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It should be noted, however, that genetics are just one factor when it comes to overall health. A genetic predisposition is not a sentence nor a cure. Lifestyle choices also play a massive role. These include diet, exercise, and sleep.
Food with additives and those enriched with certain nutrients, for instance, will probably have that information a lot more explicit for consumers to see.
Though results tend to be accurate, “keep in mind that the results show your potential for health conditions or how your body will likely respond to nutrients. But just because you’re genetically prone to something doesn’t mean it’s a given,” advises dietitian Devon Peart.
We all like certainty. Knowing our genes and how they react to certain ingredients, or that we are more predisposed to certain conditions, can motivate us in our health goals.
Nutrigenomics may help adjust nutrition to our personal needs, but it is not a guarantee or a substitute for experimentation when it comes to diet, exercise, and other lifestyle choices.
Sources: (Journal of Food Science and Technology) (Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre) (The Conversation) (Cleveland Clinic) (Health Digest) (BioMed Central) (Medical News Today)
Some companies already offer genetic tests, but it’s always best to do so under the supervision of a professional. A registered dietitian with training in nutrigenomics can help you interpret the results and set you up with a personalized diet plan.
A DNA test for nutrigenomics can be done using a swab of the inside of your mouth.
Nutrigenomics is still a growing science, but what will be the impact on the food industry if it goes mainstream in the future? As nutrigenomics advances, we may start to see changes in how foods are labeled.
We know that appetite can be influenced by our genes, but why do we love or hate certain foods? Are we genetically programmed to do so? Apparently yes. To a certain degree.
Food additives are pretty common. Things such as folate, which is used to enrich cereal and bread, may play a role in the incidence of colon cancer in Western countries.
The study, which included half a million volunteers, found that naturally lean people who showed small changes in the MC4R gene were able to control their appetite and therefore not gain weight.
You've probably heard some people saying that cilantro tastes like soap, right? And it does so, for some people. This is actually the result of a genetic mutation that affects a somewhat small percentage of people.
Though this tends to occur under specific circumstances, including the absence of other micronutrients (e.g. vitamin B-12 deficiency). It has been hypothesized that it does so because it affects the genetic pathways that control growth.
These have shown to have an impact on our genes. Bisphenol A, aka BPA, a compound found in plastic, is one of the main culprits. BPA “turns on genetic dials in mammals that are critical to development, growth and fertility.”
Though genes are not the only thing influencing our food preferences. Changes in our taste buds due to age, as well as hormones, also play a role.
Researchers at the Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre found some 300 mutations of a gene whose job is to regulate appetite. The gene is called MC4R.
One example is how our bodies metabolize cholesterol. It turns out one specific gene plays a huge role in this. This is really important, as high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol have been linked to heart disease.
Nutrigenomic testing can reveal information on how likely we are to develop certain conditions. Knowing this information allows for the person to take preventative steps.
Variants on the fat mass and obesity-associated protein, aka the FTO gene, have an impact on our metabolism, and, consequently, weight management and body composition.
Some basic dietary notions apply to many people, but not all. DNA is unique to each individual, and knowing our genetic information can change the way we eat. One nutrient may have different gene expressions, depending on the person.
The ultimate goal is to understand the messages certain foods tell our genes and their consequences. “If you can learn the language of your genes and control the messages and instructions they give your body and your metabolism, you can radically alter how food interacts with your body, lose weight, and optimize your health,” wrote Dr. Mark Hyman in his book ‘Ultra-metabolism: the simple plan for automatic weight loss.’
Every individual has specific nutritional and genetic interactions. Understanding these is key to prescribing a tailored diet for that individual, depending on the goal. This is mostly promising when it comes to disease management and prevention.
Your genes can also signal how much you crave sweets, and therefore be helpful in preventing type-2 diabetes. The same applies to how you respond to caffeine, for example.
Obesity has been linked to a number of medical conditions, including type-2 diabetes and heart disease. It’s currently one of the biggest public health problems in the developed world.
The Human Genome Project, which ran from 1990 until 2003, allowed scientists to generate the sequence of the human genome. Without such advancements, nutrigenomics couldn’t really exist.
Nutrigenomics then became an emerging field, which combines elements of genomics, nutrition, bioinformatics, molecular biology, epidemiology, and molecular medicine.
Nutrigenomics, also known as nutritional genomics, looks at the relationship between genes and nutrients.
An example of how genes and nutrients have an impact on one’s life include lactose intolerance. The intolerance is “caused by the reduced function of a gene that codes for the enzyme lactase.” Without lactase, we are unable to digest lactose. This reaction can be traced back to our genes and the interaction with a specific nutrient.
Nutrigenomics links nutrition and genetics, and its impact on health and disease. Different dietary components have different impacts on the human genome, from how nutrients are absorbed to how they are used.
Different genes react differently to cholesterol. Two people may respond differently to the same dietary changes and how that affects cholesterol levels. A study found a link between a gene called Sestrin1 and its ability to shut down cholesterol synthesis in the liver.
Did you know that our genes play an important role in how we process nutrients? Equally, different nutrients have different effects on our genes. But can we use this information to our advantage? Is it possible to determine whether or not we're generically predisposed to certain conditions? And if so, how can we adjust our diets for better health? Enter the field of nutrigenomics.
In this gallery, you'll get to know more about this scientific branch that looks at the relationship between genes and nutrients, and the impact it may have on our health. Click on for more.
The relationship between your genes and the food you eat
Is nutrigenomics the future?
HEALTH Nutrigenomics
Did you know that our genes play an important role in how we process nutrients? Equally, different nutrients have different effects on our genes. But can we use this information to our advantage? Is it possible to determine whether or not we're generically predisposed to certain conditions? And if so, how can we adjust our diets for better health? Enter the field of nutrigenomics.
In this gallery, you'll get to know more about this scientific branch that looks at the relationship between genes and nutrients, and the impact it may have on our health. Click on for more.