This At-Home Test Is Like A Roadmap To Improved Health & Longevity
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Registered Nurse (RN)
Registered Nurse (RN)
Amanda is a registered nurse with over a decade of experience in clinical nursing and a member of the Association of Healthcare Journalists.
Medical review by
Scott Nass, M.D., MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS
Board-certified Family Physician
Scott Nass, M.D., MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS is a family physician and HIV specialist in California. He takes a holistic approach to healthcare, incorporating principles of functional medicine and using food as medicine when working with patients.
September 6, 2023 Our editors have independently chosen the products listed on this page. If you purchase something mentioned in this article, we may In a world increasingly driven by personalized wellness, the search for tools that truly help us understand our individual needs has never been more pertinent. Enter: InsideTracker, a home testing platform that utilizes data from our blood, DNA, and wearables to provide a tailored roadmap to optimal health. Our InsideTracker review dives deep into this technology, answering everything you need to know before trying it for yourself.What is InsideTracker?
InsideTracker is a revolutionary approach to personal health, placing the power of knowledge directly into the hands of individuals.
The at-home test collects comprehensive data from a range of sources: blood biomarkers (analyzing up to 48 distinct metrics spanning health categories such as heart health, cognition, and metabolism), genetic data through DNA testing, and real-time data from wearables like fitness trackers and smartwatches, offering a holistic perspective with science-backed, hyper-personalized recommendations.
Compared to traditional in-person testing, InsideTracker offers a level of convenience and integration that's hard to match. While in-person tests typically give a snapshot of certain health parameters at a given time, InsideTracker not only provides these snapshots but contextualizes them with a broader picture, linking daily habits, genetic predispositions, and more.
InsideTracker, being a reputable platform, ensures that its tests are of high quality and reliability by partnering with CLIA and CAP-approved labs. The data from blood samples, being a direct measure, is inherently precise. When paired with the platform's sophisticated algorithms that provide personalized recommendations based on this data, users can be confident in the insights and advice they receive.
“Knowing one’s biological age gives great insight into where a person or patient is at on their personal health timeline,” says Michael A. Rosen, an internist, and nephrologist. “InsideTracker provides an effective tool that helps patients move the needle towards improved health outcomes and enhances their quality of life.”
These insights enable users to regularly adjust and optimize their diets, workout regimens, supplement intake, and overall lifestyle. This isn’t just about living longer; it’s about enhancing the quality of those years, ensuring that you continue doing what you love, with vitality and zest, for as long as possible.
Just keep in mind, as with all at-home tests, it's important to view InsideTracker's findings as supplementary1 to advice from healthcare professionals, ensuring an informed approach to well-being.
How does InsideTracker work?
InsideTracker is incredibly intuitive. The home testing platform is designed to offer convenient and insightful health data.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how it all unfolds:
1. Order and collect your sample: The process starts with a simple blood test. With InsideTracker, accessibility is key. You can opt to visit any of the thousands of affiliated laboratories spread across the US and Canada.
If you're more inclined toward convenience and privacy, there's also the option to utilize InsideTracker mobile phlebotomists who come directly to your home or office for the blood draw.
Alternatively, if you already have recent blood test results from your physician, InsideTracker allows you to easily import these results into its system.
2. Expert analysis: Once your sample is in, InsideTracker's advanced algorithm springs into action. It meticulously analyzes your blood, contrasting the results against your unique optimal zone. From there, you’ll receive actionable recommendations on how to enhance your health metrics.
3. Dive deeper with DNA: For those seeking a deep understanding of their body, integrating DNA data can be enlightening. This addition sheds light on genetic predispositions related to your potential health span, offering an even more comprehensive picture of your well-being.
4. Sync wearable tech: Living in the age of smart devices means an abundance of real-time health data. By syncing your wearable device, such as a fitness tracker or smartwatch, with the InsideTracker app, you can observe firsthand how your daily sleep patterns, physical activity, and other metrics influence your overall health.
This provides a holistic view, bridging the gap between everyday habits and their impact on your test results and suggested interventions.
5. Consultation options: While InsideTracker is designed to be user-friendly and self-explanatory, the brand understands the value of expert consultation. If you find yourself with questions or need guidance on your results, a team of specialists is available to assist, ensuring you're well-informed and poised to make the best health decisions.
Who is InsideTracker good for?
InsideTracker is designed for individuals who view health not just as an absence of disease, but as an active commitment to vitality and longevity.
“Unhealthy patients don’t recognize where they lie,” Rosen explains. “Biological age gives insight to these patients and InsideTracker provides hope that they can take control of their health through diet, exercise, and medicines and live a longer and healthier life.”
Let's dive into who InsideTracker is recommended for:
Who shouldn't use InsideTracker?
While InsideTracker is a phenomenal tool for many, it's essential to remember that it’s primarily a preventative and optimization platform, not a diagnostic one. Individuals with serious health conditions or those seeking medical diagnosis should consult their healthcare providers.
