Nutrigenomics is a relatively new field emerging from our knowledge of clinical nutrition and genetics. The study of nutrigenomics aims at understanding how chemicals in food interact with our genes to support or interfere with health. It’s taking the saying “food as medicine” to the next level.
In recent years we have proven that our view of genetic diseases is over simplistic. The theory that one gene always leads to one protein or one metabolite is erroneous. It is certainly true for some genetic conditions but not all and is proving to have much less influence on the epidemic of lifestyle based conditions. These chronic conditions tend to derive from a multitude of dysfuntional pathways, involving multiple genes (polygenic). Consequently, the old paradigm of one common gene mutation or one pill for one ill will be inadequate to reverse this epidemic. Food contains multiple chemicals that communicate with our genes, literally talking to our DNA turning genes on and off that consequently creates a message that is health promoting or illness-promoting. Only the synergy of a multitude of nutritional and chemical molecules are well positioned to interact and regulate gene expression at multiple levels.
This science is empowering. It says you can in many chronic diseases influence your genetic message by providing the proper chemicals that will turn on the health promoting genes and turn off disease promoting ones. Our body is a chemical soup and the environment can influence that soup. We as individuals can control many parts of that environment.
Phytonutrient found in pigment of food and are powerful modulators genes. Different colour spectrum have different actions in our body. This is why there is no one superfood. The only superfood is the rainbow as we continuously need the messages available from the wide spectrum of chemicals.
Action Plan
Are you ready to positively influence your gene expression to one of health?
Step 1
Eat a whole-foods diet.
Step 2
Eat your servings of veggies and fruit
Step 2
Make sure you eat a rainbow on most days
Are you consuming fruits and vegetables from most of these categories daily? Do a diet diary for 1 week. With 5 different colour highlighter, one corresponding to each colour food group highlight your diary. Are the same colours coming up again and again? Are there colours that you barely eat?
Getting back to our roots. Going to the Farmacy
food is most powerful
Action Plan
