"What is nutrigenomics"?
"What does it mean when you say you can switch your genes on or off"?
These questions are EVERYTHING in nutrigenomics.
Here is what what we know:
- we are not all the same when it comes to our genes: you may carry a genetic variation that predisposes you to lower enzyme levels or activity OR too much enzyme activity
- we do not all respond the same way to certain nutrients: nutrients are chemicals that bind to the active site of enzymes/proteins that have been made from your genes giving the instruction for them to be made. Depending on your genotype, you may need more or less of certain nutrients.
AGONIST NUTRIENTS act by binding to a receptor and activate it to produce more of its biological response. We call this "upregulating" genetic expression.
ANTAGONIST NUTRIENTS block this action or inhibit the function of the enzyme in your biochemistry. We call this "downregulation" of genetic expression.
Knowing your genotype is key in personalising your diet, and supplementation choices so that you can be the BEST version of you.
Marguerite Doig-Gander
Founder of MY DNA CHOICES | BA (Speech, Hearing & Lang Therapy) Hons | FMCHC | ReCODE Coach | Men's Health | Harvard T.H.Chan Certification in Nutrition | Harvard Medical School Fundamentals in Genetics | Immunology
