Metabolomics
Systematic study of small-molecule metabolites (<1,500 Da) in biological samples using mass spectrometry or NMR, providing objective biomarkers of dietary intake, metabolic state, and disease.
Targeted metabolomics quantifies defined panels (e.g., acylcarnitines, amino acids); untargeted profiles thousands of features for discovery. Dietary biomarkers from metabolomics circumvent self-report error: proline betaine for citrus, trigonelline and caffeic acid for coffee, 1- and 3-methylhistidine for meat. Combined with genomics and microbiome data, metabolomics is foundational for precision nutrition (Ordovás, Ch 121).
How one textbook covers it
Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, 12th ed. — Ch 121: Metabolomics and Proteomics
Targeted metabolomics quantifies defined panels (e.g., acylcarnitines, amino acids); untargeted profiles thousands of features for discovery. Dietary biomarkers from metabolomics circumvent self-report error: proline betaine for citrus, trigonelline and caffeic acid for coffee, 1- and 3-methylhistidine for meat. Combined with genomics and microbiome data, metabolomics is foundational for precision nutrition (Ordovás, Ch 121).
Related terms
Dietary biomarkers, Precision nutrition, Proteomics