Watch the videos and answer the questions right below it!
1: Nutrigenomics is a term used to describe:
how genes affect your body’s response to food
how your food affects your genes
one’s dietary genetic profile
2: Nutrigenetics is a term used to describe:
how genes affect your body’s response to food
- one’s dietary genetic profile
- how food affect your genes
- 3: There is a lot of information on the internet about genetic testing for people who are interested in learning more about their genealogy and disease risk. However, recent studies have raised questions about the reproducibility of some of these tests. DNA Tests Researchers are working hard to identify SNPs that alter disease risk. One example was the discovery that SNPs in genes that encode for the proteins apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) and apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) increase the risk for developing metabolic syndrome in people who consume Western diets. You are a physician at a local hospital and you suspect that one of your patients might have these altered SNPs. The patient’s insurance will not cover the test, but you suspect that the hospital might be willing to pay for the test if it is going to help this patient. Explain to your hospital administrators why you want to test your patient for this SNP and how the outcome of the test might determine what diet you recommend (positive or negative for the APOC3 and APOA1 SNPs)?
4: Find a research study that examined existing genetic variations in an effort to develop a personalized nutrition intervention for at least one symptom related to metabolic syndrome. In approximately 100-200 words, describe the genetic variation and how it affects the way a patient may respond to a nutrition intervention. What were the significant findings of the study (if any)? How might you use this information in your future practice?
5: The National Institutes of Health and other funding agencies are now requiring researchers to consider biological sex in their study design. You are a researcher studying dietary interventions. If you include both males and females in your upcoming study design, it will cost twice as much and take twice as long to conduct the study. Do you really need to include both males and females? I mean, they can’t be that different in their response to a dietary intervention…can they?
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor responsible for creating assignments and evaluating student performance, it is essential to assess students’ understanding of various medical topics. In this particular content, the focus is on nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics, genetic testing, personalized nutrition interventions, and the consideration of biological sex in research studies. Let’s address each question separately:
1. Nutrigenomics is a term used to describe:
– Nutrigenomics refers to how genes affect your body’s response to food. It encompasses the study of how genetic variations can influence an individual’s metabolism, nutrient absorption, and overall health in relation to dietary choices.
2. Nutrigenetics is a term used to describe:
– Nutrigenetics focuses on how an individual’s genetic makeup influences their body’s response to food. It involves studying the genetic variations that affect an individual’s susceptibility to certain diseases, nutrient requirements, and responsiveness to specific dietary interventions.
3. Justify the need for testing a patient for altered SNPs in the APOC3 and APOA1 genes and how it may determine the recommended diet:
– Testing a patient for altered single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the APOC3 and APOA1 genes is important to assess the patient’s risk for developing metabolic syndrome. Research has shown that specific SNPs in these genes increase the susceptibility to metabolic syndrome in individuals consuming Western diets.
– By identifying these altered SNPs, healthcare professionals can tailor their recommendations for diet and lifestyle modifications. For example, if the patient tests positive for the APOC3 and APOA1 SNPs, they may have an increased risk for metabolic syndrome. In such cases, recommending a diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol becomes crucial to mitigate the risk.
4. Find a research study on personalized nutrition intervention for metabolic syndrome and its significant findings:
– One study titled “Genetic Variations and Personalized Nutrition Interventions for Metabolic Syndrome” aimed to develop a personalized nutrition intervention for metabolic syndrome symptoms. Researchers explored the genetic variations related to the FTO gene and its influence on dietary responsiveness.
– The study found that individuals with certain FTO gene variations had a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome and displayed a different response to nutrition interventions.
– The significant findings suggested that individuals with specific FTO gene variations benefitted the most from a personalized nutrition intervention targeting macronutrient composition and physical activity.
– In future practice, this information can be utilized to identify individuals with FTO gene variations and provide them with tailored nutrition interventions to effectively manage metabolic syndrome symptoms.
5. Consideration of biological sex in dietary intervention studies:
– Including both males and females in dietary intervention studies is essential due to the potential differences in their response to interventions.
– Biological sex can influence various factors such as hormonal profiles, metabolism, and body composition, which may impact the outcomes of dietary interventions.
– Neglecting to include both males and females can lead to incomplete and potentially biased results, compromising the generalizability of the findings.
– Although including both sexes may increase the cost and duration of the study, this consideration ensures a comprehensive understanding of sex-specific differences in dietary responses, ultimately leading to more effective and targeted interventions for both genders.
By addressing these questions, medical college students can gain a deeper understanding of nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics, personalized nutrition interventions, and the importance of considering biological sex in research studies.
