According to this article, several companiesーnamely myDNA, DNAFit and GenoPalateーhave recently come up with DNA diet kits that analyze differences in the expression of genes and recommend the “best” diet plan based on the differences. These DNA kits are a part of a relatively new sector of science called nutrigenomics, which applies nutrition to the human genome. Many scientists question whether the diet plans are effective or if the gene expression actually has an influence on the diet that each person should have. A 2015 review of studies studied how the gene expression of 38 different genes in 500,000 individuals affected the health outcome of the individuals, but there was not a conclusive relationship between genotype and effectiveness of a certain diet. For example, the JAMA study found that there was not a significant relationship between genotype and weight loss based on low-fat and low-carb diets. It is more likely that the culture that people grow up in affects the diet they should use, since different cultures eat different foods and have different mentalities about food. In fact, studies show that nutrition is based only 10% on genetics and 70% on behavioral, social, and economic factors.
I agree with the statement that the culture that you may have grown up with affects the diet they can choose. For example in the town of Sardinia, Italy they have a-lot of people over the age of 100 due to the high carb and low protein diet. That is the opposite of what many people in the US consider a good diet. Italians have easy access to This is a good example of what diet works for you depends on your location and society.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of DNA based diet kits before, but after reading the article and your blog post, I think the field of nutrigenomics sounds very interesting. I would like to read more about studies that can prove the relationship between diet, weight loss, and DNA, and would also like to know more about how your DNA can contribute to a diet working or not working. I do agree with you however, when you say that personal diet and dieting is very much influenced by society and culture. It will be interesting to see how nutrigenomics progresses since it is such a new field.
ReplyDelete