Showing posts with label You are what you eat: optimizing food intake based on your genes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label You are what you eat: optimizing food intake based on your genes. Show all posts

Thursday, June 21, 2018

You are what you eat: optimizing food intake based on your genes




The importance of a scientific and tailored diet

Most people pursue good dietary habits to develop strong, healthy, and fit bodies. Popular health programs promise benefits like weight loss and management, decreased risk for heart disease and other serious ailments, as well as overall physical, mental, and emotional wellness.

While it’s beneficial to consume healthy meals every day, it’s always better to first determine what your body really needs and create a plan to address your unique genetic make-up. This is where nutrigenomics—the study of genes and how they affect your reaction to certain food compounds and chemicals—can help.

Understanding food sensitivity

With advanced genetic technology, scientists can determine how your bodies absorb and process nutrients, vitamins, and other complex substances. For instance, if your body needs help in absorbing Vitamin B, a particular diet or supplement may be recommended based on the findings.

Nutrigenomics can also point out your biological sensitivity to certain micronutrients. When a carbohydrate-sensitive individual eats white rice, for example, this person may experience a greater spike in blood sugar for a longer period than a non-sensitive person. A fat-sensitive individual, on the other hand, may be genetically predisposed to absorb the compound quicker than others. If you are not aware of your sensitivity to these micronutrients, you may have increased risks for physical conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. You may also find it difficult to lose weight.