Question 1

Why look at genes and not just food intake?

Accepted Answer

Nutrigenomics looks at the relationship between nutrients and gene expression. Your genes are made up of DNA, which provides the instructions to make certain amino acids that go on to make molecules such as proteins or transporters. These control certain functions, which are more efficient in some cases than others. When DNA is being replicated, a change in the instruction can occur, resulting in the production of a different amino acid. This difference can then change the action produced by the instruction. A change like this is called a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP).
 
All humans have SNPs. They are nothing to worry about, but they could mean you are not transporting a nutrient into cells efficiently or are unable to convert one substance to another optimally.
 
At Team Gene, we have identified specific gene/nutrient relationships that are important for optimal health. As an athlete, you place an immense demand for fuel on your body at certain times, such as during competitions. Understanding which gene/nutrient interactions are not as efficient allows you to support your body in times of need.

Question 2

How do I take a test?

Accepted Answer

Once you have placed your order, you will receive a DNA testing kit through the post. Inside the envelope, you will find: 
An A4 sheet with instructions on how to conduct the cheek swab
Two copies of the consent form (one for you and one for Team Gene. It is important for you to sign these and return one with your sample) 
A cheek swab
A return envelope with postage already applied (unless you are outside of the UK)
 
Carry out the cheek swab as per the instructions, place the sample with your signed consent in the pre-paid envelope and pop it in the post. You are responsible for covering cost of overseas postage (outside the UK).
 
When we receive the kit, we take the samples to the lab. They sequence the sample and then give us the results. This takes about 4 weeks. 
 
We then email your personal report to you at the email address provided on the order.
 
If you have any questions about which test would be best for you, just drop us a line at team@teamgene.co.uk and we can discuss the option that meets your athletic requirements. 
 
Please view this video for comprehensive instructions on how to carry out a test once you have received your test kit.

Question 3

Will I be able to understand the results?

Accepted Answer

You will receive a report that has two sections. The first section is the summary of your results. It gives you concise, personalised information. The second section includes a page for each gene and nutrient interaction and provides you with more in-depth information about the association between them. It explains why you need to take your results into consideration.
 
At Team Gene, we believe this is enough information to allow you to make specific changes to your nutrient intake.
 
If, however, you wish to speak to a Team Gene consultant about nutrition and your results in more depth, you can book a virtual consultation with a fully qualified nutritionist. 
This has an additional cost, but many people find the in-depth focus very useful.
 
Visit Nutrition Consultation page to book your appointment.

Question 4

Why use a cheek swab, not blood or saliva?"

Accepted Answer

Using a cheek swab is less invasive, painless and easier to do. A blood test requires the use of a phlebotomy service, which adds cost, and saliva is not always easy for everybody to produce in the quantities needed. Cheek swabs can be done ‘on the go’ if needed. They are very stable, and can easily be transported between you, us and the lab.

Question 5

Will the report tell me if I have any health issues or diseases?

Accepted Answer

No, but it will guide you to increase or change certain nutrients that could benefit your performance.

Question 6

Will this test tell me who I am related to?

Accepted Answer

No, definitely not. We only test the genes that are in the reports you buy.

Question 7

How long are samples kept?  Who stores them?

Accepted Answer

All samples are kept by the lab, not Team Gene. They are transferred to the lab by a team member, with barcodes on the tubes. NO details about you are made available to the lab. In fact, the lab will not accept any samples that have any information other than a barcode on them.
 
The lab sequences your sample, Team Gene receives the results and sends you your report. The lab keeps the samples for 3 months. Unless you indicate on the consent form that you want the sample to be destroyed as soon as it is sequenced. If a sample cannot be sequenced, the lab will re-sequence for any missing information (this is rare).
 
All samples are destroyed after 3 months. If you order a report and wish to add another report in more than 3 months, you will need to do another cheek swab test.

Question 8

How do I know the lab is secure and has quality assurance procedures in place?

Accepted Answer

The lab is compliant with the latest ISO procedures and GMP compliant.

Question 9

How accurate are the tests?

Accepted Answer

The genotyping method used by the lab is 99.9% accurate. If, however, your sample is unreadable or damaged in any way, Team Gene will be in touch to request that you re-do your cheek swab.

