Nutrigenomics

Abstract

The hierarchical information flow through DNA-RNA-protein-metabolite collectively referred to as ‘molecular fingerprint’ defines both health and disease. Environment and food (quality and quantity) are the key factors known to affect the health of an individual. The fundamental concepts are that the transition from a healthy condition to a disease phenotype must occur by concurrent alterations in the genome expression or by differences in protein synthesis, function and metabolites. In other words, the dietary components directly or indirectly modulate the molecular fingerprint and understanding of which is dealt with nutrigenomics. Although the fundamental principles of nutrigenomics remain similar to that of traditional research, a collection of comprehensive targeted/untargeted data sets in the context of nutrition offers the unique advantage of understanding complex metabolic networks to provide a mechanistic understanding of data from epidemiological and intervention studies. In this review the challenges and opportunities of nutrigenomic tools in addressing the nutritional problems of public health importance are discussed. The application of nutrigenomic tools provided numerous leads on biomarkers of nutrient intake, undernutrition, metabolic syndrome and its complications. Importantly, nutrigenomic studies also led to the discovery of the association of multiple genetic polymorphisms in relation to the variability of micronutrient absorption and metabolism, providing a potential opportunity for further research toward setting personalized dietary recommendations for individuals and population subgroups.

Personalized Nutrition for Management of Micronutrient Deficiency—Literature Review in Non-bariatric Populations and Possible Utility in Bariatric Cohort

“…Genetic variations in specific genes among vitamin and mineral metabolic pathways are associated with altered nutrient homeostasis and adverse health outcomes [19]. SNPs are the most common type of genetic variations among people [20].…”

“…Additionally, subclinical micronutrient deficiency can lead to increased risks for coronary artery disease, infections, age-related macular degeneration, and oxidative damage [17,18]. Therefore, measuring nutritional status in the context of pathophysiology is critical, but this is a major challenge because it is influenced by a number of factors including dietary consumption, physical/social stressors, and infections [19]. Furthermore, the impact of nutrition could vary among individuals and specific population subgroups based on their molecular and genetic make-up [19].…”

“…Therefore, measuring nutritional status in the context of pathophysiology is critical, but this is a major challenge because it is influenced by a number of factors including dietary consumption, physical/social stressors, and infections [19]. Furthermore, the impact of nutrition could vary among individuals and specific population subgroups based on their molecular and genetic make-up [19]. Studying this complex nutrient-gene relationship to understand the metabolic networks in context of health and disease should be a focus.…”

Nutrigenomics in livestock—recent advances

“…The majority of nutrigenomic studies have concentrated on human nutrition and the effects of nutrients on disease etiology (Reddy et al 2018). Imbalanced diets, whether overnutrition or undernutrition, can have long-term consequences on human health.…”

Ironing out the Iron Requirements of Children and Adolescents

“…Nutritionally demanding physiological states such as growth during childhood and adolescence, pregnancy and lactation impose additional requirements. Moreover, the nutrient absorption and metabolism in different population vary due to multiple reasons, including differences in the diet quality and bioavailability, body composition, and genetic makeup [4]. Estimating the nutrient requirements of population subgroups using population-specific data to the extent possible is of paramount importance.…”