What is Nutrigenomics and Why Does It Matter for Your Health?

Nutrigenomics or nutritional genomics is an emerging field that uses advanced genetic testing to give insight into your health, hormones, and metabolism. It is a highly personalized approach to health, wellness, and prevention of chronic disease using data from your genes. Understanding your unique genetic blueprint will guide you to make healthier choices that help you live a longer and healthier life. Your genes determine who you are and how you respond to the world around you, from the food you eat, the exercise you do, exposure to your environment, and even how you respond to stress you may encounter. Every decision you make, every minute of every day, changes the way your genes express themselves.

Nutrigenomics describes the interactions between our genes and our diet, lifestyle, exercise, trauma, environment, and supplements. Nutrigenetics is the effect of genetic variations on our diet, lifestyle, exercise, trauma, environment, and supplements.

The Future of Nutrigenomics in Functional Medicine and Nutrition: Highly Personalized Nutrition based on your DNA

Nutrition 3.0 goes beyond a one size fits all approach to nutrition and focuses on insights derived from your individual genetics and genetic variations.

3×4 Genetics uses advanced testing and analysis to look at how genes work together in cellular pathways and functional systems to control processes such as inflammation, metabolism and detoxification. The 3X4 Blueprint report covers 36 metabolic pathways across 6 health categories. Each pathway is made up of several genetic variants that together impact the pathways’ optimal function. 3X4 uses your unique genetic results to calculate an impact level for each pathway and uses color-coding to help you easily discover your most impactful genes and pathways. Diet, lifestyle, and supplements are recommended for each pathway. Gaining insight into how your unique genetic makeup impacts your health enables you to make the best possible daily choices. Your genetic results provide an important piece of the puzzle, but a deeper and fuller picture begins to emerge when your genetic insights are combined with your medical history, unique diet, lifestyle, and exercise preferences.

Their test analyzes 157 gene results known to influence metabolism, fat storage, and nutrition absorption to provide highly accurate insights into how your body responds to diet and exercise

Detoxification · Liver · Kidneys · Gut · Skin

Detoxification is the body’s way of getting rid of toxins that could otherwise build up and interfere with overall health. True detoxification isn’t about juice cleanses or weekend protocols. It’s a complex, ongoing process deeply influenced by your genes and supported by your diet, lifestyle, and daily habits. Signs of poor detoxification include lethargy, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, brain fog, and unexplained aches and pains in the body. The liver is the main site of detox but every cell has its own toxin eliminating processes to keep it clean, healthy and working well. Detoxification can be optimized by making specific diet and lifestyle changes to support good health. Through advanced genetic research, 3X4 Genetics has identified how genetic variations can significantly impact these detoxification phases. Some people are rapid Phase 1 processors but slower in Phase 2. Others might have genetic variations affecting their glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant, production or methylation capacity. Understanding these genetic factors is key for optimizing detoxification and overall health.

COMT, GSTM1, NQ01, CYP1B1

Glutathione S-Transferase Mu1 (GSTM1): impacts detoxification, oxidative stress, & hormone balance. It’s a key enzyme in the phase 2 detoxification system that adds a glutathione molecule to fat soluble toxins to convert to water soluble waste products. Role: detoxifies PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), metabolites of steroid hormones, heavy metals, and antibiotics. (conjugation and detoxification of PAHS, hormones, and heavy metals)

Nutrition: consume diet & or supplements rich in Nrf2-activating compounds such as cruciferous vegetables (sulforaphane), resveratrol, curcumin, genistein)

Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1): impacts detoxification, inflammation, hormone balance, and brain health. This gene encodes for the CYP1B1 enzyme involved in phase 1 detoxification. Role: catalyzes 4-OH estrogens (estradiol E2 and estrone E1) and metabolizes pro-carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) – charboiled/BBQ meats and fats. (detoxification of estrogens & pro-carcinogens like PAHs and BPA)

Nutrition: consume foods rich in phytochemicals (curcumin and cruciferous vegetables) and sulforaphane. Caution with DIM supplementation.

Avoid: toxins (burnt meat, cigarette smoke, pesticides)

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT): impacts detoxification, methylation, hormone balance, and brain health.

