Nutrigenomics: Concepts and Applications to Pharmacogenomics and Clinical Medicine

Abstract

The maintenance of health and the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases are influenced by naturally occurring chemicals in foods. In addition to supplying the substrates for producing energy, a large number of dietary chemicals are bioactive – that is, they alter the regulation of biological processes and, either directly or indirectly, the expression of genetic information. Nutrients and bioactives may produce different physiological phenotypes among individuals because of genetic variability and not only alter health, but also disease initiation, progression and severity. The study and application of gene–nutrient interactions is called nutritional genomics or nutrigenomics. Nutrigenomic concepts, research strategies and clinical implementation are similar to and overlap those of pharmacogenomics, and both are fundamental to the treatment of disease and maintenance of optimal health.

Keywords: :

• 15-dOH-prostaglandin J₂
• dietary lipids
• nutrigenomics
• pharmacogenomics
• rosiglitazone
• Type 2 diabetes

Acknowledgements

The preparation of this manuscript was supported by the National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities Center of Excellence in Nutritional Genomics, Grant MD 00222, and from the European Union, EU FP6 NoE Grant, Contract No. CT2004–505944.

Additional information

Funding

The preparation of this manuscript was supported by the National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities Center of Excellence in Nutritional Genomics, Grant MD 00222, and from the European Union, EU FP6 NoE Grant, Contract No. CT2004–505944.