Gary Brecka’s Testing Routine – Independent Overview of His Genetic Test Approach (2025)
A Health Check System Built on Data
Gary Brecka has become widely known for his focus on genetics and health optimization through targeted testing. He often discusses the importance of understanding personal biology using tools such as genetic testing and blood analysis. Drawing from publicly available information, this article provides an overview of the Gary Brecka testing routine, including his approach to the methylation test, blood test, and gene test. It also highlights how these assessments guide his broader philosophy on improving health and performance.
- Last Updated: October 13, 2025
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Who Is Gary Brecka and Why Genetics Matter in His Approach
Gary Brecka is known for combining biology and genetics to improve health and longevity. Before co-founding 10X Health System, he spent over 20 years in the life insurance industry, where he analyzed medical and demographic data to predict life expectancy. His work today focuses on understanding how genes influence the body’s ability to function and prevent disease, helping people live longer, healthier lives.
- Background and shift in focus: After years of assessing people’s health risks, Brecka turned his attention from predicting lifespan to improving it. His mission centers on identifying the root causes of illness rather than just managing symptoms.
- Core philosophy: He believes that most chronic diseases are not random but the result of genetic and nutritional imbalances. His approach encourages people to understand their genetic makeup so they can make changes that truly support their health.
- Methylation as a key process: Brecka emphasizes the importance of methylation, a biochemical process that impacts energy, mood, DNA repair, and detoxification. When methylation doesn’t work properly, it can cause nutrient deficiencies that lead to common health problems.
- Simple analogy for understanding: He often compares it to refining crude oil into gasoline—our bodies must “convert” nutrients into usable forms. Without that conversion, we experience deficiencies that may show up as fatigue, poor immunity, or chronic illness.
- Inherited issues and prevention: In his view, many health issues are inherited challenges in processing nutrients, not the conditions themselves. By identifying and fixing these genetic weaknesses, people can often prevent or reduce symptoms long before they become serious.
- Philosophy on natural health: Brecka often says that true health solutions are found in nature, not in a laboratory. His focus on gene testing helps people find the information their bodies already hold and use it to optimize their wellbeing.
Gary Brecka’s testing routine highlights how understanding one’s genes can reveal hidden imbalances that traditional health approaches may miss. Through his extensive health plan, he aims to make this knowledge accessible, guiding people toward better health using insights from their own biology.
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The 10X Genetic Methylation Test
Gary Brecka’s testing routine focuses on understanding how our genes affect the way the body processes nutrients. Through the 10X Genetic Methylation Test, he helps people identify genetic variations that might cause fatigue, low mood, or other long-term health issues. Unlike regular blood work that changes over time, this DNA-based test provides a lifetime snapshot of how efficiently your body functions.
- Purpose of the test: The genetic methylation test examines several key genes that control how nutrients are converted into usable forms. Brecka calls it a one-time test because your genes don’t change, meaning you can use this information throughout your life to guide your health decisions.
- Approach to supplementation: Instead of guessing which vitamins or supplements your body needs, the test shows exactly where deficiencies exist. Brecka emphasizes that supplementation should correct a specific genetic weakness, not just add more nutrients randomly.
- Core genes analyzed: The test focuses on five main genes—MTHFR, MTR, MTRR, AHCY, and COMT—each linked to how the body processes vital nutrients such as folate, B12, and compounds that regulate mood and energy.
- MTHFR (Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase): This gene helps the body process folate and regulate homocysteine levels. A variant here can cause poor methylation, leading to fatigue, anxiety, or higher cardiovascular risk. Brecka often refers to this as a key factor behind many unexplained health issues.
- MTR and MTRR (Methionine Synthase and Methionine Synthase Reductase): These genes are involved in recycling homocysteine into methionine and regenerating vitamin B12. A variation can lead to low B12 levels, causing brain fog, neuropathy, or fatigue, even in people who consume enough B vitamins.
- AHCY (Adenosylhomocysteine Hydrolase): This gene supports methylation balance and helps break down compounds involved in the body’s energy cycle. Mutations here can lead to higher inflammation, poor detoxification, or sleep problems.
- COMT (Catechol-O-Methyltransferase): Often called the body’s “stress switch,” this gene breaks down dopamine, adrenaline, and estrogen. Variants can make stress hormones linger too long or clear too quickly, leading to anxiety, irritability, or burnout depending on how fast or slow the gene functions.
- Real-world examples: Brecka often references cases where clients discovered gene mutations explaining long-standing issues like fatigue or mood swings. Once they began supplementing with the right methylated forms of nutrients, such as folate or B12, their energy, focus, and overall mood improved significantly.
These five genes form the foundation of Gary Brecka’s testing routine and his broader philosophy at 10X Health System. He believes that when people identify and address these genetic “breaks,” the body can shift from expressing disease to expressing wellness, helping individuals achieve lasting health by understanding their biology at its core.
