Learn → Glossary → biochemistry

Nutritional Genomics

Study of how nutrients interact with the genome, and how genetic variants modify nutrient requirements and disease risk.

Also: Nutrigenetics, Nutrigenomics

Nutrigenomics examines how nutrients regulate gene expression; nutrigenetics examines how genetic variants influence nutrient metabolism and disease risk. Examples: MTHFR variants and folate metabolism, APOE variants and lipid response to diet, lactase persistence and dairy tolerance. Foundation of personalized nutrition, though clinical translation remains limited outside specific conditions like PKU.

How one textbook covers it

  • Krause and Mahan's Food and the Nutrition Care Process, 16th ed. — Chapter 6

    Nutrigenomics examines how nutrients regulate gene expression; nutrigenetics examines how genetic variants influence nutrient metabolism and disease risk. Examples: MTHFR variants and folate metabolism, APOE variants and lipid response to diet, lactase persistence and dairy tolerance. Foundation of personalized nutrition, though clinical translation remains limited outside specific conditions like PKU.

Related terms

MTHFR, PKU, Personalized Nutrition