Nutrigenomics is the study of molecular relationships between nutrition and the response of genes. (wikipedia) It focuses on the effects of nutrients to gene development and the overall effect to human health. The aim is to develop a personalized nutrition program based on an individual’s genotype, as certain diseases are caused by changes in the DNA.
Nutrients are seen by the cells as signals, and the cell’s sensor system interprets this signal. This process then changes gene, protein expression and metabolite production depending on the level of nutrient it senses. Nutrigenomics aims to identify these patterns and effects called dietary signatures.
This research is still in its early stages, but is a promising field that gives hope for the future.
(source)
Useful Links:
http://nutrigenomics.ucdavis.edu/
http://www.nutrigenomics.nl/
http://www.nugo.org/everyone
