Nutrigenomics: don't run before you can walk, warn scientists

Speaking at the Vitafoods International conference, European Nutrigenomics Organisation communications manager Dr Sian Astley said there was growing evidence that nutritional intervention could reduce the risk of diseases caused by genome instability.

However, research into the impact of diet on gene expression, protein translation and metabolism was still in its embryonic stages, which raised concerns about companies that were already offering dietary advice to people on the basis of screening just 10 or 20 genes out of 26,000, she said.

Dr Anne-Marie Minihane, who has identified significant differences in individual responses to omega-3 fatty acids according to their genetic profile, said it was now well understood that people with particular variants of genes associated with diet-related diseases responded differently to certain nutrients. But more research was needed before the industry could responsibly offer DNA-based dietary advice, she claimed.

However, Keith Grimaldi, chief executive of personalised nutrition firm Sciona, said there was enough knowledge in this area to start making recommendations now.

If, for example, DNA testing revealed that you were genetically prone to elevated homocysteine levels (and therefore had a higher risk of heart disease), it was sensible to recommend upping your folic acid intake, he said. "If you personalise advice, people are far more likely to follow it."

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