Nutrigenetics: nutrition based on your DNA –

From an early age we heard that food plays a fundamental role in our quality of life: taking care of fish so that your memory never fails… Ginger to help speed up your metabolism… Cut down on sugar… Bet on turmeric… Eat vegetables. But what if all this is relative?

Your need to eat vegetables, for example, may not be as great as for others due to one factor: genetics.

Of course, the benefits of food are not questionable, but your need to invest in a fish-based diet may not be as great as for others due to one factor: genetics.

Each individual has unique DNA and polymorphisms (genetic variations such as predisposition to diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) that require specific foods and nutrients (or even supplements) for their health.

It may seem difficult to have this exact answer, but it is not impossible. The science of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics has in recent years been studying the way in which DNA and polymorphisms interact with eating habits, making it possible, today, to carry out a DNA test to verify how to modify these habits and influence the genome according to the individual’s need.

That is, through the genetic test it is possible to find out if a person is predisposed to cardiovascular diseases, obesity, high blood pressure, depression, if they have lactose intolerance (among other diverse genetic variations) and try to avoid them, through food, before same of the problems manifest themselves.

All this just by passing a cotton swab on the inside of the cheek!

What is nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics

Despite being interconnected, nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics have different definitions. A nutrigenomics studies how ingested foods, nutrients, and bioactive compounds influence the genome and, consequently, in the biochemical and physiological functions of people.

Nutrigenetics is the science that studies how DNA and polymorphisms (genetic variations) respond to our eating habitsbeing the “practical” part of the nutrigenomic study.

“People have different responses to dietary changes, thanks to polymorphisms in our DNA (less than 0.1%). With that, personalized diets emerged according to the genetic profile of each person”, he explains. Giovanna Mainardi, post-graduated nutrologist in Nutrology and in Orthomolecular Practice and Nutrigenomics.

What does that mean? That because of our genes, not every diet or food (no matter how beneficial) will help us supply all the needs of our body in a specific way.

A person decides to consume Omega 3 with DHA and EPA because he saw on the internet that it is good for health and memory. She has a condition where her liver does not methylate well and does not develop enzymes, failing to metabolize fats correctly, but her memory is poor. She may need (and should) ingest the DHA, but the EPA would be one more, even good, fat to be metabolized in her system. That is, despite being fulfilling a need, it is harming another part of your body.

personalized slimming

Another case that Andrea Cristina da Cunha, Clinical and Sports Nutritionist with Specialization in Nutrigenomics, mentions, is about weight loss. “When we have two very similar patients with the same goal, weight loss, but who respond differently to a very similar dietary prescription! This slimming will be much more effective and directed towards the GENETIC PROFILE, identifying risks, more suitable nutrients to reach the set goal”, she explains.

“The exam will show the polymorphisms or genetic variations that may interfere with the nutritional needs and susceptibility to nutritional deficiencies of each individual. For this reason, Nutrigenetic tests help a lot for personalized, predictive, preventive and participatory food planning” and reinforces the importance of knowing each genetic variation in patients.

avoiding diseases

By studying our genes and discovering the hereditary predispositions that we may have (such as heart problems, alzheimer’s, diabetes, depression, high blood pressure) through food, nutrients and bioactive compounds, it is possible to control, postpone or even eradicate the possibility of developing them. them in the future.

Andréa Cristina completes “Any dietary intervention based on knowledge of nutritional needs, nutritional status, individual genotype, inheritance, food preferences, lifestyle, patient complaints, will be useful to prevent, reduce or cure a chronic disease”, says the nutritionist. “But it is worth emphasizing that despite the care and nutrition being necessary, it does not guarantee that that predisposition will never manifest itself. “I have a patient who, on her mother’s side, had a history of cancer in her family and she asked me if she could, through a Personalized Dietary Plan, according to her genetic examination, if it could prevent her from developing the disease in the future. It is something that we can postpone, but nothing guarantees that the disease will not develop, we cannot promise that” concludes the professional.

fitness for sports

Another point worked on in nutrigenetics is the aptitude for sports that each individual has. With the genetic test, you can find out which type of exercise your body is more suited to (endurance or strength), accelerating (and guaranteeing) a better result. But that doesn’t mean that if the person has a greater response in an area that should just invest in it. In cases of professional athletes, Andréa says that the test is interesting to know how easy it will be to perform it, allowing the coach to focus on specific areas aiming at the best conditioning, and result, of the athlete.

