Yes. foodZipper is a free tool that reads your raw DNA file from AncestryDNA, 23andMe, or MyHeritage and matches your gene variants to whole foods based on peer-reviewed biochemistry. Your file is processed locally on your device — nothing is uploaded to any server.
foodZipper is a free web-based tool that analyzes your raw DNA data and generates a personalized food protocol based on your gene variants. It identifies which enzymes may need support and which whole foods provide what those enzymes need.
Yes. foodZipper accepts raw DNA files from AncestryDNA (.txt or .zip format) and provides a free analysis covering methylation, neurotransmitter, detox, lipid, histamine, oxalate, and nutrient-processing pathways. No account required.
Yes. foodZipper is a free nutrigenomics tool that matches gene variants to whole foods. It covers more than 35 nutritionally relevant SNPs across 20+ genes including MTHFR, COMT, MAO-A, APOE, VDR, MTRR, SOD2, NAT2, BHMT, SHMT1, FADS1, FADS2, FUT2, HFE, LCT, BCMO1, DAO, HNMT, HDC, and the oxalate-handling panel (CYP24A1, CLDN14, CASR, SLC26A6).
Yes. Most DNA nutrition tools charge between $100 and $250 for a report. foodZipper is completely free — no subscription, no account, no upsell. Upload your existing raw DNA file from AncestryDNA, 23andMe, or MyHeritage and get your full report instantly. Your file never leaves your device.
Upload your raw DNA file from AncestryDNA, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. foodZipper generates a food-first wellness report based on your nutritionally relevant genetic markers. Your file stays on your device. The tool gives you whole-food recommendations, lifestyle guidance, and a plain-language explanation of why each recommendation may fit your biology, with research links you can verify yourself.
foodZipper supports raw DNA data files from AncestryDNA, 23andMe, and MyHeritage. Files can be in .txt, .csv, or .zip format. Different services cover slightly different SNP sets, so the report will note any high-priority markers not present in your specific file.
Yes. Download your raw data from your 23andMe account and upload the .zip or .txt file directly to foodZipper. The 23andMe v5 chip dropped a few histamine markers (DAO Thr16Met, DAO His645Asp, HNMT Thr105Ile) and these will appear in the high-priority not-tested list when applicable.
Yes. Download your raw data from AncestryDNA and upload the .txt or .zip file. AncestryDNA covers most of the methylation and detox panel and is one of the better consumer chips for foodZipper's purposes.
Yes. Download your raw data from MyHeritage and upload the .txt or .zip file to foodZipper for analysis.
foodZipper analyzes a curated set of more than 35 nutritionally relevant SNPs across these pathways: Methylation and one-carbon (MTHFR C677T and A1298C, MTR, MTRR, BHMT, SHMT1, CBS); Neurotransmitter clearance (COMT V158M and H62H, MAO-A); Vitamin D and antioxidant defense (VDR Bsm and Taq, SOD2 A16V); Phase I and II detox (NAT2, GSTP1, CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP1B1, CYP2E1); Lipid and cardiovascular (APOE ε2/ε3/ε4); Fatty acid desaturation (FADS1 Δ5, FADS2 Δ6); Iron loading (HFE C282Y and H63D); Lactose tolerance (LCT -13910); Vitamin A conversion (BCMO1 A379V and R267S); Histamine production and clearance (DAO, HNMT, HDC); Microbiome / secretor status (FUT2); and Oxalate / calcium-oxalate handling (CYP24A1, CLDN14, CASR, SLC26A6). Each gene card links directly to PubMed and PMC research.
View a real sample report at foodzipper.com/sample-report.html. The report has four tabs: Your Zipper (a quick visual matching variants to foods), Understand (gene-by-gene cards with what you may be feeling, what's happening biochemically, what foods help, and the research behind each), Your Protocol (a daily timeline from morning to evening with food, movement, and mind practices), and Full Panel (every SNP tested, your call, and the high-priority markers not covered by your file).
foodZipper matches gene variants to nutrient needs based on peer-reviewed biochemistry. Every gene card links to PubMed or PMC sources. The SNP-to-nutrient-to-food relationships are well-established in the scientific literature. foodZipper does not predict disease, diagnose conditions, or replace clinical evaluation. It surfaces patterns where research suggests genetics may shape how a person responds to specific nutrients, and recommends food-first approaches you and your clinician can discuss.
