryDNA vs 23andMe: Which Is Better For Raw Data Analysis?
5 Things You Should Know Before Buying Xcode Life
To log in to your 23andMe account, follow the steps given below:
Head over to the 23andMe website, and look for the sign-in button on the top right corner, as shown below.
After you click that button, you should be redirected to the 23andMe login page.
Once you get to the login page, you can enter the email and password that you used to set up your 23andMe account.
Once you enter that information, you will gain access to your account and your 23andMe dashboard.
If you’ve forgotten your password, you can request a reset by clicking “Forgot your Password?”
You will need to enter the email you used to set up your 23andMe account.
Then, instructions will be sent to your email that will provide you with a guide on how to reset your password.
From there, you can follow the instructions, head back to the 23andMe login page, and input your email and password to access your account.
If you are unable to access your account this way, 23andMe now allows you to sign in via Google or Apple even if you haven’t originally registered this way.
To sign out of your 23andMe account, follow the steps given below:
1: Move your cursor to the top right-hand corner of the screen, where you can see your username.
2: Click on the drop-down arrow
3: From the drop-down menu, choose “Sign out”
You have now successfully logged out of your 23andMe account
23andMe has a mobile application available both on Android and iOS devices. It can be downloaded from the Google Play Store/ App Store.
Once you download the app, you can sign in to your account using the same way as you did for the website.
If your 23andMe account is linked to Google, you can choose the “Sign in with Google” option and enter your Google email and password to access your account.
To update your email/password, open your account menu and click on Settings.
You can edit your email here and your password here.
Please note that for security purposes, you’ll be asked to enter your date of birth to proceed – it must match the one you entered during account registration for successful verification.
Upload the file to Xcode Life for insights into 1000+ health-related traits at a 55% discount!
Useful and easy to understand health reports from DNA data
I received my xlife reports within the timeframe promised using my 23andme data and got useful new information from the reports to inform nutrition and supplemental strategies. Thank you!
– Ash Goodwin
Ever felt that sinking feeling, a tightness in your chest, or an overwhelming worry about the future? You’re not alone. Millions around the world grapple with anxiety every day, seeking some way to break free from its grip. From medications to mindfulness, various therapies offer some level of relief. What about sleep meditation? This emerging technique promises to be a game-changer in alleviating anxiety. Is it any good? What does science say? Read on to find out.
Meditation is a holistic relaxation technique that helps shed off the heaviness of stress, poor moods, and exhaustion.
It soothes the body, offering a few moments of peace to the mind and soul.
You can meditate at any time of the day.
If you choose to meditate before you go to bed, you’re practicing sleep meditation.
People opt for sleep meditation to combat sleep disturbances like insomnia or apnea.
Falling asleep as soon as you get into bed isn’t easy for everyone.
Insomnia, stress, and aches can keep you awake for long periods.
Sleep meditation is a simple technique that could help combat all of these.
Traditionally, meditation is the act of reconnecting with one’s thoughts and feelings.
Today, it’s evolved to simply calming one’s mind through various techniques.
Sleep meditation is gaining popularity over other forms of anxiety treatment for the following reasons:
Sleep meditation can take several different forms, like:
Anxiety makes you hyper-aware of your negative thoughts and physical aches.
Lasting feelings of anxiousness can make it hard to fall asleep, leading to problems like insomnia.
Sleep meditation for anxiety helps by alleviating these mental and physical symptoms.
A review examined sleep meditation studies and concluded that it had a moderately positive effect on sleep quality.
Another review showed that sleep meditation improved sleep quality to an extent.
Further research into sleep meditation can help cement its place as an effective, recommended treatment for anxiety.
Sleep meditation can show real improvements beyond a good night’s sleep if done consistently.
It could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
It’s best to avoid meditation during a period of poor mental health.
Being alone with the full force of your negative thoughts can do more harm than good.
