Nutrigenomics

Nutrigenomics

Have you ever heard someone talk about how something was destined to happen to them because it was in their genes? Maybe someone who had a parent with type 2 diabetes so they just assume they will eventually be diagnosed too. Many people think that genes make up how they look, how long they will live and what diseases they may end up living with. What if that wasn’t entirely true?

Discoveries regarding our genome have been a hot topic over the past few years and in this post, we want to introduce you to Nutrigenomics. Nutrigenomics is a process in which your genome is mapped and used to assess how different components of your diet affect your genes and how your genes affect the metabolism of your diet.³ By investigating how an individual’s genetic makeup interacts with their diet, nutrigenomics aims to provide personalized dietary recommendations to optimize health outcomes and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. What you eat could be contributing to the health problems you have been living with.

The process

Whether you go through your primary care provider, a dietician or an independent company, the nutrigenomic process is very straightforward. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire regarding your health history, your family’s health history, your typical diet, and lifestyle. A swab of the inside of your mouth will be collected and sent off to a lab where your genome will be analyzed. You should expect to receive your nutrigenomic report in 2-4 weeks.

The data

One significant benefit of nutrigenomics is personalized nutrition. Traditional dietary guidelines are often generalized recommendations that may not account for individual genetic differences. Nutrigenomics takes a more precise approach by considering how specific genetic variations influence how nutrients are metabolized and utilized by the body. This personalized approach can lead to more targeted dietary interventions tailored to an individual’s genetic profile. By understanding how genes influence responses to certain nutrients, nutrigenomics can help individuals make informed choices about their diet to support better health outcomes. For example, if a person carries a genetic variation that makes them more likely to be deficient in a specific vitamin or mineral, ensuring adequate nutrient intake through diet or supplementation can mitigate the risk of deficiency and associated health problems. Vitamin D and the CYP2R1 enzyme are a perfect illustration of this relationship. Vitamin D, a hormone and a vitamin, must be converted to the active form in our body. The enzyme CYP2R1 carries out the first two reactions of this conversion. Some people with genetic variations in this enzyme may have a reduced capability to convert Vitamin D into its active form and, therefore, may have low Vitamin D levels.²,³

Moreover, nutrigenomics has the potential to enhance disease prevention and management. By identifying genetic markers associated with increased risk for certain diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancer, nutrigenomics can guide interventions to mitigate these risks through personalized nutrition strategies. For instance, individuals with genetic predispositions to obesity may benefit from specific dietary modifications tailored to their genetic profile to help manage weight more effectively.

Sulforaphane is an excellent example of how nutrition can modulate our genes and help support certain disease states. Glucoraphanin, found in broccoli, is converted into sulforaphane via the myrosinase enzyme, activated by chewing or cutting (deactivated by heat). Sulforaphane switches on NRF2, a protein that regulates the expression of other proteins, which in turn switches on 500 defense genes involved in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress and improving detoxification and methylation. If a person carries genetic variations in their detoxification, inflammation, or oxidative stress pathways, sulforaphane might be an excellent tool to help support their body.⁴

Other common genes analyzed

Some other common genes would include the FTO, MCM6, MTHFR, and the mTOR gene. Have you ever wondered why, no matter how hard you try, you can not lose weight or achieve that dream body? FTO is responsible for metabolism, energy expenditure and body composition.¹ The MCM6 gene would tell you if you have a sensitivity to lactose.⁵ The MTHFR gene helps process and regulate folate. A deficiency in this area could lead to decreased DNA replication and repair along with neurological and psychological conditions.⁶ The mTOR gene plays a key role in the body by regulating protein cascades used for cell growth and energy; mutations and even diet could predispose people to cancer.⁷

The plan

You will be offered the opportunity to review your results with a healthcare professional, whether it’s with your primary care provider, a dietician, or other healthcare professional. Based on your results, a dietary plan can be completely customized for your individual needs. Out with the old “one size fits all” meal plan and on to improving your overall health and wellbeing. Your genes will no longer predict 100% of your life. Your future is no longer following a script. Adding or withholding certain foods, vitamins, and minerals can prevent diseases you are predisposed to developing.

Conclusion

Overall, nutrigenomics offers a promising avenue for advancing personalized nutrition and preventive healthcare. By integrating genetic information with dietary guidance, nutrigenomics empowers individuals to make informed choices that align with their genetic predispositions, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes and enhanced well-being. As research in this field progresses, the potential applications of nutrigenomics in promoting individualized health and disease prevention are vast and hold great promise for the future of personalized nutrition and healthcare.

Interested in completing a nutrigenomics test? This is the one we use the most. If you’ve already completed a test and want to chat about your results or just want to learn more, schedule a free 15 minute consultation with our team here.

Written by Kelsey Carter, PharmD Candidate and Jennifer Thompson, PharmD
Edited by Lindsey Dalton, PharmD

Citations:
1. Cleveland Clinic. (2023, December 14). How nutrigenomics may impact the way you eat. Health Essentials . https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-does-nutrigenomics-work
2. Cheng JB, Levine MA, Bell NH, Mangelsdorf DJ, Russell DW. Genetic evidence that the human CYP2R1 enzyme is a key vitamin D 25-hydroxylase. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 May 18;101(20):7711-5. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0402490101. Epub 2004 May 5. PMID: 15128933; PMCID: PMC419671.
3. Liu B, Qian SB. Translational regulation in nutrigenomics. Adv Nutr. 2011 Nov;2(6):511-9. doi: 10.3945/an.111.001057. Epub 2011 Nov 3. PMID: 22332093; PMCID: PMC3226388.
4. Ruhee RT, Suzuki K. The Integrative Role of Sulforaphane in Preventing Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Fatigue: A Review of a Potential Protective Phytochemical. Antioxidants. 2020; 9(6):521. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9060521
5. Mathers JC. Nutrigenomics in the modern era. Proc Nutr Soc. 2017 Aug;76(3):265-275. doi: 10.1017/S002966511600080X. Epub 2016 Nov 7. PMID: 27819203.
6. Mattar R, de Campos Mazo DF, Carrilho FJ. Lactose intolerance: diagnosis, genetic, and clinical factors. Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2012;5:113-21. doi: 10.2147/CEG.S32368. Epub 2012 Jul 5. PMID: 22826639; PMCID: PMC3401057.
7. Meshkin B, Blum K. Folate nutrigenetics: a convergence of dietary folate metabolism, folic acid supplementation, and folate antagonist pharmacogenetics. Drug Metab Lett. 2007 Jan;1(1):55-60. doi: 10.2174/187231207779814319. PMID: 19356019.
8. Pópulo H, Lopes JM, Soares P. The mTOR signaling pathway in human cancer. Int J Mol Sci. 2012;13(2):1886-1918. doi: 10.3390/ijms13021886. Epub 2012 Feb 10. PMID: 22408430; PMCID: PMC3291999.