Nutrigenomics: Personalized Nutrition

You are a unique person with unique needs to optimize your health and wellness. That’s why a diet that your friend swears by may not work for you (or vice versa). You might enjoy coffee in the evening without any major sleep issues, but have a terrible reaction to gluten (a protein in wheat). Or perhaps, you need more folate (vitamin B9) than others, but sodium doesn’t affect your blood pressure that much. So how do you know what nutrition plan is right for you?

The answer is in your genes

There are genes—and variations of these genes—that can explain why you are unique. And now with recent scientific and technological advances, there is a smarter way to know what nutrition and lifestyle strategies you need to thrive, rather than the generic method of following recommendations for the “average person” and seeing how it goes for you as an individual.

This opportunity for personalized (or “precision”) nutrition is based on the rapidly expanding field of research that specifically looks for your unique needs in your own DNA. Imagine what you could do knowing which diet, food, or nutrients is most supportive and which ones won’t likely make any difference at all.

We are talking about the science of nutrigenomics. It’s the combination of nutrition and genomics and it can be invaluable in helping you choose the foods and nutrients your body needs, based on your unique genetic blueprint.

What is nutrigenomics?

Nutrigenomics is a rapidly advancing science that looks at the links between nutrition (the foods and nutrients needed to be healthy) and genomics (how the DNA encoded in your genes acts in your body). It’s a form of personalized nutrition that looks at how your individual set of genes influence the nutrients you need. Nutrigenomics is a high-tech way of tailoring nutrition recommendations to maximize your health potential.

Here’s how your genes work

You have a set of genes that you inherited from your parents (half from each parent). This is your unique “genetic code.” Siblings (except for identical twins) from the same parents have some similarities, but each are still genetically unique individuals. You may have different hair or eye colors or be a different height from your siblings. All of these unique characteristics are due to your genes.

Each gene is a piece of DNA that codes for one single protein. That’s why you have thousands of genes—because your body needs thousands of proteins to perform all of its cellular and molecular functions to keep you healthy. There are several variations for each gene. For example, you may be genetically predisposed to having high (or low) levels of cholesterol or a resistance (or easier ability) to losing weight.

How would you know? By taking an accurate genetic test that identifies variations in all of those (and more) genes. But it doesn’t stop there.

Your genes code for many areas of health, including:

metabolism
inflammation
hormones
stress response
moods
detoxification,
weight,
fitness,
cognition,
and your ability to use essential nutrients from foods and supplements.

How can nutrigenomics help improve my health?

Let’s look at some specific examples of how knowing your unique gene profile can help you make important health and lifestyle choices.

Are you susceptible to high levels of cholesterol?

High levels of cholesterol can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke. This is partly the result of how your genes allow your body to process fats. If you knew you had genetic variants that made you prone to high levels of cholesterol, you could focus your foods on choosing more plant-based meals, heart-healthy fats, and higher-fiber foods.

Better understand your body’s ability to lose weight.

Imagine knowing if your genes are influencing your ability to lose weight. If this were the case, you can be more forgiving in your weight-loss goals, and incorporate some cognitive behavioral therapy or mindfulness to help you

Does your body have a lower ability to use folate (vitamin B9)?

Folate is found in green leafy vegetables and beans. Supplementation is often recommended for people who are or can become pregnant. If your genes code for a lower ability to use folate, then you may need to eat more folate-rich foods or take a supplement to ensure you get enough folate to compensate for your lower ability to use it so that you could maintain good health.

What impact does caffeine have on you?

Some people are able to metabolize (process and eliminate) caffeine faster than others. If you know that you are a “fast caffeine metabolizer,” you may be able to enjoy caffeine without having to worry too much about some of the common side effects that happen more often in people who are “slow caffeine metabolizers.”

Do you need to watch your sodium intake?

Salt contains sodium, and too much sodium can increase blood pressure. However, some people are more sensitive to sodium than others.

Are you likely to develop celiac disease?

If you don’t experience gut symptoms and you are not likely to develop celiac disease, then you may not need to avoid eating gluten (a protein commonly found in wheat, rye, and barley).

And remember, these are just a few examples of how the variations in your genetic blueprint can impact your health and wellness, and how you can proactively address them to reach your health goals.

Nutrigenomic testing is very accessible. It’s never been easier to answer the question, “Based on my genes, what should I eat to optimize my health?”

Concluding thoughts

Science is unraveling the mysteries of the human genome and that provides a unique opportunity for you to achieve your optimal health using a strategy based on your genes. A genetic test can look at hundreds of health-related genes to identify the areas where you are naturally healthier—and the areas where you may need to pay extra attention in relation to diet and lifestyle.

If you’re interested in learning more about nutrigenomics and being smart about where to make targeted nutrition and lifestyle changes that will work for you, book a consult with me. I am a 3x4 Blueprint certified healthcare practitioner and I would love to help you enjoy more health and vitality.

References

3x4 Genetics. (n.d.). Sample report: The personal genetic story of Jean Poole. https://www.3x4genetics.com/patient-faq/#

The Nutrition Society. (2018, November 19). Nutrigenomics: The basics. https://www.nutritionsociety.org/blog/nutrigenomics-basics

Sommer, Connie. (2019, June 13). Food as medicine? Scientists are getting closer through nutrigenomics. University of Southern California News. https://news.usc.edu/157675/food-as-medicine-nutrigenomics/