NUTRIGENOMICS - a modern approach to healthcare management

Non-communicable diseases also called as NCD's are on the rise. At a community level or us as a nation, India is facing a crisis of humongous level due to a growing burden of Lifestyle diseases or NCD’s. NCD’s account for an economic burden in the range of 5–10% of GDP, which is significantly hampering development. NCDs contribute to for 60% of all deaths in India. NCD’s have a multi-dimensional effect at individual, household, health system and macroeconomic level, if not controlled on a war front.

Statistics show that prevalence of obesity in India is around 40.3%, with women to men ratio being 41.88% to 38.67%, while urban population at 44.17% vs. rural at 36.08%, and surprisingly more of educated lot at 44.6% vs. 38% uneducated.

Worryingly, the increase in OBESITY is also seen more in children than in adults. It is predicted by 2025 there will be 17 million obese children in India.?

India is often referred to as the ‘Diabetes Capital of the World, as it accounts for 17% percent of the total number of diabetes patients in the world. There are currently close to 80 million people with diabetes in India and this number is expected to increase to 135 million by 2045.

Companies stand to lose millions of rupees due to employee health issues and growing absenteeism.?Adoption of corporate wellness program can save India Inc. income up to US$ 20 billion through a reduction in absenteeism rate by 1% and at the same time improve chronic and lifestyle diseases of corporates and employees, according to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) latest paper.

Where individuals and companies are looking for new means and approaches for healthcare management and reduce the burden of NCD's NUTRIGENOMICS, has emerged as a boon for proactive healthcare management.

The field of nutrigenomics provides insights into how different diets and specific nutrients can influence gene expression and potentially prevent or better manage chronic diseases. Nutrigenomics provides a scientific basis and explains why every individual has different nutritional requirements and why some individuals are more susceptible to certain diseases than others.

Nutrigenomics provides valuable insights into the interplay between genetics and nutrition, enabling personalized approaches to nutrition and lifestyle interventions. Here's how nutrigenomics contributes to proactive healthcare management:

1. Personalized Nutrition Recommendations: Nutrigenomics allows healthcare providers to analyze an individual's genetic profile and identify specific genetic variations related to nutrient metabolism, nutrient needs, and food sensitivities. This information helps tailor personalized nutrition recommendations that are better suited to an individual's genetic makeup, optimizing nutrient absorption, metabolism, and overall health.
2. Disease Risk Assessment: Nutrigenomics can assess an individual's genetic predisposition to certain diseases, including chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer. This knowledge helps individuals and healthcare professionals understand their inherent risk factors and implement proactive strategies to minimize the impact of genetic predisposition through appropriate dietary choices and lifestyle modifications.
3. Precision Medicine: Nutrigenomics plays a significant role in precision medicine, which involves delivering tailored healthcare interventions based on an individual's genetic characteristics. By understanding an individual's genetic variations, including those related to nutrient metabolism, drug response, and disease susceptibility, healthcare providers can design targeted interventions that maximize effectiveness and minimize adverse effects.
4. Personalized Weight Management: Nutrigenomics offers insights into genetic factors that influence an individual's response to different dietary patterns and physical activity. By analyzing genetic variations related to metabolism, satiety, and nutrient processing, healthcare providers can develop personalized weight management plans that are more effective and sustainable for individuals, leading to better long-term outcomes.
5. Early Disease Detection: Nutrigenomics allows for early detection of genetic markers associated with increased disease risk. Genetic testing can identify individuals who may be predisposed to specific health conditions, enabling early intervention, close monitoring, and targeted preventive strategies to reduce the risk or delay the onset of diseases.

Overall, nutrigenomics empowers individuals and healthcare professionals with knowledge about genetic predispositions, individualized nutrition requirements, and personalized lifestyle recommendations. This proactive approach to healthcare management promotes early intervention, targeted prevention, and more effective strategies to optimize health outcomes based on an individual's unique genetic profile.