Nutritional genomics studies the human genome and uses food as medicine to treat people according to their specific genetic needs. It can prevent or treat disease by influencing cell behavior through gene expression. Nutritional deficiencies can lead to serious health problems and affect both an individual and their descendants. The three subcategories of nutritional genomics are nutrigenetics, nutrigenomics, and nutritional epigenomics. This field is similar to orthomolecular medicine, which uses nutritional supplements to prevent or treat disease.
Nutritional genomics is an evolving health science that studies the human genome and the use of food as medicine to treat people according to their specific genetic needs. Food can influence cell behavior through gene expression, so proper nutrition can prevent or treat disease. Changes in genes, such as mutations, can also change an individual’s nutritional requirements or require the person to avoid certain foods. A mother’s nutrition can influence the genetic expression of her children and grandchildren. Orthomolecular medicine is related to nutritional genomics in that it uses nutritional supplements as medicine.
Genetic variations can cause an individual’s nutritional requirements to differ from those of most other people. For example, people with phenylketonuria, a disorder in which people are unable to process the amino acid phenylalanine and can lead to central nervous system and brain damage, may need to avoid foods that contain phenylalanine. Some common sources of this amino acid are eggs, milk, and aspartame.
Nutritional deficiencies can lead to serious health problems, and some can damage DNA. Some examples include deficiencies in vitamin B12, zinc, and vitamin C. Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to neurological damage, brain dysfunction, colon cancer, and heart disease. Those who are deficient in zinc may be more susceptible to brain and immune dysfunction, and this deficiency can damage DNA through chromosome breakage. Lack of vitamin C can lead to oxidation of DNA, which can lead to cataracts and cancer. These can be treated by including foods with sufficient nutrients.
Poor nutrition can affect both an individual and their descendants. Some research, such as studies looking at the effects of hunger and low birth rates, indicates that a woman’s health habits, including nutrition, can affect the health of her child. In some cases, the health of her grandchildren may also be affected.
The three subcategories of nutritional genomics are nutrigenetics, nutrigenomics, and nutritional epigenomics. Nutrigenetics is concerned with the effect that genetic mutations, which can be caused by nutrition, have on health. Nutrigenomics studies the effect that nutrition, along with toxins and stress, has on gene expression.
Nutritional epigenomics is also concerned with nutrition, gene expression, and heredity. Results from any of these categories of nutritional genomics studies can be used to develop nutritional guidelines to optimize public health, promote healthy aging, and prevent disease.
This field is somewhat similar to orthomolecular medicine, which uses nutritional supplements to prevent or treat disease. Orthomolecular medicine was founded by Dr. Linus Pauling, known for using vitamin C supplements to treat colds. Another example of the use of supplements as a medication is lithium to treat schizophrenia.
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