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Test Logistics and Availability
Gary Brecka’s 10X Genetic Methylation Test is designed to make advanced genetic testing simple and accessible. The process uses an at-home collection kit, allowing users to gather DNA samples easily without needing to visit a lab. Brecka often describes it as a one-time test that can provide lifelong insight into how your body functions and responds to nutrients.
- Testing process: The test is done using a cheek swab, which is then sent to a certified lab for analysis. Once processed, users receive a detailed report outlining their genetic methylation patterns and Brecka’s recommended diet and supplement guidance.
- Influence and demand: The test gained wide recognition after Brecka discussed it on Joe Rogan’s podcast, inspiring many listeners to try methylation testing for themselves. His methods have since influenced clinics and health centers, with many now offering “Brecka-recommended” methylation testing options modeled after his system.
- Availability outside the US: While the official 10X Health test is not yet directly available in some countries, functional medicine providers in regions such as the UK have introduced similar genetic testing programs. These versions focus on the same methylation genes and follow Brecka’s general testing philosophy.
The growing popularity of Gary Brecka’s testing routine shows how accessible DNA-based health insights have become. Despite differing opinions on cost, his methylation approach continues to inspire new ways for people to understand their bodies and make informed choices about long-term wellness.
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Advanced Blood Panels
Before moving to genetic data, Gary Brecka begins his testing process with detailed bloodwork to get a full picture of a person’s current health. These advanced panels measure essential biochemical markers that reveal how well the body is functioning and highlight potential risks long before symptoms appear.
- What the test measures: The bloodwork includes standard health markers along with specialized ones such as inflammatory indicators, full lipid panels, hormone levels, and vitamin and mineral concentrations. Brecka pays particular attention to homocysteine, a compound linked to cardiovascular and metabolic health.
- Example of assessment: When working with Dana White, Brecka ordered multiple vials of blood for comprehensive testing. The results showed extremely high triglycerides, elevated homocysteine, and severe blood pressure concerns, all signs of serious imbalance.
- Risk analysis: After combining these results with White’s genetic data, Brecka concluded that he was at high risk for cardiovascular issues. He estimated White’s life expectancy to be only 10.4 more years if no lifestyle changes were made, which became a turning point in White’s health journey.
- Purpose of this approach: Brecka often uses these advanced panels to motivate clients to take immediate action. The data helps people understand how internal imbalances can impact their long-term wellbeing, and it provides a clear path toward correction through diet, supplementation, and lifestyle shifts.
Brecka’s approach to blood testing merges traditional lab work with his data-driven methods from 10X Health System, helping individuals see the direct link between their biochemistry and overall health. This combination of measurable data and practical guidance allows people to take control of their wellness with clarity and purpose.
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Genetic Methylation Analysis
Once bloodwork reveals potential red flags, Gary Brecka takes the next step with a DNA methylation test. This genetic test helps identify why certain markers, such as high homocysteine, appear in blood results. Brecka uses it to understand how an individual’s body processes nutrients and where genetic issues might be affecting their health.
- Purpose of the test: The methylation analysis focuses on identifying genetic variations that can interfere with nutrient conversion, especially in genes like MTHFR. These insights help Brecka pinpoint the underlying cause of biochemical imbalances.
- How it helped Dana White: In the case of UFC President Dana White, the test revealed gene variants related to methylation that explained his elevated homocysteine levels. Brecka discussed this on Joe Rogan’s podcast, sharing that both White and a mutual friend experienced life-changing results after taking the same test.
- Findings from the analysis: Brecka discovered that Dana’s body struggled to properly convert folic acid and recycle homocysteine. This explained his extreme blood readings and cardiovascular risks seen in previous blood panels.
- Corrective steps: With this genetic insight, Brecka advised eliminating synthetic folic acid commonly found in processed foods and multivitamins. Instead, he recommended methylated folate and B-vitamins, which can support the body’s natural methylation process and help balance homocysteine levels.
The methylation analysis is a key part of Gary Brecka’s testing approach within 10X Health plan, offering a deeper understanding of how genetic factors influence overall wellness. This method allows individuals to address the true source of their health challenges instead of just managing symptoms.
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Personalized Supplement and Diet Plan
After completing both genetic and blood testing, Gary Brecka creates a plan to correct nutrient gaps and support overall health. His approach combines targeted supplements with diet and lifestyle adjustments designed to help the body function at its best.
- Targeted supplementation: Brecka often recommends adding methylated nutrients such as methylfolate, methylcobalamin (B12), pyridoxal-5-phosphate (B6), and riboflavin-5-phosphate (B2). These bioactive forms allow the body to use vitamins more efficiently and support the methylation cycle.
