I always thought I didn't want to know if I had bad and rare genes that could turn on me and make me sick. If I knew I had a bad gene, wouldn't I be expecting to have disease?

Well, that is what I used to think, but eventually, I came around and decided knowing was better for me.

Why did I change my mind about genetic testing at home

My brother-in-law once chastised me for “working so hard to be healthy” because he thought I should have faith instead of fear. This was a decade before my sister passed away, when I was completely fear-free!

When I began the journey to healthy living, it was because I wanted to live my best life possible, not because I was afraid of dying. That is still the case. Being healthy means I can get up and ride bikes with my kids and lots more. That’s my motivation. Not fear.

So why did I change my mind about my genetic information?

There are many genetic testing companies out there. Many of them simply provide your genetic test results and nothing more. I wanted more than that from a home DNA test, so I found Selfdecode after searching for affordable home genetic testing kits.When I spoke to the folks at SelfDecode they mentioned to me that with the results came recommendations based on your own genes. With the knowledge I'd gain from genetic testing, I could alter my lifestyle based on my genes, not just guesswork.Yes, there are habits that are simply good for everyone, like getting enough restorative sleep drinking an adequate amount of water, and staying active. However, there are also some that could go either way. That is why some people thrive on one type of diet while another person may feel terrible when following the exact same diet.

Disease isn’t always genetic

In addition, I found out that inherited genetic mutations play a major role in about 5 to 10 percent of all cancers.(1) That surprised me; I assumed it would be higher.

So, do I have the bad genes? Believe it or not, it's not as simple as a yes or no. A single gene is not responsible for determining whether or not you'll have a disease.

Do I have bad gene variants? Yes, almost everyone has a few bad and rare genes

Does this knowledge change anything? I plan to continue living the healthy lifestyle I've been living, avoiding toxins, exercising, and doing my best to enjoy life and to be a warrior not a worrier! (Yes, I did make a few minor tweaks to my supplement regimen and lifestyle, more on this below.)

Because I realized that my test results came with specific health information designed just for me based on my specific genetic risks. That’s why I decided to go forward with gene testing.

Now on to the questions you've been asking about genetic screening...

How do you do gene testing?

It's fairly simple. You add a saliva sample to a tube and mail it off. I chose SelfDecode because they give you recommendations, not just results. Some tests only require a cheek swab, which is said to be as accurate as blood samples.

How long does it take to get the results?

In six to eight weeks after mailing the sample is the norm. However, I received my results just under six weeks. This is how it worked with SelfDecode; I don't have experience with any other gene testing companies or other types of genetic testing.

How do you read the results?

After logging in to the dashboard, use the dropdown menu to go to the Wellness Reports.

Each article shows you a score(positive, neutral, negative) for the topic in question, based on your DNA file. Your DNA is built into structures called chromosomes.

The Selfdecode reports show green, yellow, and red smiley or frowny faces so it's pretty easy to see at a glance. The faces will show you at a glance whether your genes are predisposing you to positive or negative health effects regarding specific traits, diseases, symptoms, etc...Each article generates a table of personalized supplements, diet, and lifestyle recommendations designed to count...