Editor's Note: This article was originally published on 06-06-2023
This week, we’re looking at food as medicine, and today we’re highlighting personalized nutrition.
As consumers increasingly embrace the concept of food as medicine, many are looking for customized solutions, rather than a one-size-fits-all nutrition plan to treat or prevent illness and even injury.
And while the idea of personalized or precision nutrition isn’t new – think about the Low Glycemic index diet to lower blood sugar levels, or the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet – the ways in which companies are offering nutrition suggestions are.
Many are combining wearable technology with software to analyze blood biomarkers and microbiomes, measure metabolites, and monitor blood glucose levels or digestive health to determine how individuals will respond to specific nutrients. Practitioners say nutrigenomics, or genetic testing, can also offer DNA-based nutrition recommendations for health and wellness, athletic performance, fertility, weight loss and disease prevention.
That includes foods or supplements featuring functional ingredients, vitamins and minerals, natural health products with bioactive compounds, and products with ingredients designed to increase absorption or bioavailability, boost metabolism, or prevent nutrient degradation.
There are several nutrigenomics companies in Canada, including Toronto, ON-based Gini Health. The company analyzes customers’ DNA data to identify the optimal nutrition sources for their specific genetic profile. The company creates a personalized health tracker for customers that includes DNA-based nutrition and exercise goals.