What Is Nutrigenomics?

Nutrigenomics is a term you might have heard. You may know it relates to diet, you may know it is a service offered by dietitians. You may know that it is related to genetics in some way.

For most people, though, details are sketchy.

In this post, Rachel Clarkson, the DNA Dietitian and a leading exponent of Nutrigenomics explains what this form of dietary analysis offers and answers the most common questions.

Nutrigenomics In 50 Words

Nutrigenomics focusses on the relationship between a person’s diet and their genetics. 

It provides dietary advice that is more tailored to the individual, taking into account their specific genetic make-up rather than being based on more general advice.

It augments the skills of a dietitian rather than replacing them.

Unlocking The Individual

Traditional dietary advice, that offered by dietitians has been of the highest standard, but not truly tailored to the individual as much as it could be.

It has, of course, focussed on the individual’s medical conditions or their health aims – for instance a desire to lose weight, or creating a diet suitable for someone with a serious medical condition. What traditional dietary advice has been unable to do is to see inside the individual, to see how their genetics are different to someone else’s.

Of course, as you may recall from biology lessons, most of our genes are the same – around 98% are common across us all. However, 2% of our genome are the protein-coding genes, these comprising many millions of genes and these determine so much about us.

These genes impact our appearance – hair colour, eye colour, skin tone – but they also define other unique traits and many of these relate to diet. Within these genes, our sensitivity to lactose is set, how we react to gluten, how we react to every form of foodstuff and nutrients.

By unlocking this information using modern genomics technology, a dietitian can have greater certainty that the dietary plan they create will be the one most suited to your needs. The plan can ensure that certain types of food are avoided, those that might lead to a negative reaction, while others are included in higher quantities as required.

In some instances, individual dietary needs might be obvious – for instance, if someone has a severe intolerance to gluten this could be identified without recourse to nutrigenomics and the diet changed accordingly.

However, what about when the impact is less obvious? What of the things that make us feel a little lethargic, or have a small negative impact that is hard to identify? What of the nutrients we require a little more of to feel in top health?

Nutrigenomics helps to find all these little idiosyncrasies.

The Benefits of Nutrigenomics

Nutrigenomics can help to identify health-related issues that a person is unaware of – for instance food intolerances or that your body requires more of certain nutrients.

This knowledge then helps someone to achieve their diet-related goals, to manage their weight, lose weight or gain weight. It may be that someone wants to feel more energised, and nutrigenomics can help to identify why they feel short of energy.

Nutrigenomics also helps to provide the certainty that the diet someone follows is truly suitable for them. It is very easy to simply Google advice for any need, but what comes back will be generic and potentially do more harm than good.

Seeing a nutritionist is little better, nutritionist is not a protected term and so anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. A dietitian would provide sound advice but still, without an ability to use nutrigenomics, this will not factor in a person’s genes.

Nutrigenomics offers certainty, the certainty that the diet being followed is suitable, and this then makes it easier to follow. It will be clear why a dietary plan is as it is – why some nutrients are limited, others are included in greater quality.

Many turn to nutrigenomics just to boost their general health, but it can also be key in helping manage chronic conditions. With a serious health condition, diet is of huge importance, by unlocking a person’s genetic make-up we can see that the diet is working with the body, rather than against it.

Nutrigenomics vs Dietitians

Nutrigenomics is not separate to the service offered by a dietitian, it adds to it.

All dietitians offer a highly professional service; dietitians are all highly qualified and experienced. Dietitians also work in tandem with other medical professionals and so their plan augments the work of other professionals rather than potentially being at odds.

Nutrigenomics works on top of traditional dietitian expertise, it gives the dietitian a whole extra level of information to work with.

The report that comes back once a sample has been taken is incredibly detailed, if the patient was simply handed this information they would not know where to begin. How to make a diet that incorporates all this information?

The dietitian uses this additional level of information to inform their dietary advice and plan, while also factoring in the client’s lifestyle and preferences.

Ultimately, a dietitian’s aim is to create a diet that helps the client achieve their aims, boosts their overall health and also can be followed and enjoyed. There is, for instance, no point including large quantities of oily fish in the diet if the client is simply unwilling to eat them.

Only a relatively small number of dietitians are able to provide this nutrigenomics service.

What is the Nutrigenomics Process?

The process is straightforward.

An initial consultation with a dietitian would see the client discuss their reasons for seeking this help, their aims and what they hope to achieve.

If you wish to proceed with nutrigenomics there are then three different tests, each consisting of 70 genetic markers. The three focus on health and wellness, sports nutrition and fertility health – health and wellness the option for those wanting to improve general health.

A small saliva sample is taken and this sent to a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited lab, cutting edge technology analysing the sample.

The report then comes back, is analysed by the dietitian and then turned into a bespoke dietary plan.

The final part is quick to write, but this is where the detail lies – turning this in-depth report and information into a bespoke plan, one that the client will easily follow.

What is included in the report?

The video below helps to explain what you will receive in your nutrigenomics report.

You can see a sample report here.

In the sample report, this containing the level of detail you could expect in your analysis, we see that the person in question should consume vitamin B12 via bio-available sources. 

They should consume 25 msg of vitamin D daily, they need a regular vitamin E supplest but should avoid going above the RDI for iron – and avoid consuming vitamin C with iron-rich foods. The energy consumption should include at least 20 to 30% of energy from protein and 20 to 35% from fat.

Find out if nutrigenomics is for you

While nutrigenomics has health benefits for all as it helps any individual unlock the relationship between their genes and nutrition intake, you may still have doubts.

It is worth noting that we provide a free discovery call, this a chance to discuss nutrigenomics and whether it is right for you – you will have an opportunity to ask any questions.

This call is pressure free. To book your call with Rachel, simply follow this link. 

About Rachel, the DNA Dietitian 

As the DNA Dietitian, Rachel Clarkson is at the forefront of the move to genetics-based dietary advice.

She has universally five star reviews and two of her most recent testimonials state:

“Rachel helped me change my eating habits and have much more awareness of what I put into my body. My digestion has completely changed and I am very grateful! I feel so much more knowledgeable now and would recommend her to anyone not only wanting to lose weight, but also to have a healthy approach in life”

“Would highly recommend Rachel to anyone seeking to improve their health! I found my genetic analysis to be an empowering and motivating tool to make healthy changes using Rachel’s techniques. In just 3 sessions I feel more in control of my health and feel like I have the knowledge to filter through all of the poor nutritional information I hear so much in the media!”

If you want to see if Rachel is the dietitian for you, why not book a free 15-minute discovery call? This will be an opportunity to chat with Rachel, discuss your requirements and also find out more about a DNA diet and its benefits for you.

Book a free discovery call.