Personal Health Optimization And Comprehensive Testing With Stride DNA

Aug 19, 2025

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In this episode, I go through my deep and fascinating experience with the Stride health optimization program.

You'll hear me walk through the six detailed reports from my DNA and microbiome testing—starting with the methylation report, where I had impaired efficiency in the folate cycle, methionine cycle, and BH4 cycle, and finally got a normal score in the transsulfuration pathway. I talk about the role of key nutrients like B vitamins, choline, magnesium, and zinc, and how specific gene variants like MTHFR affect my ability to methylate, detox, and produce neurotransmitters efficiently.

I also share my microbiome results—including a 93 out of 100 for diversity—along with some areas for concern like low serotonin and dopamine, which matched my long-standing results from the Braverman neurotransmitter questionnaire. You’ll hear about the consultation I did with Bianca from Stride, how she helped interpret the results, and the personalized supplement stack they created for me based on everything. Then I wrap it all up by pulling up years of blood test data, going through my male hormone panel, fasting insulin, and cortisol patterns, and why I don’t stress over red-flagged total cholesterol.

This is a detailed breakdown of how genetics, gut health, and blood markers come together—and how Stride helps make sense of it all through one powerful platform.

TIMESTAMPS:

This show takes you through amazing package of benefits and information that you get when you sign up for personal health optimation. [00:51]

Stride combines DNA test results, gut microbiome testing. and blood tests. [06:22]

Gathering this information, you see your likelihood and your propensities for certain elevated dietary needs. [08:19]

Brad demonstrates, with his own use of this service, how it applies to his dietary needs. For example, he talks about the need for vitamins B6 and D. [11:09]

Beyond the 60th parallel, the human is not able to synthesize vitamin D at all because the sun's rays are never intense enough to trigger that tanning, [18:01]

There is a tendency for middle aged men who are otherwise healthy, athletic and fit to develop sludgy blood with too much iron. [21:01]

There is a large concern for females for iron deficiency. [22:23]

Lactose intolerance is a term we hear often. [24:41]

Is there a difference in how breads and grains affect the body? [26:02]

In the fitness portion of the report, Brad found that he has a mix in his muscle fiber composition between power and endurance. [29:58]

What are you doing with your training and do you have any genetic information to help? [38:43]

Recovery efficiency is also measured with these tests. [39:46]

Your genes have much to do with your skin. [41:02]

Humans and all other living things on earth are highly calibrated to circadian rhythm. [46:06]Genes affect methylation. [54:34]

It is important to cross reference your blood test and you genetic and miocrobiome testing. Looking at LDL cholesterol is not a great predictor of heart disease. [01:03:56]

It's important to test male hormones. [01:09:33]

LINKS:

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