The nutritional supplement advantage - heart health, genes, individual nutrition

The nutritional supplement advantage - heart health, genes, individual nutrition

The aim of this article is to examine nutritional genomics as a potential tool for individual nutritional therapy. The genes examined were all heart health susceptibility genes and their common genetic variants. The specific genes observed in this review were methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), apolipoprotein C-III (Apo C-III), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). The function, genetic variants, and dietary interactions related to each gene are discussed. Specific dietary recommendations were suggested but not confirmed, depending on the type of genes one possessed.

To fully understand the paper, it is important to define the difference between the two subcategories of nutritional genomics: Nutrigenomics and Nutrigenetics. Nutrigenomics talks about the functional interactions that ceratin foods have with the human genome. For example, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (found in fish oil) increase the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism and energy, as well as the expression of genes involved in inflammation. Nutrigenetics can be defined as the response of certain individuals with unique genetic makeup to certain foods. For example, the genetic variant from -13910C to T causes lactose tolerance. The T allele allows for better lactose metabolism, while the C allele causes lactose intolerance.

The MTHFR gene is of utmost importance for the metabolism of homocysteine. Studies show that slightly elevated plasma total homosysteine ​​is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The MTHFR gene catalyzes the reduction of 5, 10 methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. The formation of this 5-product by MTHFR provides units for the conversion of homocysteine ​​to methionine. Therefore, when a genetic mutation affects the efficiency of this conversion, increased levels of homocysteine ​​are present in the blood. Several polymorphisms of this gene can affect the enzyme efficiency of this gene. Increasing folate intake by people with these genetic defects has been found to reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular disease.

The CETP gene is involved in lipid metabolism. This hydrophobic glycoprotein, secreted by the liver, decreases the cardioprotective HDL fraction and increases the pro-atherogenic VLDL and LDL fractions in plasma. It is therefore detrimental to increase the activity of this gene above normal levels in terms of cardiovascular health. Several genetic variants, such as the Taq1B variant, cause a reduction in CETP mass and activity. People without beneficial genetic variants of this gene would benefit from a diet that counteracts elevated levels of active CETP in the body. Specific nutritional recommendations were not given in this case.

The LPL gene is also involved in lipid metabolism. In particular, this glycoprotein is involved in the hydrolysis of the triglyceride core of circulating chylomicrons and VLDL. A more active LDL gene correlates with lower blood triglyceride levels, making it an atheroprotective enzyme. People with the 44Ser-Ter (X) SNP have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. The identification of a genetic variant other than this in a subject is therefore a sign to nutritional companies that this individual may require additional nutritional considerations. To increase LPL expression in individuals who do not carry favorable genetic variants, fish oil has been shown to be beneficial in increasing the efficiency of these genes. Mulberry, Banaba and Korean ginseng have also been shown to increase the expression of the LPL gene.

The Apo C-III gene is involved in the regulation of triglyceride metabolism by affecting lipolysis and receptor-mediated uptake of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. Any genetic variant that increases the efficiency of this gene can cause an abnormal amount of triglycerides to remain in the circulation. This is a clear risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The best-known variant of this gene is the SstI variant, which is associated with a 38% increase in blood triglyceride levels. A diet high in monounsaturated fats has been found to be a good way to reduce plasma LDL-C, which is a product of overexpression of the Apo C-III gene. Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) were also found to reduce the efficiency of the Apo C-III gene in SstI variants.

Interleukin 6 genes are important for immune and inflammatory responses in the body as well as upregulation in the synthesis of C-reactive proteins. A functional polymorphism as position -174G to C was associated with altered expression of the IL-6 gene. Elevated IL-6 levels have been linked to cardiovascular disease, namely atherosclerosis. Diets focused on weight loss have been shown to negate the effects of unfavorable genetic variants of the IL-6 gene. Fish oil, alpha-linolenic acid, and vitamin E supplementation have also been shown to reduce inflammation. This is especially important for people with genetic variants that increase IL-6 because it increases physical inflammation.

This is a great paper that highlights some of the basic genes that a nutritional genetics company looks for in patients concerned about heart health. Specific genetic variants at each gene locus have been found to increase or decrease the risk of developing any number of cardiovascular diseases. Fish oil appears to be the most important supplement that people with elevated risk factors can include in their diet to prevent future cardiovascular problems. The spectrum of benefits ranges from reducing the expression of unfavorable genetic variants to reducing inflammation. As the study of the human genome continues, it will be interesting to see how genetic engineering comes into the mix. If scientists have already figured out which genetic variants can increase or decrease health, human genetic engineering will prove beneficial in improving the health of the entire human population in order to obtain favorable genetic variants for the formation of its genome. Additionally, tailoring one's diet to a person's personal genotype will prove to be very beneficial.

-Vakili, BS. “Personalized Nutrition: Nutritional Genomics as a Potential Tool for Targeted Medical Nutritional Therapy.” Nutrition Reviews by July 65, 2007: pp. 301-315.