No. Your DNA file is processed locally on your device and is never uploaded, stored, or transmitted. There is no server, no database, no cloud storage, no cookies, no analytics, and no tracking of any kind.
Yes. All processing happens locally in your browser. There is no server to breach, no database to hack, and no account to compromise.
No. foodZipper never sees your data. There is nothing to sell because nothing is collected.
That is your choice — but understand the tradeoff. When you upload a file to any AI tool, that file leaves your device and reaches a third-party server. foodZipper processes everything locally — your DNA file never leaves your browser. If you want AI to help explain your results, a safer approach is to use foodZipper first, then share the finished report — not your raw DNA file — with an AI tool.
Nutrigenomics is the study of how genetic variation affects the way your body responds to nutrients — how gene variants influence enzyme activity, nutrient metabolism, and which foods best support your individual biochemistry.
MTHFR is an enzyme that converts dietary folate into its active form (5-MTHF). Common variants like C677T and A1298C can reduce enzyme activity. C677T homozygotes may have up to 70% reduced activity. A1298C may affect BH4 recycling, which is needed for serotonin, dopamine, and melatonin production. Natural folate from whole foods like lentils, spinach, asparagus, chickpeas, and avocado supports this pathway.
Foods rich in natural folate support MTHFR function: lentils, chickpeas, black beans, spinach, asparagus, brussels sprouts, broccoli, and avocado. Riboflavin (B2) is also an MTHFR cofactor — found in eggs, salmon, sardines, and mushrooms. Food-sourced folate is generally preferred over synthetic folic acid for those with MTHFR variants because folic acid can accumulate unmetabolized when MTHFR runs slow.
Both are variants in the MTHFR gene but affect different processes. C677T directly reduces folate-to-active-folate conversion — homozygous carriers may have up to 70% reduced activity. A1298C may affect BH4 recycling, which is needed for serotonin, dopamine, and melatonin production. Compound heterozygous (one copy of each) is considered more significant than either variant alone.
COMT clears dopamine in the prefrontal cortex — the brain region responsible for focus, decision-making, and stress response. The V158M variant slows this clearance, which can make emotional responses linger and stress feel harder to shake. Magnesium is a required cofactor for COMT — whole food sources include pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, leafy greens, and avocado.
APOE codes for apolipoprotein E, which carries cholesterol in the blood and brain. Three common alleles — ε2, ε3, ε4 — combine into six genotypes. The ε4 allele is associated with higher LDL cholesterol response to saturated fat and increased Alzheimer's risk; the ε2 allele is associated with cognitive protection but can elevate triglycerides. Food strategies vary by genotype — ε4 carriers benefit most from a Mediterranean-style pattern with olive oil, fatty fish, vegetables, and nuts; ε2/ε2 carriers should watch refined carbs and alcohol if triglycerides run high. foodZipper analyzes both APOE-defining SNPs (rs429358 and rs7412) to determine your full genotype.
HFE is the gene linked to hereditary hemochromatosis — a condition where the body absorbs too much iron from food. The two common variants are C282Y (rs1800562) and H63D (rs1799945). C282Y homozygotes have the highest iron-loading risk; compound heterozygotes (one C282Y and one H63D) have a moderate risk. foodZipper flags these variants but does not diagnose hemochromatosis. If flagged, work with a clinician on ferritin, transferrin saturation, and iron-handling food strategy. Vitamin C with meals dramatically increases non-heme iron absorption — for HFE carriers this matters in the opposite direction from typical advice.
FUT2 determines whether you secrete blood-group antigens into your saliva, mucus, and gut lining. About 20% of people of European ancestry are non-secretors (carriers of two W143X stop variants). Secretor status influences gut microbiome composition — particularly Bifidobacterium populations — and norovirus susceptibility. foodZipper flags FUT2 status as context that may shape how you respond to fiber types, fermented foods, and prebiotic foods.
