Welcome to the world of nutrigenomics! This emerging science combines the study of nutrition and genetics to reveal the different ways people respond to food, based on their genetic make-up.

So, how can nutrigenomics contribute to making life longer, healthier and better?

What is key to understand is that even though you were born with genes that predispose you to an illness it doesn’t mean that you will express it. Let’s say your genetic profile is a loaded gun whilst your lifestyle, diet and environment are the triggers. This is very powerful, isn’t it? This means you can potentially prevent, mitigate and control chronic disease, and certain cancers, through small and informative dietary changes. It also means that you can learn how to unlock your full wellness potential, learn how to lose weight according to your genes, discover what fitness regime would be the most beneficial to you to name just a few of the benefits.

Practically, you are finding out about:

• How to take control of your health and well-being by meeting your nutrient needs, specifically finding out about carbohydrates and saturated fat sensitivity, antioxidants and omega 3 needs, vitamin B and D requirements, salt sensitivity, lactose intolerance and whether coffee is beneficial for you?
• How to support your fitness with vitamins & macronutrients?

How to maximise your workout time? How to become aware of your body need for exercise:  how much should you exercise, which type of exercise, how long it would take you to safely recover and whether you are prone to injury if you exercise too much.

• Understand detoxification and take control of your health.

The promise of nutritional genomics is personalised medicine and health, based upon an understanding of our nutritional needs, nutritional and health status. This allows focusing on food choices that really work for us as individuals, and ditch the one-size fits all approach. You can also tailor your needs with an individualised meal planning.

Lastly, I’d recommend working with a nutritional therapist when dealing with nutrigenomics, it is a very complex concept and needs to be explained by a professional. Some information can become invaluable as long as you know how to act on it whilst it is totally unhelpful to receive news about things you can’t do anything about. A good therapist would only reveal information that has the potential to be changed or improved.

If you have any questions or would like to find out how to do a genetic profile, I would be happy to help.

Lola Ducout