“One MyPlate Does Not Fit All – Novel Dietary Approaches”*
I spoke about Nutrigenomics at an annual clinical update for fellow Registered Dietitians in Westchester and Rockland counties,
Nutrigenomics is a new field about the powerful influence that food, food components and nutrients have on genes and gene expression (epigenetics).
I illustrated how dietitians can use genetic profiles to provide clues for potential disease, and to help understand root causes of a patient’s disease and symptoms.
Some key concepts:
While genetics provides valuable information, your genes are not your destiny.
What’s most important is how genes are expressed (epigenetics) by your environment (this is where nutrition factors in).
Nutrition includes the foods you eat and the supplements your take; nutrition is an environmental factor that plays a key role in gene expression.
Nutrigenomics provides an exciting new tool for RDs to personalize nutrition care and optimize health by matching diet and lifestyle with a client’s genotype and biochemical individuality.
In my nutrition counseling practice, when available, I utilize genetic information to help personalize and individualize nutrition strategies for optimal health.
*“One MyPlate Does Not Fit All – Novel Dietary Approaches,” presented by Janet Zarowitz, MS, RD, CDN at Westchester/Rockland Dietetic Association Clinical Update, December 3, 2015