A good start to the day involves 5 minutes of meditating, 5 minutes of stretching, and 5 minutes of mentally preparing for the day.
Can Lack Of Sleep Cause Nausea? Know How To Prevent It
Can Weekend Naps Improve Your Heart Health?
Could Weight Loss Be The Most Effective Treatment For Sleep Apnea?
https://www.healthline.com/health/meditation-for-sleep
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sleep-meditation
https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-breathwork
https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/muscle-relaxation-for-stress-insomnia
https://www.healthline.com/health/body-scan-meditation
https://nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/nyas.13996
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022399916303579
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350967
https://www.healthline.com/health/natural-ways-to-reduce-anxiety
Learning about your roots beyond your great-grandparents can bring you peace, help you understand where you came from, and allow you to take your place in the world. It can give you a sense of purpose, helping track down your current living relatives that you probably didn’t know you had. Ancestry testing can help you learn much about your roots and culture. African Ancestry Inc. offers these test reports specifically for people of African descent. Here’s what you need to know about them in 2024.
In 2003, Dr. Rick Kittles and Gina Paige founded African Ancestry Inc. in Silver Spring, Maryland.
African Ancestry is the world leader in ancestry tracing for people of African descent.
Using the world’s largest database of African DNA (with over 33,000 DNA samples), the company has helped over 7,50,000 people trace their roots, ethnicity, and family trees.
Unlike 23andMe, which offers health reports alongside ancestry reports, African Ancestry’s sole purpose is to help people find their roots.
The company helps trace your maternal and paternal lineages.
There are several online reviews of African Ancestry and their DNA tests.
African Ancestry offers three test kits: the MatriClan Test Kit, the PatriClan Test Kit, and the Family Celebration package.
They do not use the admixture analysis technique unlike other DNA ancestry tracing companies.
They focus on DNA from the mitochondria and Y chromosomes rather than autosomal DNA.
After placing an order, the report takes 8-11 days to arrive.
Along with the test result, you get:
Both males and females can take this test.
It analyzes the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) inherited exclusively from biological mothers.
You share the same mtDNA as your mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, etc.
The results include an African ethnicity and a present-day region to which your ancestry can be traced.
According to the website, 92% of MatriClan’s results are African.
If you belong to the 8%, the company will determine your maternal ancestry as European, Asian, Middle-Eastern, or Indigenous American.
You will not receive any information about your ethnicity or region.
Additionally, the results place you in a haplogroup, a set of people alive today that share a common direct ancestor.
You can get the test for $299 here.
Only males can take this test.
It analyzes the Y chromosome that men inherit exclusively from their biological fathers.
Females can trace their paternal lineage by having a male relative on their father’s side take it.
According to the website, 65% of PatriClan’s results are African.
If you belong to the 35%, the company will determine your maternal ancestry as European, Asian, Middle-Eastern, or Indigenous American.
You will not receive any information about your ethnicity or region.
You can get the test for $299 here.
The Family Celebration Bundle includes:
The t-shirts will reflect either your country of ancestry or the African Ancestry Map.
The countries included are Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.
The test is currently on sale for $729 (as of 25th September 2024).
Other than the DNA test kits, you can also shop from their collection of Ancestry Pendants, Ancestry T-shirts, and other Ancestry gifts.
Depending on your purchase, African Ancestry tests analyze your mtDNA, Y-DNA, or autosomal DNA.
Each purchase comes with a test kit containing a swab to collect a DNA sample from your cheek.
At the lab, geneticists analyze your sample and prepare your report.
The report highlights your African ethnicity and region of origin.
African Ancestry allows you to upload raw DNA data files from other genetic testing services.
In these cases, you can submit an Analysis Only request.
While there isn’t a specific list of accepted raw DNA data providers, they mention that they can only analyze raw mtDNA and Y-DNA data.
They cannot analyze autosomal DNA data from another genetic testing service.
African Ancestry does not sell your DNA.
