| Genomics and Chronic Disease
Over the Counter Genetic Tests and Nutrition:
What We Know Today
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Over the Counter Genetic Tests and Nutrition (PDF: 67KB/1 page)
There are several companies marketing genetic test kits that promise to provide personalized diet and/or lifestyle recommendations. This is how it works: A person collects a DNA sample, usually by swabbing the inside of the cheek with a cotton tipped swab, and sends it to the company for analysis. Then, the company sends back diet and lifestyle recommendations.
These tests are based on a science called nutrigenomics, which studies how our diets influence health by changing the way our genes work. However, nutrigenomics is a new, emerging science, and there is still much to be learned. Here is what we know today.
| We know that |
However... |
* Our genes interact with environmental factors such as food, activity and smoking to determine our health. |
* Interaction between genes and the environment is in a constant state of change. Our understanding of this process is very limited. |
| * Dietary products may alter the way our genes work. Genes that are regulated by diet play a role in disease onset, progression and severity. |
* We do not know how nutrigenomic test results apply to “real life” situations or how this lack of information will affect the accuracy or usefulness of the tests. |
| * Diet and lifestyle recommendations based on these test results are personalized. |
* Diet and lifestyle recommendations based on these test results are not very different from the current general recommendations. |
| * These tests may provide information regarding the risk of chronic disease and motivate some people to maintain healthy habits. |
* Information about chronic disease risk might make some people feel fatalistic and helpless to improve their health. |
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Take Home Messages:
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Nutrigenomic research is a new field of study that holds great promise. However, since we know so little about how diet affects gene function, use of this information may be premature.
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There are many causes of disease that nutrigenomic tests cannot identify. Therefore, people should not depend too heavily on test results for information about disease risk.
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Knowing family health history is a good way to determine your risk for many chronic diseases.
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For comments or questions about this page, please contact:
hpcd@health.state.mn.us or
651-201-3600.
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