Genetic insights
Upload a 50-page genetic nutrition PDF — or raw 23andMe / Ancestry data — and PlateHelix pulls out the diet-relevant findings (methylation support, caffeine sensitivity, histamine tolerance, lipid response, and more) and folds them into household meal planning, with sources and confidence levels you can verify.
Two easy paths, depending on whether you already have raw DNA data.
Use a partner like MaxGen Labs or Gene Food and receive a curated nutrigenomic report.
Already have 23andMe or Ancestry results? Use SelfDecode or LifeDNA to generate a methylation report from your raw file.
PlateHelix extracts methylation, detox, histamine, lipid, glycemic, caffeine and alcohol findings — page-referenced so you can verify.
Pair with your blood panel for highest confidence. DNA refines the guidance — labs and confirmed restrictions drive it.
MaxGen Labs is our default primary recommendation. SelfDecode is the broadest DNA + methylation option. Gene Food is the strongest food-first pick.
Best primary methylation report
Best for: A guided test + report instead of uploading raw 23andMe / Ancestry data.
Reports cover SNPs tied to methylation, detoxification, vitamin deficiency risk, histamine, inflammation, fat / carbohydrate metabolism, and food sensitivity tendencies.
Visit MaxGen LabsBest broad DNA + methylation report
Best for: Users who want broader DNA / wellness reporting or already have raw DNA data.
Methylation product analyzes ~30 SNPs across 20+ genes including MTHFR, COMT, and PEMT, with personalized nutrition and lifestyle suggestions.
Visit SelfDecodeFood-first genetic nutrition
Best for: Diet personalization more than a broad biohacking report.
Custom Nutrition Plan referencing genes like AHCY, CBS, COMT, MTHFR, MTR, MTRR, MTHFD1, and SLC19A1.
Visit Gene FoodPlateHelix trains around pathways, not single genes. Each entry below describes how a finding shapes meal planning when (and only when) it lines up with your labs, symptoms, or stated preferences.
MTHFR guardrail. PlateHelix does not act as an "MTHFR absolutist." Common MTHFR variants are common in the population, and the more actionable signal is usually homocysteine alongside B12 and folate status. A single SNP almost never creates a hard food ban here — it refines guidance, it doesn't dictate it.
MTHFR (C677T / A1298C)
Used with homocysteine, B12, folate and RBC folate. Prefers folate-rich foods when supported. Never auto-bans folic acid or grains based on MTHFR alone.
MTR / MTRR
B12 recycling and methylation context. Prefers B12-rich or fortified foods when labs and history line up.
BHMT
Choline / betaine pathway. Raises priority on eggs, beets, spinach, quinoa, seafood and other choline-rich foods if tolerated.
AHCY
Homocysteine / methylation recycling. Soft support for B-vitamin and choline-aware meal patterns.
MTHFD1 / MTHFS / SHMT1 / SLC19A1
Folate-cycle context. Strengthens folate-rich food preferences when folate or homocysteine labs agree.
PEMT
Choline synthesis and liver-fat metabolism. Prioritizes eggs, fish, poultry, soy lecithin (if tolerated) and other choline-rich meals.
TCN2 / FUT2
B12 transport and absorption. Supports B12 food / fortified food awareness when labs align.
CBS
Sulfur and transsulfuration context. Never auto-bans crucifers, garlic, onions or eggs unless symptoms, labs and report strongly support it.
GPX1 / GSTM1 / GSTT1 / NQO1
Oxidative stress / detox pathway. Supports colorful plants, crucifers if tolerated, herbs, spices and adequate protein. No detox claims.
NAT2 / UGT / SULT
Detoxification pathways. Soft support for whole-food, low-alcohol, low-ultra-processed patterns.
APOE
Lipid / fat-response context. If lipid labs are unfavorable, intensifies limits on saturated fat and ultra-processed foods.
LDLR / PCSK9 / APOB
Cholesterol transport / risk. Used with ApoB and LDL labs to intensify heart-healthy defaults.
