The ExtendingME Customized Diet Panel translates genetic insights into actionable nutrition strategies by analyzing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) tied to carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. For clinicians, this panel supports precision management of patients on or tapering off GLP-1 therapy, enhances diabetes care, and explains why traditional diets may fail—turning nutrition counseling into data-driven, individualized care.

Most nutrition advice is built on averages: eat less sugar, choose healthy fats, balance your macros. But health isn’t one-size-fits-all. The real difference lies in how your patients’ bodies process those nutrients.

The ExtendingME Customized Diet Panel reveals how an individual metabolizes carbohydrates, proteins, and fats at the genetic level. The result is precision nutrition—diet guidance tailored to biology—rather than recycled recommendations that may or may not work.

This is particularly important for patients on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications, those tapering off therapy, individuals living with diabetes, and anyone struggling with ineffective diets.

Managing Patients on GLP-1 Therapy

GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®) and tirzepatide have transformed obesity and diabetes care. Yet even on treatment, patients often face dietary adherence issues, gastrointestinal (GI) side effects, and the challenge of preserving lean body mass while losing weight.

The Customized Diet Panel helps clinicians optimize outcomes by:

• Protein response (GCKR, PPP1R3B): Identifying patients who benefit from increased protein intake for satiety and lean mass, versus those at risk for glucose elevation with excess protein.
• Fat metabolism (APOA2, PPARG, FADS): Flagging lipid and cholesterol sensitivities to guide safe fat selection.
• Carbohydrate response (FGF21, MTNR1B): Informing the level of carbohydrate restriction needed for glucose stability and appetite control.

Integrating genetics with pharmacology allows clinicians to improve GLP-1 efficacy, reduce side effects, and protect long-term metabolic health.

Post-GLP-1 Care: Staying Ahead of Weight Regain

When patients taper off GLP-1 therapy, challenges often reappear: appetite rebound, weight regain, and unstable blood sugar. The panel provides a roadmap for this vulnerable phase.

For example:

• A patient genetically prone to carbohydrate overconsumption (FGF21) may require a structured low-glycemic, higher-protein plan.
• Another with poor monounsaturated fat (MUFA) metabolism may do best with an omega-3 and polyunsaturated fat (PUFA)–focused approach.

Instead of relying on generic calorie goals or macro splits, clinicians can match diet prescriptions to genetics, making post-GLP-1 care more sustainable.

Diabetes and Metabolic Health: Precision Matters

Diabetes manifests differently across patients. Genetic variations shape how individuals process glucose, insulin, and lipids. The panel identifies key distinctions:

• Carbohydrate processing (TCF7L2 variants): Some patients derive less protection from whole grains, making portion control and glycemic load critical.
• Protein response (GCKR, PPP1R3B): While some improve glucose regulation with more protein, others risk elevations if intake exceeds glycogen-storage capacity.
• Fat metabolism (PPARG, FADS variants): Patients prone to cholesterol elevation can be guided toward omega-3 and PUFA-rich foods to improve insulin sensitivity.

For clinicians, this shifts nutrition from trial-and-error to targeted intervention, improving adherence and long-term outcomes.

Why Diets Fail: Hidden Macro Imbalances

Even disciplined patients can fail on diets that don’t fit their biology.

• A carb-heavy, plant-based plan may trigger fatigue in someone with poor carbohydrate tolerance.
• A high-protein diet may worsen glucose in patients genetically sensitive to excess protein.
• Overly restrictive fat intake can backfire in those needing MUFA or PUFA for lipid balance.

The panel exposes these blind spots, giving clinicians the framework to correct mismatches and improve results.

The Bigger Picture: Personalized, Not Prescribed

At its core, the Customized Diet Panel is about alignment, not restriction. It provides a science-backed framework to:

• Enhance results for patients on GLP-1 therapy
• Maintain stability post-GLP-1 treatment
• Improve glucose control in diabetes and insulin resistance
• Optimize lipid metabolism and inflammation
• Support sustainable energy, satiety, and performance

For clinicians, it serves as a clinical compass—clarifying which macronutrients to emphasize, which to limit, and where monitoring should intensify (e.g., glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c], lipids, satiety markers). Nutrition counseling shifts from generalized coaching to evidence-based care.

Clinical Takeaways

• Genetics matter: SNPs in FGF21, TCF7L2, GCKR, PPARG, APOA2, FADS and others influence metabolism of carbs, protein, and fats.
• On GLP-1 therapy: Use genetic insights to guide protein, fat, and carbohydrate balance for satiety, lean mass preservation, and reduced GI or lipid risks.
• Post-GLP-1 care: Anticipate rebound risks and proactively design strategies.
• Diabetes management: Identify non-responders to standard “healthy” advice and tailor alternatives.
• Macronutrient mismatches: Explain why diets that “should” work fail.
• Clinical utility: Aligns with existing labs (HbA1c, fasting insulin, lipids, triglycerides).
• Patient adherence: Data-driven recommendations reduce trial-and-error frustration.

“SNP insights guide smarter nutrition strategies for patients on GLP-1 therapy, in diabetes care, and beyond.”

The ExtendingME Customized Diet Panel analyzes SNPs using RealTime PCR with the Illumina Global Screening Array. All testing is performed in a CLIA-certified laboratory, and results are interpreted against peer-reviewed literature linking genetic variants to macronutrient metabolism, glucose regulation, lipid handling, and obesity/diabetes risk.

Bring precision nutrition into your practice.
Order the ExtendingME Customized Diet Panel for your patients and use genetic insights to guide nutrition strategies that are truly personalized.