The platform focuses on wellness and enhancement—and while it provides valuable insights, InsideTracker shouldn't replace regular medical check-ups or professional medical advice.
What tests does InsideTracker offer?
InsideTracker has a suite of tests to ensure every aspect of your health is not just monitored, but optimized.
Let's take a closer look at the offerings:
1. Ultimate Plan:
This is the crème de la crème of InsideTracker’s testing options. With the Ultimate Plan, you're presented with a comprehensive blood test that examines up to 48 blood biomarkers. These biomarkers traverse a spectrum of 10 healthspan categories, encompassing pivotal areas such as heart health, metabolism, and cognition.
This breadth gives users a detailed overview of their health, empowering them to make informed decisions to enhance their well-being.
2. DNA Kit:
Your DNA holds insights into how your body functions and responds to various external factors. The DNA Kit is an add-on that lets users delve deep into their genetic predispositions. By understanding how your genetics plays into your current health metrics and future outcomes, you can tailor your health strategies more effectively.
This knowledge acts as a foundational layer, complementing other health data and guiding you in making choices that align with your unique genetic makeup.
3. InnerAge:
While chronological age is a measure of the years you've been alive, biological age2, or InnerAge, depicts how your body is aging internally. It’s a revelatory score that might sometimes be surprising but is always enlightening.
Uncovering your InnerAge can be a motivational tool, encouraging you to adopt or modify habits that support a more healthful aging process.
Whether you’re looking for a deep dive into your blood metrics, you’re keen on unraveling the mysteries of your DNA, or you’re curious about your body’s true age, InsideTracker offers the insights you need.
How much does InsideTracker cost?
InsideTracker kit costs:
InsideTracker bundled costs & extras:
InsideTracker pros & cons:
Pros:
Cons:
InsideTracker at a glance:
InsideTracker
Collection Method:
Blood sample
Coverage:
HSA/FSA eligible
Payment/Subscription Options:
InsideTracker offers bundling options to purchase multiple products at once
Biomarkers checked:
DNA + 48 blood biomarkers, such as ApoB, cholesterol, glucose, magnesium, cortisol, vitamin D, and insulin. These blood biomarkers span 10 healthspan categories: heart health, metabolism, cognition, inflammation, gut health, endurance, fitness, recovery, hormone balance, and sleep.
FAQ:
Is InsideTracker worth it?
For those actively seeking to understand their health on a deeper level and receive personalized recommendations to enhance well-being, InsideTracker can be immensely valuable. It offers insights that go beyond standard tests, linking health metrics to daily habits, genetics, and more.
How much does InsideTracker cost?
The cost varies based on the test or plan chosen. InsideTracker’s most comprehensive test is the Ultimate test, which is $699.
What is the difference between InsideTracker and normal blood tests?
A normal blood test typically provides you with raw data, showing levels of various markers in your blood without much context. InsideTracker offers a detailed analysis, comparing your results to optimal zones tailored for you.
Does InsideTracker help for weight loss?
While InsideTracker is not explicitly a weight loss tool, it provides insights into various health metrics (i.e. metabolism, blood sugar levels, and more) that can indirectly assist in weight management.
Does InsideTracker test testosterone?
Yes, InsideTracker includes testosterone among the biomarkers analyzed in the Ultimate test.
InsideTracker vs. the competitor
In a world increasingly focused on personalized health, understanding the nuances between health tech platforms is vital. Below is a comparative overview of InsideTracker, TruDiagnostic TruAge, and Viome’s Health Intelligence Test.
Tests offered:
While InsideTracker's InnerAge calculates one's biological age using blood biomarkers, TruDiagnostic stands out with its focus on epigenetic testing, analyzing over 1 million DNA loci. On the other hand, Viome brings to the table a unique combination of gut microbiome data3 along with blood transcriptome insights.
Price:
TruDiagnostic's detailed analysis of a vast number of DNA loci, typically comes at a higher price point at $499. Viome's cost is $239 for its Health Intelligence Test. InsideTracker is the most expensive, at $699.
Ease of use:
InsideTracker offers an intuitive user experience with a comprehensive dashboard. TruDiagnostic provides users with clear instructions for blood collection, ensuring a smooth testing process. Viome, although comprehensive, requires users to submit both blood and stool samples, which might be off-putting for some.
Results time:
All three platforms offer results within a similar timeframe, with TruDiagnostic and Viome leaning towards the longer end of two to three weeks and InsideTracker promising faster results in five to seven days.
Insurance coverage: All three platforms have the commonality of not being typically covered by most insurance companies, reflecting an industry trend.
While InsideTracker, TruDiagnostic, and Viome each offer unique benefits and cater to different health needs, each one provides actionable, comprehensive, and individualized insights for users. The choice ultimately depends on which specific insights an individual is looking to gain, and their personal preferences regarding testing and results.
The takeaway
Personalized health is not just the future—it's the now. Tools like InsideTracker are paving the way for us to have deeper, more informed conversations with our bodies, allowing us to tailor our wellness journey in unprecedented ways. For more, check out our curated list of the best biological age tests currently making waves.