Sample for a nutrigenetic, DNA, analysis

A DNA sample

How do we take a DNA sample? What is the procedure and what is the tissue? All human cells contain exactly the same genetic information. The diagnosis of genetic diseases and the analysis of the genetic predisposition needs DNA extracted from any biological sample, such as blood, skin, saliva, bones, hair etc.

The saliva sample

However, the most rapid, safe, and easy method to extract DNA is to use the saliva sample and this is what we use in DNANUTRICOACH® for our nutrigenetic analysis. That is because of saliva sampling:

• does not require special training,

• is safe and excludes any possibility of HIV or other virus infection and

• can be performed by anyone whenever they are.

A saliva sample is painless and it collects cells from the inner linings of the mouth and mouth white blood cells. These DNA-containing cells are collected with a specific swab and DNA is easily extracted. The swabs are easy to handle and post and do not require special handling. Salivary DNA is equivalent in quantity and purity to DNA obtained from blood and salivary DNA stability is also very good.

Requirements of a saliva sample

There are crucial requirements that we need to pay special attention to before we take the saliva sample. The requirements are to follow two important steps:

1. Rinse mouth and wash teeth.

2. Wait at least 30 minutes, after teeth washing, without consuming water, food, gum, without smoking, or using any kind of makeup, lip-gloss or kissing.

These two steps are crucial to maintain the mouth clean and avoid contamination with any kind of other-than-the-own genetic material. In the following video, we show in detail the whole saliva sampling for DNA extractions and nutrigenetic analysis.

Video credits: Venetia Kyritsi and Thomas Gialelis