They clearly state that they destroy 100% of your DNA after the analysis.
Your genetic data will not be used for research or commercial purposes, even with your informed consent.
They have not faced any privacy-related controversies over their 21 years in the field.
This reputation is thanks to their iron-clad approach to privacy,
Since the percentage of your DNA halves with each generation, 1% African ancestry means you had an ancestor of African descent 6 or 7 generations ago.
Most people have less than 1% of their roots in Africa, meaning that their most closely related African ancestor lived around 200 years ago.
A 2015 study revealed that, on average, African-American people have 73.2% African heritage, followed by European and Native American ancestry.
How Far Back Do Ancestry DNA Tests Go?
Jewish DNA Test: Can Genetic Tests Help Identify Jewish Ancestry?
7 Physical Signs Of Viking Ancestry That May Suggest You Have Viking DNA
If you’re wondering whether to get rid of your expired 23andMe kit or just use it and hope it still works, you aren’t alone. Genetic testing is growing in popularity, with millions worldwide purchasing at-home DNA test kits. These kits aren’t cheap, so dealing with an expired kit can be challenging. What can you do with an expired DNA test kit? Will 23andMe provide a free replacement? This article will answer these questions and more.
23andMe is a genetic testing company based in the United States.
It was founded in 2006 and has since gained popularity as a Direct-to-Consumer genetic testing company.
23andMe uses the data that they collect from their users for research.
They used genetic test data to determine which groups of people were more vulnerable to the coronavirus and needed immediate vaccination.
The company provides top-quality genetic DNA testing kits.
23andMe kits do expire.
The expiry date is mentioned on the side of the collection tube, labeled “collect saliva by.”
This date is related to the shelf life of the stabilizing liquid that protects the DNA sample.
Some customers have purchased kits from unauthorized resellers that expire within a few days.
Thus, buying DNA kits directly from 23andMe’s official website is always advisable.
Image source: 23andMe website
Some customers have reported using kits up to two years past their expiry dates.
23andMe mentions that the stabilizing liquid in the kit can last up to 6 months in transit.
DNA Genotek, the company that manufactures these kits, mentions that the stabilizing liquid in the kit can last up to five years.
If in doubt, try using the old kit and see if it’s working.
You could ship it back and request a replacement if it isn’t.
A DNA sample in an expired kit might be hard to extract and analyze.
In case of an expired kit, it’s recommended that you contact 23andMe’s customer care service.
The company performs a quality check using basic order information to ensure the kit wasn’t bought from an unauthorized reseller.
Afterward, they typically replace the old equipment free of cost.
However, according to their replacement policy, a new kit can only be shipped to the country from where you placed the original order.
23andMe will only send out one replacement kit.
Afterward, users can request a refund on their order.
While the company may replace the kit, they are more likely to send it to the original shipping address.
Buying your kits from 23andMe’s official website would be ideal.
The liquid is a buffer that mixes with your saliva sample after you collect it.
It stabilizes your sample, preventing bacterial contamination or spoilage before it is analyzed.
Before sample collection, the kit is viable for up to a year.
However, once the kit is used to collect your DNA, the stabilizing fluid will expire within six months.
It’s best to ship the kit back at the earliest.
AncestryDNA vs 23andMe: Which Is Better For Raw Data Analysis?
How Long Does 23andMe Take?
2024 Update: Free Tools For 23andMe, AncestryDNA, FTDNA Raw Data Analysis
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/23065-dna-test–genetic-testing
What if addiction is less about the choices we make and more about the genetics we inherit? Research suggests that up to 50% of addiction risk may come from our DNA. Advances in genetic science are revealing how specific genetic variations might influence our susceptibility to addiction. This new understanding prompts us to question how much control we really have over addictive behaviors. Let’s explore the connection between genetics and addiction to uncover how our genes might shape our vulnerabilities.
Addiction can be influenced by genetics, with some people inheriting a predisposition to substance use disorders (SUDs).
