Nutritional Biochemistry and Your Genes = Nutrigenomics
We are all born with a unique set of genes. But did you know that foods and food constituents affect the expression of your genes?
Nutrigenomics concentrates on the impact of diet and lifestyle factors, such as food, nutrition, stress, and toxins on gene expression
I can help clients support their health by using their DNA data and designing nutrition programs as they relate to nutrients and biochemical pathways.
I work with the data from 23andme and ancestry.com to run a PureGenomics nutrition report which includes recommended dietary changes and targeted nutrition supplements to support the genetic profile.
Some of the areas included in the PureGenomics Report:
- Methylation Pathway (including MTHFR)
- Vitamins, Minerals and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Detoxification and Antioxidant Defenses
- Cardiovascular Health
- Metabolism and Weight Management
- Cognitive Health and Memory
- Glucose Metabolism
- Immune Health
- Energy and Fitness
- Exercise Response
- GI Health
A critical piece of the puzzle is whether or not a gene is expressed (epigenetics).
While it’s based on science, there’s also an “art” to studying the impact of genes on health. For example, all genetic SNPs do not have the same relative importance.
When I work with clients I also look clues of how the genes may be expressed, such as clinical manifestations, symptoms, lab results, diet, medications, health history, environmental factors, triggering events and more.
Genes Impact Nutritional Requirements; Food “Talks” to Genes
Genes affect a person’s ability to utilize vitamins and minerals, so their requirements may be greater than the “average” person.
The constituents in foods that people eat provide information to genes and genes in turn respond to them. There’s an intricate conversation of sorts between genes and food, which affects health and can be understood through biochemistry.
My understanding of the interaction between genes, nutrients and biochemistry gives me a unique way to personalize nutrition for my clients.
