What are SNPs?

A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP, pronounced “snip”) is a change in just one nucleotide of the DNA that makes up a gene. A SNP is also referred to as a gene polymorphism – a variation in a gene’s DNA sequence that can alter its function either in a good way or a bad way. They differ from mutations, which occur randomly, because they occur in more than 1% of the population.

How accurate is my report?

Your report contains information from data generated by personalized DNA services, which are fairly accurate. The process of analyzing DNA by sequencing methods is subject to error and can be wrong, however. Although your report is based on conclusions drawn from published scientific studies about various SNPs, many of these studies explain only a small part of the heritability of a trait or disease risk, and they don't take into account how different polymorphisms may interact with each other. In addition, many published studies do not account for medical history or environmental, dietary, microbial, or lifestyle factors, which can alter the true risk for any trait or disease.

Will I need a physician to help me understand my report?

No. Your report will explain what the gene’s function is, how your particular genotype may affect the gene’s function, and how this may affect your disease risk. It will also discuss optimal nutritional and lifestyle interventions that may be appropriate for your genotype based on evidence. The report, however, is not medical advice, and it is important that you discuss any dietary and lifestyle changes with your physician before you proceed. Please also refer to question: “How accurate is my report?”

Do you sell genetic tests?

No. In order for us to generate your report, your DNA must be analyzed by a provider like 23andMe or Ancestry.com. If you use 23andme, you only need to get the basic ancestry service to receive FoundMyFitness genetic report. These are the only providers we support currently.

What differentiates a FoundMyFitness report from others?

The focus of the FMF report is on the genes that I believe have the greatest influence on healthspan. Rather than focusing on “everything but the kitchen sink” like many online genetic analysis services, I have tailored this report to focus more on the genetic traits that carry actual consequence. That’s because, in some cases, some polymorphisms may have more obvious lifestyle intervention implications, while in other cases, I’ve chosen to focus on a particular SNP because it's a gene variation that interests me, and I want to tell you about it. In all cases, however, I’ve chosen these genes because they reflect my personal exploration of this growing field. In this sense, it is a living report that might be worth re-running periodically to see my latest revisions and possible corrections! Whenever possible, I also try to state in your report the combined effect of multiple SNPs instead of merely the individual ones.

How long is my report valid and what is your “privacy policy?”

Reports are valid for 30 days. In the event that your report is updated during that 30-day period, you can re-run your report to get the latest version. If you register for an account, you can delete your report immediately after running it. If you skip registration, your report will be deleted after 30 days. We do not save data that are not used in the creation of reports.