The National Cancer Institute defines nutrigenomics as “The study of how food affects a person’s genes and how a person’s genes affect the way the body responds to food. Nutrigenomics is used to learn more about how genes and diet together may affect a person’s health and risk of developing diseases, such as cancer. It may also help find new ways to prevent and treat disease”. To find out more.
In other words, nutrigenomics studies how our genes and nutrition interact. It helps us understand how our genetic makeup influences how we respond to different food and how our diet can affect gene activity. It also helps to explain why different people react differently to the same foods and how what we eat can actually change how our genes work. This knowledge has the potential to help us to create personalised plans that will protect and improve our mental and physical health.
Monica Dus, Associate Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, explains this beautifully and simply in the following excerpt from an article in “The Conversation”:
“If the idea that food can drive biological processes by interacting with the genome sounds astonishing, one need look no further than a beehive to find a proven and perfect example of how this happens. Worker bees labor nonstop, are sterile and live only a few weeks. The queen bee, sitting deep inside the hive, has a life span that lasts for years and a fecundity so potent she gives birth to an entire colony.
And yet, worker and queen bees are genetically identical organisms. They become two different life forms because of the food they eat. The queen bee feasts on royal jelly; worker bees feed on nectar and pollen. Both foods provide energy, but royal jelly has an extra feature: its nutrients can unlock the genetic instructions to create the anatomy and physiology of a queen bee.
So how is food translated into biological instructions? Remember that food is composed of macronutrients. These include carbohydrates – or sugars – proteins and fat. Food also contains micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals. These compounds and their breakdown products can trigger genetic switches that reside in the genome.
Like the switches that control the intensity of the light in your house, genetic switches determine how much of a certain gene product is produced. Royal jelly, for instance, contains compounds that activate genetic controllers to form the queen’s organs and sustain her reproductive ability. In humans and mice, byproducts of the amino acid methionine, which are abundant in meat and fish, are known to influence genetic dials that are important for cell growth and division. And vitamin C plays a role in keeping us healthy by protecting the genome from oxidative damage; it also promotes the function of cellular pathways that can repair the genome if it does get damaged.
Depending on the type of nutritional information, the genetic controls activated and the cell that receives them, the messages in food can influence wellness, disease risk and even life span”. To find out more.
Helpful Definitions
To understand this field better and to grasp its huge potential, it would help to have a basic understanding of genetics and DNA. Here are some relevant terms with a brief explanation.
Genes and DNA
Our genetic blueprint is encoded in our DNA, which is composed of sequences of nucleotides. Genes, which are specific segments of DNA, dictate the synthesis of proteins that perform various functions in the body, including brain function and mood regulation. Put more simply, genes are a blueprint for our body, and instruct our body on how to build itself, this includes our brain and our mood.
Gene Expression
This is the process by which information from a gene is used to produce a functional gene product, typically a protein. It can be compared to following a recipe from a cookbook.
First, we have transcription where the gene’s DNA sequence is copied into a molecule called messenger RNA (mRNA) which acts like a handwritten note of the recipe. Then we have translation, which is when the mRNA is read by a cellular machine called a ribosome, which assembles the protein by putting together the correct sequence of amino acids, similar to gathering ingredients and cooking according to the recipe. Through gene expression, the instructions in our DNA are carried out, allowing our cells to produce the proteins they need to function.
Factors like diet can influence this process by providing nutrients and compounds that influence how genes are turned on or off. Certain foods (or supplementation) can provide vitamins, minerals, or other molecules that can attach to DNA, or proteins associated with DNA, changing how a gene is read and influence its activation.
Epigenetics
Epigenetics means “above the gene” and is the study that is showing us that our genetic inheritance and our gene expression is not set in stone. We come into the world with a set of genetic predispositions or potentials, and we have control over whether these are activated through the relationship we have with our environment. Nutrition and diet are significant elements of our environment and have the power to change our gene activity without altering our DNA.
Nutrigenetic Variants
We all have small differences in our genes, or specific genetic variations. These are known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and can affect how we metabolise and respond to different nutrients. For example, one person might have a variant that makes it easier for their body to process vitamin D, while another person might need more vitamin D to get the same benefit because of a different variant. Another example of this is the MTHFR gene variant which can impact folate metabolism, which is crucial for mental health.
