Is Your Body’s ‘Methylation Engine’ Stuck? We Tested 3 DNA Kits Joe Rogan and Dana White Swear By.

Gary Brecka’s 10X test made methylation mainstream, but are you missing out by stopping at just 5 genes? See what happened when I compared StrideDNA, 10X Health, and a classic budget brand.

Call it a borderline obsession or just a byproduct of the years of suffering from migraines and chronic fatigue, but I’ve gone down every wellness rabbit hole you can imagine. From endless doctor visits and pricey lab workups to fad diets and elimination protocols, I’ve tried it all in a desperate attempt to figure out why my head pounds, my energy tanks, and my mood dives without warning.

Then, I heard Gary Brecka on the Joe Rogan Experience talking about methylation, in particular, the often-overlooked MTHFR gene. Next thing I know, I’m scrolling Reddit threads where Dana White (yes, the UFC’s Dana White) is raving about how a single DNA methylation test turned his health around. Between celebrity endorsements and my own curiosity, I had to find out if focusing on these genes could be the missing piece of my wellness puzzle.

Could I really crack the code on my nagging migraines, fatigue, and mood swings by digging deeper into methylation? Below, you’ll find my deep-dive on three big players in at-home methylation testing: StrideDNA, 10X Health, and 23andMe as a budget-friendly option. Trust me, I left no gene unturned.

What’s the Deal With DNA Methylation Tests?

Methylation is your body’s biochemical “on/off switch” for crucial functions—think detoxification, energy production, neurotransmitter balance, and even how your body uses certain vitamins.

• Why It Matters: Defects in methylation-related genes (like MTHFR or MTRR) can mean your body is under or over methylating. Symptoms can include chronic fatigue, migraines, anxiety, depression, and fertility challenges.
• Tests for Methylation Genes: A simple cheek swab or saliva sample reveals if you carry specific gene variants that might be making you feel “off.” In fact, over 44% of people worldwide carry a mutation in the MTHFR Gene that interferes with the body’s ability to process folate effectively.
• Real-Life Impact: Just hop onto r/MTHFR or r/Biohackers on Reddit and you’ll see viral success stories—people who overcame debilitating migraines or repeated miscarriages by tailoring their diet and supplements to their DNA.

The bottom line? If you suspect your body isn’t playing nice with B vitamins or you’re just stuck in a health rut, a DNA methylation test can provide your “aha!” moment.

How I Chose & Reviewed Them

To cut through the hype, I focused on three kits I saw mentioned repeatedly online:

• StrideDNA – Touted as ultra-comprehensive (100+ genes, quick turnaround, 1-on-1 consult).
• 10X Health – Heavily marketed by Gary Brecka, and famously used by Dana White in which it ‘saved his life’. Focuses on 5 key methylation genes, including the famous MTHFR.
• 23andMe – An OG budget brand. Not just for ancestry; you can also glean methylation clues from your raw data (though the official website doesn’t interpret MTHFR for you).

My Criteria

• Gene Coverage: Do they just look at the famous MTHFR, or do they dig deeper (e.g., MTRR, COMT, AHCY, etc.)?
• Actionable Reports: Do they give you a personalized roadmap or just a data dump?
• Turnaround Time: How fast do you get results?
• Support: Is there a post-test consultation or community?
• Cost vs. Value: Are you paying more for less info, or actually getting a deep dive?

I ordered each kit, spat or swabbed in a tube, then waited—and waited. Two months, multiple emails, and lots of late-night Reddit browsing later, all the test results were in. Here’s how they stacked up.

StrideDNA: The Comprehensive Game-Changer

5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Price: £349 (~US$446) for the Optimal Health Test (now discounted to £244 (~US$309).
• Gene Coverage: 110 genes (including MTHFR, MTR, MTRR, AHCY,COMT plus broader wellness markers)
• Key Features:
  • 40+ In-depth reports + personal consultation
  • ~2-week turnaround time
  • Interactive results portal
  • 4.8/5 satisfaction (hundreds of reviews)‍

‍My Experience:

The StrideDNA kit surprised me with how thorough it was. I discovered not just my MTHFR variant but also additional “methylation troublemakers” I never knew existed. My personalized report didn’t just say “You have a gene issue.” It actually recommended which forms of B vitamins my body can absorb (and which might make me overmethylate).

I loved the 1-on-1 consultation: a nutritional therapist walked me through my results (via Zoom), explaining how to adjust supplements and my daily routine. She addressed concerns like “What if I overdo the methylfolate?” or “How does COMT affect anxiety?”—a breath of fresh air after years of guesswork.

