How Your Genes Influence Nutrition: The Science of Nutrigenomics

 

Introduction:

Have you ever wondered why some people can eat anything and stay fit, while others gain weight on a healthy diet? The answer lies in our genes. Nutrigenomics is the study of how our genes interact with nutrients, shaping our health and nutrition.

For instance, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) account for 17.5 million deaths worldwide, as reported by the World Health Organization. Genetics plays a role in this, with genes like arachidonate 5 lipoxygenase (ALOX5) influencing inflammation and heart health. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help mitigate these genetic effects.

By taking a nutrigenomics test, you can learn how your body processes different foods, enabling you to make informed dietary choices that align with your unique genetic makeup and improve your overall health.[1]

 

What is Nutrigenomics?

Nutrigenomics explores the relationship between genes and diet, identifying how nutrients influence gene expression and metabolism. This field is crucial in understanding the risk factors behind diet-related chronic degenerative diseases and how they relate to genetic predisposition (1). Unlike traditional nutrition research, which primarily focused on macronutrients and micronutrients, genetic nutrition tests consider an individual’s genetic makeup to determine the best dietary strategies (4). Personalized nutrition is gaining traction, with DNA-based diet plans offering tailored recommendations based on genetic predispositions to diet-related conditions (4).

 

How Genes Affect Nutrition:

Our genes play a crucial role in determining how we respond to different foods. Genetic variations influence metabolism, nutrient absorption, and food sensitivities (2). For example:

• Some people have a genetic predisposition to diet that makes them more susceptible to weight gain from high-carb diets.
• Others may have a gene variant that affects their ability to metabolize caffeine or alcohol efficiently (2).
• Variations in genes related to lactose tolerance can determine whether an individual can digest dairy products without discomfort (2).

Understanding these variations through nutrigenomic testing can help individuals make smarter dietary choices, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders. Nutrigenomics also explores how nutrients can serve as potent signals that direct specific metabolic pathways, influencing whether an individual remains healthy or develops a disease (2).

 

Evolution and Diet:

Evolutionary adaptation can happen fairly quickly through a process called positive natural selection. For example, some people have a genetic variant that allows them to digest lactose in adulthood, letting them benefit from milk as a key food source. Another example is the CCR5 gene variant, which helps protect against HIV-1 infection; this variant likely developed in response to earlier diseases like smallpox. Over the last 50,000 years, about 2,000 human genes—roughly 10% of all protein-coding genes—have been shaped by positive selection, especially those linked to skin, digestion, and the immune system. This shows how quickly humans can adapt to environmental changes [3]. Some notable adaptations include:

• Lactase persistence: Some populations developed the ability to digest lactose into adulthood due to dairy farming(6).
• Fat metabolism: Certain genetic adaptations allowed Arctic populations to efficiently metabolize high-fat diets(7).
• population-specific metabolic adaptations: Different populations developed unique genetic responses to regional diets, influencing metabolic pathways (3).

Nutrigenomics also explores the influence of epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, which regulate gene expression and metabolic functions (4). Genetic testing for nutrition is already being used to design diet plans that cater to an individual’s needs, making DNA-based diet plans a key part of preventive healthcare (4).

Recent Findings

Nutrigenetics/nutrigenomics is certainly a thriving specialty given the sharp increase in publications over the last two decades. The relationship between nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics is proposed as complementary. The current clinical and research literature supports the significant impact nutrigenetics/nutrigenomics has on treating and preventing noncommunicable diseases. Although several challenges face the implementation of nutrigenetics/nutrigenomics into healthcare, they are not insurmountable(5).

 

Conclusion: 

 

The field of nutrigenomics is revolutionizing nutrition science. Understanding the relationship between genes and diet allows for personalized nutrition strategies that improve health and well-being. Whether it’s through a nutrigenomics test, a DNA food sensitivity test, or a personalized diet based on genes, this emerging science is paving the way for a healthier future. By harnessing the power of our DNA, we can make informed dietary choices that align with our genetic makeup, leading to a longer and healthier life.

 

Your genes play a crucial role in how your body absorbs nutrients, metabolizes food, and responds to different diets. Understanding your genetic makeup can help you make smarter dietary choices for better health and performance.

 

Want to unlock personalized nutrition insights based on your DNA? Explore more here.

👉 https://dromicslabs.com/nutrigenie/

 

References

• Vyas, S. (2022). Advances in nutrigenomics and Applications in public Health: a recent update. Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science Journal, 10(3), 1092–1104. https://doi.org/10.12944/crnfsj.10.3.23

• Mishra, U. N., Jena, D., Sahu, C., Devi, R., Kumar, R., Jena, R., . . . Kumar, A. (2022). Nutrigenomics: An inimitable interaction amid genomics, nutrition and health. Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies, 82, 103196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifset.2022.103196

• Carlberg, C. (2023). Nutrigenomics in the context of evolution. Redox Biology, 62, 102656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2023.102656

• Agrawal, P., Kaur, J., Singh, J., Rasane, P., Sharma, K., Bhadariya, V., . . . Kumar, V. (2023). Genetics, Nutrition, and Health: a new frontier in disease prevention. Journal of the American Nutrition Association, 43(4), 326–338. https://doi.org/10.1080/27697061.2023.2284997

• Marcum, J. A. (2020). Nutrigenetics/Nutrigenomics, personalized Nutrition, and Precision Healthcare. Current Nutrition Reports, 9(4), 338–345. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-020-00327-z

• Stock, J. T., & Wells, J. C. K. (2023). Dairying and the evolution and consequences of lactase persistence in humans. Animal Frontiers, 13(3), 7–13. https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfad022

• Senftleber, N., Jørgensen, M. E., Jørsboe, E., Imamura, F., Forouhi, N. G., Larsen, C. L., . . . Albrechtsen, A. (2020). Genetic study of the Arctic CPT1A variant suggests that its effect on fatty acid levels is modulated by traditional Inuit diet. European Journal of Human Genetics, 28(11), 1592–1601. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41431-020-0674-0