Your nutrient requirement

2. Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics

Nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics are emerging fields that explore the relationship between genetics, nutrition, and health and longevity. Understanding these concepts can provide insights into how individual nutrient requirements may vary based on individual genetic makeup.

Nutrigenetics

‘Nutrigenetics’ studies how an individual’s genetic variations affect their response to nutrients. This field considers how dietary components can determine your body’s response to certain nutrients, which can influence how your body works and responds. Key points include:

• Gene-Nutrient Interactions and food intolerances: Certain genetic variants, known as SNPs (Specific Nucleotide Polymorphisms), can affect how the body absorbs, metabolises, or utilises specific nutrients. For example, individuals with a genetic predisposition to lactose intolerance ( inactive or missing LTC gene) may require alternative calcium sources rather than dairy products.
• Personalised Nutrition: Understanding genetic individuality and uniqueness may lead to personalised dietary recommendations, allowing individuals to optimise their nutrient intake for better health outcomes.
• Micro-nutrient requirements: Genes can influence how you handle micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and trace elements). Genetic testing can identify variations in genes that determine what micronutrients you should avoid, which you should have, and which are essential, they can identify variations in the VDR gene, that can impact vitamin D metabolism, guiding supplementation needs, while Changes in your MTHFR gene can reduce your ability to use Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid), requiring supplementation. There are many other genetic variations that are inherited, that influence your requirements for essential micronutrients, such as Vitamin A (BC01 gene), Vitamin B12 (TCX1 gene), and Selenium (GPX1 gene).
• Macro-nutrient requirements: Genes can also affect how you handle macronutrients (Carbohydrates, Proteins and fats). Genetic testing can identify variations in genes that determine what macronutrients you should avoid, which you should have, and which are essential, as genes determine how we metabolise them. For example, you may be carrying the APOA2 gene, which influences how you process saturated fats, and gain weight with diets high in saturated fats. The presence of the FTO gene can help us to Taylor your dietary plan and medicate you to switch the gene off, as variations in this gene are correlated with appetite regulation, fat storage and weight gain, as such nutrigenetics have a role in weight management.
• Athletic performance: nutrition plays an important role in enhancing performance, endurance and recovery. The insights gained from your DNA and genes can guide your precision diet for better overall performance. Insights into gene variations of the PPARG gene, which is linked to fat metabolism gene can tell us how efficiently you utilise fat for energy. Athletes with certain variants are better suited to high fat diets, particularly in endurance events.  
• Diseases: certain genetic markers can signal an increase in risk for certain diseases. By looking for them and understanding their significance, we can take proactive steps with our diet and other modifiable risk factors to reduce and mitigate the risk of developing the diseases. Certain variations in the APOE gene increases the risk of Alzheimer’s and Heart Disease with a diet rich in fats. The TCF7L2 gene increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. These insights empower us to make better, more informed choices about our diet and lifestyles.

Nutrigenomics

Nutrigenomics focuses on how nutrients influence gene expression and cellular functions. This field investigates how diet can modify the expression of genes related to health and disease. Key aspects include:

• Epigenetics: Nutrients can affect gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms, which involve changes in gene activity (switching them on or off) without altering the DNA sequence. For example, certain phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables can modify gene expression related to inflammation and cancer risk.
• Disease Prevention:  Understanding how nutrients impact gene expression can inform strategies for preventing chronic diseases. For example, diets rich in specific antioxidants may help suppress the expression of genes linked to oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially reducing the risk of chronic conditions.