Yes. foodZipper analyzes four oxalate and calcium-oxalate handling markers: CYP24A1 (vitamin D catabolism, hypercalciuria context), CLDN14 (kidney-stone GWAS signal, OR ~1.25 for the rs219780 C allele), CASR (calcium-sensing receptor / hypercalciuria), and SLC26A6 (intestinal oxalate transport — emerging human evidence, mechanistically clear in mouse studies). When several converge, foodZipper surfaces an oxalate-handling watch pattern with food-first guidance: hydration, calcium-pairing at meals, cooking method for high-oxalate greens. This is risk context, not a diagnosis. Primary hyperoxaluria — caused by rare AGXT, GRHPR, or HOGA1 mutations — requires clinical evaluation and is not what consumer DNA chips reliably detect.
Not necessarily. Cooking method matters more than total avoidance. Boiling spinach and discarding the cooking water reduces soluble oxalate by 30 to 80 percent depending on the vegetable — far more than steaming, sautéing, or adding raw to smoothies. Pairing high-oxalate foods (spinach, beets, almonds, sweet potato, dark chocolate) with calcium-rich foods at the same meal lets calcium bind oxalate in the gut so less reaches the kidneys. Yogurt, kefir, sardines with bones, tofu, and lower-oxalate greens like kale and collards are all useful pairings. Do not restrict dietary calcium — low-calcium diets actually increase oxalate absorption.
FADS1 (Δ5 desaturase) and FADS2 (Δ6 desaturase) convert plant-based ALA omega-3 (from flax, chia, walnuts) into the long-chain forms EPA and DHA that the brain and heart use. Common variants reduce conversion by roughly 30 to 50 percent. For slow converters, plant omega-3 alone is not very efficient — preformed EPA and DHA from fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel) two to three times per week deliver the same nutrients without the conversion bottleneck. The combination of APOE ε4 and slow FADS is one of the clearest places where food strategy has measurable downstream consequences.
Histamine intolerance happens when the body produces histamine faster than it can clear. Three genes shape this balance. HDC (histidine decarboxylase) makes histamine. DAO (diamine oxidase) clears histamine in the gut, especially from food. HNMT (histamine N-methyltransferase) clears histamine in tissues and the brain. Variants that slow DAO or HNMT, especially combined with the high-activity HDC Glu644 variant, can produce symptoms like flushing after wine or aged cheese, headaches, congestion, hives, anxiety in allergy season, or insomnia after histamine-heavy meals. foodZipper flags all three genes and links them in combo logic.
Caffeine increases dopamine and norepinephrine activity. If you carry slow variants in COMT or MAO-A, your brain already clears these neurotransmitters more slowly than average, so caffeine adds to a system that's already running long. CYP1A2 also matters — slow CYP1A2 metabolizers (rs762551) can have caffeine in their bloodstream for hours longer than fast metabolizers. foodZipper flags these variants and explains the underlying pathway so you can make informed choices about caffeine intake and timing.
Some nutrient pathways involved in focus, mood, and stress response are influenced by genetic variation. foodZipper highlights whole-food options that may support those pathways based on your specific gene variants. Magnesium for COMT, riboflavin (B2) for MAO-A, natural folate and B12 for MTHFR/MTRR, vitamin D and omega-3 for VDR. This is for personal wellness exploration only — not medical advice or treatment.
Yes. Serotonin converts to melatonin — your sleep signal — through a pathway that depends on B6 and folate. MTHFR A1298C may affect BH4 recycling, which is upstream of serotonin production. Tryptophan-rich foods like turkey, chicken, and pumpkin seeds paired with complex carbs in the evening can support this conversion. Histamine-clearance genes (DAO, HNMT) also affect sleep onset — high-histamine evening meals (aged cheese, wine, leftovers) can keep the mind racing in slow clearers. foodZipper flags all of this when relevant variants are present.
Yes. Genetic variants can affect how efficiently your body processes certain nutrients. MTHFR variants affect folate metabolism. COMT requires magnesium. MAO-A depends on riboflavin (B2). APOE shapes lipid response. FADS affects omega-3 conversion. HFE affects iron handling. Nutrigenomics studies how these gene-nutrient interactions work. foodZipper applies this science by matching your variants to whole food sources, with clinician follow-up where the genetics warrant it.
