Epigenetics | Metabolism & Health – epigenetic metabolism test

LINE-1 elements are repetitive DNA sections that make up a large part of the genome. How strongly they are methylated serves as an approximation of methylation across the whole genome; in the report the value is called “DNA stability”. A systematic review found associations between LINE-1 methylation and body composition, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, but in both directions: the results are contradictory (PubMed 30862304).

A value below the laboratory's reference range is therefore a measurement, not a statement about a disease.

The laboratory derives a percentage value from methylation patterns of LINE-1 and IL-6, which is called “weight reduction” in the report. The idea comes from studies such as a Spanish study of 96 people with obesity: those with higher LINE-1 methylation at the start lost more weight on average on a calorie-reduced diet (PubMed 26197243).

Results from single, small studies like this have not been tested as predictions for individual people. The value does not predict whether or how much weight you will lose and is not a basis for a particular diet.

TNF-α and IL-6 are messengers of the immune system released during inflammation. The test does not measure these messengers themselves but the methylation of their genes, which helps determine how strongly they are read. In people with obesity, this methylation changed after gastric bypass surgery, for example (PubMed 24837562). In overweight, chronic low-grade inflammation in fat tissue is well described (PubMed 33356944).

A methylation value is not an inflammation value like CRP in the blood. Whether inflammation is present is clarified by a medical examination.

miR-155 is a microRNA involved in inflammatory processes. More miR-155 was found in the fat tissue of people with obesity than in people of normal weight; the value was related to TNF-α and body mass index (PubMed 26829440).

These results come from fat tissue. How well a value in finger-prick blood reflects what happens in fat tissue is not established.

miR-21 helps regulate inflammatory pathways and is being researched, together with IL-6, as a possible marker of age-related inflammation (“inflammaging”) (PubMed 34082077). miR-22 is studied in connection with fat metabolism and fatty liver, so far mainly in mice and with contradictory results (PubMed 33066497, PubMed 33004402).

The labels “inflammation” and “fat burning” come from the laboratory. How much fat someone burns or whether inflammation is present cannot be read from these values. microRNA measurements in blood also depend strongly on sample collection and measurement methods (PubMed 38882585).

Epigenetics describes mechanisms that control which genes are active in a cell without changing genetic information. These include DNA methylation and small regulatory RNA molecules (microRNAs). This test measures both.

It has not been shown that an epigenetic test helps people lose weight more successfully. Studies that deliberately changed diet showed inconsistent effects on methylation markers (PubMed 39077104), and it has not been demonstrated that a diet based on an epigenetic report achieves more than one without it.

No, not in the usual sense. A genetic test reads the genetic information, i.e. the sequence of DNA building blocks, and looks for inherited gene variants, for example. Epigenetics | Metabolism & Health, by contrast, measures methylation patterns (LINE-1, TNF-α, IL-6) and the amount of certain microRNAs. The gene sequence itself is not read, and the test does not look for hereditary diseases or ancestry.

Epigenetic marks change over the course of life and differ between tissues. The report therefore describes a state of blood cells at the time of sampling, not an innate characteristic.

Disturbed metabolism is assessed by doctors using waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and blood lipids (triglycerides, HDL cholesterol). If several criteria apply, this is called metabolic syndrome (well established, internationally agreed definition, PubMed 19805654).

Epigenetic markers are not among these criteria and are not used in routine medical care. The test is an addition from research, not a substitute for blood glucose, blood lipid or blood pressure measurements.

Metabolic disorders often cause no complaints for a long time. Research describes the following associations, with varying strength of evidence:

• Abdominal obesity, raised blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipids: together they form metabolic syndrome, which is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, well established (PubMed 19805654).
• Chronic low-grade inflammation in fat tissue: well described in overweight and linked to insulin resistance (PubMed 33356944).
• Altered LINE-1 methylation: associated with overweight and cardiovascular risk factors, results contradictory (PubMed 30862304).
• Inflammation-related microRNAs such as miR-155 in fat tissue: observed in studies (PubMed 26829440).

These are associations from studies, not causes in an individual person. An epigenetic test cannot explain complaints and does not provide a diagnosis. Persistent complaints should first be assessed by a doctor.

In case of severe thirst, frequent urination, unintended weight loss, persistent tiredness, poorly healing wounds, visual disturbances, repeatedly raised blood pressure readings, chest pain or pressure, or shortness of breath, the first step is a doctor's practice, not a self-test. For acute chest pain, call the emergency number 112.

Blood glucose, blood lipids and blood pressure can be measured by a doctor; from age 35, this is part of the statutory check-up in Germany. An epigenetic test does not replace these examinations.

This page does not give treatment, nutrition or training recommendations. That measures chosen on the basis of epigenetic values improve metabolism more than without these values has not been shown (PubMed 39077104). Whether a result means anything for you at all and which steps make sense depends on your overall situation: complaints, previous findings, medication and life circumstances.

What makes sense for you belongs in a conversation with the ORY expert team or with your doctor or naturopath, for example from the ORY expert network. The results consultation is included in the price.

Ideally collect the sample in the morning and eat as usual in the days before. Fill in the request form completely, have lancets, collection card, pipette, alcohol swab and plaster ready, and massage your arm from top to bottom so that your hand is well supplied with blood.

Clean the fingertip with the alcohol swab and let it dry completely. Prick the side of the fingertip, wipe away the first drop and let the blood drip freely onto at least 3–5 marked fields without squeezing. The card must dry openly for at least 45–60 minutes, not in the sun and not with a hair dryer.

Analysis usually takes 7–21 days from the arrival of the sample at the laboratory. As soon as your report is ready, we let you know. A 10-minute results consultation with the ORY expert team is included in the price.

Epigenetics | Metabolism & Health costs €390 including VAT, shipping, return shipping within Germany and a 10-minute results consultation.

Statutory health insurance in Germany usually does not cover epigenetic tests that you order yourself. With private insurance, reimbursement is possible but depends entirely on your policy; how this works is described under “Reimbursement by private insurance”.

Epigenetics | Healthy Ageing (€354.94) examines DNA methylation patterns of selected genes associated with ageing. Epigenetics | Metabolism & Health (€390) combines LINE-1 methylation, methylation of TNF-α and IL-6 and microRNAs related to fat tissue and inflammation. Epigenetics | Sport & Training (€390) measures six microRNAs studied in exercise research. Epigenetics | Stress Monitor (€275) measures microRNAs studied in connection with stress and inflammation. If you want the stress hormone cortisol measured over the course of the day, see the cortisol day profile (€155).

Which scope makes sense for you can be clarified in the free initial consultation.