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Title: Readiness of food composition databases and food component analysis systems for nutrigenomics

Author
item McCabe Sellers, Beverly
item CHENARD, CATHERINE - UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
item Lovera, Dalia
item CHAMPAGNE, CATHERINE - PENNINGTON BIOMED RESEARC
item Bogle, Margaret
item KAPUT, JIM - NCTR

Submitted to: Journal of Food Composition and Analysis
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/19/2009
Publication Date: 3/3/2009
Citation: McCabe Sellers, B.J., Chenard, C.A., Lovera, D., Champagne, C.M., Bogle, M.L., Kaput, J. 2009. Readiness of food composition databases and food component analysis systems for nutrigenomics. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. 22(Suppl):S57-S62.

Interpretive Summary: Science is moving toward using the study of genetics and environmental factors as a means of individualizing health promotion and chronic disease prevention. Nutrition is at the very core of how our genes respond to our environments because diet varies greatly from individuals and from cultures. Recent technology advances in many fields is promising rapid advancement, but the issue is whether our nutrient analysis abilities and nutrient databanks are ready to match these other advances. Developing individualized recommendations and care depends on studying diet and genetics across many populations through the networking of diverse health care providers and scientists. Some potential ways of developing this networking are suggested.

Technical Abstract: The study objective was to discuss the international implications of using nutrigenomics as the basis for individualized health promotion and chronic disease prevention and the challenges it presents to existing nutrient databases and nutrient analysis systems. Definitions and research methods of nutrigenomics are compared to current databases and nutritional assessment methodology. Recent developments in research methods may help bring the field of human nutrition closer to matching the advances in laboratory studies of genetics. Methodologies for population-based studies will not necessarily suffice for the study of optimal health and disease prevention of individuals. Issues to resolve so that nutrient databases and analysis software will meet these challenges are explored. An outline of current projects and potential approaches for developing more reliable and cost effective methods for the study of nutrigenomics is needed. This is a step toward advancing future research and producing optimal nutrition and health care for diverse populations. A discussion of the issues involved in meeting the complex research and clinical challenges of individualizing nutrition and health care can lead to the networking of diverse health care professionals and scientists that is needed to move the world toward optimal health.