DIO2 (type 2 deiodinase) is the enzyme that converts T4 — the storage form of thyroid hormone — into T3, the active form your cells actually use. Most of this conversion happens inside tissues, particularly the brain, muscle, and fat. Without enough active T3 in tissue, energy production, focus, mood, body-temperature regulation, and recovery can all run sluggish even when standard blood thyroid labs (TSH, free T4) look normal. DIO2 is selenium-dependent — its active site contains selenocysteine — which is why selenium status matters for thyroid hormone activation.
DIO2 Thr92Ala (rs225014) is a common variant where the threonine at position 92 of the DIO2 enzyme is replaced by alanine. The Ala version is less efficient at converting T4 to T3 in tissue. About 12-16% of people are homozygous Ala/Ala (two variant copies); roughly 40-50% are heterozygous. For most people this is silent or mild. It becomes more visible in two contexts: when someone is on levothyroxine (T4-only thyroid replacement) and still feels hypothyroid despite 'normal' TSH labs, and when subclinical thyroid issues stack with other contributors (low selenium, low zinc, poor sleep, chronic stress, autoimmune thyroid disease). Chip coverage note: DIO2 Thr92Ala is reliably reported by AncestryDNA but is one of the markers dropped from the 23andMe v5 chip. If your file shows DIO2 as 'not covered,' that's a chip limitation — older 23andMe kits (v3, v4), AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, and whole-genome sequencing all cover it.
It's possible, and it's worth a conversation with your prescriber. Levothyroxine is T4 only — your body has to convert it to T3 to use it. DIO2 is the enzyme doing most of that conversion in tissues. If you carry DIO2 Thr92Ala (especially homozygous Ala/Ala), tissue T3 may be lower than your TSH labs suggest, because the pituitary has its own DIO2 isoform that's less affected by the variant — so the standard feedback loop looks fine to routine testing even when peripheral tissues are running low. Several studies in Ala/Ala carriers have reported improved well-being on T4+T3 combination therapy compared to T4 alone, though the clinical evidence is still evolving. foodZipper does not recommend medication or dose changes — but it does surface the marker so you can bring it to your endocrinologist or prescribing provider for a real discussion.
Selenium is the most important nutrient for DIO2 — the enzyme has selenium in its active site. Brazil nuts are the most concentrated source (one or two per day provides the full daily requirement; do not eat handfuls — selenium toxicity is real and the brazil nut is unusually selenium-dense). Sardines, salmon, eggs, beef, chicken, mushrooms, sunflower seeds, and chickpeas also contribute. Zinc supports thyroid hormone receptor function and the broader conversion machinery — oysters, beef, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas. Iodine is the raw material for the hormone itself — seaweed, fish, eggs, iodized salt. If you're on thyroid replacement medication, time it away from calcium, iron, soy, and coffee, all of which can interfere with absorption.
Yes. foodZipper includes a second engine that surfaces pharmacogenomic markers — variants that affect how your body responds to certain medications. The output appears as a 'Provider Notes' section in your report that you can share with your prescribing provider or pharmacist. foodZipper does not interpret results, recommend medications, or suggest doses — it surfaces the marker data so your provider can factor it into clinical decisions.
Four single-SNP markers in the initial version. SLCO1B1 (rs4149056) — statin muscle-symptom marker, with strongest evidence for simvastatin. VKORC1 (rs9923231) — warfarin sensitivity and dose requirement. ABCG2 (rs2231142) — statin exposure marker, particularly relevant for rosuvastatin. CYP4F2 (rs2108622) — warfarin dose modifier, interpreted alongside VKORC1. These four have strong evidence and are reliably callable from consumer raw DNA files.
Each is omitted on purpose, with a specific reason. CYP2D6 function depends on whole-gene deletions, duplications, and hybrid genes that consumer arrays cannot detect. DPYD-relevant variants are rare and poorly covered by arrays — and because fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy toxicity is severe, a partial result must never be read as reassurance. TPMT and NUDT15 thiopurine dosing relies on clinical-grade testing as standard of care, so partial array data risks false reassurance. HLA-A and HLA-B drug-hypersensitivity risk requires clinical HLA typing — consumer-array tag-SNP inference isn't reliable enough. RYR1 and CACNA1S (malignant hyperthermia) have rare variants not reliable from consumer arrays. The right tool for these genes is clinical pharmacogenomic testing, not a consumer array.
