Nutrigenetics/Nutrigenomics research

Highlights from the 2nd Congress of the International Society of Nutrigenetics/Nutrigenomics held in Geneva, Switzerland on October 6-8, 2008:

• Research progress has contributed to an increasing understanding of the complexity of the field of nutritional genomics, and also, that a health professional practice application of the field may lie further in the future than anticipated. We have to contend with multiple gene-gene and gene-environment (diet) interactions in disease etiology, but also with epigenetics and the fact that the same phenotype may result from different metabolic pathways. In other words, it would be inappropriate for health professionals to focus on personalized nutrition through genetic testing right now and for the forseeable future.
  
  
• Nutrition has the most important lifelong environmental impact on human health and condition.
  
  
• Researchers feel confident that approximately one gram per day of omega-3 fatty acids is enough to quell inflammatory genetic expression related to atherothrombosis and cardiac arrhythmias, two main factors in cardiovascular disease.
  
  
• Subjects with high homocysteine levels have a genetic polymorphism that hampers their ability to break down folate into absorbable components. This polymorphism is indicated in osteoporosis and poor bone health. Vitamin B12, B6, and all three forms of folate are indicated as therapy.
  
  
• A simple score integrating the accumulative impact of 11 genetic polymorphisms associated with cardiovascular disease accounts for a considerable fraction of the incidence of heart attack in the community and should be considered for those with increased genetic predisposition.
  
  
• High intakes of omega-3 fatty acids has been associated with protection from plaque rupture. The secretion of metalloproteinases (MMPs) is said to play a key role in plaque instability. Researchers have found a direct effect of long-term exposure to omega-3 faaty acids significantly reduces MMPs, thus creating a plaque stabilizing effect.