Colette Akhimien

Dr. Adeola
MNT I
February 3, 2021

Journal Club 1

In the article, “Consensus Report of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:

Incorporating Genetic Testing into Nutrition Care”, the question of whether the use of client
genetic information is beneficial to providing a personalized nutrition plan. Additionally the
systematic review inquired whether or not the inclusion of genetic testing would provide better
nutrition care outcomes compared to other intervention methods.
The aim of this systematic review was to provide an overview of current literature and
positions on the use of genetic testing to improve patient outcomes in terms of nutritional
counseling and care.
Members of the Academy’s Evidence Analysis Center Nutritional Genomics workgroup
conducted a literature review, reviewing various controlled trials to study the benefits of using
genetic information from adults and adolescents in order to provide better nutritional care. These
studies ranged from 2008-2018. In order to determine if certain criteria were the reason for
improved nutritional care, the workgroup found it necessary to strictly review controlled trials
rather than observational, stepped wedge trials and meta-analyses. Outcomes of interest included
mortality rates, dietary intakes, anthropometric measures/ body composition, quality of life,
disease incidence, and prevention of disease. These methods were sound as it included criteria
specific to their question of interest and excluded studies that did not match this criteria.
In conclusion with current literature, it was found that there was no definitive conclusion
or rather hard evidence, supporting the use of nutrigenetics to improve patient outcomes and
provide improved quality of nutrition care and counseling. Overall there was no evidence
supporting the use of nutrigenetics over other intervention methods to improve nutritional
outcomes. Although there was not enough literature to support this topic, the workgroup believes
that nutritionists and RDNs should remain transparent with clients/patients about possibilities
and future areas of research regarding nutrigenetics. As this area is still in its early stages of
development, the workgroup plans to keep up to date with current and future studies in order to
update the consensus statement and come to a more concrete conclusion.
When presented with nutrigenetic testing, RDNs should be able to use critical thinking
skills to translate information to personalized client plans. Additionally, if presented with
nutrigenetic testing, RDNs should request all relevant data and laboratory tests in order to make
sense of the information, in relevance to the patient. Although nutritionists should not explicitly
recommend nutrigenetic testing over other interventions due to the lack of evidence, the
practitioner should still mention risks, benefits, and costs of such testing. In conclusion,
practitioners should be encouraged to take part in nutrigenetic research in order to further
develop information related to the field of nutrigenetics.