The discussion of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics is currently being brought up like never before. This is due to the disruptive effect these two terms had on nutrition landscape. All this time, researchers had work hard to establish standardized nutrition recommendations for the overall population. For example, recommendations on how much macro and micronutrients for healthy adults to eat per day or how patients with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or hypertension should adjust their diets. These recommendations were made based on an assumption that body response does not differ from one person to another.
However, with technological advances of today, current scientific studies especially in genetic testing, nutrition, and food science have started to discover another recommendation; that is to consider individual differences by conducting much deeper and detailed analysis. These findings bring up a new approach called personalized or precise nutrition (PN). PN can be explained as “to adapt specific nutrition regime based on each individual need”. The concept of PN is indeed inseparable from the concepts of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics.
Nutrigenetics
Genetic variation between two individuals is estimated to occur in 1 for every 1000 nucleotide bases in the DNA structure. The difference is often only in 1 letter of the genetic code, for example the difference between the letter A and G. One individual has the nucleotide base U-C-G, and the other is U-C-A. This phenomenon is also called Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP). With the fact that human genome consists of 3 billion nucleotide bases, around 3 million of them were estimated to have experienced SNPs.
Most of these SNPs happen naturally and have no effect on body functions. However, a small percentage of them are known to have a major influence on how certain individuals react to their environments, including what they eat daily. Nutrigenetics or nutritional genetics is a science which tries to discover how genetic variation of individuals would manifest in the way they respond differently towards certain foods.
To understand this, let us take a look at these brief example.
Jake is 43-year-old man and had gone through genetic testing. The result indicates that he has A allele for the Apolipoprotein A1, or to be sure: APOA1 polymorphism (G>A). This means, when it comes to the consumption of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), Jake will experience positive impact. If he consumes PUFAs, his high-density lipoprotein (HDL)—or known as good cholesterol—would increase. Certainly, this is good news for Jake.
However, Jake’s friend, Jane, does not have the same gene. In fact, after her genetics was tested, she has GG genotype. If she consumes PUFAs, instead of having her good cholesterol level go up, it will unfortunately go down. This is the opposite of what happened to Jake.
The elaboration of this phenomena is what nutrigenetics currently is up to. While other factors such as environmental and lifestyle factors can be considered, it is assumed that different genetic expressions also serve as a huge contributing factor. However, this is not to say that general recommendation is invalid or less important. It is just realizing how nutrition recommendation based on individual genetics have the potential to be a powerful thing. Providing accurate prediction and personalized intervention which will produce tangible results is now the ambitious goal for the next decade in nutrigenetics study.
Nutrigenomics
Nutrigenomics term is often used interchangeably with nutrigenetics. Despite the fact that these two disciplines are closely related, there is a fine line between nutrigenomics from nutrigenetics. Nutrigenomics reveals how foods affect balance regulation and system in human’s body from systemic to molecular level.
Focus area of nutrigenomics are effect of nutrients on the genome, proteome, and metabolome. Nutrigenomics tries to investigate these areas to acquire as much information as possible. The information is then translated into accurate treatments and effective preventions on many chronic diseases.
To get a better grip of nutrigenomics concept, this case study example might help.
A group of pregnant women who live in barren area were observed for their intake. During the long famine period, they barely had something to eat. This caused their daily intake to reach only 400 to 800 calories per day.
After several decades, the researchers analyzed the health markers of the children of those mothers. By that time, these children had already entered their adulthoods. The results showed that they had higher rates of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and poor health markers such as high in LDL cholesterol.
The case study shows what the nutrigenomics study can actually make a difference. With nutrigenomics, women get to be more enlightened about the fundamental influence of mothers’ daily intake during pregnancies to the genetic expressions regarding metabolic systems of their children. For adults, it is possible for them to track their histories of nutrition to help them get a better explanation of their current health condition and what to do next.
Personalized Nutrition Through Genetics
Current nutrition trend has started to change from general recommendation to specialized nutrition. Nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics are two new disciplines which now continue to grow and being developed by researchers and scientists. Nutrigenetics educates on how each person’s uniqueness in genetics causes the body to react differently in food consumption. On the other hand, nutrigenomics strives to give explanation how food choices and lifestyles would impact someone’s genes expression and health biomarkers. The application of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics will set the stage for personalized or precise nutrition and help people to access the most effective nutrition intervention as possible.
In Nalagenetics, you can get access to information of your patients’ nutrition needs based on their genetic profile with Nala NutriReady™ service. It will help you to provide your clients with more accuracy and recommendation. Curious to find out more? Contact us via WhatsApp wa.me/628119941440 we are happy to help.
Leave a Reply