Substances like alcohol, tobacco, and drugs are acted upon by certain genes which influence the following:
Some people may have certain genes that make them enjoy the drugs more than normal.
The genes may trigger the release of certain hormones that induce pleasure response upon substance usage.
Thus, they may make a person more prone to addiction.
However, it is important to note that genetics by itself cannot cause addiction.
It works alongside other factors to determine whether someone develops addictive behaviors.
Various genetic factors influence how the brain processes pleasure, stress, and reward.
Some of these increase susceptibility to addictive behaviors, particularly through their impact on dopamine and reward pathways.
Some genes linked to addiction include:
Drug addiction can have a hereditary component, meaning that if you have a family history of addiction, you may be more likely to face similar challenges.
Heredity plays a crucial role in addiction, with genetic factors contributing about 50% to the likelihood of developing SUDs.
Advances in genetic research, particularly through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), reveal that many small genetic variations influence SUDs.
These variations across the genome can increase addiction risk.
Findings have pinpointed specific genes related to alcohol metabolism, such as ADH1B and ALDH2, and nicotine use, such as CHRNA5–CHRNA3–CHRNB4.
These discoveries highlight how genetic predispositions can increase vulnerability to addiction, though they do not guarantee it.
A combination of genetic and environmental factors conditions addiction.
Genetics may predispose individuals to addiction, but environmental influences like stress, trauma, and peer pressure are equally important in shaping addiction risk.
However, having a supportive environment and developing healthy habits can help prevent addiction, even for those with a genetic risk.
There isn’t a single “addiction gene.” Instead, a combination of genetic variants may increase a person’s risk of developing addictive behaviors.
These genes can influence the brain’s reward system, particularly through dopamine.
Some individuals may inherit gene variants that heighten their susceptibility to addictive behaviors, making it harder to regulate impulses.
Genetic testing can reveal details about a person’s genes, including variations that might increase their risk of addiction.
These tests can identify specific genetic markers linked to addiction, helping individuals understand their potential vulnerability.
As research progresses, genetic testing is expected to become more accurate in identifying addiction risks. For now, the information from these tests allows people to assess their risk more clearly.
This understanding helps them make better lifestyle choices, seek support if needed, and take steps to reduce their risk.
Efforts like the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Big Data to Knowledge (BD2K) program are working to improve how genetic data is used and shared.
This research aims to refine genetic testing and develop personalized treatments based on genetic profiles.
Additionally, pharmacogenetics is an emerging field that customizes medications based on an individual’s genetics, potentially improving addiction treatment.
Research indicates that approximately 40% to 70% of an individual’s susceptibility to SUD can be due to genetic factors, particularly when there is a family history of addiction. Specific genes can influence how the brain’s reward system responds to substances, increasing the likelihood of developing dependence. People with a family history of alcohol abuse are up to 4 times more likely to develop problems with alcohol.
While genetics influence addiction risk, environmental factors, such as exposure to drugs at an early age and experiences of trauma or stress, also significantly contribute to an individual’s risk. Additionally, mental health issues like anxiety or depression can lead some individuals to self-medicate with substances, increasing their susceptibility to addiction. Ultimately, the interplay between these biological and environmental influences shapes each person’s unique vulnerability to developing substance use disorders.
Dopamine addiction appears as follows:
Even with a genetic predisposition, you can manage addiction by taking proactive steps and seeking personalized support.
Recognizing your triggers and developing strategies to handle them are crucial to lowering your risk.
Several ways to prevent and manage addiction include:
Signs of a genetic predisposition to addiction include:
Gambling Addiction Likely In The Genes, Study Says
How Genes Influence Impulsivity And Risk-taking Behavior
The Genetics Of Alcohol Dependence
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-addiction-genetic
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/addiction-genetic
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8477224
https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/genes
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction
https://www.verywellmind.com/can-you-get-addicted-to-dopamine-5207433
