Lifeforce vs. Marek Diagnostics

Once I turned 30, I stopped answering the question “How are you?” with “Tired.” Why? Because after 30, being tired was just part of who I was. And everyone told me that was normal, just a sign of aging, and I had to adjust by slowing down or not doing as much work. I wasn’t buying it. 

I started hearing more about genetics and how genetics might be playing a role in how I was feeling. I also started researching hormones more, and I learned that a lot of the symptoms my mother and her mother before that had been told were just the way perimenopause and menopause worked was not true. I wasn’t doomed to gain weight or stop working out. Rather, my hormone changes would leave me feeling sluggish, and therefore I wouldn’t really have the energy to work out and so I’d be less likely to do it and more likely to gain weight.

So I decided to look at different tests to see what role genetics and hormones had in the way I was feeling and if I could do anything about it. Here is what I learned comparing Lifeforce to Marek. 

Lifeforce vs. Marek: Purpose

Lifeforce is centered on the idea of developing a health score much the same as a credit score, but for your body. The goal is to get a score of 85 out of 100 at a minimum across different health categories, and they create a baseline with your initial blood draw, and from there, as part of the membership, you have blood draws every 3 months so you can see how well the personalized plan you create with their health coaches has worked. 

I learned about Lifeforce from my friend, but Marek from a podcast I love: Modern Wisdom. Every time the concept of genetics gets brought up on the show, the host immediately turns to his personalized report to check and see whether he has those genetic markers or predispositions that are being discussed. 

That freedom and detailed information activated the nerd in me.

I wanted that too. 

So it turns out that Marek is focused on comprehensive and personalized genetic testing. They have three different levels of tests, and you can order genetic tests with a 50-page report and nothing else or you can use their service to have a one-on-one session with a health professional to review and ask any questions you might have about that report, and you can also opt for online coaching thereafter.

Lifeforce: 

Biomarker test results with online dashboard, regular tests, and ongoing support

Marek:

Genetic test results and online coaching

Lifeforce vs. Marek: Types of Testing

Lifeforce is good if you don’t have a lot of pre-existing conditions and you are looking to simply stay healthy. Their panels focus on around 50 biomarkers.

Marek is a bit more comprehensive, not just because of the genetic markers, but the fact that it tests over 100 biomarkers. 

Lifeforce: 

Biomarker testing using a blood draw

Marek:

Genetic testing using a blood draw

Lifeforce vs. Marek: Testing Options

Lifeforce does a single blood draw to test over 50 biomarkers, but unfortunately, that is all they offer. You can’t add any other tests or create a custom test because the main design focuses more on establishing that baseline for someone who is already moderately healthy and then managing the changes necessary to boost your score.

If you have any pre-existing conditions or you are worried about your risk for certain conditions, Marek offers more expensive but more robust panels with tests for things like dementia and tumor development that are not available with Lifeforce. You can actually shop with Marek for a la carte items, including individual tests for things like hormones, inflammation, or heart health as well as specialty panels or bundles. 

Lifeforce: 

One type of blood draw to look at 50 biomarkers on a quarterly basis

Marek:

Several types of tests, including specialty panels, bundles, and individual tests or biomarkers 

Lifeforce vs. Marek: Follow-Ups

With Lifeforce, you get a lot of support following your initial blood draw. Because it is designed as a membership, all of the support options are included in that monthly price, so you can continue to utilize each support option without raising your monthly costs.

This starts with the 45-minute consultation with a board-certified clinician to go over your test results. From there, all of your results get added to the personalized dashboard, which you can access online or from your phone. The dashboard is designed to give you a look at where your baseline numbers are for all of the different categories and your overall life score, and how those have changed over time.

Part of facilitating that change is access to a personalized health plan and a health coach who continually guides you as you make these changes, and you start to see alterations in your different score categories. If you don’t want that level of support, you’re still paying for it. 

When you book the type of test you want with Marek, your checkout will include the optional consultation. This consultation is about $100 extra, so I wouldn’t say that it’s included in anything, but rather you choose to pay for it if you want it. I am not opposed to this idea; not everyone wants that consultation, and they don’t necessarily want to have to shell out the money for it. 

Beyond that, you have the option of working with a health coach. The coaching team gives you different levels of clinical advisory specialists, like industry leaders and medical experts, who will give you 30-minute sessions to talk about your goals in a free introductory booking, and after that, you can book ongoing coaching sessions using the results from your genetic testing.

Lifeforce: 

The membership includes a 45-minute consultation with a board-certified clinician, health coaching, and an interactive dashboard

Marek:

You can order a follow-up consultation and schedule online coaching as necessary 

Lifeforce vs. Marek: Costs

Lifeforce is designed as a membership. So you can expect to pay around $150 per month after your initial test. Unfortunately, they don’t have extra tests, so you can’t purchase a la carte testing, which makes this a less-than-ideal solution for anyone with pre-existing conditions or genetic risks. 

Marek is very clear about their costs, which range. From the “MarekHealth” page, you get redirected to the “MarekDiagnostics” where they have costs based on:

1. Whether you are male or female
2. Whether you want a consultation after your findings
3. What level (there are three) of testing you want

The most basic option is around $500, and that’s the Comprehensive Health panel, which measures almost exactly the same as what you get with Lifeforce. If you want the complete version, the next level up, it looks at your vitamin status and markers for things like blood clotting, tumors, and oxidative stress, so this is a much better option if you are interested in screening. This also has over 100 biomarkers, twice what you get with Lifeforce. 

The final level is the executive. This offers full-spectrum health optimization, including genetic risk factors, cognitive and dementia risk factors, micronutrient status, and advanced cardiovascular markers. You can expect to pay around $2,000 for this, as compared to the $500 basic test. 

Lifeforce: 

The cost is based on a monthly membership of $149 

Marek:

The cost varies depending on how thorough your panel is and whether you book the 45-minute consultation

Lifeforce vs. 10X: Medications

Lifeforce gives you your findings and recommendations for supplements. I’m certain a big part of that is the fact that they sell supplements. If you have your membership, you can get a 30% discount on all of the supplements they offer.

Beyond that, Lifeforce also has prescription opportunities specifically for things like hormone treatment or peptide therapy, but you have to have a membership.

Marek claims to offer individualized supplements. The problem is you have to create an account and submit your lead gen information, book an intake with one of their health coaches, create a personalized lab panel, and then they give you access to the recommendations for supplements. There is no information on proprietary supplements or any possible prescriptions because it seems that the company is really more focused on giving you the data, and you can choose how you want to act with that information. 

Lifeforce: 

Access to supplements and prescriptions on an as-needed basis

Marek:

Individualized supplements after your consultation and lead gen form 

Summing Up

So, which one is best, Lifeforce or Marek? That largely depends on what you’re looking for on your health journey.

Marek is a great option for those who want genetic testing, not just biomarker testing. More to the point, they have a much more robust panel of biomarkers that are tested, as well as options for more advanced or custom tests if you have pre-existing conditions.

Lifeforce is a great option if you are simply looking to improve your health, but you don’t have to worry about cancer risks, and you prefer a membership-based option where you have ongoing support to help you implement lifestyle changes that improve your health.