Your DNA: Supplements and Probiotics

Supplements, Evidence, and DNA

Walk into any pharmacy or health store and you’ll see shelves filled with supplements: probiotics, omega-3s, multivitamins. But the reality is: not all supplements are backed by solid science.

The Science Gap

Many supplements are marketed with promises, but few are rigorously studied. This is especially true for probiotics. While some strains support digestion or immunity, others are less effective—or entirely unproven.

Canada’s Unique Advantage

Canada is one of the only countries with a dedicated app—the Probiotic Guide—that evaluates probiotic products based on scientific evidence. It helps consumers know which products are supported by real data, and which are mostly marketing.

Probiotics vs Prebiotics

It’s important to make the distinction:

• Probiotics = live bacteria, like Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, intended to enrich gut flora.
• Prebiotics = the “food” for those bacteria, usually fibers that help good microbes grow.
  Together, they influence digestion, immunity, and even mental health through the gut-brain axis.

The Link with DNA

At Adnà, we take the same evidence-based approach with genetic testing. Just as consumers should choose supplements grounded in science, DNA tests must also meet strict standards of reliability. That’s why our nutrigenetic and microbiome tests are developed with rigorous validation.

Knowing your DNA can also guide your supplement choices: if you have a variant linked to poor vitamin B12 absorption, supplements may be useful; if your genes indicate lactose intolerance, probiotics might support gut balance.

Informed Health Choices

Supplements are not magic pills—but when combined with genetic insights, they can be part of a personalized health strategy. At Adnà, our goal is to help you navigate the overload of information with tools that are scientific, accessible, and empowering.