It is widely known that proper nutrition is key to a healthy and, therefore, happy life. Starting from childhood, we are taught not to forget our vegetables and not to skip meals. However, as one reaches adulthood, it becomes increasingly harder to follow all the rules and to keep up with the regular eating schedules once enforced upon us by our caregivers. As a result, our society is currently facing high rates of morbidity and mortality from various diseases, such as the metabolic syndrome, heart disease and even autoimmune disorders, which could have been prevented simply by proper nutrition at the proper time. Furthermore, it is strikingly evident that the burden of any illness is costly and not only for an individual, regarding medical bills, but for society as a whole as well. In the United States alone, medical costs associated with cardiovascular diseases, for instance, are expected to rise to over 818 billion dollars, whereas, costs due to impaired productivity would surpass 275 billion dollars, and all that only by 2030.
Hence, it is increasingly apparent that the time has come to focus not on the treatment of various diseases, but on prevention of such. Recent developments in genetical science have provided a window into a healthy future. Research shows that the DNA-customized nutrition supplements are a new way not only to elevate the discomfort associated with numerous illnesses, but most importantly to prevent their occurrence.
Epigenetics and Nutrigenomics – it is almost magic
The possibility of external or environmental factors to influence health and disease has been considered decades ago. Medical professionals, scientists and even the general public have long noticed that smoking, for instance, correlates with throat and lung cancers, that stress makes one feel and look tired, that poor lifestyle habits end up compromising one’s gastrointestinal health etc. However, only in the beginning of the 21st century, extensive research in the field of epigenetics started to emerge. The term ‘epigenetics’ – refers to a layer ‘over’ or ‘in addition to’ the genetic code, has been coined to describe the study of the reversible influence of external stimuli on gene expression, by turning them on or off, just like a light switch. For instance, it has been successfully shown that certain medications are capable of interrupting normal, genetically regulated spermatogenesis, thus, rendering a male infertile.
While epigenetics studies all possible external factors and their impact on gene expression, nutritional epigenetics or more commonly known as nutrigenomics, focuses on the role of nutrition in health and disease. In the past several years numerous studies have been extremely successful at demonstrating that presence or lack of certain nutrients in one's diet may prevent or cause various diseases respectfully. For instance, diet rich in fiber, phytochemicals and omega-3 fatty acids are capable of keeping in check the inflammation markers, blood cholesterol and endothelial damage, hence, preventing the development of a number of cardiovascular diseases, such as dyslipidemia, myocardial infarction, hypertension etc. Furthermore, personalized nutrition and specific dietary interventions have shown to be crucial in prevention and treatment of the inflammatory bowel disorders, which include a very common and widely undiagnosed inflammatory bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. Moreover, recent progress in nutrigenomics also shows that poor diet habits may be a culprit of several not only physical but also of psychological maladies, such as depression or the bipolar disorder.
A new era of personalized nutrition
Hence, as we are moving into a third decade of the 21st century, one must agree that a new way in interpreting food and its purpose needs to be adapted. People should not view nutrients simply as fuel anymore, but rather as building blocks of their bodies. Therefore, in such approach, quality, rather than quantity becomes a priority. We no longer need a ‘common package’ of nutrients, we need a ‘person-specific’ one, to support, maintain and nurture our very own, personal health issues. That is when DNA-customized nutrition supplements come in. They are designed to target those problem areas that are very specific to each and every individual. For instance, there is no longer a need to take a daily multivitamin to ensure that one gets all the required micronutrients, trace elements and phytochemicals, now, he or she would have an opportunity to consume a supplement that contains only those nutrients that one requires to prevent specific diseases, predisposition to which will be determined by a precise analysis of their DNA. Such personalized nutrition provides not only monetary value – one no longer has to over pay for the unnecessary elements in their diet, but it also ensures the provision of the exact nutrients one needs for his or her ultimate health.
Conclusion
Evidently, for a long time now, society needed a new approach to the treatment and prevention of various diseases. The mortality and more importantly, the morbidity of many has become a great weight on the population. Thankfully, in the past several years, a massive transformation in how we view and interpret food has taken place. To achieve ultimate health, we are no longer expected to make adequate choices but the appropriate ones. A new wave of personalized nutrition has given hope that numerous diseases may not only be treated but also prevented long before their possible occurrence. DNA-customized nutrition supplements are a revolutionary approach in achieving such results. A set of specific nutrients is designed to target possible problem areas that are determined by the analysis of one’s genetic code, hence, producing the ultimate disease prevention method and leading a sure way into a healthy future.