Comparing Stride, 10X Health, Smart Nutrition, and Body Fabulous: Which Methylation Test is Right for You?
Published 25/09/2024
Choosing a methylation test is harder than it looks. The marketing is compelling across the board, but the differences in what each test actually analyses, how results are delivered, and what support you get are significant. Here's an honest, data-led comparison of the four most frequently compared tests on this site.
The four tests at a glance
| Provider | Genes analysed | Reports | Turnaround | Consultation | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stride Optimal Health | 110 | 40+ | 10 business days (UK) | Included (dietician/physiologist) | From £262 |
| 10X Health Genetic Test | 54 | 5 | 8–10 weeks (USA labs) | Extra ($120/call) | ~$599 (˜£490) |
| Smart Nutrition 10X+ | 27 | 5 | ~2.5 weeks (UK) | Included (email) | £265 |
| Body Fabulous Ultimate | 78 | 6 | ~14 days (UK) | Optional (+£30) | £375 |
Genes analysed — why depth matters
The number of genes tested determines how complete your methylation picture is. Testing only 5 genes (as the basic 10X Health test does) tells you about a narrow slice of your methylation biochemistry. Testing 110 — as Stride does — means you get a view across methylation, nutrition, detoxification, fitness, sleep, and skin genetics in a single test.
Turnaround time
This is where the differences are most stark. Stride uses its own UK labs and consistently returns results within 10 business days. Body Fabulous and Smart Nutrition are comparable at around 14 days. 10X Health sends samples to US laboratories, which adds weeks of transit time — the 8–10 week estimate is realistic and is a meaningful consideration if you're eager to act on your results.
Expert consultation — what's included vs. what costs extra
Test results without interpretation are limited in value. The decision about what to supplement, what to deprioritise, and how to act on compound variants requires expert guidance.
- Stride includes a consultation with a registered dietician or physiologist as standard — not an upsell. This is the most professionally supported option in this comparison.
- Smart Nutrition includes email-based consultation, which works well for straightforward profiles.
- Body Fabulous offers a 45-minute Zoom consultation for an additional £30 — reasonable value if you prefer a live conversation.
- 10X Health charges $120 per consultation call, with no consultation included in the base price.
Platform and results delivery
How you receive your results affects how useful they are in practice. Stride provides an online portal where results are presented with visualisations, personalised recommendations, and historical tracking. The other three providers deliver results in PDF format by email. PDFs are functional, but they lack the interactivity and ongoing reference value of a dedicated platform.
Head-to-head: who each test suits best
Stride Optimal Health is the clear choice. 110 genes covering methylation, nutrition, fitness, sleep, and skin — with expert consultation and an online platform — makes it the standout option for anyone who wants a complete genetic health profile rather than a narrow methylation snapshot.
Body Fabulous Ultimate Methylation is the most methylation-specific option in this comparison, with 78 genes targeting methylation, detoxification, and nutrient metabolism. Good if you have a specific reason to go deep on methylation rather than wanting broader health coverage.
Smart Nutrition 10X+ at £265 offers reasonable coverage (27 genes) with UK labs and email consultation included. A sensible mid-range option for those on a budget, though the gene count limits the depth of insights.
10X Health is associated with a high-profile public figure, which drives awareness — but the test itself analyses fewer genes than competitors, costs significantly more, and takes far longer to return results. The data doesn't justify the premium over Stride or Body Fabulous.
Stride Optimal Health is the most complete package: the highest gene count, the fastest UK turnaround, the most comprehensive reports, and the only test that includes expert consultation as standard rather than as an expensive add-on. For most people — whether new to methylation testing or looking for a thorough annual health audit — it represents the best value in this comparison.
110 genes, 40+ reports, UK lab, 10-day turnaround, consultation included. The most comprehensive methylation test on this site.