Nutrigenomic Pathways
Nutrigenomic pathways are the processes in our bodies where nutrients from food interact with our genes to influence how they work. These pathways help determine how our bodies respond to what we eat, such as how we metabolise fats, sugars, and vitamins. Depending on our genetic makeup, these interactions can affect our health, influencing things like our risk of developing certain diseases and how well our bodies function overall. In simple terms, nutrigenomic pathways are the routes by which food and our genes communicate to impact our health.
As we have already seen, nutrients can influence which genes are turned on or off which modulates our gene expression and metabolic pathways. For example, omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to influence the expression of genes involved in inflammation and brain function. Genetic variations in the FADS1 and FADS2 genes influence the body’s ability to convert alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) into eicosatetraenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which impacts on brain health and cognitive function.
Nutrigenomics and Cancer
A study entitled “Nutrigenomics and microbiome shaping the future of personalised medicine: a review article” looks closely at the relationship between nutrients and cancer and highlights specific food components affecting the development of cancers; and the effects of various vitamins and minerals. See the chart below:
| FOOD FACTORS INCREASING CANCER RISK | FOOD FACTORS DECREASING CANCER RISK |
| Charcoal-broiled meat: stomach, colon, and rectal cancers
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Vitamin A and beta-carotene: lung, stomach, colon, prostate, and cervix cancers
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| Red meat: colorectal cancer
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Vitamin C: esophagus, stomach, rectum, pancreas, breast, cervix, and lung cancers
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| Nitrites: stomach cancer
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Vitamin E: colon and prostate cancers
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| Salt: stomach and throat cancer
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Selenium: lung, prostate and colon cancers
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| Saturated fat and trans-fatty acids: lung, colon, rectum, breast, and endometrium cancers
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N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC): blocks the metastatic potential of several cancer cell lines through inhibition of enzymes that stimulate tumor vascularization
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| Alcohol: liver, breast, colon, rectum, throat, mouth, and esophageal cancers
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Cruciferous vegetables: colorectal cancer
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| Sweeteners: saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame: lymphoma, leukemia, and bladder tumors
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Resveratrol: breast, blood and lung cancers
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| Food additives: potassium bromate, fluoride food dyes: osteosarcoma, bladder, kidney, and thyroid tumors
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Curcumin: leukemia, lymphoma, stomach, gastrointestinal, sarcoma, breast, and head and neck cancers
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| Glyphosate: non-Hodgkin lymphoma and pancreatic cancers
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Lycopenes: prostate cancer
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The conclusion of this study was that “Food components affect carcinogenesis almost in all its stages from initiation of the disease by gene mutation to controlling the progress and even prevention of cancer, playing an important role in cancer therapy”. Their hope for the future is an optimised diet “taking into account the disparity in metabolic requirements and gene expression each person holds. Eventually, it will become more about personalised nutrition and less about one-size-fits-all “good” diets, improving diet qualitatively and quantitatively”. To find out more.
Nutrigenomics and Mental Health
Of course, looking through the lens of our own synergistic approach and our understanding of the intimate link between the mind and body, it will come as no surprise that nutrigenomics also holds great relevance in the field of mental health.
“Significant studies indicate that various genetic and environmental factors, such as diet and nutrition, are associated with neuropsychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative disorders. Several aspects of neurology, including neurodevelopment, neurogenesis, neuron roles, synapses, and neural networks, are influenced by nutritional factors in specific brain regions. The associations between nutrition and genes play an essential role in brain development, impairment, and disorders”. To find out more.
Research has shown that certain nutrients can impact gene expression and, consequently, brain function and mood regulation. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and flaxseed, have been shown to influence the expression of genes involved in inflammation and brain function which is particularly relevant for mental health.
Furthermore, B vitamins, particularly folate (B9) and B12, play crucial roles in brain health. Deficiencies in these vitamins have been linked to depression and cognitive decline.
The practical applications of nutrigenomics in mental health are both fascinating and promising. By analysing an individual’s genetic makeup, personalised dietary recommendations can be developed to support mental wellbeing. For example, someone with a genetic predisposition to mood disorders may benefit from increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and other nutrients that support brain health. Or a person with a genetic variant associated with poor folate metabolism might be advised to consume more folate-rich foods like leafy greens or take supplements to ensure adequate intake.
