Nutrigenetics and personalised nutrition: how far have we progressed and are we likely to get there?

Abstract

Nutrigenetics and personalised nutrition are components of the concept that in the future genotyping will be used as a means of defining dietary recommendations to suit the individual. Over the last two decades there has been an explosion of research in this area, with often conflicting findings reported in the literature. Reviews of the literature in the area of apoE genotype and cardiovascular health, apoA5 genotype and postprandial lipaemia and perilipin and adiposity are used to demonstrate the complexities of genotype-phenotype associations and the aetiology of apparent between-study inconsistencies in the significance and size of effects. Furthermore, genetic research currently often takes a very reductionist approach, examining the interactions between individual genotypes and individual disease biomarkers and how they are modified by isolated dietary components or foods. Each individual possesses potentially hundreds of 'atrisk' gene variants and consumes a highly-complex diet. In order for nutrigenetics to become a useful public health tool, there is a great need to use mathematical and bioinformatic tools to develop strategies to examine the combined impact of multiple gene variants on a range of health outcomes and establish how these associations can be modified using combined dietary strategies.

Nutrigenetics—Personalized Nutrition in the Genetic Age

“…23 Nutrigenetic research often takes a reductionist approach to gene-nutrient interactions, examining the interactions between single polymorphisms and individual disease biomarkers, and how they are modified by single nutrients or food components. 23, 24 Each individual possesses potentially hundreds of gene variants that may have nutrigenetic consequences, and each consumes their own unique complex and varied diet. Complex statistical and bioinformatics modelling is required to integrate information on numerous genes, biomarkers, nutrients and foods for nutrigenetics to deliver on its promise of improving health outcomes.…”

Nutrigenetics and Dyslipidemia

“…Nutrigenetics and personalized nutrition are components of the concept that in the future genotyping will be used as a means of defining dietary recommendations to suit the individual. Over the last two decades there has been an explosion of research in this area, with often conflicting findings reported in the literature (Rimbach & Minihane., 2009). According to WHO reports, diet factors influence occurrence of more than 2/3 of diseases.…”

The genetic contribution to disease risk and variability in response to diet: where is the hidden heritability?

“…Furthermore, the known variants account for only a fraction of what we believe to be the total genetic contribution to disease risk and heterogeneity in response to environmental change. Here, the question 'how far have we progressed and are we likely to get there ' (Rimbach and Minihane, 2009) is revisited with regard to the translation of genetic knowledge into public health benefit. It is concluded that progress to date has been modest.…”