The Nutritional-Supplementational Advantage - Heart Health, Genes, Custom Nutrition

The goal of this article is to examine nutritionalcardiovascular disease. The identification of any other
genomics as a potential tool for individual basedgenetic variant besides this one in a subject,
nutrition therapy. The genes that were studied weretherefore, is a sign for nutrigenetic companies that
all heart health susceptibility genes and their commonthis person may need additional nutritional
genetic variants. The specific genes that wereconsiderations. In order to increase LPL expression in
observed in this review wereindividuals who do not carry favorable genetic
methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR),variants, fish oil has proven to be beneficial in ramping
cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), lipoproteinup this genes efficiency. Mulberry, banaba, and
lipase (LPL), apolipoprotein C-III (Apo C-III), andkorean ginseng have also been shown to increase
interleukin 6 (IL-6). The function, genetic variants, andexpression of the LPL gene.
dietary interactions regarding each gene areThe Apo C-III gene is involved in regulating
discussed. Specific dietary recommendations weretriglyceride metabolism by affecting lipolysis and
alluded to, but not confirmed, depending on the typereceptor-mediated uptake of triglyceride-rich
of genes that one possessed.lipoproteins. Any genetic variant that increases the
In order to fully understand the paper, it is importantefficiency of this gene can cause an abnormal
to define the difference between the twoamount triglycerides to remain in circulation. This is a
sub-categories of nutritional genomics: nutrigenomicsdefinite risk-factor for cardiovascular disease. The
and nutrigenetics. Nutrigenomics speaks of themost recognized variant of this gene is the SstI
functional interactions that ceratin foods have on thevariant, which is associated with a 38% increase in
human genome. For instance, eicosapentaenoic acidblood triglyceride levels. It was found that a diet high
and docosahexaenoic acid (found in fish oil) increasein monounsaturated fats is a good way to reduce
expression of genes that are involved in fatplasma LDL-C, which is a product of over-expression
metabolism and energy, as well as decreasingof the Apo C-III gene. Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)
expression of genes involved in inflammation.were also found to decrease the efficiency of the
Nutrigenetics can be defined as how specificApo C-III gene in SstI variants.
individuals with unique genetic makeups respond toInterleukin 6 genes are important in immune and
particular foods. For example, the -13910C to Tinflammatory responses in the body, as well as the
genetic variant effects lactose tolerance. The T alleleup-regulation in synthesis of C-reactive proteins. A
allows for better metabolism of lactose, while the Cfunctional polymorphism as position -174G to C has
allele causes lactose intolerance.been associated with an altered expression of the
The MTHFR gene is paramount in the metabolism ofIL-6 gene. Increased levels of IL-6 has been linked to
homocysteine. Studies show that mildly elevatedcardiovascular disease, namely, atherosclerosis. Diets
plasm total homosysteine is a risk factor forthat focus on weight reduction have been shown to
cardiovascular disease. The MTHFR gene catalyzesnegate the effects of unfavorable genetic variants
the reduction of 5, 10 methylenetetrahydrofolate toof the IL-6 gene. Also, fish oil, alpha-linolenic acid, and
5-methyltetrahydrofolate. Formation of this 5-productvitamin E supplementation have been shown to
by MTHFR provides units for homocysteinereduce inflammation. This is especially important for
conversion to methionine, therefore if a geneticpeople with genetic variants that increase IL-6
mutation effects this efficiency of this conversion,because it increases bodily inflammation.
elevated levels of homocysteine will be present in theThis is a great paper underlining some of the basic
blood. Several polymorphisms of this gene can effectgenes that a nutritional genetics company looks for in
the enzyme efficiency of this gene. It was foundpatients who are concerned about heart health.
that an increase in folate intake by people with theseSpecific genetic variants at each gene locus have
genetic defects will decrease the chance forbeen found to increase or decrease the risk for
cardiovascular-related diseases.attaining any number of cardiovascular diseases. Fish
The CETP gene is involved in lipid metabolism. Thisoil seems to be the number one nutritional addition
hydrophobic glycoprotein, which is secreted by thethat people with increased risk factors can
liver, decreases the cardioprotective HDL fraction andsupplement into their diet, in order to avoid future
increases the pro-atherogenic VLDL and LDL fractionscardiovascular problems. Its range of benefits span
in plasma. It is therefore detrimental to increase thefrom decreasing the expression of unfavorable
activity of this gene beyond normal levels, in regardsgenetic variants to decreasing inflammation. As the
to cardiovascular health. Several genetic variants,study of the human genome continues it will be
such as the Taq1B variant, cause a reduction in CETPinteresting to see how genetic engineering will factor
mass and activity. People without out beneficialinto the mix. If scientists have already found out
genetic variants of this gene would benefit from awhich genetic variants can increase or decrease
diet that counters elevated levels of active CETP inhealth, genetically engineering humans to have
the body. Specific dietary advice was not given in thisfavorable genetic variants to constitute their genome
case.will prove to be beneficial to increasing the health of
The LPL gene is also involved in lipid metabolism.the human population as a whole. Additionally,
Specifically, this glycoprotein is involved in thecustomizing nutrition based on someone's personal
hydrolysis of the triglyceride core of circulatinggenotype will prove to be very beneficial.
chylomicrons and VLDL. A more active LDL gene is-Vakili, BS. "Personalized Nutrition: Nutritional Genomics
correlated to lower levels of blood triglycerides, whichas a Potential Tool for Targeted Medical Nutrition
makes it an atheroprotective enzyme. People withTherapy." Nutrition Reviews v. 65. July 2007: pg
the 44Ser-Ter(X) SNP have a decreased risk of301-315.