DNA Discovery Kit
by Helix
What's included
-
DNA Collection Kit
Everything you need to provide a small saliva sample, including a pre-paid box to ship your sample to our lab.
-
$20 Promotional Card
When you’re ready to learn even more from your DNA, you’ve got $20 available to spend in the Helix Store.
-
MyTraits: ANCESTRY
Start exploring your ancient roots with this set of curated ancestry insights.
-
Wellness Basics
Discover how lifestyle, fitness, and nutrition can intersect with your genetics.

You’re entering a password-protected area.
MyTraits: ANCESTRY
Where on Earth did
I come from?
MyTraits: ANCESTRY will jumpstart your curiosity about your origins and give you six compelling details about you and your DNA.
Traits included:
Regional ancestry
The regional ancestry results you will get are broken down into 26 regions within eight high-level groups: East Asia, Europe, Indigenous America, Arctic, Oceania, Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Altitude adaptation
In the mountains of Tibet, a unique genetic factor is hypothesized to give Tibetans an advantage for living at high altitudes. Find out if you have the altitude adaptation.
Arctic adaptation
As you move north of the equator towards the arctic, the frequency of a unique genetic factor increases. It is hypothesized that it might be related to cold weather. Find out if you have the cold adaptation.
Inuit adaptation
In Greenland, where they eat a diet high in fat, a genetic factor may help the Inuit metabolize all that fat. Find out if you have the diet adaptation.
Lactose intolerance
While babies are born with the ability to digest lactose in milk, that ability is generally reduced after weaning. However, some populations have evolved the ability to digest lactose into adulthood.
Malaria adaptation
Some humans who live in areas where malaria is common have adapted to avoid the disease. In sub-Saharan Africa, a specific genetic factor prevents one of the parasites that transmit malaria.
WELLNESS BASICS
Does my DNA really impact my weight and wellbeing?
You might be surprised how much you can learn about your day-to-day from your DNA. Wellness Basics can get you started with eight fascinating and personal genetic traits.
Traits included:
Body mass index (BMI) introduction
It’s no secret that genetics plays a role in weight, since two people who eat the same foods can have very different responses. You'll learn about just one of the many genes that influences BMI, the FTO gene, and how it influences your weight.
Calcium levels
Nutrients we eat are metabolized by enzymes in our body. DNA changes can affect how these enzymes work and result in small changes in nutrient levels. How does your DNA affect your calcium levels?
Gluten tolerance
Gluten intolerance is an immune reaction to the gluten found in wheat, barley, and other grains. When gluten is ingested it causes inflammation and damage to the small intestine.
Vitamin D levels
Vitamin D is important for healthy bones and many other functions in the body. You get most of your vitamin D from foods, but your genetics can play a role in how you use vitamin D.
Alcohol flush
Most of us know the effects of alcohol on our bodies. But did you know that your body also influences some of these effects? A specific genetic factor has been linked to how people metabolize alcohol.
Delayed Sleep
Humans have a natural cycle of wake and sleep. Rare genetic factors can cause big shifts in this cycle, causing people to naturally go to bed hours later than others. This is a very rare trait, and not the same as just staying up late.
Endurance vs power
Being a world-class endurance athlete takes disciplined training, years of practice, and the right attitude. It also seems that genetics can provide people with an edge. Learn more about one genetic variant found more commonly in endurance athletes.
What's inside the kit
Return shipping
We’ve thought of everything
Spit tube
It’s not as icky as you think
HELP ALONG THE WAY
It’s all very easy, but just in case
$20 PROMO CARD
A headstart on your next purchase
How it works

Submit your sample
Go to helix.com/start to register your kit and mail your sample to the lab.

Get your results
Download the Helix app and check ‘My Products’ to see your insights.

