Are you familiar with the concept of nutrigenomics? If you are reading this, it means you have heard about it, and you are interested in learning more about it. In this post, we’ll share top facts about nutrigenomics that will help you understand what it’s all about and its impact on the health system. First, it’s important to have a good definition of the concept.
So, What is Nutrigenomics?
Nutrigenomics describes the science of the relationship between genes and nutrition. This concept is premised on the study of why food affects different people differently. For instance, it has been observed that not everyone who eats high carb meals becomes fat, and it is not all obese individuals who consume high carb foods. The proponents of nutrigenomics believe that this phenomenon is nothing short of some more intrinsic reasons other than what people eat and do.
To better understand the concept of nutrigenomics, we’ll look at some important facts that have been established since it came into the mainstream.
- Nutrigenomics is a New System Methodology
Nutrigenomics studies the relationships that exist between what people risk and their risk to diseases. It looks at the effect of food on genes, gene expressions, and the biomarkers (such as metabolites and hormones).
- Nutrigenomics Methodologies are Being Used to Evaluate Numerous Health Conditions
To better understand the connection between food and genes, the nutrigenomics methodologies have been applied to different conditions. For instance, it is used to evaluate the possibility of developing some metabolic syndrome based on an individual’s genetic variants and the food they consume, as well as their lifestyle. Additionally, it looks at the relationships between mental health, obesity, and gut microbial. Nutrigenomics methodologies are also applied to determine the connection between the consumption of certain nutrients and diseases.
- It is Being Used to Offer Personalized Interventions
Many health practitioners have incorporated nutrigenomics into the management of health conditions of patients. It is being used to identify and offer supplements to people with poor folate metabolizers to minimize neural tube defects in a fetus. Some practitioners also recommend a low-fat diet to people dealing with weight issues instead of a low-carb diet.
- Nutrigenomics is Very Complicated and More Studies are Still Required
With each breakthrough that nutrigenomics has experienced, there are many significant limitations attached to them. Although correlations between gene expressions and nutrient intake have been established, the underlying connections are still mostly unknown. Research is still ongoing to evaluate current and new nutrigenomics biomarkers, and the truth is that the interactions between different biomarkers in individuals are very complex. Also, the findings between behavioral diaries and foods that have been established are mainly unreliable, especially the ones that have to do with efforts and recalls.
What is the Implication of All These?
Current strategies for mainstream diseases like obesity have not generated definite results. However, it has achieved something in the short term. Attention has been drawn to the possible relationships that genes have with nutrients, and many studies have shown that including nutrigenomics methodologies to the mix can encourage people to pay attention to their diets and take preventive action to prevent diseases.
Conclusion
As stated, nutrigenomics is very complex, and the applications have a high-cost implication. This means that nutrigenomics may not get its place in the mainstream healthcare system in the nearest future. The good news is that many reputable organizations like the American Stroke Association and the American Heart Association have begun to advocate and bring to light the impacts of diets on the risk of cardiovascular disease and the results are facilitated by alterations in gene expressions. Additionally, many pieces of research are still ongoing on nutrigenomics.
