Leena Watts
There is a growing field of scientific research that explores the link between genetics, nutrition, and health, known as nutrigenomics. This field investigates how our genetics determine how our bodies process food and how ancestry has influenced our ability to digest certain foods. For example, lactose tolerance is influenced by genetics and is more prevalent in people with a Northern European ancestry. Additionally, studies have shown that the traditional diet of a region can have a significant impact on health outcomes. For instance, the introduction of a Western diet high in animal fat, processed foods, and refined sugars has been linked to increased disease, genetic disorders, and cancers in certain populations. As a result, some people are turning to ancestral eating, basing their diets on the foods their ancestors consumed. However, critics argue that this approach may be unfounded and that our modern lifestyles and environments differ significantly from those of our ancestors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nutrigenomics | The study of the relationship between the human genome, nutrition, and health |
| Nutritional genomics | The study of how ancestry built certain genes to protect or harm based on exposure, adaptation to the environment, and food |
| Lactose intolerance | The ability to digest lactose depends on ancestry, with Europeans being more tolerant than other regions |
| MTHFR mutations | High in the US, Northern China, and low in Africa and Southern China |
| Regional diets | Traditional diets vary by region, e.g., China's diet is tied to Yin & Yang, and the Mediterranean diet includes rabbit, pork, beans, and rice |
| Genetic predispositions | Certain genetic predispositions, such as diabetes and alcoholism, may be influenced by diet and ancestry |
| Personalized nutrition | DNA tests can provide personalized dietary, exercise, and lifestyle advice based on genetic analysis |
| Environmental context | Considering the environmental context of carbohydrate-based diets may help prevent obesity |
| Genetic research | Examining the regional and ethnic distribution of gene variations can provide insights into dietary needs |
| Ethnic heritage | Ethnic heritage can influence dietary recommendations, such as including dairy for Danish heritage or alternative calcium sources for Vietnamese heritage |
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What You'll Learn
Nutritional genomics
The field of nutritional genomics has been defined as focusing on understanding how nutrition impacts metabolism and the maintenance of internal equilibrium in the body. It also examines how nutritional deficiencies or excesses can contribute to the development of diet-related diseases and how genetic variations influence the body's response to different nutrients. For example, variants of the FTO gene are related to metabolism, energy expenditure, and weight management. By understanding these genetic variations, individuals can make more informed dietary choices to optimise their health.
The concept of tailoring diets to an individual's genotype is not new. For instance, diets low in phenylalanine have been prescribed to manage phenylketonuria, a genetic disorder of amino acid metabolism. However, nutritional genomics goes beyond the management of specific genetic disorders and aims to mitigate disease risk in otherwise healthy populations. It offers a more targeted approach to diet and lifestyle choices, providing insights into fitness, skincare, medication responses, and even personality traits.
Nutrigenomic testing can be used to analyse an individual's DNA and provide gene-based dietary, exercise, and lifestyle recommendations. For example, an individual with Scandinavian ancestry may discover that their ancestors had steady access to fish rich in omega-3s and vitamin D. This information can inform their current diet, suggesting that a higher intake of fish and vitamin D may be beneficial for their health. Additionally, by understanding their genetic predispositions, individuals can make more informed decisions about their lifestyle choices. For instance, knowledge about a predisposition to high blood pressure or cholesterol can prompt dietary changes, such as reducing sodium and saturated fat consumption, to prevent these conditions from developing.
In conclusion, nutritional genomics offers a powerful tool for optimising health and wellness by providing a scientific understanding of the complex interactions between genetics and nutrition. While the field is still evolving, it holds great potential for revolutionising the way we approach diet and lifestyle choices, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach to more personalised and targeted recommendations.
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Lactose tolerance
Most babies can digest milk without getting an upset stomach due to the presence of the lactase enzyme. However, until a few thousand years ago, this enzyme stopped being produced once a person reached adulthood, making most adults lactose intolerant. Today, about 35% of the global population, mainly those with Northern and Central European ancestry, can digest lactose in adulthood without any issues. This development of lactose tolerance occurred rapidly, within about 20,000 years, but scientists are still unsure why it happened.
The ability to digest lactose is influenced by the LCT gene. The GG genotype tends to have difficulty digesting lactose, while the AG and AA genotypes have an easier time. A mutation near the LCT gene, which produces the lactase enzyme, started becoming more frequent around 8,000 years ago, coinciding with the domestication of cows, goats, and sheep. This led to the development of adult lactose tolerance.
The prevalence of lactose intolerance is lowest in populations with a long history of dependence on unfermented milk products, such as Northern Europeans, where only about 5% are lactase non-persistent. In contrast, Asia, excluding Mongolia, Central Asian steppe peoples, and the Indian subcontinent, is entirely intolerant of lactose and dairy.
Lactose intolerance can cause abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, nausea, and diarrhea within 30 minutes to 2 hours of consuming lactose-containing dairy products. However, many individuals with lactose intolerance can include small amounts of lactose in their diets without experiencing symptoms. Additionally, they may be able to tolerate fermented dairy products like cheese and yogurt, which have lower lactose content.
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Regional and ethnic distribution of gene variations
The study of human genetics and genetic variation is an important field of research that helps us understand ourselves better and also has practical applications for human welfare. Genetic diversity decreases with migratory distance from the origin of modern humans in Africa, and this decrease is reflected in the decrease in phenotypic variation. For example, skull measurements show that within-population variation decreases with distance from Africa, with ~90% of the variation in human head shapes occurring within continental groups and ~10% separating groups.