This all ties in with why and how Reach’s synergistic model was created in the first place. We recognise that purely treating symptoms and manifestations is failing the individuals seeking our help. We are passionate about naming the issue, really working out what is ailing our clients, so that we can help them to treat the issue at its source, as this is the only place that sustainable solutions can be found.
The Future of Nutrigenomics
What does this all mean for us? Nutrigenomics represents a groundbreaking shift in the way we approach nutrition and health. As our understanding of genetics deepens and technology advances, nutrigenomics has the potential to revolutionise the way we eat, prevent diseases, and optimise our overall wellbeing.
Traditional dietary guidelines tend to take a one-size-fits-all approach, recommending similar nutritional advice for everyone. However, in the same way that Reach was born out of the understanding of the need for a person-specific therapeutic approach, it is heartening to see that the world of nutrition is beginning to appreciate the complexity and differing needs of the human body and mind. People respond differently to the same foods due to nutrigenetic variants. These differences can influence everything from how efficiently we process vitamins to how our bodies store fat.
The future of nutrigenomics lies in the development of personalised nutrition plans, tailored to an individual’s genetic makeup. By analysing a person’s DNA, which can be done through a saliva swab, customised dietary recommendations can be offered that align with the individual’s genetic profile, maximising the health benefits of their diet. For instance, someone with a genetic predisposition to high cholesterol might benefit from a diet lower in saturated fats, while another person might require more specific nutrients to support their health. Or somebody with poor mental health may be found to have a deficiency in B vitamins which can be rectified through diet and supplementation.
Nutrigenomics also holds significant promise in the realm of disease prevention and management. Certain genetic variants are associated with an increased risk of conditions like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, obesity, depression, and anxiety. By understanding these risks early on, individuals could make informed dietary choices that may reduce the likelihood of developing these conditions.
For those already living with chronic diseases or mental health issues, nutrigenomics can provide valuable insights into the most effective dietary strategies for management and even potential reversal. Individuals with a genetic predisposition to diabetes might benefit from supplementing berberine, cinnamon or ginseng, to help manage blood sugar, as well as considering a diet rich in low GI foods, while those with a tendency towards inflammation-induced mental health issues could focus on anti-inflammatory foods.
Advancements in research and technology are driving the credibility and accessibility of nutrigenomics forward. DNA sequencing has become more affordable which is already enabling more people to obtain their genetic information, but it is still expensive and there still is a long way to go.
As we look ahead, the future of nutrigenomics is bright, offering the possibility of a world where nutrition is no longer generalised but is highly person specific. This shift has the potential to lead to significant improvements in health where individuals are empowered to take responsibility for their own wellbeing, both mentally and physically. We are always trying to make the unknown known, the unconscious conscious and as we develop the capacity to see and understand the inner workings of our bodies, we become empowered to treat the problem at its source rather than spending a lifetime purely trying to manage symptoms (often creating more symptoms in the process!)
Imagine a future where a simple genetic test could provide us with a detailed roadmap of our own ideal diet, helping us to maintain our physical and mental health and prevent disease in a way that’s as unique as our own DNA. This is the future of nutrigenomics.
Final Note
It’s great to see the development in nutrigenomics, introducing a person-specific element to a wide array of treatment regimes. We have for nearly 40 years been calling for a more person-specific approach in all areas of mental and physical health because of the limitations of a siloed approach.
As much as we value these developments and would encourage all our readers and clients to take seriously the personalised role of diet and supplementation, those of you familiar with The Story of Health will know that isn’t enough. Our experience tells us that the siloed approach is not sufficient to deal with the complex challenges of the 21st century. Fixing a part of something leaves room for the dysfunction or disease to continue damaging the whole. So, ensure that when pursuing nutrigenomics, you are also pursuing the other important elements of The Story of Health, because synergy is the cure for all our ills.
Plato said it very clearly, over 300 years before Christ:
“The cure of a part should not be attempted without the treatment of the whole. No attempt should aim to cure the body without the soul. If the head and body are to be healed, then you must begin by curing the mind – that is the first thing. Let no one persuade you to cure their body until they have first given you their soul to be cured, for this is the great error of our day in the treatment of the human body – that the physicians first separate the soul from the body”.