Comments on: Nutrigenomics, your genome’s desire

By: nutrigenomics, diet and obesity » change therapy - isabella mori

nutrigenomics, diet and obesity » change therapy - isabella mori — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 04:29:38 +0000

[...] research is connected to the field of nutrigenomics, a new field of study that eventually hopes to match optimal diets to a person’s unique DNA [...]

By: ncurse

ncurse — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 08:49:45 +0000

It’s very interesting what you’re writing. Could you please show me a publication on the subject?

By: Barry Barclay

Barry Barclay — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 06:49:24 +0000

Interesting topic. The whole field of nutrient-genome interaction is a relatively emergent one but in my view will ultimately settle many of the important and long-standing controversies on issues of nature vs nurture causes of genetic disease. The best example I can think of that has very positive clinical outcomes of is the modification of the mental retardation associated with PKU by dietary restriction. Many of these children now have normal IQs. In my area of interest my colleagues and I have recently reversed the UV-sensitive phenotype of XPA cells in culture by a moderate doses of folic acid. We don’t really know what is going yet at the detailed molecular level but the effect is very dramatic. All we can say with some certainty at this point is that we have reversed a serious genetic defect in DNA repair with a simple nutritional supplement. It would be nice if this translated to a treatment for at least some forms of XP so that these children could go out in the sun with lowered risk of severe sunburning and developing skin cancers.

By: Rob

Rob — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 16:51:53 +0000

My helix was very sore yesterday. I now realize it was a micronutrient problem.

Whew! Thanks for the info.

Rob

By: ncurse

ncurse — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 06:21:17 +0000

I understand you. But these kind of attributes are almost always identified by some genes and mainly the enviromental effect. You can get a good chance for high IQ from your parents if your education won’t be appropriate.

So I don’t believe in these genes of aggressivity, homosexuality and so on. There can be genetic risk factors, but in these cases, the envriomental effect is the most important.

By: Khalil A.

Khalil A. — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 19:43:55 +0000

However, my mum – who’s a statistician – did point out something rather interesting. I was reading an article from ScienceDaily about how genetics could help predict whether a person may become a murderer or that sort of individual. I thought it was totally stupid actually.

And that’s when my mum came in. She said that the geneticist may have found a gene, which say, dictates the impulsiveness of an individual. The probability of the latter to be one of those sort of people is hence increased.

The example taken is pretty simple and completely shit, if taken too seriously. I hope you’re getting my point though.

By: ncurse

ncurse — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 18:08:27 +0000

First: as a clinical geneticist to be, I’d say you’re exaggerating. BTW, I see your point and agree a bit. The environment has a large impact on our health and the diseases, but the main part are coded in our DNA. You can’t describe everything with the genes and the genetics, but we should give much more attention to our genome than before.

Second: thanks for the link, I love that site and added it to my links.

By: Khalil A.

Khalil A. — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 07:57:25 +0000

Don't you think that they're pushing in a little bit too far with the genetics/genomics thing? I mean, they are trying to use it explain everything, really! Everything isn't just in the genes. The environment has such a huge influence on us all, doesn't it? And completely out of subject, you should check this new science online magazine.