Nutritional genes: What you need to know

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Nutritional genomics is a growing field that uses genetic testing to identify interactions between genes, nutrition, and health. From the information obtained, it helps to determine the ideal diet for each person.

1. What is a nutritional gene?

After much research, experts have concluded: There is no single diet for everyone. There are many factors at play, but one reason eating plans that work for one person may not work for another is genetics.
According to geneticist Jan Lim: Nutritional genomics is the study of the relationship between the genome, nutrition and health. This field includes any study of how the body responds to micro and macronutrients, the relationship between single genes, and gene/food compound interactions. This field is sometimes referred to as "nutritional genetics".
Nutritional genes refer to how nutrients influence the body to express genes. Meanwhile, nutritional genetics refers to how the body responds to nutrients due to genetic makeup. However, many people use these two terms in common.

2. History of nutritional genes

Although the study of nutritional genetics is in its infancy, the ideas that genes may determine our diet are early.
In fact, since the early years of the twentieth century, the British physician Archibald Garrod has documented the relationship between nutrition, heredity and phenotype. The Human Genome Project of the 1990s, mapping human DNA, paved the way for the modern nutritional era. Since then, hundreds of studies have been conducted to examine the effect of genes on the body's response to the diet and vice versa.
Today, nutritionists and doctors also use genetic testing to assess a patient's dietary needs, establishing certain health goals.

3. Benefits of Nutritional Gene Research

Genetic testing is part of nutritional counseling. As part of an integrative nutrition approach, nutritional genomics can shed light on issues that health history cannot. This includes everything from your predisposition to cardiovascular disease to the reasons why you can't lose weight despite everything.
Genetic testing is very useful for those who want to be proactive about their health problems. It helps to explain many issues in patients, including which eating style suits them best. By looking at your genetic makeup, your doctor can advise you on whether certain dietary patterns work or aren't good for you. Specifically, genetic variation could mean that your body doesn't benefit from a vegan diet or doesn't adapt well to a keto diet because of the way fat-metabolizing genes work.
A nutritional gene test can even uncover the best sources of macronutrients and micronutrients for you. For example, your body may not be able to optimally use Omega-3 fatty acids from plant sources. Or you have trouble converting sunlight into vitamin D. With the results of nutritional genetic testing obtained, nutritionists can guide you to eat or supplement which foods to meet your body's needs.
Similarly, predisposition to certain diseases may also appear in nutritional genetic testing. We can see gene variants that increase breast cancer risk due to genes involved in estrogen metabolism. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and mental health are all linked to genetic predispositions. And we can devise strategies to prevent these diseases by modifying our diet.

4. Nutritional genetic testing process

Are you interested in pursuing a genetics approach to nutrition but not sure what to expect? Nutritional counseling using nutritional genetics is a painless method.
First, you will begin to answer a detailed health questionnaire so that the doctor can fully assess the patient's health status, medical history, family history, current lifestyle and past. The test involves taking DNA cells from the inner cheek. It's pretty simple, easy to do. In some cases, the patient may be asked to have a blood test done.
After obtaining test results, nutritionists will discuss with you to have a specific plan for a healthy, scientific diet.

5. Potential limitations of nutritional genetic testing methods

Despite extensive research on the link between genetics, diet and health, more research is still needed in this area. So, nutritional genes don't solve every dietary problem. Genes are just one of many factors that influence health and ideal dietary choices.
Genetic testing is not the only criterion used to make nutritional recommendations. Experts will consider the patient's lifestyle, health history, health status, personal preferences, culture, patient's willingness to change, patient's health goals,... to make a profit. nutritional advice accordingly.
Genetic testing has a potential downside. The drawback is that they are not explained in detail by clinicians. Doctors use a polygenic approach: All genes are part of larger systems in the body. These systems work together in the human body. So, to understand the relationship between genome and diet, you need to consult an expert in genetic nutrition.
Nutritional genomics is a relatively new field and is seen as the future of dietary counseling. This method helps people overcome health obstacles that other methods do not.

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Reference source: healthline.com