As it is considered a “new science”, nutrigenetics still has a vast field to be explored, in which Lorena Lima Amato, an endocrinologist, sees herself as hopeful. “Genetics is a very promising science that has been developing rapidly, and soon, not only diets, but even drug treatments will be customized according to each individual’s genetic profile. I speculate that we will not only be able to know which diet the patient responds best with well-being and weight loss, for example, but also which medication will respond with regression of the disease and with fewer side effects. The future has arrived”. Feeling shared by Andréa “Nutrigenetics is a precision tool, through which we can offer our patients a totally targeted and precise Food Plan, without ‘trial and error’. I am absolutely certain that it is the nutrition of the future”.

– (AYDINOZON/Getty Images)

the genetic test

Andréa explains that, as a matter of ethics (and choice) the patient has the power to wish not to know about all the polymorphisms presented in the test, but only those of interest. There are several laboratories specializing in genetic testing such as Genome Center and ConectGene that have several tests and their prices vary between one thousand and two thousand reais.

The test carried out by ConectGene NutriFit shows, based on DNA analysis, how the body absorbs food, its predisposition to various aspects related to physical performance, stress and sleep. The Collection Kit is sent by mail for the collection of genetic material (cheek cells) with instructions for carrying out the procedure in a simple and safe way. The collected sample is sent (free of charge) by the Post Office to the headquarters, which redirects it to a partner laboratory in London (DNAfit).

After the analysis, the person receives three types of report included: “Nutrition”, “Fitness” and “Stress & Sleep”also available through the ConectGene application.

In the nutrition part, genes that affect 12 areas of the Food:

Saturated Fat Sensitivity: How effectively the body absorbs and metabolizes consumed fatCarbohydrate Sensitivity: How the body responds to different types of carbohydrates neutralizing free radicals Omega-3 Need: Genes determine the natural inflammatory response, defining your need for Omega-3 Vitamin B Need: Many of the body’s processes depend on the function of B vitamins Vitamin D Need: Genetic variants can affect vitamin D utilization Salt Sensitivity: Risk of developing chronic high blood pressure Alcohol Response: Moderate alcohol consumption has been shown to have a positive effect on HDL cholesterol levels in people with a certain genetic variant Caffeine Sensitivity: Genes can interfere with rate of caffeine metabolism and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure Lactose Intolerance: Genetic variants affect the digestion of lactose in adulthood and many people may lose the ability to digest it Predisposition to Celiac Disease: Individuals with certain variants genetics have a higher risk of developing celiac disease (an autoimmune condition that affects the small intestine

In Fitness5 markers are studied:

Response to training intensity Level of aerobic training Predisposition to injury Recovery profile Nutritional needs for recovery

Is at Stress and Sleep5 bookmarks:

Stress tolerance Performance under pressure Biorhythm Sleep quality Caffeine response

Nutritionist Giovanna Mainardi explains that, in most cases, the need for investigation is based on an interview with the patient, past illnesses, family history, physical examination and interpretations of laboratory tests. “We all have polymorphisms that most of the time do not manifest themselves. However, some people benefit greatly from DNA analysis, among them are individuals who need confirmation of pre-existing genetic disease, who fear transmitting hereditary diseases and who are being treated for chronic diseases. Also all individuals who wish to prevent a multifactorial disease”.

Carol Gattaz: September’s cover of (Patty Lima/)

This special is part of the September 2021 issue of ,
which features volleyball player Carol Gattaz on its cover.
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