The Optimal Health Report comes with 46 actionable reports including

• Methylation pathways (Folate, Methionine, BH4, Urea, and Transsulfuration cycles)
• Nutrigenetics (Vitamin deficiencies, caffeine/alcohol tolerance, detox capabilities)
• Fitness & Mental Health (Endurance, recovery, stress resilience, sleep chronotype)
• Skin health (Oxidative stress, pigmentation, sensitivity to refined carbs, glycation damage)

The results are provided through an interactive digital health platform that is super easy to use (and helped me keep track of the lifestyle changes I was making to improve my health).

Pros

• Super comprehensive: over 100 genes means fewer blind spots
• Human support: consultation ensures you’re not left hanging
• Fast: results in about 2 weeks (some kits take 2 months)
• Great value: more data + real guidance for around the same price as competitors

Cons

• Not the cheapest option (though still less than some big names!)
• Focuses heavily on health/lifestyle angles; if you’re purely curious about ancestry, this isn’t it

I snagged this test at 30% off and at the time of checking, the promo is still running. If it’s still live when you’re reading this, let us know!

10X Health: The Hype Master

4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Price: US$599 for the 10X Health Genetic Test
• Gene Coverage: 5 methylation genes (MTHFR, MTR, MTRR, AHCY, and COMT)
• Key Features:
  • Backed by Gary Brecka and popular influencers
  • Offers a well-marketed “blueprint for living” approach
  • Includes big-name testimonials (Dana White, Joe Rogan etc.)

My Experience:

There’s a reason you see 10X Health everywhere on social media: Gary Brecka’s feature on The Joe Rogan Experience, Dana White’s 40-pound weight loss success story, and more high profile celebrity transformations that claim this is the test that ‘saved their life’. The focus is on a handful of the “biggest” methylation genes. So yes, you will see if you have the infamous MTHFR mutation. But if you want deeper analysis (like broader wellness markers for disease, mood, or other hidden issues), you might need more comprehensive solutions. Also, I have to say it’s over priced if I compare it to the other options.

Pros

• Straightforward approach to the “core” methylation genes
• Celebrity endorsements inspire trust
• Clear, minimalistic reports

Cons

• Pricy for only 5 genes
• Turnaround can be slow (some reviews mention over 8 weeks)
• Mixed reviews on post-test support (some love it, others mention frustration with wait times)

23andMe: Budget Friendly Fun

3/5 ⭐⭐⭐

• Price: US$199 for the Health + Ancestry Service Test
• What It Tests: Ancestry and basic health traits. You can download “raw data,” which includes some methylation-related SNPs to get analyzed by 3rd party tools
• Turnaround: ~3–4 weeks
• Key Perks: Very established brand, huge ancestry features, with raw data access for 3rd-party tools‍

My Experience:

We all know 23andMe for ancestry breakdowns: “2.3% Neanderthal, who knew?” However, they don’t interpret MTHFR or methylation genes directly in your official report. If you want to see these details, you’ll have to export raw data and plug it into a third-party tool or hire a specialist to interpret.

It’s budget-friendly and entertaining if you want to see your heritage, but it doesn’t deliver personalized methylation strategies. If you’re comfortable sifting through raw data or paying for an extra “methylation analysis” platform, it can be a cost-effective workaround. If you want true hand-holding, you won’t get it here.

Pros

• Affordable, especially during sales
• In-depth ancestry details (not just health)
• Widely recognized brand

Cons

• Doesn’t natively show MTHFR or other methylation issues—requires extra steps
• Zero built-in coaching for diet/supplements
• Data can be overwhelming if you’re not tech-savvy

The Final Verdict

After weeks of swabbing, spitting, waiting, and scouring Reddit for real-life user stories—here’s the bottom line:

• If you want star power and a laser focus on the top five methylation genes, 10X Health is a solid pick. Dana White’s dramatic results prove a simple gene check can be life-changing—but it comes with a hefty price tag.
• If you’re on a tighter budget or just looking for a fun ancestry deep-dive, 23andMe is worth a shot—though you’ll have to do some legwork to decode your methylation data.
• If you want it all (and for less)—detailed coverage of 100+ genes, fast results, and expert guidance—StrideDNA is the clear winner. While Gary Brecka may have made "methylation" a buzzword, StrideDNA proves your genetic blueprint is way more than just MTHFR.

From my own experience, StrideDNA gave me the most valuable insights—connecting dots I never realized tied back to my migraines and energy crashes. The 1-on-1 consultation alone was a game-changer—no more supplement guesswork, just clear, science-backed recommendations. If you're serious about optimizing your health and want real answers, StrideDNA is the test I recommend to friends, family, and anyone who’ll listen.

👉 Discover your methylation capabilities today. Visit getstride.com to get started.

PS: I checked the StrideDNA website, and they are running a limited time 30% OFF offer across all their DNA tests.  But fair warning—they mentioned that due to the unexpected popularity of DNA methylation testing, they might be stopping all offers next month.