London - A personalised “DNA” diet that produced an average weight loss of 11lb over four months in trials is to go on widespread sale in the UK.
The Nordiska diet, developed with the help of experts at Newcastle University, is based on the premise that genetic testing can determine the right food and exercise regime for your body type.
Thought to be the first genetic-based diet available in the UK, it is being sold online at £99 for the gene test alone, and in a £159 package including three months of follow-up advice from dietitians.
A trial on 7,700 people in Denmark saw nine out of ten lose weight, with some losing up to 26lb (12kg) in four months.
Dieters are asked to complete a questionnaire and send a DNA swab of their mouth in for laboratory analysis.
The diet’s creator, cell biologist Dr Carolyn Horrocks, said her firm, myGenomics, examines the swab for eight variants of seven genes.
These genes relate to how quickly an individual metabolises fat and carbohydrate, appetite control and muscle activity.
A 30-page personalised report assigns the individual one of four types of diet: low in fat; low in carbohydrate; low glycaemic; or healthy balanced.
This is combined with a type of exercise: endurance or high-intensity.
All dieters are recommended three meals and three snacks a day, to a total of 1,300 to 1,800 calories.
No foods are forbidden, just restricted, and those with the £159 package must fill in weekly food diaries so the company’s dietitians can provide regular feedback.
Dr Horrocks teamed up with Danish GP Carl Brandt on the diet concept after she came up with the idea while researching the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes.
She said: “Each of us has a unique genetic fingerprint which shows why some types of diet work for people and not for others.
“I realised genetic variants were being analysed for very technical purposes but they could be used by people in their everyday life to control their weight and help prevent the sort of diseases such as diabetes and heart disease that I was working on.
“If something is right for your body, it will be easier to stick to, less arduous and we have shown you have a greater chance of keeping the weight off.”
She said the approach is intended to produce “slow and steady” weight loss, and is not related to the blood group diet which has been criticised by experts.
She added: “It’s not a fad diet, all our dietitians and trainers are registered and have a science background.”
The Denmark trial was carried out by Newcastle University and colleagues in Copenhagen on men and women with an average age of 40 who had a BMI of 30 to 35.
A smaller study of 21 volunteers showed they managed to keep the weight they lost in the first three months off for 20 months.
Ursula Arens, of the British Dietetic Association, said she was “open-minded” about the diet but added: “Genes do play a role in being overweight but there are hundreds of genes involved and I’m not sure it’s as simple as this.
“In reality I think it’s minor compared to lifestyle and the need to just eat fewer calories and burn more.”
A range of healthy muffins has been created by Harvard nutritionists to help dispel the myth that a low-fat diet is best. Studies show low-fat diets are no better for health and for some people may be worse.
I LOST 15LB IN EIGHT WEEKS
Mother-of-two Natasha Addis, 35, tried the diet after putting on two stone in as many years.
The business development manager said a move from an active to a sedentary job saw her weight shoot up to 11st and she had tried a number of diets unsuccessfully.
Eight weeks after she was put on the Nordiska diet as part of a limited trial, she has lost 15lb and is now a slim 9st 13lb.
The test revealed she should follow a low-glycaemic diet, and that instead of long walks she should do short bursts of high-intensity exercise.
Addis, from Newcastle upon Tyne, said: said: “The DNA test was a revelation. It turned out that my body can’t really cope with carbohydrates and sugars.
“It proposed a more balanced diet with some carbs like brown rice and wholegrain bread, and lots of nuts, fruit and lean protein. I never used to eat breakfast but now I eat five times a day.”
She added: “I’ve taken up body combat, which is a mix of martial arts, which really gets the heart racing. I have a lot more energy and don’t feel hungry. As nothing is restricted, I can have a chocolate occasionally and I keep low-fat jelly in the fridge for if I have a sweet craving.” - Daily Mail