Nutritional advice is frustratingly common: “Eat more vegetables.” Make protein a priority. Avoid processed foods. Precision nutrition, or personalized nutrition, has emerged as a personalized approach to deciding what goes on your plate.
“Personalized nutrition is tailored to an individual’s unique genetic makeup, lifestyle, and health goals, as opposed to general dietary advice that applies broad recommendations at a population level,” says Nutritionist says. Lauren Manaker, R.D.N. By taking a more tailored approach to your nutritional needs, you may be able to hone your energy levels, stick to your nutritional goals, and improve your health in both the short and long term.
be interested?The following is Manaka, nutritionist, registered dietitian, and owner Wang Na Chun. one pot wellnessexplains how precision nutrition works, its potential benefits, and what is (yet) poorly understood in this field of nutrition.
How precision nutrition, or personalized nutrition, works
“Personalized nutrition uses genetic testing, lifestyle factors, health conditions, and goals to provide specific dietary recommendations,” says Chun. This one-size-fits-all approach Frequently asked questions about nutritionists. Technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), now facilitates the collection and analysis of the data needed for precision nutrition management.
new class wearable The at-home test not only collects health indicators such as blood sugar levels and blood fats, but also genetic information. some home tests, zoeyou can also collect feces that can be tested to know more about your health status. gut health. “Wearable devices also provide insights into factors such as activity levels, sleep habits, and stress levels, and can also be used to provide realistic and sustainable nutritional advice,” says Chun.
Taken together, all these indicators give you an idea of your health status and how your current nutritional approach is helping. Nutritionists and other health professionals can use your personal data to devise smart health solutions that may lead to improved long-term health. For example, people with lactose intolerance need to avoid different foods than people with celiac disease.
Your genetic makeup may also determine your body condition metabolize coffee,how reacts to carbohydrates and fatsand also about which foods you like.
Benefits of personalized nutrition
Think about your physical fitness. At one time or another, you’ve probably followed a typical fitness plan that includes walking, calisthenics, and light stretching. For a more personalized approach, I met with a trainer who tested my VO2 max and strength. We will then identify your strengths and weaknesses and recommend specific exercises to increase your endurance and strength. Suddenly, a plan was made: you And only you.
The same logic applies to precision nutrition. “Personalized nutrition can help address a variety of health issues, chronic diseases, and health goals for people at different life stages and health conditions,” says Chun.
Aside from all the testing, precision nutrition also provides an opportunity for individuals to customize their meal plans to suit their lives, circumstances, and culture. “This holistic approach respects diverse food traditions and individual preferences and ensures that recommended meal plans are not only scientifically sound, but also culturally sensitive and practical for individuals. I guarantee you that,” Manaker said. “It is based on the premise that for nutritional advice to be effective, it needs to be tailored to a person’s unique lifestyle, including their culinary traditions and taste preferences.”
In the long term, following a personal nutrition plan may help with the following symptoms: disease prevention and Extend healthy lifespan.
The limits of personalized nutrition
While testing at home, wearable, AI has made precision nutrition a little more accessible, but its price point remains prohibitive for most people. This approach can cost hundreds of dollars per test, and the actual nutritional plan will cost even more. “Personalized nutrition plans and services, such as genetic testing, microbiome analysis, and personalized meal plans, can be expensive and are rarely covered by insurance,” says Chun.
Additionally, she added that the science around nutrigenomics, or how genetics influence the nutrients we consume and vice versa, is still in its infancy. “Not all claims are yet well-substantiated; we need large-scale, high-quality studies over time,” Chun cautions. Anyone interested in this approach to nutrition should be wary of promises that sound too good to be true.
Last but not least, getting too caught up in the details of your diet can quickly get out of hand. “An overly customized diet, especially when many foods are excluded, can be very difficult for an individual to maintain in the long term. This can lead to non-compliance and increased restrictions regarding food. It’s possible,” says Chun.
When participating in personalized nutrition, always check your mental health and consult a nutritionist if the plan starts to feel too strict. “Remember that data and scientific information are not emotional,” says Manaker. “It is important to work with the right health care provider to develop a healthy, personalized nutrition plan.”
A final note: Remember that general diet information is there for a reason. Public health approaches to nutrition often include a kernel of truth that applies to everyone. “Generalized dietary guidelines can provide the basis for public health strategies that promote overall health improvements, such as increasing intake of fruits and vegetables and reducing intake of ultra-processed foods,” says Manaka. he explains.
Key points of precision nutrition
Those who can afford precision nutrition may find that they have a firmer, clearer perspective on how their bodies function and what kind of energy they need. yeah. This knowledge could help manage chronic diseases and prevent disease. However, it is important to work with a qualified professional to correctly interpret genetic tests, blood tests, and fecal tests.
“My advice is to not feel the need to get hung up on every metric and to take it step by step,” says Chun. “Making one or two key nutritional changes is more important to your health than perfecting all your numbers and trackers.”
This story was originally Fortune.com
