Nutrigenomics is the study of nutrition and genetics which helps us discover the different ways that individuals respond to food based on their genetic make-up. While all humans are genetically very similar, we all have slight differences in our genetic profile which set us apart from other people. These tiny variations influence the effect that nutrients have on our bodies and how we metabolize the food that we eat.

Personalized nutrition hinges on this two-way relationship between our food and our genes. On the one hand, the foods we eat can affect the way our genes are expressed. On the other, our genes are able to influence how our bodies respond to these foods.

With the advances in nutrigenomics, tailored diets can be developed which complement a person’s unique genetic profile. Not only will this optimize the health of the individual, but it may also work on a larger scale to help prevent society-wide diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.