The terms nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics have recently become fashionable, and although they may seem to refer to the same thing, they are not. Both branches of science deal with the interactions that occur between genes and nutrients. The study of the influence of nutrients on gene expression is called nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics deals with the influence of genetic variations on gene response to nutrients. organism to nutrients.
Some authors argue that the nutritional status of each person is an important factor in the phenotype resulting from the interactions between the information genetics of each individual and his or her environment where diet plays a key role. Food contains thousands of substances that are biologically active; many of which may have great potential for health benefits, although in some cases they may be harmful.
Nutrigenetics
This is an applied science that studies the relationship between genes and individual response to diet in relation to polymorphisms and clinical experience. It offers the opportunity to personalise nutrition according to the genetic make-up of patients, taking into account knowledge of genetic variations affecting nutrient metabolism and nutrient targets.
It is currently known that genetics plays a role in the health of each person, which determines up to 30% of the greater or lesser predisposition to have health problems at different times of our lives, and which we cannot control. For this reason, nutrigenetics studies our individual health. DNA and SNPs are usually studied; like the ones we saw in this article and where we explain them.
Nutrigenomics
Nutrigenomics is a branch of genomics that attempts to provide knowledge at the molecular level about the components of diet that contribute to health, either by altering expression or structures depending on the individual genetics of each person. Such as the study of the role of fatty acids polyunsaturated fatty acids on the genetic expression of their oxidation and energy utilisation.
A basic concept to understand it can be the progression from a healthy phenotype to an unhealthy phenotype; which can be explained by changes in gene expression or different enzymes or proteins; where diet can be directly or indirectly related where diet regulates the expression of genetic information.
Development of both in the future
With time and advances in genetic information, it will be possible to use all this information to determine different individuals or risk groups to determine their susceptibility to develop different diseases, whether cardiovascular disease, cancer or diabetes.
In the coming years, the discovery of more and more SNPs and genes related to genetic abnormalities will lead to the development and implementation of personalised dietary regimes.
In short, all these advances that have been occurring simultaneously in nutrition and genetics have given rise to a new scientific branch, nutritional genomics, which deals with the dynamic interactions produced between genes and nutrients, either in their expression or in their modulation.
The most interesting aspect of this is that it is changing the ideal dietary perspective in the populationas it is becoming more clearly defined that the nutritional requirements for an individual or population may not be optimal for maintaining the state of health of the individual or population. homeostasis in the life cycle of another person or population.
Genetic tests
Nowadays there are some genetic tests that you can take in order to personalise your diet to the maximum and see what can suit you better or worse and all of them can be bought online, if you want to try one you can buy it on amazon.
If you liked our article on nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics do not hesitate to share it!
Also find out how paternity tests are carried.