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Nutrition 2 (Semester I) > 2a. Nutrigenomics > Flashcards

2a. Nutrigenomics Flashcards

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1
Q

What is nutrigenomics?

A

The study of the interaction between nutrition and genes
Especially in regard to the prevention or treatment of disease

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2
Q

What can nutrigenomics offer?

A

Personalised nutrition and lifestyle plans

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3
Q

What is DNA made up of?

A

2 paired nucleotide chains (the double helix)

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4
Q

What is a nucleotide made up of?

A

Deoxyribose (sugar)
Phosphate group
One of 4 bases - adenine, cytosine, thymine, guanine

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5
Q

How are nucleotides organised?

A

Into codons

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6
Q

What are codons?

A

Sequence of 3 nucleotides that code for a specific amino acid

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7
Q

What happens when the translation of a protein is not coded correctly?

A

It makes a different protein

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8
Q

Why is it important that methionine is coded correctly?

A

Required for methylation
Switching genes on and off

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9
Q

What does low methionine increase the risk of?

A

Cancerous cell changes

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10
Q

What does SNP stand for?

A

Single nucleotide polymorphism

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11
Q

What is a SNP?

A

Differences in the single base in the sequence of a gene (codon)

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12
Q

What can a SNP result in?

A

A change in enzyme or protein function

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13
Q

What is a wild type variant?

A

No variant
Normal/stable

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14
Q

What is a heterozygous variant?

A

Single variation on one side of the chromosome pair

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15
Q

What can a heterozygous variant indicate?

A

A potential change of function

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16
Q

What is a homozygous variant?

A

Variation on both sides of the chromosome pair

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17
Q

What can a homozygous variant indicate?

A

A greater change of function

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18
Q

In what areas of nutrition can information about genetics be useful?

A

Methylation
Detoxification
Vitamin conversion/receptor function
Neurotransmitter/hormone synthesis and metabolism

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19
Q

What does the BCO1 gene do?

A

Codes for the enzyme that converts beta carotene to retinol (vit A)

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20
Q

What processes can be impacted with a SNP on the BCO1 gene?

A

Reduction in enzyme activity
Lower rate of beta-carotene to retinol conversion

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21
Q

How might a SNP on the BCO1 gene manifest itself?

A

Impaired night vision
Frequent infections
Skin conditions e.g. acne

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22
Q

How can a SNP on the BCO1 gene be supported?

A

Increase intake of pre-formed vit A from food e.g liver, fish oils
Supplementation - especially if plant-based

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23
Q

What does the VDR gene do?

A

Codes for the vit D receptor

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24
Q

What processes can be impacted with a SNP on the VDR receptor?