Question 10

Can testing be carried out on babies or children under 18?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but a parent or legal guardian must give consent on the consent form found in each test kit. DNA does not change through life.

Question 11

Can you send the kit to all countries?

Accepted Answer

YES, we ship internationally to most countries. Unfortunately, we can’t send kits to Brazil. The cheek swab is considered a medical device in that country, and we do not have a licence to sell medical devices. If you order a test and your address is in Brazil, we will refund your payment and no kit will be sent.

Question 12

Who owns Team Gene, are you part of a big organisation?"

Accepted Answer

Team Gene is owned and run by Karen Harrison. She has over 10 years experience in nutrition, with more than 6,500hrs of clinic consultations either helping her own clients or supervising nutrition students. 
 
Karen has BSc Nutritional Science (achieved in 2014) and MSc Nutrition and Genetics (achieved in 2019). She is consistently learning and attending continuous personal development courses as part of BANT and AfN membership association rules and regulations.
 
Team Gene is a family run, independent company.

Question 13

Can you accommodate bulk orders?

Accepted Answer

If you are part of a club and wish to order kits in bulk, please email the team at team@teamgene.co.uk for further information.

Question 14

How has coronavirus (COVID-19) affected Team Gene?

Accepted Answer

Ordering via the website has not been affected. The team is working as efficiently as ever and measures are in place to ensure Team Gene offices and order processing procedures are COVID-19 compliant.
 
We do use the Royal Mail as the primary postal service. This could mean your kit might take an extra day to reach you. The Royal Mail has set up an international incident bulletin, which you can view to see if your country has been affected.

Question 15

Terms & Conditions

Accepted Answer

This website is owned and operated by Team Gene. These Terms set forth the terms and conditions under which you may use our website and services as offered by us. This website offers visitors to purchase reports that take into consideration your genetic data and the support that might be needed to support your energy production, support repair pathways and support sleep. By accessing or using the website of our service, you approve that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms.
 
In order to use our website and/or receive our services, you must be at least 18 years of age, or of the legal age of majority in your jurisdiction, and possess the legal authority, right and freedom to enter into these Terms as a binding agreement. You are not allowed to use this website and/or receive services if doing so is prohibited in your country or under any law or regulation applicable to you.
 
When buying an item, you agree that: (i) you are responsible for reading the full item listing before making a commitment to buy it: (ii) you enter into a legally binding contract to purchase an item when you commit to buy an item and you complete the check-out payment process.

The prices we charge for using our services / for our products are listed on the website. We reserve the right to change our prices for products displayed at any time, and to correct pricing errors that may inadvertently occur. Additional information about pricing and sales tax is available on the payments page.

“The fee for the services and any other charges you may incur in connection with your use of the service, such as taxes and possible transaction fees, will be charged on a monthly basis to your payment method.
 
For any undamaged product, simply return it with its included accessories and packaging along with the original receipt (or gift receipt) within 14 days of the date you receive the product, and we will offer a refund based upon the original payment method. In addition, please note the following: (i) Products can be returned only in the country in which they were originally purchased; and (ii) the following products are not eligible for return: if the testing kit has been used and returned to Team Gene and sequenced by the lab. (iii) If test kit has been opened but not used, a refund of 90% of the full price will be returned. All returns have to be initiated in writing either postal or email where Team Gene will confirm the refund amount in writing and payment will be returned once agreed within 14 days of confirmation.
 
We may, without prior notice, change the services; stop providing the services or any features of the services we offer; or create limits for the services. We may permanently or temporarily terminate or suspend access to the services without notice and liability for any reason, or for no reason.
 
When we receive a valid warranty claim for a product purchased from us, we will either repair the relevant defect or replace the product. If we are unable to repair or replace the product within a reasonable time, the customer will be entitled to a full refund upon the prompt return of the product to us. We will pay for shipment of repaired or replaced products to customer and customer will be responsible for return shipment of the product to us.
 
The Service and all materials therein or transferred thereby, including, without limitation, software, images, text, graphics, logos, patents, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, photographs, audio, videos, music and all Intellectual Property Rights related thereto, are the exclusive property of Karen Harrison. Except as explicitly provided herein, nothing in these Terms shall be deemed to create a license in or under any such Intellectual Property Rights, and you agree not to sell, license, rent, modify, distribute, copy, reproduce, transmit, publicly display, publicly perform, publish, adapt, edit or create derivative works thereof.
 