APOA5 / LPL / CETP / LIPC
Triglyceride / HDL / fat metabolism. Tunes fats, carbs, alcohol and omega-3 foods alongside TG / HDL / ApoB labs.
FADS1 / FADS2
Omega-3 and omega-6 conversion. Prioritizes fatty fish and omega-3-rich foods when labs or goals support it.
FTO / MC4R
Satiety and weight tendency. Prioritizes higher-protein, higher-fiber, lower ultra-processed meals. No fatalistic language.
TCF7L2 / PPARG / IRS1 / SLC2A2 / KCNJ11
Glucose / insulin / carb response. Used with glucose, A1c, insulin and TG / HDL to tune carb load and quality.
AMY1
Starch digestion and carb tolerance. Used with glucose / insulin / TG data before changing carb rules.
DAO / AOC1 / HNMT
Histamine metabolism. If symptoms or report support it, limits aged cheese, wine, fermented foods, cured meats, kombucha and held-too-long leftovers.
MAOA / MAOB
Neurotransmitter / amine metabolism. Adds histamine, tyramine, caffeine or alcohol caution only if report or symptoms support it.
COMT
Catecholamine / stress / caffeine / methyl-donor sensitivity. Influences caffeine timing, stimulant-heavy foods and stress-supportive meal planning.
CYP1A2
Caffeine metabolism. Slow-metabolizer context tunes coffee / tea / caffeine suggestions, especially later in the day.
ALDH2 / ADH1B
Alcohol metabolism. Sensitive variants down-rank alcohol-containing recipes and pairings.
VDR / GC
Vitamin D metabolism. Used with 25-OH vitamin D to inform food and lifestyle guidance.
BCMO1
Beta-carotene to vitamin A conversion. Affects reliance on plant-only vitamin A sources. Used gently.
DIO2
Thyroid hormone conversion. Used with thyroid labs only.
LCT / MCM6
Lactose tolerance. With variant + symptoms, suggests lactose-free dairy, fermented dairy or alternatives.
HLA-DQ2 / HLA-DQ8
Celiac risk context — not a diagnosis. Never auto-bans gluten without celiac diagnosis, clinician instruction, symptoms or strong preference.
TAS2R / OR6A2
Taste preference context. Useful for recipe personalization, not health rules.
HFE
Iron-loading tendency. Used with ferritin, iron and transferrin saturation before recommending iron-rich foods.
G6PD
If clinically relevant, flags fava beans and oxidative stress for clinician review. Becomes an Avoid rule only if confirmed.
Every ingredient and recipe gets ranked by a clear hierarchy. The strongest signal wins — labs and confirmed restrictions drive the rules; DNA refines them.
Confirmed allergy or anaphylaxis
Always becomes Avoid / Banned.
Clinician-diagnosed condition
e.g. celiac, kidney disease diet, severe allergy. Avoid or Limit per the diagnosis.
User hard restriction
Religious, ethical, personal, or household rule. Always respected.
Lab-confirmed issue
e.g. elevated ApoB, low ferritin, reduced eGFR. Usually Prefer / Limit, sometimes Avoid.
Uploaded report explicit recommendation
Stored with source and confidence.
DNA SNP only
Usually Needs Review, Limit, or Prefer — rarely Avoid.
AI inference only
Lowest confidence. Always labeled clearly.
Avoid / Banned
Confirmed allergies, celiac, serious intolerance, clinician restriction, user hard rule, strong safety concern.
Limit / Tolerable
Mild intolerance, unfavorable lab pattern, weak-to-medium report recommendation, user wants to reduce — not eliminate.
Prefer / Choice
Ingredients that support goals, labs, preferences, nutrient needs, or multiple household members.
Neutral
No known issue.
Needs Review
Conflicting data, weak DNA-only inference, missing lab confirmation, or unclear report language.
PlateHelix is for educational wellness and meal-planning support only. It does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified clinician before making major health, diet, supplement, or medication changes.