Understanding Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics: Personalized Nutrition for Better Health

At the beginning of this century, scientists worked very hard to map out all the genes in the human body. This project was called the Human Genome Project, and by 2003, they had mapped over 90% of the human genome. It really helped us learn how our genes interact with the food we eat. Now, two new fields, nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics, are helping us understand how to eat better based on our genes.

What are Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics?

Nutrigenetics: This is the study of how our genes make us respond differently to the food we eat. For example, some of us might get more energy from a vitamin than others because of their genes.

Nutrigenomics on the other hand looks at how the food we eat can change the way our genes work. It helps us understand how some foods can "turn on" or "turn off" certain genes, which can affect our health.

Using Genomics to Improve Health

Genetic tests can show certain health problems like diabetes. Important genes that affect this include:

ADIPOQ: Helps our body use insulin.

FTO: Related to body weight and diabetes.

PPARG: Helps control how our body uses insulin and handles food.

SLC2A2: Helps keep our blood sugar levels steady.

TCF7L2: Affects how our body releases insulin and handles sugar.

Understanding these genes is important to plan our nutrition and exercise approach.

The Role of Culinary Genomics

It's not just what we eat, but also how we cook it. "Culinary genomics" studies how cooking changes the nutrients in our food. For example, cooking some vegetables can make them healthier, while others might lose some of their benefits.

Key Takeaways

• Genetic tests can help us understand our unique nutrition needs.

• Nutritional plans should be personalized, not one-size-fits-all, and how we cook our food is important too.

• Remember that genetics is just one piece of the puzzle. Staying healthy means looking at genetics, lifestyle, exercise, and overall health together.

Order your genetic test and work with experts at MyEMSHealth Wellness and Fitness Center to learn about your genes. We will make a personalized nutrition plan for you and can suggest other lifestyle improvements as well as tailored fitness program.

At MyEMS Health, we stay updated with the latest in nutritional science to give you the best personalized advice. Schedule a complimentary consultation with our team to learn how nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics can benefit your health.