Genetics and Health

The Dream of Nutrigenomics

by Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD on May 17th, 2005

Reader gracefruit asked in response to my previous Genetics and Public Health Blog post, “In your opinion, do you think a person can take it a step further and try things specific to their genetic makeup to get a certain effect?”

Yes. In the future, diets, health care, and other services will be tailored to your unique genetic and metabolic profile. That, however, is a long way off. We are still trying to unravel the many mysteries of the genome and are as yet unable to offer such practical solutions to common problems (see Knowing Your Genomic Sequence).

Although premature, nutritionist Carolyn Katzin is already offering “The DNA Diet^TM” to her clients. Based on information from 19 genes (out of the over 20,000 genes estimated to exist), she claims she can not only help you lose weight, but also reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers. Thse unspecified genes are purportedly involved in “detoxification processes, bone health, heart health, antioxidant activity, inflammatory processes and insulin sensitivity.”

Don’t fall for this gimmick. There are probably hundreds of genes involved in these physiological functions Katzin mentions. No one knows yet which genes they are and how they work together with each other and with environmental factors.

In an effort to soften her claims, Katzin says that the DNA information and diets are motivational. I agree. Spending hundreds of dollars would indeed motivate me to adhere to whatever diet a nutritionist dictates. Kevin Davies of Bio-IT World tried one of the nutrigenomic services firsthand and wasn’t impressed either.

For now, the easiest ways you can optimize your health are to eat right, exercise, and get enough sleep. And even after we understand how our genetic make-up works to make us the way we are, those three simple habits will still sustain you.

NBCSandiego.com, May 11, 2005
Pointer to Davies article from The Personal Genome.

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POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health, Nutrigenomics