Past
Features
NUTRITIONAL GENOMICS
Sounds pretty scientific, but in practice it is simply the study of how food and other lifestyle choices influence a person’s genes or hereditary make-up.
The Human Genome Project has allowed scientists to develop a roadmap of each human gene. This map helps researchers find common gene variations. People with these variations are at greater risk of developing certain diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes. Sound worrying? The advantage is, if you know your risk, you can do something about it.
The food you eat transmits information from your environment to the genetic material in your cells. This information can switch genes on or off, provide raw materials that are in short supply, or introduce substances that can prevent or promote disease. Simply put, the right good food choices promote your health, while bad food choices can make you sick.
Being overweight heightens
your genetic risk for diseases, especially type 2 diabetes. If a person
never gains extra weight, their risk of developing diabetes is almost
eliminated. When you practice prevention, your genes can have little
or no effect of your health risk.
In the future, genetic testing will be more commonplace. It will help your
doctor target medicines and lifestyle changes that are individualized to your
risks. Food manufactures will also develop more functional foods – those
that contain beneficial or disease-preventing properties. Some of these foods
have already been identified.
| For a healthy… | Eat… | Found in… |
________________________________________________________________________
| heart | soluble fibers | soluble fibers oat bran, barley,
fruits, vegetables, fiber supplements |
| flavonoids | fruits, juices, tea | |
| plant stanols and sterols | enriched margarine, yogurt, orange juice, dark chocolate | |
| omega-3 fatty acids | salmon, flaxseed,walnuts, omega-3 rich eggs |
________________________________________________________________________
| immune system | lycopene | tomatoes and tomato products (even ketchup) |
| phytonutrients | fruits, vegetables, tea, red wine |
________________________________________________________________________
| blood sugar levels | fiber | fruits, vegetables, dry beans, whole grains |
| mineral-rich foods | nuts, low fat dairy foods, whole grains |
________________________________________________________________________
Your genetic profile = what you can be.
Your genetic profile + your environment = what you will be.
You can’t control your genes, but you can control your environment.
© April 2006, NRH Nutrition Consultants, Inc., www.thenutritionexperts.com
Did you miss one of our articles? See 
Home | Feature Story
| Past Features | Our
Books | About the Experts | Contact
Us
© Heslin-Natow
2001 · All Rights Reserved