Nutri What?

Nutrigenomics – That’s what. It is the science of learning how nutrients in the foods we eat interact with our genes. It is an immerging science and to me it is so exciting! It hasn’t been that long ago that our human genome was mapped. Now we can start to understand how all those little bits make us who we are. And then research what nutrients, in supplements or bioactive foods, will modulate those genes for optimal health.

We all watched TV and saw the coverage of the passing of Tony Snow. He knew that he was at risk of colon cancer because of family history. Even though he was vigilant in watching for signs of the disease, it overwhelmed him anyway. Nutrigenomics is learning which bioactive foods can assist our immune system or modulate our particular DNA to prevent disease. The system we have been following is waiting until we have a disease and then fighting it with pharmaceuticals. I don’t know if there is a genetic test developed yet for Tony’s type of cancer, but if there is, I certainly hope his children will be directed to it.

Knowing a person’s family history has been one of the ways our physicians have had to know what things to look for and what treatment they might suggest for us. With nutrigenomics, the medical practitioners, of the future, will have genetic codes to tell them what foods and supplements a patient should take for optimal health. These foods and supplements can be used for overall good health or they can target specific areas of a person's DNA, in order to modulate the genes and possibly avoid a certain illness.
Two tests, that my husband and I have become familiar, are one for heart health and one for antioxidants and B vitamins. They are from Interleukin Genetics and are called Gensona Heart Health Genetic Test and Gensona General Nutrition Test. They are both available through www.simplybetter.mychoices.com. They are easy, painless, and fairly inexpensive, considering the information could be so valuable to a person’s future health.

We decided to have my husband take the heart health test since there are gaps in his family history. It came back negative, which means that he did not inherit the genetic pattern to his IL 1 gene that causes a predisposition to over-expression of inflammation and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have to monitor his blood pressure, eat healthy foods, take supplements, that have positive effects on heart health, and get plenty of exercise. It just means that his risk of an acute cardiac event is statistically less, due to inflammation caused by a malfunctioning IL 1 gene.

Then I took the General Nutrition Test. I felt that my heart was fine and I wanted to know how my body handles vitamins and minerals. It came back that I do have a gentic "glich" and do not metabolize B vitamins well. This did not surprise me. Many of my symptoms mimic the symptoms listed for a deficiency of B vitamins. There has been some research on Multiple Sclerosis and B vitamins. While I think that there might be a link here, I’m not entirely sure that a lack of B vitamins could be the entire problem. So for now, I’m taking a lot of B vitamin supplements. I am feeling a little more energy and alertness. Yippee!! Every little bit helps!

Nutrigenomics…It’s just getting started!
Healthy Days to You!....Your Maven