Continue exploring
What else can your DNA tell you? Use your $20 for your next purchase in the Helix store.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Do I have to get sequenced to use this product?
Yes. In order to use MyTraits: ANCESTRY and Wellness Basics, you must be sequenced by Helix. And, once you’ve been sequenced by Helix, you can purchase more DNA-powered products from a variety of categories like fitness, nutrition, entertainment, and more—all without having to get sequenced again.
-
Do I have to create an account with Helix to use this product?
Yes, you need a Helix account to use this product and view your results. You may view your results on the web and through the Helix iOS app.
-
How do I view my results?
-
Who analyzes my DNA information?
For MyTraits: ANCESTRY: Helix analyzes your DNA information.
For Wellness Basics: Helix analyzes your DNA information in partnership with Lose It!.
-
How detailed are the ancestry results in MyTraits: ANCESTRY?
This product analyzes your ancestry in terms of 26 regional ancestry groups. Your ancestry will be broken down as a percentage of regions in the following areas: East Asia, Europe, Arctic, Oceana, Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, Indigenous America, and Sub-Saharan Africa. You will not receive detailed regional ancestry results as part of this product.
-
What is the difference between Wellness Basics and Lose It! + embodyDNA?
Lose It! currently offers two products in the Helix Store. Wellness Basics offers four insights that you can explore right in your Helix account. Lose It! + embodyDNA, part of the Lose It! iOS and Android app, reports 19 insights in multiple categories including weight loss and food sensitivity. These results are available only in the Lose It! app.
-
How does Helix provide my DNA information to Lose It! for Wellness Basics? Is my information shared with anyone else?
Your DNA information is stored securely by Helix. At this time, Helix only shares your name and email address with Lose It!. In the future, Helix may need to share some parts of your DNA data with Lose It! so that Lose It! can provide you this product and improve it over time. We do not share your information, including your DNA information, with anyone without your permission. We always maintain high standards when it comes to the security and privacy of your DNA information.
-
Do I have to create an account with Lose It! to use this product?
You do not need to have a Lose It! account to use Wellness Basics. If you upgrade to the full Lose It! + embodyDNA experience, your expanded results will be delivered in the Lose It! app for iOS and Android, and a free Lose It! account will be required.
-
How do I learn more about how Helix uses my information for MyTraits: ANCESTRY?
You can learn more in the Helix Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, as well as in the Ancestry Basics Product Consent.
-
How do I learn more about how Helix and Lose It! use my information for Wellness Basics?
You can learn more in the Helix Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and the Lose It! Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, as well as in the Wellness Basics Product Consent.
-
How do I learn more about how Helix uses my information for the rest of the DNA Discovery Kit?
To register your DNA Discovery Kit and have your DNA sequenced by Helix, you must agree to the Helix Platform Consent.
By using your $20 included promotional card, you must agree to the Promotional Card Terms & Conditions.
-
How can I obtain a Helix Promotional Card?
A Helix Promotional Card is included with each Helix DNA Discovery Kit, offering $20 off any purchase in the Helix Store.
-
How do I redeem a Helix Promotional Card?
The Helix Promotional Card is redeemable for goods and services available on Helix.com and on the Helix mobile app up to its available balance. At checkout in the Helix Store, you will enter the promotion code which is located on the back of the Helix Promotional Card. Your discount will be automatically applied.
-
How do I check the balance on my Helix Promotional Card?
Please contact Helix Customer Care for assistance.
-
What happens if I lose my card?
Unfortunately, we cannot replace Helix Promotional Cards that have been lost, stolen, or used without permission or authorization, so please safeguard your card.
-
What can I use my Helix Promotional Card for?
You may use your Helix Promotional Card toward the purchase price of any product offered in the Helix Store other than Helix Gift Cards.
-
Does the Helix Promotional Card expire?
Yes. The expiration date can be found on the front of the card. Your card must be redeemed by the expiration date, otherwise it will not be valid and cannot be replaced.
-
Is the Helix Promotional Card transferable?
The Card is only intended for use by the recipient of the Helix DNA Discovery Kit who creates a Helix Account.
-
Are there any fees associated with the use of my Helix Promotional Card?
No, there are no fees for using or maintaining a balance on your Helix Promotional Card.
-
Can I request a refund for purchases made with my Helix Promotional Card?
Purchases using the Helix Promotional Card are subject to our refund policy. Please see Helix’s Terms of Service to learn more about our refund policy. If your purchase is eligible for a refund, we will issue you a new code for the promotional balance amount used for that purchase.