No. The markers foodZipper surfaces are single-SNP observations from a consumer genotyping array — not a clinical pharmacogenomic test. Clinical PGx panels cover whole-gene structures, rare variants, and use validated phenotype calls (such as CYP2D6 star alleles). A marker shown as 'not detected,' 'not assessed,' or 'no-call' on your foodZipper report is not a negative clinical result. Use the Provider Notes as a conversation-starter with your prescribing provider, not as a basis for medication decisions.
Bring them to your prescribing provider or pharmacist when the situation calls for it — before starting a new statin, before warfarin dosing, when reviewing existing medications, or when discussing side effects you've experienced. Your provider can decide whether the markers are clinically relevant to your case and whether full clinical pharmacogenomic testing makes sense. foodZipper does not recommend medications, dosing, or treatment changes — these are single-marker observations meant to be brought to a clinician, not acted on independently.
Yes. Completely free. No premium tiers, no subscriptions, no hidden costs, no upsells, no advertising.
No. There is no sign-up, no login, no email required. Upload your file, get your report. That's it.
foodZipper is food-first. The vast majority of recommendations are whole foods — no pills, no powders, no affiliate links to supplement stores, no monetization of your data. In a small number of specific genetic combinations (severe DAO + HNMT histamine-clearance carriers, APOE ε4 combined with slow FADS conversion), the engine flags where preformed nutrients or enzyme support may meaningfully bridge a gap that food alone cannot easily close. Even in those cases, foodZipper does not sell, market, or earn from any product — the recommendation is yours and your clinician's.
Most DNA nutrition tools cost $100 to $250, process your data on their servers, give you a branded diet label, and end with a supplement list to buy. foodZipper is free, processes everything locally on your device, recommends whole foods first, and links every recommendation to published research you can verify yourself. No account, no cloud, no black box, no upsell.
Yes — and with your doctor, naturopath, dietitian, or any healthcare provider. Your report is saved as an HTML file on your device and it is yours to share however you choose. foodZipper builds the report — it does not interpret or diagnose. AI tools like Claude or ChatGPT can help explain your results in plain language. A licensed provider can use them as a starting point for clinical analysis. The interpretation is theirs. The data is yours.
For MTHFR specifically, food-first is the strongest move. Natural folate from lentils, spinach, asparagus, avocado, and chickpeas activates faster than synthetic folic acid (which can build up unmetabolized in MTHFR carriers). If your homocysteine tests above approximately 10 µmol/L despite consistent folate-rich eating, talk to a clinician about methylated B-vitamins (methylfolate, methylcobalamin). foodZipper does not sell or recommend specific supplement brands, and most MTHFR carriers do well on food alone.
Start with the Your Protocol tab — it organizes your food, movement, and mind practices into a daily timeline from morning to evening. Focus on the foods that appear most often across your gene cards. Share your report with your healthcare provider if you want clinical guidance, especially if any watch patterns (oxalate, hemochromatosis) flagged. Track what you notice over the first few weeks — energy, mood, focus, sleep. Small consistent changes tend to show results before big overhauls do.
Your gene variants do not change — your report will always be accurate for the SNPs it covers. However, foodZipper is actively expanding its gene panel. As new pathways are added (oxalate handling was recent; more are coming), uploading your file again gives you a more complete picture. Bookmark the site and check back periodically for updates.
Yes, if you have your child's raw DNA data file from AncestryDNA, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. The same privacy protections apply — the file never leaves your device. foodZipper provides whole-food recommendations only, which are generally appropriate for children. Always consult your child's pediatrician before making significant dietary changes, especially for children with allergies, medications, or existing health conditions.
Visit foodzipper.com/download-dna.html for step-by-step instructions for downloading your raw DNA data from AncestryDNA, 23andMe, and MyHeritage. Takes about 5 minutes.