Do you feel this way too? Sometimes people say you shouldn't eat oil. Sometimes they say fats are essential for the body. Foods that are good today are said to be bad tomorrow. "Diet Trends" come and go from time to time. In fact, these advices keep changing, isn't it because there is no one right diet that suits everyone's body? As an answer to this question, a new topic in medicine is now being discussed. That is, diets that are unique to each person, specially tailored to their body. We call this `(Personalized Diets)` or `(Precision Nutrition)`.
What is this diet that is special to you?
Simply put, this is not a set of general instructions for everyone. This is not like a ready-made suit from a store, but a tailor-made suit tailored to your own body measurements. In this method, your body's internal data is analyzed, namely your genes (DNA) , the beneficial microorganisms in your gut (microbiome) , and much more.
Then, using advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, it compares your data with data from a large group of people and makes predictions about how your body will respond to different foods. That is, it tries to figure out exactly which foods are best for you, which foods are best for your health, and which foods are worst for you. The idea may seem simple, but the science behind it is very complex.
Think about it, no two people in the same family have the same body type. Even twins have subtle differences. So, the way our bodies digest the food we eat, and the types of bacteria that grow in our intestines, are different from one person to another.
How does this work? What is the scientific basis?
This concept of ``Personalized Nutrition'' is at the research stage under three main areas. Once you know this, you will have a good idea about it. Let's look at this table to explain this further.
| Research Area | Simply put... | An example to understand |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrigenetics | Your genes determine how your body uses the nutrients you eat. | No matter how much vitamin D you eat, your body may not be able to properly absorb or use it due to your genetic makeup. |
| Nutrigenomics | The food you eat changes how your genes function (Gene Expression). (This is the other side of the above). | Even if someone has genes that predispose them to obesity, obesity can only occur if they continue to consume foods that "express/turn on" those genes (e.g., high sugar, processed foods). |
| Microbiome Research | The beneficial microorganisms in your gut (microbiome) influence your health and the diet that suits you. | The same yogurt may be digested well and feel good for one person, while filling up another. One reason for this is the difference in the microbial population in the guts of the two people. |
Can you believe these things right now?
Here's the important thing. While this concept is extremely exciting and has the potential to revolutionize healthcare in the future, this technology is still in its very early stages.
Some companies in foreign countries already charge money to conduct such ``DNA'' or ``Microbiome'' tests and provide you with personalized diet plans. However, the question is, is the science behind this still 100% mature as much as their marketing shows? Many experts believe that the science is not yet advanced enough to match that marketing.
Therefore, you should think carefully before seeking such a service. The best and safest way is to talk to your doctor about a generally healthy, balanced diet and any specific health concerns you may have.
So what should we do now?
We don't have to wait until these new technologies are developed and easily accessible to everyone. There are many things we can do right now to be healthy. These are simple things that doctors have been recommending for years and have proven to work.
- Include as many fresh vegetables and fruits as possible in your diet. Try to eat at least five colors of vegetables and fruits a day.
- Reduce processed foods , sweetened beverages, foods high in sugar and trans fats as much as possible.
- Drink plenty of clean water .
- Listen to your body. If certain foods feel off to you, stay away from them for a while.
- Exercise regularly. Even just walking for 30 minutes a day is a big deal.
- Get enough sleep .
Most importantly, do not consider any of this as a substitute for medical advice. If you have a medical condition such as diabetes, hypertension, or cholesterol, be sure to consult your doctor before making any major changes to your diet.
Take-Home Message
- Personalized diets are a futuristic concept that are tailored based on things like your DNA and the microbes in your gut (microbiome).
- This technology is still in its very early stages, and the scientific basis of the services currently on the market is not yet 100% confirmed.
- `Nutrigenetics` (the study of how genes influence food intake) and `Nutrigenomics` (the study of how food influences gene function) are the two main scientific foundations here.
- The best and safest thing to do right now is to follow a generally accepted healthy, balanced diet and consult your doctor for any health concerns.
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