My personal review of the GeneLife “DIET” obesity gene test

Hello, this is Kanahina. This article is for anyone who eats carefully but still feels, “I cannot lose weight” or “I do not know why I gain weight.” As of 2023, I am a 42-year-old woman, and I tried GeneLife’s affordable DIET kit. GeneLife is a test kit that shows tendencies in your inherited constitution, and the DIET version focuses on genes related to obesity and dieting. I wrote this for people searching terms such as genetic test review, GeneLife DIET review, and obesity gene test impressions.

I bought mine on Amazon.

Which type are you? GeneLife “DIET”
Obesity Gene Test

Why I bought GeneLife “DIET”

I had read online that obesity-related tendencies could be grouped into four diet types, and I wanted to know which one applied to me. Without that information, it felt hard to know whether I should focus on sugar, fat, muscle, or daily habits.

First, here are the four genetic diet types

Image source: Amazon

[Apple type]Tends to gain weight from carbohydrates. It may help to be mindful of rice and bread.
[Pear type]Tends to gain weight from fat. Rice and sweets may not be the biggest issue compared with oily foods.
[Banana type]Tends to have difficulty building muscle. Protein intake and strength training are important.
[Adam & Eve type]Lifestyle habits may be the main issue. Improving daily routines becomes especially important.

After 42 years of living as someone who loves cake, I expected I would be the Apple type.

Before the result: how the GeneLife DIET web/app version works

When I opened the outer box, this inner package came out. I ordered it from Amazon, and it arrived in about two days. Below is the actual testing flow.

First, fill in the questionnaire and consent form

The kit includes questions about family medical history, smoking, and similar items. There is also a consent form. There is a fair amount to fill in, but I wanted the result quickly, so I worked through it calmly.

The test only requires rubbing the inside of your cheeks

You simply rub the inside of both cheeks about five times and then let the sample dry for around ten minutes. The instructions say to store it in the refrigerator if you cannot mail it the same day. I wanted the result quickly, so I mailed it right away.

Then put everything in the envelope and mail it

Place the questionnaire, consent form, and test kit into the included envelope and send it back. Postage is covered, so you can mail it as it is.

The web version requires user registration

I bought the version that lets you view the result online. It is cheaper than the mailed report version. You need to register on the GeneLife website, but the process is simple. The overall flow is: Step 1: register for the test, Step 2: fill in the consent form, Step 3: collect the sample, Step 4: return it, Step 5: view the result. GeneLife says it usually takes about two to three weeks after the kit arrives. When testing is complete, you receive an email.

The GeneLife DIET result arrived. Which type was I?

Seven days later, I received an email saying the test was complete. It was faster than the two-to-three-week estimate, so I checked the result right away.

Surprisingly, I was the “Pear type”

My result was the Pear type, which means I tend to gain weight from fat. I was not the Banana type, which has difficulty building muscle, nor the Adam & Eve type, which points more to lifestyle habits. I was the type that may struggle with fat metabolism. I honestly wish I had taken a genetic test earlier. It is hard to keep trying when you do not know your own tendency, but now that I know my type, I can plan better.

Looking back at the four types again: Apple type tends to gain weight from carbohydrates; Pear type tends to gain weight from fat; Banana type tends to have difficulty building muscle; Adam & Eve type is linked more strongly to lifestyle habits. I had been reducing rice while dieting, but for a Pear type like me, simply eating less may not be the best approach. No wonder I was not seeing results. I wish I had known earlier.

The report also includes a recipe book, which should help with diet planning

The 16-page report lets you check additional notes about your genetic type, recommended meals, and exercise advice. A recipe book is also included. The tips by type and suggested recipes gave me useful direction for future dieting, and it even included stretching ideas that I want to try. That said, I do not want to rely too heavily on the result. I still need to keep a balanced diet and regular exercise, even if that is the hard part.

Where to buy GeneLife “DIET”

Here is the Amazon link I used.

Which type are you? GeneLife “DIET”
Obesity Gene Test

I also picked up common questions about GeneLife based on answers from Genesis Healthcare. This information is as of September 3, 2023, so please check the official website for the latest details.

Finally, my review of GeneLife DIET ratings and reputation

Here is my own look at reviews and impressions of GeneLife DIET. I included both positive and negative opinions so that you can use them as a reference.

Trends among people giving 5 to 4 stars

• They learned which of the four genetic diet types applied to them.
• They understood which foods they should be careful with.
• They felt less stressed after dieting blindly through exercise, cutting fat, or avoiding carbohydrates.
• It switched on their motivation to take dieting seriously.

Many positive reviews seemed to come from people trying an obesity gene test for the first time. People who had not known their genetic diet type were satisfied when the result clarified their tendency and explained what foods to watch.

Trends among people giving 3 stars

• The questionnaire that must be returned with the kit felt troublesome, and some disliked questions about family medical history or education.
• They liked the four diet types, but felt the advice was somewhat templated.
• They felt the useful information was mostly limited to whether fat or carbohydrates were the bigger issue.
• They liked checking results by email or online, but found the display hard to read and the waiting time a little disappointing.

Three-star reviews often mentioned the burden of the questionnaire, doubts about why certain information was needed, and disappointment that the advice felt generic or that results were not immediate. The tone was often, “It is decent, but I wanted a little more.”

Trends among people giving 2 to 1 stars

• Some wondered whether the result was based on the questionnaire rather than the genes.
• People who already knew a lot about weight loss felt the answer was too basic.
• Some felt the report looked like a template that could apply to anyone.
• Some felt the information was insufficient for a price close to 5,000 yen.

Lower ratings seemed more common among people already knowledgeable about dieting or those who had tried other obesity gene tests. Some felt the result did not match their own or their family’s tendencies, and there were also comments that the price did not feel fully justified.

My overall impression of GeneLife “DIET”

GeneLife DIET seems especially useful for first-time users who do not know which genetic diet type they fall into or what kind of diet and meals may suit them. If you do not need a very detailed medical-style report and simply want to move beyond not knowing your own tendency, it can be a helpful starting point. I bought it because I had no clear information about my type or diet method, and for the price, I was satisfied with what I learned about myself. On the other hand, people who already know a lot about dieting or have experience with more detailed genetic tests may want something with deeper doctor commentary or more personalized advice. I hope this review helps when you compare reviews before buying.

Which type are you? GeneLife “DIET”
Obesity Gene Test