The Blueprint for Your Health: Why We Start Your Journey with Stride DNA Testing

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Stride DNA test kit

When you sign up as a new member with WellcomeMD, you’ll notice something unique when we call to book your initial appointment. You’ll be asked if you want to have your cheek swabbed for The Stride DNA Methylation Test.

You might be wondering, "Why do I need a DNA test just to get healthier?" or "Is this just like those ancestry tests?"

These are great questions. The short answer is that we don't believe in "one-size-fits-all" medicine. To give you the best possible care, we need to understand the unique operating instructions running inside your body.

Here is a breakdown of why we offer the Stride test to every new member, and how it’s going to change the way you approach your wellness.

Moving Beyond "Normal" Lab Results

Many of our new members come to us frustrated. They feel fatigued, foggy, or just "off," yet their standard annual blood tests come back looking "normal."

Standard labs take a snapshot of what is happening in your blood right now. But they don’t tell us why it’s happening. They don't reveal your predispositions or the underlying mechanics of your cellular health.

To get to the root cause, we need to look deeper. We need to look at methylation.

What is Methylation? (The Simple Version)

Don't worry, we won’t turn this into a biology lecture.

Think of your genetics (DNA) as the architectural blueprint for your house. It’s a fixed plan.

Methylation is the contractor that reads the blueprint and decides what gets built.

Methylation is a biochemical process happening in every cell of your body, billions of times per second. It acts like a series of dimmer switches for your genes, turning certain functions "on" or "off."

These switches control crucial processes, including:

  • How your body creates energy.

  • How you repair damaged cells and fight inflammation.

  • How you process hormones and neurotransmitters (affecting your mood and sleep).

  • How effectively your liver detoxifies environmental pollutants.

If your methylation "switches" are stuck—due to genetics, stress, or nutrient deficiencies—you won't feel your best, no matter how "clean" you eat.

Why We Choose the Stride Test

There are many DNA tests on the market, but we chose Stride because it is vastly more comprehensive than standard consumer tests.

While other tests might tell you if you’re likely to hate the taste of cilantro, Stride analyzes over 40 different genetic reports across five essential energy cycles in your body. It looks at how you process folate, how you handle stress neurochemically, and how your body produces its "master antioxidant," glutathione.

What This Means For You: No More Guesswork

By having your Stride results right at the beginning of your membership, we can skip the trial-and-error phase of your healthcare.

Instead of general advice, we can use your data to provide precision recommendations:

  • Targeted Supplementation: Stop wasting money on vitamins your body can't absorb. We will know if you need specific, "methylated" forms of B vitamins or extra support for magnesium.

  • Personalized Nutrition: Learn which foods fuel your specific genetic profile and which might be slowing you down.

  • Mood and Stress Mastery: Understand your genetic predisposition for anxiety or worry. We can tailor strategies to help your brain cope better with stress.

  • Optimized Detox: If your genetics show your body struggles to clear out toxins, we will prioritize gentle detoxification strategies in your plan.

We Don’t Just Hand You Data—We Give You a Plan

The most important thing to know is this: Your genes are not your destiny. They are just your tendencies.

Knowing your genetic blueprint gives you power. You can actually change how your genes express themselves through lifestyle, diet, and environment.

When your Stride results come back, you aren't left to decipher complex charts on your own. Our clinical team reviews the data and translates it into a simple, actionable roadmap tailored specifically for you during your follow-up consultation.

Not a member yet? If you have any questions about our Stride DNA test or joining WellcomeMD, please contact our membership director, Kayla Bowery. Call her at (804) 409-8559, or email her at kayla.bowery@wellcomemd.com.