Many of us have strictly followed a diet without seeing the results we had hoped for. Even if your weight-loss partner followed the same diet and exercise routine as you and lost loads of weight you may even have gained some. Nutrigenomics (the study of the interactions between your genes and your diet) is the process of exploring the reasons why we don’t all respond the same and how your DNA is the key to your weight loss via a gene specific meal plan.
What is a Gene Specific Diet?
The one size fits all diet is falling by the waist line and a gene specific diet is the evolving way that nutrigenomics changes the way you eat to aid your weight loss efforts. A genetic screening is done, usually via a cheek swab, the results of which inform you of personalised nutritional advice.
How Does a Gene Specific Diet Work?
Even though many people have similarities in their genes the varying single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs means that everyone’s bodies react differently to different types of food.
An international research team led by Matthew Gillum found that a gene called FGF21 produces a hormone of the same name which modulates the appetite in humans, particularly for sweet foods. So, even your sweet tooth, or lack of one, is rooted in your genetic makeup. This serves to illustrate that genetic makeup can be a contributing factor to why certain people crave a particular kind of food.
The global obesity epidemic has reached such extremes that even the World Health Organization has started referring to it as “globesity.” The concern everyone shares with the World Health Organization in this regard is the array of health disorders associated with obesity like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Knowledge is power and having gene specific information gives us insights into treating the causes of the obesity epidemics and individuals struggling with their weight. Some people may be more sensitive to foods that negatively affect blood sugar or cholesterol than others because we have found that individuals respond differently to carbohydrates, fats and proteins. This means that two people following a healthy diet and exercise program that is exactly the same may still present differing levels of cholesterol or blood sugar depending on their genetic makeup.
The GENEDIET™, can also assist in the psychological aspects of weight loss, by helping patients better understand and manage their appetite and satiety, craving, eating habits etc. Knowing how your body stores and breaks down fats, can also help to put your weight loss goal into perspective. Do you naturally have a slow metabolism? Does your body burn fat during exercise and to what extent? All of this information is beneficial to achieving successful weight loss goal.
A gene specific diet works by tapping into this information in order to create a diet that is geared to work to your genetic strengths and support its weaknesses for weight loss that is healthy and sustainable.
The Benefits of a Gene Specific Diet
A DNA diet could be the answer to subdue the effects or onset of serious conditions associated with obesity like insulin resistance, diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver and stroke. The main benefit of a DNA test for exercise and diet is that you will be more determined to follow a programme that has been structured to your needs.
DNA testing for weight loss in South Africa is available from GENEWAY™ in the form of GENEDIET™. For more information contact us to begin your genetic weight loss journey.
