© Shutterstock

What is nutrigenomics? -

Nutrigenomics, also known as nutritional genomics, looks at the relationship between genes and nutrients.

© Shutterstock

What is nutrigenomics? -

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.

© Shutterstock

Example -

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.

© Shutterstock

The science -

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.

© Shutterstock

The science -

Nutrigenomics then became an emerging field, which combines elements of genomics, nutrition, bioinformatics, molecular biology, epidemiology, and molecular medicine.

© Shutterstock

The ultimate goal -

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.’

© Shutterstock

Personalized diet -

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.

© Shutterstock

Your DNA, your food -

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.

© Shutterstock

Cholesterol -

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.

© Shutterstock

Cholesterol -

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.

© Shutterstock

Obesity -

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.

© Shutterstock

Obesity -

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.

© Shutterstock

Nutrigenomic testing -

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.

© Shutterstock

Nutrigenomic testing -

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.

© Shutterstock

Chemicals in packaging -

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.”

© Shutterstock

Food additives -

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.

© Shutterstock

Food additives -

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.

© Shutterstock

The link between appetite and genes -

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.

© Shutterstock

The link between appetite and genes -

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.

© Shutterstock

Genetics and food preferences -

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.

© Shutterstock

The cilantro case -

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.

© Shutterstock

It’s not just genes -

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.

© Shutterstock

Impact on the food industry -

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.

© Shutterstock

Impact on the food industry -

Food with additives and those enriched with certain nutrients, for instance, will probably have that information a lot more explicit for consumers to see.

© Shutterstock

Testing -

A DNA test for nutrigenomics can be done using a swab of the inside of your mouth.

© Shutterstock

Testing -

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.

© Shutterstock

Over-the-counter tests -

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.

© Shutterstock

Psychological impact on diet adherence -

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.

© Shutterstock

Genetics vs. lifestyle choices -

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.

© Shutterstock

The future -

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)

See also: The most common genetic conditions in the world

© Shutterstock