A

Absorption, conversion and/or transportation of vit D to receptor

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25
How can a SNP on the VDR receptor manifest itself?
Rickets/osteomalacia Osteoporosis Immune dysfunction
26
How can a SNP on the VDR receptor be supported?
Ensure optimal vit D levels with regular testing Sun exposure Food - oily fish, eggs Supplementation
27
What does the SLC23A1 gene code for?
Production of the transporter which supports vit C absorption and distribution
28
How does a SNP on the SLC23A1 gene manifest itself?
Higher demand for vit C
29
How can a SNP on the SLC23A1 gene be supported?
Optimise dietary intake of vit C - fresh fruit/veg - peppers, kiwi, berries, citrus, tomatoes, cruciferous veg Supplementation - liposomal Reduce stress (if applicable) Stop smoking (if applicable)
30
What other mineral could be impacted by a SNP on the SLC23A1 gene?
Fe absorption (reduced conversion from Fe3+ to Fe2+)
31
What does the FADS1 gene code for?
Delta 5 desaturase
32
What does the FADS2 gene code for?
Delta 6 desaturase
33
What process can be impacted with a SNP on FADS1 gene?
Increase of high dietary O6 to inflammatory AA (doesn't convert to EPA/DHA)
34
What process can be impacted with a SNP on FADS2 gene?
Lower levels of GLA, AA and EPA
35
How can SNPs on FADS1 and FADS2 be supported?
EPA/DHA/ALA from fish oils, algae, flaxseed
36
What does the TNF gene code for?
Production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine
37
How can a SNP on the TNF gene manifest itself?
Increased inflammation Increased risk of asthma, RA, psoriasis, cancer
38
How can a SNP on the TNF gene be supported?
Reducing pro-inflammatory foods Increasing anti-inflammatory foods Curcumin Green tea SMASH fish
39
What is methylation?
The process of adding a methyl group to a substrate
40
What processes is methylation involved in?
Detoxification Energy production e.g. CoQ10, ATP Myelination and neurotransmitter production Immune function e.g. inflammation, immune cell synthesis
41
What dietary co-factors are required for methylation?
B2, 6, 9, 12 Choline Betaine Zn
42
What is the master methyl donor?
SAMe
43
What factors can disrupt methylation?
Insufficient substrates e.g. B9, methionine Lack of dietary co-factors SNPs affecting enzyme activity Drugs e.g. OCP, metformin Increased demand e.g. stress, inflammation Toxin exposure e.g. alfatoxin (fungi), BPAs, heavy metals (mercury/lead)
44
What can impaired methylation contribute to?
CV disease Cancer Infertility/miscarriages Chronic fatigue Neurological disease
45
How can we test for poor methylation?
Genetic testing for methylation SNPs Homocysteine testing
46
What are the steps that convert folate to methylfolate? (folate cycle)
Eat folate foods - DHF - THF - 5,10 Methylene THF - 5-MTHF
47
What does the MTHFR gene code for?
Enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase that converts folate into a methylated form
48
What process can be impaired by a SNP on the MTHFR gene?
Reduced activity of the MTHFR enzyme
49
How can a SNP on the MTHFR gene be supported?
Optimise dietary folate Consider methylated folate supplement Optimise B2 to support MTHFR gene
50
What are the steps that convert methionine to homocysteine?
Eat protein foods - Methionine - SAMe - SAH - Homocysteine
51
What genes are needed to convert homocysteine back to methionine?
MTR MTRR
52
What process can be impacted by a SNP on the MTR gene?
Decreased enzyme activity to convert homocysteine back to methionine
53
What processes can be impacted by a SNP on the MTRR gene?
Reduced conversion of B12 to its methylated form
54
How can SNPs to the MTR and MTRR genes be supported?
Supplementation of methylated folate and B12
55
Which 3 genes are important for SAMe production?
MTHFR MTR MTRR
56
What is SAMe reliant on?
Methylfolate (the active form on folate/B9) (the folate and methionine cycles working efficiently)
57
What is SAMe formed from?
Methionine
58
What is transsulphuration?
Conversion of homocysteine to cystathionine
59
What is cystathionine?
A substrate for glutathione synthesis
60
Which gene is needed to convert homocysteine to cystathionine?
CBS
61
What processes are impacted with a SNP on the CBS gene?
Reduced conversion of homocysteine to cystathionine Reduced SAMe Faster conversion to ammonia (urea cycle)
62
How can a SNP on the CBS gene be supported?
Increase Zn, choline, TMG Neutralise ammonia with reduced animal protein, and probiotics to reduce bacterial production Limit sulphur containing foods e.g. eggs, onion
63
Which neurotransmitters is MTHFR essential for the synthesis of?
Serotonin Dopamine Adrenaline Noradrenaline
64
Which gene is needed to break down serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline?
COMT
65
Which hormone does COMT convert?
Active oestrogen to less active oestrogen
66
What process can be impacted by a SNP on the COMT gene?
Reduced conversion of active oestrogen to less active = increased risk of breast cancer etc
67
How can a SNP on the COMT gene be supported?
Choline, betaine, B9 and B12 rich foods (to support production of SAMe) Avoid oestrogen disruptors e.g. plastics, anti-perspirants, dairy products
68
What is the eNOS gene responsible for?
Generating NO from arginine
69
What processes are impacted by a SNP on the eNOS gene?
Reduced eNOS activity and lower NO
70
What is the implication of reduced eNOS activity and lower NO?
Slower ammonia detoxification Increase in free radicals Increased CV disease risk
71
How can a SNP on the eNOS gene be supported?
Increase AO (rainbow foods) Reduce intake of ammonia generating foods e.g. animal protein Support NO production with beetroot juice or celery

Nutrition 2 (Semester I) (15 decks)

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