Nutrigenomics

The study of how food affects a person's genes

and how a person's genes affect the way the
body responds to food. Nutrigenomics is used
to learn more about how genes and diet may
affect a person's health and risk of developing
diseases, such as cancer.

lustrates the concept of Nutrigenomics as the effects of the

balance of nutrients on gene expression leading the body to
different biochemical routes and endpoints. Through its
sequential effect on the epigenome, transcriptome,
proteome, metabolome which can produce either a healthy
physiological state or a fundamental metabolic disruption
(biochemical imbalance) such as excessive inflammation,
oxidation, neurologic stress and metabolic stress.
Epigenome chemical changes to the DNA and histone
proteins; these changes can be passed down to an organism's
offspring. Transcriptome is the set of all RNA molecules
produced. Proteome is the entire set of proteins expressed at
a given time under defined conditions. Metabolome refers to
the complete set of small-molecule metabolites (such as
metabolic intermediates, hormones and other signaling
molecules, and secondary metabolites).
The development of childhood and adult non-
communicable diseases (NCD) is associated with
environmental factors, starting from
intrauterine life. A new theory finds the roots of
epigenetic programming in parental
gametogenesis, continuing during embryo
development, fetal life, and finally in post-natal
life. Maternal health status and poor nutrition
are widely recognized as implications in the onset
of childhood and adult diseases.

Early nutrition, particularly

breastfeeding, also plays a primary role in
affecting the health status of an individual
later in life.

What is the purpose of nutrigenomics?

Nutrigenomics increases our knowledge about the mechanisms by which nutrition
affects the metabolic pathways underlying homeostatic control. Subsequently, this can
be used to determine naturally occurring chemical agents in food that could prevent
the onset of diseases such as obesity, type-2 diabetes and cancer.