What is Nutrigenomics?

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The fascinating, emerging science of nutrigenomics explores the relationship between genetics and diet. Nutrigenomics seeks to understand how genes and genetic differences among individuals influence the way people respond to food and nutrients, and how these individual, gene-based responses to diet may affect health and disease.

There are certain genetic variations that have been identified that influence metabolism as well as ways that individuals respond to and process nutrients. Nutrigenomics may help us better understand why some people are more prone to developing metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes. It may also shed new light on food sensitivities, intolerances and allergies, from celiac disease to lactose intolerance. Research into nutrigenomics is paving the way to highly personalized, gene-specific diets, which would pair nutrients and food to an individual’s unique needs and genetic profile.

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