We live in a world where there\u2019s contradicting information on every single topic within the wellness world. First we\u2019re eating 6 small meals a day and then we\u2019re intuitively fasting and skipping breakfast all together. When did health become so confusing and when did we stop listening to our bodies and put our health in the hands of trends? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t get us wrong, there\u2019s a lot <\/em>of valuable information out there and we love nothing more than diving head first into the latest trend. The problem arises when we forget to look at the big picture\u2014when we hone in a one-size fits all band-aid solution to remedy a myriad of symptoms without focusing on what makes us unique. What works for some, may not work for others and this is where nutrigenomics comes in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, let\u2019s take a look at what nutrigenomics is…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Essentially, it is the relationship between our diet and our genes. The Human Genome Project was completed in 2003, and this was the project that took a deep dive into what genes are and how they express themselves in the human body. Up to 99% of our DNA is similar to that of our fellow human counterparts and the rest is what\u2019s called SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms). This is where we can find how external factors influence our DNA and what diseases we may be more prone to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We know that our DNA makes us unique\u2014our height, hair colour and eye colour all come down to our genetic makeup, but researchers were able to tap into 20,500 different genes to see how each of them performs in the human body. This is the backbone of nutrigenomics and the groundbreaking information that opened the doors to reveal how large of an influence nutrition has on our genes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How can you use nutrigenomics to optimize your health\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now that scientists have deeper knowledge about 20,500 different genes, we can begin to use this as a roadmap to optimize our health. Nutrients influence genes and genes tell our cells what to do and when to do it. Genes make proteins in our body and the proteins help to orchestrate everything from digestion to immune function and all things in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stress, pollution and oxidative stress can all have a negative impact on how our genes perform, much like nutrients can enhance their performance. That\u2019s not to say our genetic makeup changes, but our genetic expression will shift based on our environment and diet. The proteins they create and functions those proteins perform will be altered. Since we can also be carriers of certain genes (i.e. more genetically prone to Alzheimer’s, heart disease, stroke, or sickle cell anemia to name a few), once we know which genes we carry, we can use exercise, supplementation and nutrition to improve the efficacy of our DNA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s fairly easy to deduce that in order to support our overall wellbeing we need to eat well, exercise and limit toxins, and while all this absolutely true, nutrigenomics goes a little bit deeper than that by helping you to tap into your fullest health potential. By finding out what lies within the SNP portion of our DNA, we can find out which foods, nutrients and minerals will affect which genes. We can also find out which form of exercise may support us best. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, let\u2019s chat about the MTHFR gene<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is something we get asked about quite often, so we\u2019re going to break it down here. The MTHFR gene controls a process in our bodies called methylation. Methylation is used in every single cell of our body. Since it\u2019s used throughout the body it\u2019s responsible for so many functions like liver detoxification, processing neurotransmitters, getting rid of old hormones and changing the proteins created by our DNA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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