A New Approach to Understanding Food: Nutrigenomics

Food is vital for our sustenance and health. However, the significance of food goes beyond its role of regulating metabolism and providing energy. Food contains information through which it interacts with our genes thereby affecting their function. It is a study about how our genetic code influences our nutrition and vice-versa. This discovery is called “nutrigenomics”. Earlier, nutritional science was limited to identifying essential vitamins and nutrients and their insufficiency. Diagnosis was based on lack of such nutrients and treatments were universal. However, over the years nutritional science has undergone a paradigm shift in focussing its attention towards molecular biology and genetics. The completion of many genome projects has heralded a keen interest in researching the significance of genes in diet and nutrition. Such genome projects have also created a pool of genetic information for researchers to further delve upon. Nutrition researchers have now begun to recognise the significance of genetic predispositions in diet linked ailments such as cardiovascular diseases, some types of cancers and type II diabetes. Thus, the science of nutrigenomics enables us to customise medicine. Research on the molecular and genetic level has negated ‘the one size fits all’ theory. We have about thirty thousand genes. However, there are numerous small variations in those genes called as SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms).These little variations make our individual needs different from the other person. Our individual genetic makeup determines our requirements for optimal health.

Nutrigenomics and Personalised Diets:

Genetic variations are important factors in determining individual nutrient requirements. For instance, individuals react differently to the same diet by showing different levels of serum cholesterol and blood pressure due to genetic variation. On the other hand, many research studies show that diet has a significant role to play in the risk of developing certain ailments where genes have a role to play. Nutrigenomics has a significant role in this complex interplay between genes, diet and disease. Diet is a major factor in either developing or alleviating a chronic disease. In this regard, nutrigenomics can play a major role in prevention and management of chronic diseases. Thus a diet can be tailor made according to the specific demands of genotype and having the right amounts of micro and macro nutrients for optimal health. Research in customised diets is still in its early stages. However, many biotechnology firms have begun manufacturing genotype based personalised diets on a commercial basis. For example, the Nutrilite Company has started ‘The Nutralite Health Institute’ dedicated to developing personalised nutrition and has also created a novel nutrigenomic supplement category for the Nutrilite brand. Another company ‘Pharmica’ has also started commercial production of healthy food and supplements.

Future Of Nutrigenomics:

 Nutrigenomics is an emerging area of research. However there are many factors which will influence its success in the long run. Technology in terms of advanced diagnostic infrastructure to accurately identify specific nutritional deficiencies will be needed. Also, a strong science and bioinformatics structure will influence personalised diets. Commercial success in this field will depend on coordination and communication among various industry segments such as food producers, food manufacturers, biotechnology firms, diagnostic services firms etc. At the moment, nutrigenomics is targeted more towards health ailments such as cancer, diabetes and other chronic diseases. Further work is required so as to employ nutrigenomics in other diseases as well. Healthcare practitioners such as functional medicine professionals, pharmacists, dieticians will be needed to offer personalised dietary advice.

Hence, though in its infancy, nutrigenomics is a pioneering field in the area of personal health that aspires to optimise an individual’s health through nutritional intervention.