Would you like to be able to tailor your nutrition to your individual needs based on the genes specific to you? Nutritional genomics could be the future of nutrition and mean there is no longer blanket recommendations for best nutrition. As humans 99.99% of our genes are identical, but it is the 0.01% that makes you unique and individual. These genes are the genes which are targeted to tailor a perfect diet for you in a method called nutrigenetics.
Nutrigenetics enables you to receive the optimal nutrients your body needs for health. The genes expressed or created because of your body’s response to the nutrients eaten will differ to the person sitting next to you and is called nutrigenomics.
While this is very exciting, the research is still not there yet to be able to tailor such diets. The good news is the knowledge is already there on ways you can eat to help protect your DNA from damage but also to help repair it when damage occurs. It is this damage to your DNA which is linked to chronic diseases and cancer.
Here are some must have nutrients you can add to your diet to optimise the health of your DNA:
- Carotenoids
These are antioxidants found in orange, yellow, red and green leafy vegetables like sweet potato, kale, broccoli, capsicum.
- Vitamin E
Another antioxidant found in seeds and nuts as well as in avocado.
Nutrients your body needs to help make DNA include:
- Folate
A B vitamin found in dark green leafy vegetables, all breads in Australia except organic bread are fortified with folic acid, fortified cereals and juices, legumes and pulses and oranges.
- Vitamin B12
Found mainly in animal-based products like meats, dairy and seafood.
- Zinc
This mineral is present in foods like wheat germ, pumpkin seeds and nuts.
- Magnesium
This mighty mineral is found in cocoa (yes dark chocolate is a healthy food when eaten in moderation and with a level of 60% plus of cocoa), also in avocado and bananas.
Nutrients needed to help repair damage to DNA are:
- Vitamin B3 or Niacin
Found in peanuts, mushrooms, sunflower seeds and some animal products like chicken.
- Folate
A double dipper when it comes to importance to the health of your DNA. Fresh fruits and vegetables are the best way to meet your folate needs as well as fortified products like breads, cereals and juices.
After looking at this list you may be thinking to jump over to the supplement isle in your supermarket. This is far from the best choice for your body as the whole food far out ways the benefit of an artificial source of a single nutrient. Above this the risk of some cancers can be increased with the use of supplementation.
Take home message: while the ability to create your perfect diet for you based on your genes is still a way off, you do have the power to eat a diet to not only optimise the health of your DNA but to help repair damage to your DNA. Be one step ahead of the crowd and look after the foundation of who you are before it becomes a normal part of life in the future.
