What is the relationship between nutrition and genomics, specifically in the field of nutrigenomics (the study of the effects of genetic variation on nutrition)?

From the Guidelines

Nutrigenomics is a rapidly evolving field that holds promise for personalized nutrition, but its current applications are largely in early stages and should be approached with caution, as evidenced by the lack of robust evidence to support its use in preventing chronic diseases, as noted in the most recent study 1. The relationship between nutrition and genomics is complex, and the field of nutrigenomics aims to understand how genetic variation affects an individual's response to different nutrients and dietary patterns. According to a 2018 study 1, nutritional genomics is defined as "the study of how diet may affect the expression of genetic information in an individual, and how an individual's genetic makeup affects the metabolism and response to nutrients and other bioactive components in food." Some key points to consider in the field of nutrigenomics include:

• The identification of genetic variants that may be significant in understanding genetic responses to diet
• The identification of genetic variants associated with diet-related diseases
• The development of effective dietary strategies to prevent or treat disease
• The improvement of dietary guidelines at a population level However, as noted in the 2023 study 1, the field of precision nutrition, which includes nutrigenomics, is still in its early stages, and more research is needed to fully understand its potential and limitations. The current evidence suggests that while nutrigenomics may hold promise for personalized nutrition, its applications should be approached with caution, and healthcare providers should be consulted before making any significant changes to an individual's diet or lifestyle. The science behind nutrigenomics is complex, involving the study of gene expression, metabolic pathways, and how bioactive food compounds interact with our DNA. For example, some people have genetic variations that affect how they metabolize certain nutrients, such as caffeine or lactose. Understanding these genetic differences can help create tailored nutrition plans that optimize health benefits and minimize risks. In terms of the current state of the field, the most recent and highest quality study 1 suggests that the hype surrounding precision nutrition, including nutrigenomics, is exceeding the science and evidentiary standards needed to inform public health recommendations for the prevention of chronic disease. Therefore, while nutrigenomics may hold promise for the future, its current applications should be approached with caution, and more research is needed to fully understand its potential and limitations.

From the Research

Definition and Scope of Nutrigenomics

• Nutrigenomics involves the study of interactions between the genome and diet, including how nutrients affect the transcription and translation process plus subsequent proteomic and metabolomic changes, and also differences in response to dietary factors based on the individual genetic makeup 2.
• Nutrigenetics considers the influence of individual genetic variation on differences in response to dietary components, nutrient requirements and predisposition to disease 2.

Relationship between Nutrition and Genomics

• The relationship between nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics is proposed as complementary, with nutrigenetics focusing on the influence of genetic variation on nutrient metabolism and nutrigenomics examining the effects of nutrients on gene expression 3.
• Nutrigenomics seems to be a promising approach to identify new biomarkers in nutrition, through an integrative application of transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, epigenomics, and nutrigenetics in human nutritional research 4.

Applications and Challenges of Nutrigenomics

• Precision nutrition has a promising future in treating the individual according to their phenotype and genetic characteristics, aimed at both the treatment and prevention of disease 2.
• The integration of the human genotype and microbiome needs to be better understood, and further advances in data interpretation tools are necessary to properly transfer information to consumers 2.
• Nutrigenetics/nutrigenomics plays an important role not only in treating diseases and illnesses but also in promoting health and wellness through both basic and clinical research 3.

Personalized Nutrition and Future Directions

• Personalized nutrition is based on the concept of individualized dietary recommendations for optimal health, taking into account genetic influences on nutrition and its impact on risk of multifactorial diseases 5.
• Recent advances in genomic research provide evidence that focusing on individual variations in abilities to metabolize nutrients and exploring the role of dietary compounds on gene expression can lead to more meaningful personalized dietary strategies to promote optimal health 6.