The Future of Nutrigenomics

-
Blog Post #2

Nutrigenomics is a growing trend in the field of nutrition and dietetics. It is the study of the genetic response to diet and how this interaction plays a role in the predisposition of disease. It also goes deeper to look at how nutrients alter the DNA transcription and translation process to ultimately affect health outcomes. The idea is that nutrigenomics will allow dietitians to personalize diet prescriptions for individuals based upon their genetic makeup and response to certain foods. According to Today’s Dietitian, genes may affect appetite, calorie intake, macronutrient preferences, insulin signaling, inflammation, and the formation of fat cells.

             I think the growing trend of nutrigenomics is a great thing. I believe that genetics plays such a large role in a person’s overall health and nutrigenomics could be exactly what we have needed to help determine what diet is going to result in the most desired health outcomes. The standards we use today, are just standards that worked for some specific people during some specific study. The issue with this is that not everyone will always meet those standards which may affect the effectiveness of their diet prescription. Nutrigenomics will allow for very individualized care and hopefully a higher demand for dietitians.
           As soon-to-be dietitians, we should know the upcoming technology and how it is going to help grow our field. As we continue to conduct studies and bring about new technology, we  become a profession that is high in demand and remain cutting edge. 

http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/1017p30.shtml

SR

Comments

  1. ksu internsDecember 3, 2017 at 1:34 PM

    I think this could be a very revolutionary area of study. If we can learn why we crave certain foods and how our body wants to eat it could really inform our diet choices and eat smarter. The problem I have with this is I believe dietary choices are largely social, not genetic. There is certainly a genetic component to it, but I think the research will end up finding we can only learn so much about our diet choices from our genes, the rest is just habit we form through social conditioning. Very interesting trend though, would love to see more research go into this.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do you struggle with pre and post exercise nutrition?

-
Image
What should i eat before and after a workout? First things first…carbohydrates, proteins and fats are important for the body before  and after exercise. Exercising muscle preferentially uses carbohydrates from stored glycogen, but fats are also an important fuel source for energy production during exercise. Fats and carbohydrates are the two major fuel sources during exercise. Fats must be translocated and broken down from their storage form before they are used. Typically there is enough carbohydrate stored as muscle glycogen for exercise but as muscle glycogen stores decline, the skeletal muscle will then use some amino acids (basic components of all protein). More specifically, the amino acid leucine is used for energy.              It is important to consume an adequate amount of carbohydrates exercise to delay fatigue and minimize gastrointestinal distress. It is also important to consume enough fluids to prev...
Read more

Child Malnutrition

-
New approach to childhood malnutrition may reduce relapses, deaths http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150211124024.htm               Moderate acute malnutrition is experienced by 35 million children worldwide. A new study led by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has suggested that feeding children until they have met target measures of arm circumference and weight may be more important than a set 12 week feeding time. However, researchers have found that the current targets, set by the World Health Organization (WHO) may not be sufficient and raising these targets slightly could significantly reduce the risk of relapse in malnourished children; a condition that has a 37% relapse rate. The study took place in rural Malawi and was comprised of 2,349 moderately malnourished children aged 6 months to 5 years old. Children were evaluated 12 months after treatment; 1,967 rec...
Read more

Harvest of the Month

-
Image
Harvest of the Month  August – Corn Good source of  fiber Carbohydrate source for energy Antioxidants Contains vitamins and minerals ½ cup or 1 ear = 80 calories   http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=90 September – Watermelon High in vitamin A and vitamin C Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory support 1 cup cubed = 46 calories http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=31 October – Apples High in fiber Vitamin C Abundant amount of antioxidants 1 medium = 95 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=15 November – Squash and Pumpkin High in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B2, B3 & B6 Many minerals  High in fiber Multiple antioxidant properties  1 cup = 76 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=63 Decembe...
Read more