Nutrigenetics, Nutrigenomics and the Global Obesity Crisis

"Although nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics hold immense promise for the prevention of chronic disease and obesity, we are advised not to put away our running shoes.  An expert in the field provided Decoded Science with her private opinion that '…a nutrigenomic "pill" instead of physical activity is a fantasy.'


Decoded Science recently interviewed Professor Maria Koziolkiewicz, PhD, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Services and lecturer on genetics and microbiology at the Technical University of Lodz (Poland). Professor Koziolkiewicz presented  'Nutrigenomics and Nutrigenetics – are they the keys for healthy nutrition?' at the conference on 'Food and nutrition in the 21st century,' in Warsaw, Poland, September 8-9, 2011.


Can Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics Resolve the Global Obesity Crisis?
Decoded Science asked Professor Koziolkiewicz for her opinion on this topic, and she responded:


'In my opinion, in the case of adult persons suffering from obesity, it is too late to apply results of nutrigenomic studies and to help them. We have to remember that nutrigenomic studies are in the preliminary step of their development and there is still a long way to go before dietary recommendations based on results of these studies will be elaborated. But I do hope that in the case of children or young people who will have their own children in the future, studies in nutrigenomics will give some positive effects.'


 With regard to the day in which nutrigenetics will begin producing the 'personalized diet,' Decoded Science asked Professor Koziolkiewicz to comment on the role of functional nutrigenetics in maintaining a normal life span as the human race becomes ever more sedentary. Ms Koziolkiewicz expressed her views on the subject:


'I think that a development in the field of nutrigenomics will give at some point in [the] future a chance for some of the population of "sedentary human beings " to maintain [a] normal healthy life span. But because of genetic diversity, a lot of people will not [have] been “diagnosed" properly in terms of their nutritional requirements which will have to be fulfilled for “normal” life of these people.  On the other hand, physical activity should be considered as a kind of therapy for many people, not only now but also in the future.'


Nutrigenetics and Obesity
Nutrigenetics focuses on genes and genetic variants of dietary requirements, many of which also are also biomarkers for chronic diseases. Science has found these genetic differences, referred to as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP’s), among ethnic groups and populations, as well as within individuals. Nutrigenetics seeks to match the diet to a person’s or a population group’s genetic makeup.


Even prior to the study of nutrigenetics, common sense dictated that nutritional requirements vary by age and sex. Dietary guidelines, or Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA’s), were developed based on the most recent scientific knowledge. However, the obesity epidemic brings their validity into question.


Significant progress has been made by the 'Mypyramid' program, in which the individual inputs additional data, such as activity levels, to determine his or her own optimal diet.


Nutrigenetics Can Clarify Conflicting Information on Diet
There is no question that nutrigenetics has the potential to send your RDA a massive step forward. Variations in genetic composition of individuals may account for the plethora of conflicting studies on specific nutrients that confuse the public. For example:


Is moderate alcohol consumption good for you or bad for you?
Is milk good for you or bad for you?
Is a vegetarian diet good for you or bad for you?
Nutrigenetics in Epidemiological Studies
Recently, Michael Fenech discussed the benefits of epidemiological studies including genetic variations in his article, “Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics: Viewpoints on the Current Status and Applications in Nutrition Research and Practice,” published in the Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics in July 2011. He explains that studies that do not take genetic variation into consideration may have conclusive results, only to be confounded later by conflicting evidence. Coffee is a good example. Fenech also states:


'Caffeinated-coffee was found to increase the risk of a heart attack among individuals who carry a version of a gene that makes them "slow" caffeine metabolisers, but has no effect among individuals who are "fast" caffeine metabolisers.'


Obesity Studies and the Nutrigenetic Diet
As of 2007, six hundred genes, chromosomes and genetic markers were identified as being linked to obesity or were found to be biomarkers for disease, and the number has continued to increase. This research offers fertile ground for nutrigenetic studies on obesity. Fenech’s 2011 review provides examples of two recent studies in obesity:


A personalized, calorie-based diet was developed that considered 24 variants in 19 genes that control metabolism. One-half of participants were given a calorie-restricted diet that took into account the genetic differences in each individual. The second group was given the same diet for all participants.


The group with the genetically-tailored diet lost more weight than the second group and had greater success in maintaining weight loss.


A second study mentioned by Fenech focused on the gene variant FTO (fat mass and obesity-related gene), which is a fairly common SNP. Children with the variant show greater propensity for obesity and type 2 diabetes. In this study, when presented with unlimited access to food, children with the FTO variant consumed more calories. Interestingly, increased physical activity counteracted the effect.


Nutrigenomics and Obesity
David M. Mutch, in his 2005 article 'Nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics: the emerging faces of nutrition,' Published in The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, this article said that it was once believed that '…one gene leads to one protein leads to one metabolite.'  Nutrigenomics studies the diverse effects of bioactive nutrients on the body as a whole.  It explores how nutrients impact the genome, resulting in different phenotypes (bodily reactions) and leave a 'dietary signature' (Koziolkiewicz 2011). This process has several phases that have grown into corresponding new fields within nutrigenomics:


Transcriptomics:  Tracks RNA, the molecule that transfers DNA to the part of the cells that manufacture protein. This information is ideal for the study of metabolic syndrome and inflammatory symptoms associated with obesity and chronic disease.


Proteinomics:  Encompasses the study of the infinite variety of proteins manufactured; and is capable of detecting patterns that can identify biomarkers of risk for obesity related disorders.


Metabolomics:  Considers all metabolites in a human cell or organ; is capable of generating large amounts of data at low cost that detects subtle differences in metabolism that contribute to obesity as well as fluctuations in weight.


Challenges Presented by Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics
Fenech ends his article with a note similar to Koziolkiewicz’s conclusion to her presentation: the real hurdle is human motivation. Both scientists both note the following:


The 'personally tailored diet' may be perfect in theory, but will people be motivated to follow it? Personal motivation is fast becoming recognized as the single most important factor in weight loss and exercise – and the most difficult to influence.
Will specific information created by the study of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics overshadow public understanding of general healthy diets by focusing on specific micronutrients?


Will the cost of tailored diets be too high?
Mark McCarthy, of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK, in a report entitled, 'Research for food and health in Europe: themes, needs and proposals.' (2011), states his concern about spending money on micronutrient content:


'Research should now address how macro-diets, rather than micro-nutritional content, can be improved for beneficial impacts on health, and should evaluate the impact of market changes and policy interventions, including regulation, to improve public health.'


Later in his article, he observes,


'The focus has therefore shifted away from micronutrients towards whole diets/whole foods, for example macronutrients and different dietary patterns such as Mediterranean and Nordic diets.'


Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics and the Obesity Crisis
The obesity crisis is so imminent and prevalent that even leaders in the field do not hold hopes for a solution through nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics. However, both nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics represent the future of nutritional studies, and the personalized diet is our greatest hope for the eradication of chronic disease. Even when the principles of functional nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics come to fruition, with the ideal diet provided for every individual, only the motivation to eat right combined with vigorous exercise can assure that human beings have a future that promises a long and healthy lifespan.  ----------------- "


http://www.decodedscience.com/nutrigenetics-nutrigenomics-and-the-global-obesity-crisis/10136


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