Deciding which foods to eat and which to avoid is a challenging decision for many individuals. Every year, more and more research is released about the best foods, supplements, and beverages to consume to achieve optimum health. However, many of these studies seem to conflict with one another, which only adds fuel to the confusion. Thus the need for nutrigenomics testing:
How do you know what information is accurate?
Does a one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition actually exist?
How is it possible to know what diet is indeed best for your body?
The reason that health studies leave so many questions unanswered is because there is not a single diet or lifestyle that will work best for all people. In fact, nutrigenomics testing has revealed that an individual’s genes are affected by his or her diet. Since everyone has different genes, one type of food that is beneficial to one person may actually cause harm to another. Learn more about how nutrigenomics testing is beginning to revolutionize the way we approach nutrition.
WHAT IS NUTRIGENOMICS?
Nutrigenomics is the study of how nutrition interacts with genes. It is the idea that the foods, beverages, and supplements we ingest have the power to affect the expression of our genes. Gene expression has the ability to control weight loss efforts, the risk of developing various diseases, and to determine one’s overall health. Simply put, turning the right genes ‘on’ and keeping the wrong ones ‘off’ can reduce the risk of developing chronic illnesses.
How are people supposed to know what to include in their diets to achieve longevity and the best possible health? Through nutrigenomics testing. Nutrigenomics testing is the method of uncovering how an individual’s genes react to nutritional factors. Due to the fact that everyone has unique genes, there can never be a one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition.
HOW DO GENES & EPIGENETICS RELATE TO NUTRIGENOMICS?
To better understand nutrigenomics, it is key to understand the concepts of genes and epigenetics, as well as how these elements relate to nutrigenomics. First, genes are lines of code within the body that are comprised of DNA. Epigenetics relates to actual gene activity and expression within the body.
Nutrigenomics testing looks at both genes and epigenetics to find the best possible diet for every individual. As the research and science grow understanding how various vitamins, minerals, fats, sugar and chemicals influence the way genes are expressed could change health care. The ultimate goal is to optimize nutrition to express your genetic potential.
HOW CAN ONE’S DIET SPECIFICALLY IMPACT GENE EXPRESSION?
Nutrigenomics can uncover genes and gene expression to a customized level. It can tell an individual which foods, beverages, and supplements affect certain genes more than others. More specifically, nutrigenomics testing can help create a customized meal plan based on that person’s risk factors for certain conditions. For example, when nutrigenomics testing reveals that someone has the APOE genotype, it is essential to create a diet that will help reduce the risk of insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels.
Nutrigenomics can also reveal which things to include in one’s diet, as well as which ones to avoid. The same food, beverage, or supplement that is excellent for one person may be unhealthy for another. One example of this is coffee. Numerous studies have linked coffee consumption to health benefits such as a lowered risk of developing type 2 diabetes, reduced risk of liver damage, and a reduced risk of stroke and heart attack.
However, the genes of some individuals actually make coffee detrimental to one’s health. In fact, those with a ‘slow’ variety of the CYP1A2 gene have a higher risk of developing a heart attack when they consume coffee. This is because various types of genes cause the body to process caffeine at different rates.
CAN LIFESTYLE FACTORS IMPACT YOUR GENES?
In addition to the effect that diet can have on a person’s genes, lifestyle factors can also impact gene expression. Above and beyond diet, nutrigenomics testing can further help create a customized wellness plan, including what time is best to go to sleep and what types of exercise are best based on a person’s genes. It has already been discovered that certain types of activities, such as yoga and meditation, actually have the ability to change genes. These activities can even “reverse stress-related changes in genes linked to poor health and depression.”
HOW CAN NUTRIGENOMICS IMPACT ONE’S HEALTH?
The advancement of nutrigenomics testing has the potential to revolutionize the way people receive care for treating and preventing health conditions of all kinds. For example, understanding the epigenetics responsible for all autoimmune diseases could help bring new treatment options that are not currently being used.
It could also help to prevent, treat, and even reverse some of the most devastating conditions, such as cancer, dementia, and heart disease. Rather than treating diseases on the surface level, nutrigenomics testing uncovers the root cause of why diseases develop and works to prevent and remove disease by changing gene expression.
Additionally, nutrigenomics can:
help provide people with a plan to feel energetic
avoid cravings for unhealthy foods
determine if sensitivities to certain foods exist
maintain a healthy weight
optimize foods to maximize their performance
Instead of guessing which supplements to take, nutrigenomics testing can reveal how someone’s body will react to various vitamins and minerals based on their genes. This is why some individuals see little or no change when taking certain supplements, while others experience major changes in their health.
IS NUTRIGENOMICS TESTING THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE?
While research is still helping uncover more information about nutrigenomics, nutrigenomics testing is becoming an extremely effective way to customize your lifestyle approach. It is always best to work with a coach or doctor who is staying current on it’s evolving science. Thanks to nutrigenomics testing, people no longer have to randomly select a diet plan based on best guesses. Determining if someone should adhere to more of a vegan, paleo or Mediterranean diet is possible through nutrigenomics.
Testing methods are now extremely accessible to the public. Almost anyone can know which risk factors they have based on their individual genetic profile. Rather than being fearful of finding out which conditions you may be more susceptible to, nutrigenomics testing gives you the power to reduce your risk of developing certain conditions through your diet. Nutrigenomics puts you in control of your longevity, energy, and your overall health.
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Date: November 28 2017
Source: Dr. Brad Gorski
Nutrigenomics Institute is not responsible for the opinions expressed in this article.
