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Nutrigenomics: Use your 23 and Me data

Your genes make you unique – including your minimum requirements for specific nutrients.

Research on genetic variants shows that an individual’s need for specific vitamins and minerals can vary a lot from the overall population-wide recommendations.

You can use your genetic data as a starting point to see where you may be lacking. The articles listed below will give you an in-depth look at the background science, research studies, and genetic variants related to nutrients.


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Nutrient-Gene Interactions

The following articles dive deep into how your genes interact with different nutrients. Members may also want to start with the nutrigenomics topic summary report to see which articles apply to your genes.

Choline

Overview:  Choline is an essential nutrient often lacking in the diet. Genetic variants impact how much choline can be made by the body and how much choline is necessary from the diet.

Genes: MTHFD1, PEMT, SLC44A1, CHKA, PCYT1A

Zinc

Overview: Zinc is essential for immune health, blood glucose regulation, skin, hair, and more.



Genes:
IL6, SLC30A8, SLC30A2, SLC39A13, CA1

Selenium

Overview: Selenium deficiency or insufficiency impacts thyroid function, metabolic health, and the immune system.

Genes: SEP15, SEPP1, SELENOS, GPX4, GPX1

Thiamine

Overview: Thiamine (vitamin B1) is essential in the metabolism of carbohydrates and cellular energy production.

Genes: SLC19A2, SLC19A3, OCT1, TPK1, SLC25A19

Riboflavin

Overview: Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is used as a cofactor for many enzymes. Most important is the role of riboflavin in mitochondrial energy production (electron transport chain).

Genes: MTHFR, FMO3, ETFDH, SLC52A3, SLC52A2, SLC25A32

Vitamin B6

Overview: As a cofactor in hundreds of enzymatic reactions, vitamin B6 insufficiency is linked to neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Genes: ALPL, ALDH7A1

Vitamin B12

Overview: A lack of B12 can have a cascade of negative effects, including neurodegenerative diseases, mental confusion, and tingling or numbness.

Genes: MTRR, MTHFR, TCN1, TCN2, FUT2

Vitamin A

Overview: Not everyone converts beta-carotene into the retinol form of vitamin A very well. Insufficient retinol impacts eyesight (night vision first), immune response, and skin issues.

Genes:
BCO1

Folate

Overview: The MTHFR gene impacts the body’s need for folate. Insufficient folate impacts many aspects of health, including cardiovascular disease, miscarriages, and mood disorders.

Genes:
MTHFR

 


About the Author:
Debbie Moon is the founder of Genetic Lifehacks. Fascinated by the connections between genes, diet, and health, her goal is to help you understand how to apply genetics to your diet and lifestyle decisions. Debbie has a BS in engineering from Colorado School of Mines and an MSc in biological sciences from Clemson University. Debbie combines an engineering mindset with a biological systems approach to help you understand how genetic differences impact your optimal health.