No two people have the same fingerprint. Like our fingerprints, our genetic variations are unique identifiers which make us different from every other person. It's the variations in genes that make us who we are. From our gender; the color of our hair, eyes and skin; the types of foods that work best with our bodies; and even the type of exercise designed to maximize our individual performance, our genes are the instruction manual for the creation and maintenance of our bodies.

Our genes are composed of combinations of protein bases. While there are only four possible bases, they can be combined in billions of ways to code for countless functions in the body. These four bases make up the DNA alphabet and combine to form words and phrases that give instructions to your body for everything from how your cells function to the color of your hair. Sometimes, when cells in the body replicate to make new cells, mistakes are made. By changing just one letter or just one base, the gene now has a totally new meaning and function. These variations are called single nucleotide polymorphisms (or SNPs).

These small variations in DNA are expressed in many ways. They can influence how we metabolize food and what types of exercise are best suited for our bodies. By identifying our own unique gene variations, we can customize lifestyle approaches and nutritional supplementation to maximize our genetic potential promoting optimal health never before achieved.

What Can I do?

By understanding genetic variations, researchers have identified specific dietary interventions that may optimize gene expression, promote health, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between gene-diet interactions and their impact on health outcomes. These studies analyze how specific dietary components, such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and macronutrients, interact with genetic variations to influence metabolic processes, inflammation, oxidative stress, and other biological pathways.  The importance of this research is the revelation of the role common nutrients and lifestyle habits take in influencing those genes expression, both today and over time.  This information, regarding epigenetic nutrients, has influenced the perspective of practitioners to start to paying closer attention to day to day

Epigenetic Nutrition: Epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression that occur without altering the underlying DNA sequence. Nutrigenomics explores how diet and lifestyle factors can modify epigenetic markers, such as DNA methylation and histone modification, and potentially impact gene expression patterns. This understanding and application of select or personalized nutrients and diet has significant implications for disease prevention and management.

Epigenetic nutrition has implications for various areas of health, including weight management, cardiovascular health, metabolic disorders, and personalized dietary interventions. Researchers are exploring how specific dietary components, functional foods, and dietary patterns can modulate gene expression and improve health outcomes.

While nutrigenomics shows promise, several challenges remain. Interpreting complex genetic data requires expertise, and the translation of research findings into practical dietary recommendations is an ongoing process. The impact of genetic variations on health outcomes is often influenced by multiple genes and complex gene-environment interactions, making it challenging to establish clear cause-and-effect relationships.

Ethical Considerations: As nutrigenomics advances, ethical considerations surrounding genetic privacy, data security, and the responsible use of genetic information become increasingly important. Ensuring informed consent, protecting genetic data, and maintaining transparency in research and commercial applications are crucial.

In summary, the current nutrigenomic landscape is an evolving field that holds great potential for understanding the intricate relationship between nutrition and gene behavior or expression. Continued research, technological advancements, and collaboration among scientists, healthcare professionals, and genetic counselors will contribute to further advancements in personalized nutrition and improved health outcomes.

You do everything you can to maintain a healthy body weight. You exercise. You eat healthy foods. You might even take supplements. But sometimes it's not just what you do that makes a difference; it could be what you're made of — literally.

Genetics plays a crucial role in how efficiently we burn fat with exercise and how capable our bodies are to perform aerobic exercise. Variations in our genetic code can have both positive and negative effects on how our bodies react to the foods we eat and the workouts we put ourselves through. For example, one particular gene variation — FTO — could lead to increased fat accumulation in men and higher fat mass in women.

Which genes are related to weight management?

