Download THE DNA DIET - Stellenbosch University

Date: April, 11 ,2010 Publication: Sunday Times - Lifestyle Page Number: 9
FAT ATTACK
E
VER wondered why a friend
faded away on the Atkins diet
but his girlfriend didn't lose
even half as much weight?
The answer could be in their genes
— maybe he drops kilos eating sirloin
and nuts but her DNA mix is better
suited to pasta with pesto.
The pioneers of a new diet in South
Africa claim the days of "trial and
error" dieting are over. But is the
"DNA diet" simply the latest fad or
docs it have a scientific basis?
New research suggests that people
can lose two to three times more
weight on a diet matched to their
genotype than if they are on an inappropriate diet. However, these results are from a small study among
overweight women in the US.
Joburg dietician Anne Till says:
"Genetically we have not changed in
the past IOO or 200 years and obesity
is escalating year on year. This is not
attributed to genes but to how people
live. Everyone is looking for the Holy
Grail of dieting and a solution to their
problems. What makes all the difference is how much you eat and how
much you exercise."
This holds true for the followers of
any popular diet: Atkins. South
Beach. SureSlim. Weight Watchers.
Anne Till. X and Weighless. You name
it. When the Sunday Times staff did
their own experiments, dubbed the
'Tat Wars", into how well these diets
work, one point was clear: you only
get results if you stick to the plan. And
most of the volunteers had more fun
feasting and drinking than eating
green vegetables.
But back to the latest offering. To
follow the DNA diet you must have
eight genes tested which influence
metabolism and fat loss. The results
will suggest whether a low-carb, a
low-fat. low-Gl (moderate carb, low
fat) or healthy balanced diet will work
best for you.
Dnalysis is the second company in
the world to offer a DNA diet, according to its CEO. Dr Daniel Mcyersfeld.
I le says the company tested more
than 100 people in the first week of
operation last month. But it is too
soon to know if they will have success
in losing weight.
Page 1 / 1
Size=32aX283mm
THE DNA DIET
With obesity on the rise and no magic bullet to losing
weight scientists are searching for answers in our genes.
Claire Keeton reports on a new round of 'fat wars'
HOW IT WORKS
You sign up for the DNA diet online, pay
a fee and receive a DNA diet test kit. The
kit has instructions and a sterile swab
inside a tube.
Taking the swab is easy (I tested it).
You just scrape around inside your cheek.
then seal the swab stick back in the
tube.
You sign a consent form, fill in a
questionnaire and post the tube to the
laboratory. Your DNA diet report will be
ready in about 14 days.
The report has five parts and the key
message is simple: Remember, your
genes cannot change, but your diet and
lifestyle can.
A summary, like this sample, gives you the
results: "Your genetic make-up says you
are more likely to follow a Carbsmart diet
and a moderate intensity exercise
programme compromising 15 met hours
(which measure the intensity) of exercise
per week Your exercise potential is as a
power athlete."
For more info go to www.dnadietco.za
Meyersfeld. a molecular biologist,
says the product is based on scientific
research from the past 10 years. The
DNA diet falls under an exciting new
frontier in weight control known as
nutrigenomics; that is. how genes
and food interact.
I le says: "The DNA diet is not a fad.
We know people respond differently
to low-carb and low-fat diets. The
Circulation: 491430 Readership: 3896000
point is to skip the guesswork. Ten
years ago nutrigenomics was out
there scientifically and now it is in
mainstream universities."
However. South African dieticians
and scientists are cautious about the
potential of a DNA diet. They warn it
is jumping the gun to offer a diet
linked to the results of a few gene
tests, when about 600 genes relate to
metabolic functioning and obesity.
Celeste Naude, a researcher and dietician at Stellenbosch University's
division of human nutrition, says:
"Analysing a few gene variants and
ignoring other possible interactions
within this vast genomic diversity
may result in incomplete analyses
and the possibility of misguided interventions."
She said the scientific evidence was
in its early developmental stages. "Any
personalised — genetically based —
dietary advice is premature."
The president of the Association
for Dietetics in South Africa, Rene*
Smalberger. says: "The field of genetic testing and the link between genetics and dietary prescriptions have
been investigated for the past few
years, with mixed results.
"I believe there is not enough conclusive evidence to prove the link between genetics and weight loss."
Gene testing and products associated with their results are available in
the US. Meyersfeld said Dnalsysis
wanted to bring existing biotechnology to South Africa even though it
was still in its early stages.
"Who decides when there is
enough research? We are bringing in
[he best available test now and in a
year's time there may be 10 more
genes worth testing."
Meyersfeld says the DNA test results would allow people to attain the
best health, based on small lifestyle
changes. "We are looking at low penetrance genes. By themselves they do
not cause disease or weight gain but
in combination with poor lifestyle
choices they can."
Till says: "Low penetrance genes
do not causes problems and don't express themselves unless mixed with
an unfavourable environment."
She adds that there is no magic
bullet to losing weight, and that DNA
clues could reinforce the need for behaviour change to an individual who
has a health risk. For instance, if a
person finds out that they have an
increased risk of high cholesterol,
they should modify their diet.
Meyersfeld says that a person on
a DNA diet may feel more motivated
to stick to a diet designed on a caseby-casc basis rather than a "one size
fits all" diet.
"In the worst case we will have a
person who does not respond well.
We are not putting people onto medication or making drastic changes."
The jury is still out on whether
DNA diets will deliver results but the
interest in nutrigenomics is gaining
momentum.