Download A Beginners` Guide to Nutrigenomics

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By Jack Shapter
* To understand nutrigenomics, you need to know
about genes. A gene is defined as being, "The
fundamental, physical, and functional unit of
heredity". This means genes are the code that make
you who you are. A gene is a segment of DNA which
is responsible for your characteristics. It's found on
a specific segment of your chromosomes which are
inherited from your parents.
Genes provide instructions to produce certain
proteins and can be turned on and off by several
factors like switches. This is where nutrigenomics
comes in...
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* Everyone is unique, inside and outside. You may
have heard before that no two fingerprints are the
same; this is also the case with people's genes.
That's why everyone looks different (excluding
identical twins but they make this more
complicated so we'll ignore them for now).
In addition to all looking different on the outside,
we are also all slightly different on the inside. Our
cells all contain our unique DNA and genes.
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* Nutrigenomics takes ideas put forward by
epidemiology and tailors them to an individual's
unique genetic information. Epidemiology tells us
the optimal diet and lifestyle for the average
person.
Nutrigenomics takes the average optimal and
specifies it to the individual's needs. Different
genetics can cause individual people to be
susceptible to certain diseases and illnesses but can
also cause certain nutrients to affect them more.
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* Different blood types have different
properties: Type O=less susceptible to certain
strains of cholera but the effects are more
severe if infected. Resistant to malaria and
syphilis and some cancers. Type B=slightly
resistant to cholera. Type A=Even more
resistant to cholera. Type AB=Virtually immune
to cholera.
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* Changes in the environment cause certain
genes to turn on and off in order for you to be
best able to survive in those conditions.
Nutrients are part of the environment and
therefore, can influence the way genes are
functioning.
This is why it is quickly becoming an
‘individualized’ form of medicine, which works
with the unique genetic profile of each person.
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* Polymorphisms are small changes in our genetic
code that we inherit. Each change came about
in order to increase survival chances by helping
us adapt to environmental challenges. Every
single polymorphism is beneficial in the correct
environment.
Therefore, by tailoring the environment for an
individual, it will benefit them in a unique way
that wouldn't necessarily benefit others.
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* As genes respond to the environment, and
everyone's genes are different, we can
manipulate each individual person's
environment to maximize the benefit to that
individual.
This can be achieved through: developing a
positive mental attitude, exercise plans, diets,
mindfulness and other changes to a person's
lifestyle.
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* Therefore, patients can be genetically screened and a
diet can be created to suit them.
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http://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/article/future-nutrigenomics
* Nutrigenomics is a promising field of study and
is the future of personalised diets and health
care. It is helping to explain many health
problems that had previously defied
explanation and therefore is offering hope in
the prevention and cure of these issues.
Thank you for reading and I hope this has been
informative for you.
Jack
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