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In the scheme of things, DNA testing has only been around for a little while. It was not all that long ago that most of us didn't know what a microbiome was, either, much less the impact it can have on our health. Today, these are just two of the myriad tests available that promise to help us attain better health, prevent diseases, and live better lives. 

Which is the best selection for health, though? Should you go with a DNA test kit? What about microbiome testing? Are other tests better suited to helping you achieve your goals? What about the claims testing companies make - are they aboveboard? Below, we'll explore how to choose the right test type and even touch on which companies have the strongest science behind their claims. 

Testing Types: What You Should Know about Each

In order to make an informed decision and support your health-related goals, you'll need to know what sort of information each type of testing is designed to provide.

• DNA Testing - DNA testing is largely focused on tracing your ancestry, but this can provide you with important information about your risk level of specific diseases based on genetic factors, geographic origin, family groups, and more. In fact, there are over 2,000 hereditary diseases that can be tested for through DNA, such as cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy.

• Microbiome Testing - Microbiome testing is really nothing more than taking a sample of the flora that lives in and on your body. The diversity of microorganisms can tell you a great deal about your overall health, susceptibility to diseases, and more. These tests can shed light on some diseases, such as Crohn's or IBD, as well as some types of cancers, and can help you determine if your microbiome is abnormal.  

As you can see, DNA testing and microbiome testing, while related, are completely different and shed light in different areas. Currently, DNA testing is better suited to helping you determine if you are at risk of developing specific diseases and health conditions. However, microbiome testing is advancing rapidly, and scientists believe that your gut microbiota combined with your skin microbiome might have a greater impact on your health than your DNA. 

Still, microbiome testing is not as far advanced as DNA testing, so the day when you can turn to one of these tests for definitive information about your current and future health is still some way off.

The Testing Companies

While DNA testing and microbiome testing can shed light on your potential health, there's more to it than that. Not all tests are created equal, and not all testing companies are on the cutting-edge when it comes to technology. Of course, different testing companies focus on dissimilar purposes for testing. 

As you can see from the chart above, the majority of DNA testing companies are focused on ancestry. That can still shed valuable light on potential health conditions, though. For instance, Ashkenazi Jews are at greater risk for specific diseases than are other populations. 

Digging Deeper

Making an informed decision when it comes to DNA testing is vital. Some of the things you should consider when choosing a testing company, particularly if your focus is on health and disease prevention, rather than building a family tree and connecting with your ancestry, include the following:

• Genome testing - Can the company test your entire genome, or do they sequence only a part of it? 24Genetics is one of the few firms to offer full genome testing.

• Level of Detail in Reporting - Some companies offer very detailed reports. Others do not. Yet other companies lock some information away and only make it available if you sign up for a subscription package.

• Individual Genetic Testing - Few companies at the time of this writing are able to offer testing for individual genetic conditions and traits. Genebase is one of the few to do so. 

In Conclusion

Ultimately, DNA testing offers more actionable information for those concerned about the future of their health than microbiome testing, at least currently. However, it is still essential to make an informed decision based on a side-by-side comparison when it comes to the DNA testing company you choose.