We may permanently or temporarily terminate or suspend your access to the service without notice and liability for any reason, including if in our sole determination you violate any provision of these Terms or any applicable law or regulations. You may discontinue use and request to cancel your account and/or any services at any time. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, with respect to automatically-renewed subscriptions to paid services, such subscriptions will be discontinued only upon the expiration of the respective period for which you have already made payment
 
You agree to indemnify and hold Karen Harrison harmless from any demands, loss, liability, claims or expenses (including attorneys’ fees), made against them by any third party due to, or arising out of, or in connection with your use of the website or any of the services offered on the website.
 
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall [website owner], be liable for any indirect, punitive, incidental, special, consequential or exemplary damages, including without limitation, damages for loss of profits, goodwill, use, data or other intangible losses, arising out of or relating to the use of, or inability to use, the service.

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Karen Harrison assumes no liability or responsibility for any (i) errors, mistakes, or inaccuracies of content; (ii) personal injury or property damage, of any nature whatsoever, resulting from your access to or use of our service; and (iii) any unauthorized access to or use of our secure servers and/or any and all personal information stored therein.
 
We reserve the right to modify these terms from time to time at our sole discretion. Therefore, you should review these pages periodically. When we change the Terms in a material manner, we will notify you that material changes have been made to the Terms. Your continued use of the Website or our service after any such change constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms. If you do not agree to any of these terms or any future version of the Terms, do not use or access (or continue to access) the website or the service.
 
You agree to receive from time to time promotional messages and materials from us, by mail, email or any other contact form you may provide us with (including your phone number for calls or text messages). If you don't want to receive such promotional materials or notices – please just notify us at any time. 
 
These Terms, the rights and remedies provided hereunder, and any and all claims and disputes related hereto and/or to the services, shall be governed by, construed under and enforced in all respects solely and exclusively in accordance with the internal substantive laws of England, UK, without respect to its conflict of laws principles. Any and all such claims and disputes shall be brought in, and you hereby consent to them being decided exclusively by a court of competent jurisdiction located in England, UK. The application of the United Nations Convention of Contracts for the International Sale of Goods is hereby expressly excluded.
​

Nutrigenomics
for Athletes
and Practitioners

FAQ's

Why look at genes and not just food intake?

How do I take a test?

Will I be able to understand the results?

Why use a cheek swab, not blood or saliva?"

Will the report tell me if I have any health issues or diseases?

Will this test tell me who I am related to?

How long are samples kept? Who stores them?

How do I know the lab is secure and has quality assurance procedures in place?

How accurate are the tests?

Can testing be carried out on babies or children under 18?

Can you send the kit to all countries?

Who owns Team Gene, are you part of a big organisation?"

Can you accommodate bulk orders?

How has coronavirus (COVID-19) affected Team Gene?

Terms & Conditions

Nutrigenomics
for Athletes and
Practitioners

Registered Address: 105 High street,
Brentwood, Essex CM14 4RR Company Number: 13997407

Nutrigenomics for Athletes and Practitioners

FAQ's

Why look at genes and not just food intake?

How do I take a test?

Will I be able to understand the results?

Why use a cheek swab, not blood or saliva?"

Will the report tell me if I have any health issues or diseases?

Will this test tell me who I am related to?

How long are samples kept? Who stores them?

How do I know the lab is secure and has quality assurance procedures in place?

How accurate are the tests?

Can testing be carried out on babies or children under 18?

Can you send the kit to all countries?

Who owns Team Gene, are you part of a big organisation?"

Can you accommodate bulk orders?

How has coronavirus (COVID-19) affected Team Gene?

Terms &amp; Conditions

Nutrigenomics for Athletes and Practitioners

Registered Address: 105 High street, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4RR Company Number: 13997407

Nutrigenomics
for Athletes
and Practitioners

Terms & Conditions

Nutrigenomics
for Athletes and
Practitioners

Registered Address: 105 High street,
Brentwood, Essex CM14 4RR Company Number: 13997407