Genes vs. One-a-Day
By Bonnie Church, CNC, Wellness Coach
25 years ago many leaders in the medical community considered vitamins a recipe for expensive urine.
The reasoning went something like this, “Eat a balanced diet and you will get all the vitamins and minerals you need. “ That is a reasonable conclusion, no doubt.. Unfortunately fewer than 90% of Americans eat a “balanced diet”. Those who do, are often eating food that has been grown in de-mineralized soil, picked before it is ripe and shipped cross country in gas-infused containers. By the time it reaches the grocery store shelves, it is often nutritionally compromised.
Consequently, that long-standing anti-vitamin policy was reversed about 5 years ago with a report in the Journal of American Medicine Association [JAMA] Drs. Robert Fletcher and Kathleen Fairfield of Harvard University, wrote the new guidelines stating, “ Scientists’ understanding of the benefits of vitamins has rapidly advanced, and it now appears that people who get enough vitamins may be able to prevent such common chronic illnesses as cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis” The guidelines advised taking a multivitamin as a positive adjunct to supporting the health of most Americans.
Recent research now suggests that a one-size-fits-all supplement might not be enough. The next generation of supplements could be formulated based on your genetic profile.
How does that work?
Each person has the same set of genes – about 20,000 in all. The differences between individuals come from slight variations in these genes. For example: The slightest variation in genes can cause one twin to have red hair, while the other has brown hair. In like manner, slight variations in our genetic makeup can determine whether we are pre-disposed to diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
Nicholas Marini, a UC Berkeley research scientist reported in the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), “There are many genetic differences that make people’s enzymes less efficient than normal, and simple supplementation with vitamins can often restore some of these deficient enzymes to full working order.”
There are plans to test this theory on our troops. “Our soldiers, like top athletes, operate under extreme conditions that may well be limited by their physiology…We’re now working with the defense department to identify variants of enzymes that are remediable, and ultimately hope to identify troops that have these variants and test whether performance can be enhanced by appropriate supplementation.”
One example of how genetic variation can be altered with supplementation is reported by SCIONA a Colorado-based pioneer in the field of genomics. To paraphrase – There is a gene variation that indicates a potential defect in the vitamin D receptor. This could lead to vitamin D deficiencies. This deficiency might undermine skeletal structure and the absorption of minerals. A simple solution for someone who has this variation is to make some simple adjustments.
Add Vitamin D rich foods Add a Vitamin D supplement
Lifestyle:
- Expose skin to sun for 15 minutes a day.
Another gene variation [TNF alpha] indicates a potentially overactive immune system. A healthy immune system uses inflammation to fight foreign invaders and prevent tissue injury. When the body is injured or invaded by toxins, Inflammation brings proteins and white blood cells to the site of injury to engulf and consume foreign material and debris. The ‘inflammatory’ response helps repair the injured tissue and disarm toxic invaders. When the body’s defense system (immune system) inappropriately triggers an inflammatory response it can cause damage to its own tissues and many other maladies including arthritis and allergies. Someone with this gene variation could possible prevent this negative cycle with foods and antioxidant supplements that are anti-inflammatory.
Another simple remedy to a lethal response in the body was reported in the British Medical Journal. Research suggest that carriers of specific genetic variants [MTHFR C677T ] require up to 800 mcg folic acid in the diet to keep homocysteine at normal levels. High levels of homocysteine are a risk factor for coronary artery diseases. The folic acid DRI [daily recommended intake} for the average population is 400 mcg. This may be insufficient for those with this genetic variation. With that knowledge that individual could be steered toward increasing their supplementation to 800 mcg of folic acid, a nutrient which is easily obtainable through diet or supplements.
What does this mean for you and I?
Perhaps in the future we will be consulting a genomics practitioner before heading to the health food store for food and vitamins. Instead of trying to unravel the confusing array of diets, lifestyle and supplement choices on our own, a simple gene test might provide the laser beam we need for making sound choices.
Marina sums it up,”I wouldn’t be surprised if everybody is going to require a different optimal dose of vitamins based on their genetic makeup”
For more information on the effect of nutrition on genetic outcomes read, It’s Not Just Your Genes by Ruth Debusk PhD, RD.
For a copy of the complete Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS] report on genomics email Bonnie Church at simplewellness@charter.net
REPRINTED FROM All About Women Magazine
