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J Food Sci Technol (MayJune 2013) 50(3):415428 DOI 10.1007/s13197-012-0775-z
REVIEW-INVITED ARTICLE
Nutrigenomics research: a review
V. S. Neeha & Priyamvadah Kinth
Revised: 29 June 2012 /Accepted: 2 July 2012 /Published online: 19 July 2012 # Association of Food Scientists & Technologists (India) 2012
Abstract The excitement about nutrigenomics comes from a growing awareness of the potential for modifications of food or diet to support health and reduce the risk of diet-related diseases. It is an emerging field that tends to unfold the role of nutrition on gene expression which brings together the science of bioinformatics, nutrition, molecular biology, genomics, epidemiology, and molecular medicine. The present review focuses on nutrigenomics research and to find out Indias status with respect to other countries. It covers the general overview of nutrigenomics, its associated diseases, and the role of SNP in gene alteration, diet supplementation and public awareness. It is understood that with the increasing changes in the food habits and life styles, people are becoming more prone to diet related disorders. Therefore there is an urgent need to boost more research in this field to help people in understanding the relationship between diet and health, and to ensure that everyone benefits from the genomic revolution.
Keywords Nutrigenomics . Diet-gene interaction .
Nutrition . Food supplement . Diabetes . Obesity
Introduction
The new science of nutrigenomics teaches us what specific foods tell your genes. What you eat directly determines the genetic messages your body receives. These messages, in turn, control all the molecules that constitute your metabolism: the molecules that tell your body to burn calories or store them. If you can learn the language of your genes and control the
messages and instructions they give your body and your metabolism, you can radically alter how food interacts with your body, lose weight, and optimize your health. (Mark Hyman 2006)
Origin of nutrigenomics The concept that diet influences health is an ancient one. Nutrigenomics includes known interactions between food and inherited genes, called in-born errors of metabolism, that have long been treated by manipulating the diet. One such example is Phenylketonuria (PKU); it is caused by a change (mutation) in a single gene. Affected individuals must avoid food containing the amino acid phenylalanine. Another example is lactose intolerance, majority...