Sep 17, 2009 11:47 pm US/Eastern
Waltham Company Develops DNA Weight Loss Test
WALTHAM (WBZ) ―
Amy Katsis has struggled with her weight for years.
"I tried every diet that there is; I really have. Every gym membership, every workout video. I've lost the weight, but I have always gained it back"
That was until she heard about an in-home DNA test that helps people manage their weight.
The test is developed at the labs ofÂ
Interleukin Genetics in Waltham and focuses on three genetic factors that could influence weight gain.
Chief scientific officer Kenneth Kornman says the test calculates how much fat a person absorbs from their diet, how carbohydrates are metabolized and how a person responds to exercise.
"It's not a magic diet. It is, in fact, an indication, a very clear indication of how an individual's body works with certain foods and not with others," he said.
The test costs $149. You take two swabs from inside your cheek, and return them to the Waltham lab. 7 to 10 days later, you'll receive a report that tells you what kind of eating and exercise program will work best with your genetic makeup.
Amy's report revealed she would benefit from a reduced carbohydrate diet. It also said she needs to ramp up her physical activity.
"At first I thought, 'I love my carbs. I don't know if I can do this.' But I gave it a try."
Amy has lost 30 pounds and, more important, has kept if off for a year.
So is DNA testing the answer to successful weight loss?
Boston University professor Joan Salge Blake says there is never one piece to the puzzle.
She authored the book "Nutrition and You." Blake says the number of obese Americans has doubled since 1980 and that it's not just genetic.
"What has changed is our environment, our lifestyle, the way we eat. What does someone really need to be successful at weight management? They need to be individualized and personalized. And they need an eating plan that is doable, that tastes good and can fit in their lifestyle."
Still, knowing your genetic makeup can't hurt. Amy believes the DNA testing helped her develop eating habits she can stick with forever.
"I feel like a different person. I feel like a thin person."
Many of the recommendations in the DNA weight management report are similar to the government's dietary standards. Joan Salge Blake says that's a good place to start. She also suggests seeing a registered dietician to individualize a diet plan.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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