Find out how your body is built to use food for energy
You eat less and move more, and the scales barely shift. You crash mid-afternoon and reach for something sweet. A friend thrives on the same diet that leaves you hungry, tired and bloated.
That isn’t a willpower problem. How you handle carbohydrates and fats, how full you feel, how your cells make energy and how inflamed you run are all shaped by your genes.
The Lifecode Gx metabolics test is a simple at-home cheek swab. It shows how your metabolism is wired, so your way of eating fits you rather than the latest trend.
Could your metabolism genes be part of your picture?
This panel may be worth considering if you recognise several of these:
- Weight that won’t shift, especially around the middle
- Sugar cravings or never feeling full
- Energy crashes after meals
- Rising blood sugar, insulin resistance or a family history of diabetes
- High cholesterol or triglycerides
- Ongoing inflammation, aches or slow recovery
- Feeling worse on low-carb or on high-carb diets, but not sure which suits you
- An interest in healthy ageing and longevity
This is where personalised nutrition really earns its name. Some people do best with more healthy fats, others with more slow carbohydrates. Your genes give us a strong starting point.
What the Lifecode Gx metabolics test looks at
The report looks at how you sense hunger and fullness, how you process each type of fuel, and how well your cells turn food into energy.
| Area | Genes looked at | Why it matters for you |
|---|---|---|
| Appetite | BDNF, FAAH, FTO, LEPR, MC4R, NPY, POMC | How strongly you feel hunger, fullness and cravings |
| Nutrient sensing | ADIPOQ, FOXO3, HIF1A, IRS1, PARP1, PGC1A, PPARA, PPARG, SIRT1, VEGFA | How your cells respond to fasting, exercise and food, linked to ageing |
| Sugar metabolism | AMPD1, GCK, GLUT2, IRS1, PPARG, TCF7L2 | Blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity |
| Fat metabolism | ADRB3, CD36, CPT1A, FABP2, LPL, PLIN1, PPARA, SREBF1 | How you store and burn fat |
| Cholesterol and bile | CYP7A1, HMGCR, LDLR, SREBF1 | How you make and clear cholesterol |
| Mitochondria and inflammation | CAT, CRP, GPX1, IFNG, IL6, NRF2, SIRT3, SOD2, TNF, UCP1-3 | Your cellular energy and how inflamed you tend to run |
Each gene comes with diet, movement and nutrient recommendations, so you know which levers are worth pulling for you.
How it works
- Book a strategy call so we can check this is the right test for you and choose your panels.
- Your kit arrives at home. It’s a simple cheek swab, with no blood and no needles.
- Post it back to the Lifecode Gx lab.
- I analyse your report alongside your symptoms, history and any recent blood tests.
- We meet online to go through your results, and you leave with a clear plan and a recording of the session.
Metabolics pairs well with the DNA Methylation panel for energy and with Hormones for anyone with PCOS or perimenopause weight changes.
Pricing depends on which panels you choose and how your programme is set up, so we’ll decide together on your strategy call.
Other DNA panels: DNA Methylation · Hormones · Nutrient Core · Nervous System · Detoxification · Histamine. See all DNA testing options.
Metabolics DNA test FAQs
Will this tell me the best diet for my genes?
It gives us a strong starting point, such as whether you are likely to handle saturated fat or carbohydrates better. We then refine it with your blood tests, symptoms and how you actually feel.
Is this a weight loss test?
It can help with weight, but it is really about energy, blood sugar, cholesterol and long-term health. Weight often settles when those are working well.
Can this help with longevity?
Several genes in this panel are linked to cell repair and ageing. Knowing them helps us choose the habits, like fasting windows or specific exercise, that are most worthwhile for you.
How long do results take?
Results take 3 to 4 weeks from when the lab receives your sample. Once your report is in, we book your results consultation.
Can I do the test from outside the UK?
Yes. I work with clients internationally and all consultations are online. Get in touch and I’ll confirm kit delivery to your country.
Do I need to stop medication or supplements before the test?
No. Your DNA doesn’t change, so medication, diet and supplements won’t affect the result.
Does my DNA decide my health?
No. Your genes show where you’re more vulnerable. Diet, gut health, stress, sleep and targeted nutrients decide how those genes actually behave, which is exactly what we work on together.