COMT AA genotype: 3 to 4 times decreased enzyme activity, higher dopamine levels, higher pain threshold, higher vulnerability to stress, and slower methylation of OH-estrogen.

Nutrition for COMT AA:

• enhance the activity of the enzyme by supporting the methylation cycle. (B2, B3, B6, B14, folate, choline)
• Magnesium supports COMT function
• Minimize caffeine intake

COMT GG genotype: lower dopamine levels, lower pain threshold, better stress resilience, less efficient cognitive processing, and lower memory scores.

Nutrition for COMT GG:

• support dopamine levels with activities that stimulate production like exercise and activities that bring reward

Methylation

Methylation is the biochemical process of making sure every cell is functioning optimally. Methylation is not just responsible for how we repair genetic material, but also how we make energy, respond to stress, handle inflammation, how well our cells detoxify, and how our brain chemistry works. Methylation is the process involved in actually turning genes on or off. We may be able to reduce our risk of developing certain diseases and some types of cancers by optimizing methylation

COMT, MTHFR, NQ01, PEMT, TCN2

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR): impacts methylation, hormone balance, brain health, and cardiovascular health. As much as half of the population may have an MTHFR gene mutation which has been linked to anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, and depression.

Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress is the human equivalent of rusting. The impact of all exposures over time results in damage to our cells. Unmanaged, oxidation can impact on our energy levels, memory, premature aging and sometimes cancer risk. In a healthy functioning cell, enzymes that counteract oxidative damage, a ‘rust block’ so to speak, are made. The ability to make those enzymes is determined by certain genes. However, a good diet and lifestyle can aid towards a lower oxidative burden and help maintain the health of your cells.

MNSOD, GSTM1, NQ01, APOE, ENOS, FOXO3

Inflammation

Inflammation is a normal automatic immune response to injury, irritation or infection. Sometimes injuries or irritations are internal (in places like our gut, muscles, joints, or blood vessels). Inflammation is protective by design, but can become destructive if left unchecked. Long term, chronic inflammation can eventually lead to conditions like arthritis, eczema, IBS, autoimmune conditions, and several diseases.

FUT2, TNFA, DAO, APOE, FOXO3

TNFA (TNF-alpha):

Nutrition: omega-3 rich diet, reduce omega 6, & exercise.

Hormone Balance

Hormones are chemical messengers produced by our glands. They instruct organs and systems in the body on how to function. The main female hormones include estrogen and progesterone. Ineffective hormone metabolism can contribute to certain conditions. Genes, as well as diet and lifestyle factors, regulate the activation and breakdown of these hormones.

COMT, GSTM1, NQ01, CYP1B1, MNSOD, MTHFR

Brain Health

The brain is the control center of the body, and keeping it healthy is crucial for overall mental and physical health. The brain is also responsible for cognitive function, including attention, focus, learning capacity, and memory. Certain genetic variations may be another reason why our brain health and cognitive function might not be optimal.

COMT, MTHFR, APOE, TNFA, MAOA

APOE: this gene plays a central role in lipoprotein metabolism, brain plasticity, and neurodegenerative disease risk.

Vascular Health

MNSOD, ENOS, APOE, ACE, AGT, F5

Energy Balance

MC4R, FTO, TNFA

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease occurs when there is an immune reaction to gluten which is the main protein found in wheat, barley, triticale and rye. In these cases, gluten can cause inflammation in the gut which may damage the gut wall and potentially lead to complications resulting in deficiency conditions like anemia, osteoporosis and thyroid problems. If certain genes variants are present, gluten may need to be removed from the diet completely.

HLA

Histamine Overload

Histamine is a chemical produced by mast cells, that is involved in immunity and the removal of allergens from the body. It also helps with digestion and is released in response to injury and toxins. Histamine can be made by bacteria in the gut but is also present in certain foods (fermented foods). Histamine is naturally present in many foods, especially fermented ones (like sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, yogurt, aged cheeses, soy sauce, wine, and vinegar-containing foods). These foods can either contain histamine directly or stimulate histamine release. Genes regulate enzymes that are responsible for histamine breakdown. Inefficient breakdown may result in a histamine overload and cause symptoms like migraines, flushing, dizziness, skin rashes and hives.

DAO (Diamine Oxidase)

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