- Addressing genetic weaknesses: If the COMT gene processes slowly, he suggests magnesium and methyl-B vitamins to help manage stress hormone clearance. For MTRR variants, additional methyl-B12 may help maintain proper methylation balance.
- Methylated multivitamin design: Brecka created his own methylated multivitamin to address common genetic breaks he found through testing. It contains bioavailable B-vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that assist with energy production and detoxification. He often advises that everyone should take a methylated multivitamin daily to give the body essential nutrients it needs for optimal function.
- Dietary focus: Brecka promotes whole, natural foods over processed items. His plan for Dana White included removing sugar and junk food, lowering inflammation, and prioritizing nutrient-dense meals to better support cardiovascular health.
- Hydration and minerals: Each morning, he suggests drinking water mixed with natural sea salt to provide trace minerals that aid adrenal and cellular function.
- Lifestyle guidance: In addition to nutrition, Brecka encourages regular exercise, cold plunges, breathwork, sunlight exposure, and proper sleep. Through his Ultimate Human platform, he emphasizes these practices as essential parts of improving longevity and daily performance.
Brecka’s supplement and diet strategy within 10X Health System combines genetics, nutrition, and daily habits to give individuals a clear path toward better health and long-term vitality.
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Hormone and Other Optimizations
Once nutrient and methylation imbalances are corrected, Gary Brecka often looks at hormone levels to complete the picture of a person’s health. His approach focuses on understanding how genetic and nutritional factors influence hormone production before considering replacement therapies.
- Hormone testing: Brecka’s process includes testing for thyroid function, testosterone, estrogen, and other hormone markers. If imbalances are found, he first works on fixing nutrient deficiencies that could be disrupting these levels.
- Understanding thyroid conversion: Brecka often explains that only a small portion of thyroid hormone (T3) is made in the thyroid gland itself, while most of it is produced through methylation in the gut. When someone has low T3, the issue may stem from a methylation defect rather than the thyroid gland, often linked to MTHFR or MTRR gene variations.
- Avoiding misdiagnosis: He points out that conditions such as hypothyroidism can sometimes be misread when doctors only look at blood hormone levels. A poor conversion process can mimic thyroid dysfunction, leading to unnecessary medication.
- Root-cause correction: Instead of immediately prescribing hormone therapy or testosterone replacement, Brecka focuses on fixing the nutrient or methylation pathway that supports hormone balance. Once the body’s nutrient needs are met, hormone levels often improve naturally.
- Guided therapies: If hormones remain low after addressing nutritional issues, Brecka may suggest bioidentical hormone support based on test results. He always asks, “What raw material could be missing from this person’s body that could be causing this condition?” to determine what the body truly needs.
- Common deficiencies addressed: He frequently identifies shortages in vitamin D3, magnesium, and other micronutrients that can be mistaken for autoimmune or hormonal disorders. Brecka has noted that many cases once labeled as autoimmune were actually due to nutrient deficiencies overlooked in standard medical testing.
Brecka’s genetic testing plan focuses on restoring balance by correcting nutrient and hormonal pathways first. His goal is to strengthen the body’s natural ability to heal using targeted nutrition and testing, reserving medications only when absolutely necessary.
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Gary Brecka Genetic Testing Success Stories
Gary Brecka’s genetic testing method gained significant attention after delivering impressive results for several high-profile individuals. His science-based approach has not only helped people improve their health but also sparked widespread discussion in the wellness world.
- Dana White’s health turnaround: UFC President Dana White’s experience brought major visibility to Brecka’s testing system. After following Brecka’s recommendations for about ten weeks, White lost weight, improved his blood markers, and reversed several aging symptoms. His results demonstrated how correcting methylation and nutrient deficiencies could dramatically impact overall health and longevity.
- Results that inspired others: White’s transformation led to a surge of interest in Brecka’s work, especially among athletes and fitness enthusiasts. His story reinforced Brecka’s philosophy that understanding genetic weaknesses and addressing nutrient gaps can produce measurable improvements in a short period.
- Media attention and public recognition: Brecka’s collaboration with well-known figures, including Joe Rogan, helped spread awareness about the role of methylation testing in personalized wellness. The conversations around his approach made the idea of genetic testing more mainstream, leading many clinics and wellness professionals to adopt similar assessments.
- Influence across the wellness community: Following the viral success of his appearances and testimonials, Brecka’s testing method was soon referred to as the “Gary Brecka test” in many wellness circles. Countless individuals began crediting the approach for improving their energy, focus, and long-term health outcomes.
Gary Brecka’s growing influence through success stories and media exposure has made his genetic testing approach a recognized part of modern wellness discussions. His results-driven methods continue to motivate people to look deeper into their genetic health and take action toward lasting improvement.
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