Another example of regional and ethnic distribution of gene variations is the prevalence of lactose intolerance. In most mammals, the gene for lactose tolerance switches off once the animal matures. However, a mutation in the DNA of an isolated population of Northern Europeans 10,000 years ago introduced a tolerance for dairy. Today, the likelihood that a person tolerates dairy is related to the degree to which they have Northern European ancestry.
Genetic differences among ethnic groups have been observed in susceptibility to certain diseases and response to particular drugs. For instance, there are ethnic differences in breast cancer survival rates in New Zealand. Additionally, South Asians in England have shown differences in cancer survival rates compared to non-South Asians.
Furthermore, genetic clustering has been found to correspond with groups that have historically occupied large continental and subcontinental regions. These patterns of variation have been used to justify traditional racial categories. However, it is important to note that genetic variants limited to one region tend to be rare within that region, while variants common within a region are often shared globally.
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Traditional diets
The concept of traditional diets is supported by the field of nutrigenomics, which studies the relationship between the human genome, nutrition, and health. Nutrigenomics has shown that genetics determines how our bodies process food, and that positive health outcomes are experienced when people with certain genotypes consume certain nutrient levels. For instance, individuals with lactose intolerance (often those with a GG genotype) may have ancestors from regions without access to milk, whereas those with lactose tolerance (often those with AG or AA genotypes) may have ancestors from Northern Europe, where a mutation introduced dairy tolerance around 10,000 years ago.
Another example is the traditional diet of the Inuits, which consisted of high-protein and high-fat foods like whale blubber, with minimal vegetables and grains. Interestingly, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes were rare among the Inuits until the introduction of sugar, refined flours, and alcohol. On the other hand, people in tropical climates tended to consume more vegetables and fruits and less protein, yet they were equally healthy, showcasing the importance of eating right for one's 'Type'.
Additionally, the high incidence of diabetes and alcoholism among Native Americans has been linked to the introduction of grains like wheat, barley, and oats, which their ancestors did not consume. Similarly, the Japanese population has a higher tolerance for soy genistein due to their traditional diet and lifestyle factors, resulting in lower occurrences of estrogen-fueled cancers compared to those living in the U.S.
While traditional diets can provide insights into optimal nutrition, it is important to note that our modern lifestyles differ significantly from our ancestors, and the availability of globalized food options may impact the relevance of these diets today. Furthermore, genetic research is ongoing, and personalized DNA diet plans are still considered an emerging science by organizations like the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Thus, while exploring traditional diets can be informative, it should be approached with an understanding of one's unique needs and the potential limitations of this approach.
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Genetic predispositions
Our DNA can influence our metabolism and digestive system, making us better suited to certain foods. For example, Europeans who farmed cattle and consumed milk adapted to digest lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. Populations without access to milk are less likely to have evolved in the same way and may be lactose intolerant. Similarly, the likelihood of lactose tolerance is higher for individuals with a Northern European bloodline due to a historical mutation.
Genetic variations can also impact our susceptibility to diseases and disorders. For instance, studies show that the American diet, high in animal fat, processed foods, and refined sugars, is associated with genetic disorders, MTHFR mutations, and cancers. However, these risks can be mitigated by identifying ancestral genetics and making appropriate diet changes. Traditional diets in China, which emphasize eating for each organ, and Japan, which includes high starch and vegetables, have resulted in lower disease rates.
Additionally, the number of salivary amylase gene copies can impact obesity risk. Populations with fewer copies, like those with a low-starch diet, are more susceptible to obesity when consuming high-carbohydrate diets. Genetic predispositions can also influence athletic abilities, as seen in the example of an individual with Scandinavian ancestry who discovered their genetic predisposition for endurance and power athletics through DNA analysis.
While genetic research provides valuable insights, it is essential to consider the broader context. Environmental factors, lifestyle choices, and economic and cultural realities also play a role in nutrition and health. Additionally, the concept of a "one-size-fits-all" diet has been challenged, highlighting the uniqueness of individual needs based on genetics, ethnicity, climate, local produce, and environment.
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Frequently asked questions
You can take a DNA test to determine your ancestry and use that information to inform your diet. Nutrigenomics is a rapidly growing area of scientific research that studies the relationship between the human genome, nutrition, and health.
Populations with a high incidence of MTHFR mutations likely have a diet rich in folate. For example, Africa is a low MTHFR mutation country, and its diet is based on whole plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and healthy oils.
Most mammals lose tolerance for lactose once they mature, but a mutation in Northern Europeans 10,000 years ago introduced a tolerance for dairy. Therefore, the likelihood that you tolerate dairy well depends on the degree to which you have Northern European ancestry.
Populations with a low number of salivary amylase gene copies are more susceptible to obesity when consuming a carbohydrate-based diet. Therefore, if you have fewer copies, your ancestors likely ate fewer carbs, and you should too.
Nutritional studies of geographic groups often fail to distinguish between how an ethnic population is genetically programmed to handle specific foods and how economic and cultural factors affect their nutrition. Additionally, our modern lifestyles are extremely different from our ancestors, and this should be considered when determining an optimal diet.