FTO609	Functionally this gene demonstrates lower responsiveness to satiety signals and increased risk for obesity
FTO812	Shown to contribute to early onset of obesity in both adolescents and adults
FTO980	This gene functions to reverse damage to DNA & RNA by oxidative demethylation
TAS1R3	Can cause an inability to taste sucrose along with the tendency to over-eat due to signaling response to feeding
ADIPOQ56	Important positive adipokine involved in the control of fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity
ADIPOQ539	This gene is an important adipokine involved in the control of fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity and is expressed exclusively in adipose tissue
BDNF	The BDNF protein is found in the regions of the brain that control eating, drinking and body weight
PCSK1_2	This gene functions in the proteolytic activation of hormones and neuropeptide precursors
FAIM2	This gene is associated with energy storage and increased risk of obesity, hyperlipidemia and endothelial dysfunction
MC4R313	This protein is affected by sensitivity to the hormone leptin and limited by the hormone ghrelin
DRD2	This gene is linked to how the brain processes reward signals
SEC16B	This gene is linked to hepatic lipase activity and risk of extreme obesity in childhood and obesity in adults for certain genotypes
TMEM18	This gene has been identified as a strong indicator of the risk advanced glycation end-products, childhood obesity and obesity in adults
NEGR1	Heavily involved with the risk for childhood obesity
SH2B1	This gene influences cytokine and growth factor signaling as well as cellular transformation
PPARD	Promotes Beta Oxidation of fatty acids for energy
PPARG	Key regulator of adipogenesis, lipid and glucose homeostasis
KCTD10	This gene plays a key role in the activity of this enzymes initiation of pre-adipocytes to become mature adipocytes
KCTD15	This gene plays a role in inhibition of early adipogenesis
LEP039	This gene regulates leptin, leptin is a protein secreted by white adipocytes for the regulation of body weight
LEPR	Direct correlation with resting metabolic rate
INSIG2	The gene mediates feedback control of cholesterol sythesis by controlling HMG CoA Reductase

Blood sugar is vital to human function and must be consistently kept at a steady level to maintain good health. Blood sugar impacts numerous aspects of health, from cognitive function to energy to heart health, and more.

Blood sugar refers to glucose in the blood stream. In order for our cells to get the energy they need to maintain proper bodily functions, we must be able to efficiently move glucose in the blood into our cells. Because of the many critical functions that depend on it, blood sugar levels that are too low or too high are dealt with by the body in an urgent manner.

Some genetic variations are associated with the body's ability to efficiently clear glucose from the blood. A variant of the SLC2A2 gene may encourage a higher resting glucose level. Knowing this can help a person adjust their diet and exercise routines, which can help the body to utilize insulin more efficiently, or possibly receive a recommended nutraceutical to help maintain healthy insulin activity in the body.

Which genes are related to blood sugar?

MC4R	Protein affected by sensitivity to the horomone Leptin and limited by the hormone Ghrelin
TMEM18	This Gene is responsible for minimizing glycation and oxidative stress when carbohydrates, proteins and fats link.
FTO609	This FTO enzyme has been associated with oxidative stress and demethylase activity and may be linked to cellular repair
FTO812	This Gene functions to reverse damage by oxidative demethylation that may contribute to obesity or other concerns related to hormonal metabolic function.
SH2B1	This Gene influences cytokine and growth factor receptor signaling as well as cellular transformation. Some alleles carry the risk of diminished activity in insulin receptors.
LEP039	This Gene regulates leptin, leptin is a protein secreted by white adipocytes for regulation of body weight.
PCSK1_2	This Gene functions in the proteolytic activation of horomones and neuropeptides precursors.
ADIPOQ56	Important positive adipokine involved in the control of fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
LEPR	This SNP is a cytokine receptor fot the fat-cell specific hormone leptin.
APOA2	This Gene greatly influences how your body processes fat.
ADIPOQ539	This Gene is an important adipokine involved in the control of fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
PPARG	Key regulator of adipogenesis and glucose homeostasis. Receptor that binds peroxisome proliferators such as lipids and fatty acids.
PPARD52	Master regulator of adipogenesis as well as a potent modulator of whole-body lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
FTO980	This Gene functions to reverse DNA and RNA damage by oxidative demethylation. It is alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent.
SLC2A2	Major glucose transporter in the mammalian blood-brain barrier.
CYP2R1	Cytochrome P450 enzyme. Involved in drug metabolism and synthesis of cholesterol, steroids and other lipids.
BCM01	Catalyzesthe oxidative cleavage of beta-carotene into two retinal molecules.
GC	Binds to vitamin D and its plasma metabolites. Responsible for transport to target tissues.
BCM01-331	Catalyzesthe oxidative cleavage of beta-carotene into two retinal molecules.