Nutrigenomics Flashcards
What is meant by epigenetics?
Epigenetics is the study of, the modification of specific genes or gene-associated proteins of an organism. Epigenetic modification can be influence by environment, diet and lifestyle. It is not a change in genotype but phenotype.
What is meant by nutrigenetics?
The science of the effect of genetic variation on dietary response
What is meant by nutrigenomics?
Specialism whereby the epigenetic arm of genetics, focuses on what we eat and the lifestyle we lead and how it alters gene function and expression
What is the structure of DNA/RNA?
made of nucleic acids which are chains of nucleotides (ribose sugar, phosphate group, nitrogenous bases)
What are 4 functions of proteins?
messenger, transporter, enzymatic, structural
What is meant by functional genomics?
using genomic data to explain the relationship between gene and protein function and the interactions
How many amino acids in total are there and what amino starts all proteins?
64 codons and methionine
What is gene expression and what is influenced by?
Gene expression is controlling of genes by switching them on and off essential for cell growth or specialization of cell. Influenced by environment, food/eating habits, how we are born, circadian rhythm, living at high altitudes
What is a single nucleotide polymorphism?
most common type of genetic variation among people
What is the difference between wild type, heterozygous and homozygous SNPs?
Wild type – normal/stable or beneficial effect
Heterozygous – 1 genetic variation so some loss or increase of function.
Homozygous – 2 genetic variation so significant loss or heighted increase of function
why do SNPs matter?
responsible for difference such as eye colours, not all SNPs are bad
Why are we interested in SNPs?
Indentification and forensics, mapping and genome wide studies of diseases, estimating predisposition to disease, immigration and citizenship in the uk
What makes SNPs useful to nutritional therapists?
Nutritional therapist can use SNPs if a lot of research has been done, the SNP has a direct effect on function, the effect is measurable and the gene is affected by environment so an action can be taken.
We can alter the environmental factors by using specific food to increase or decrease gene expression
What is the difference between phase 1 and phase 2 reactions in drug metabolism?
Phase 1 is when a hydrophilic group is added such as hydroxyl, amine to make it more water soluble so it can be excreted whereas phase 2 is carried out when the metabolite form is too reactive (cannot be excreted) so it undergoes glucuronidation, sulphonation, methylation etc
What diseases is correlated with POPs?
Obesity, increased inflammation, diabetes and breast cancer
What is methylation?
Donates a methyl group to a substrate (DNA, RNA, chemicals, neurotransmitters, immune cells, nerves)
What is the functions of methylation?
Gene regulation, biotransformation (processing chemicals and toxins), build neurotransmitters, process hormones (oestrogen), produce energy (CoQ10), Myelination, DNA and RNA synthesis.
What can disrupt methylation?
Lack of essential cofactors (zinc, mg, B6), medications (antacids), nutrients depleting methyl group (niacin), genetic mutations, insufficient substrates (folate, methionine)
What are some toxins which alter methylation?
Fertilizer, transport fumes, bisphenol A, jet fuel, mold, POPs, heavy metals
What is catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)?
Enzymes responsible for breaking down neurotransmitters dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline
It inactivates catecholamines
Adds methyl groups to catechol oestrogens which stabilizes oestrogen and reduces DNA damage
What is methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR)?
Enzymes responsible for metabolic processes in methylation and detoxification; it adds methyl group to folic acid/folate
What co-factors are needs for methylation support?
Mg, B2, B6, B12, betaine, zinc, choline, molybdenum, manganses, vit d, vit c, insufficient substrates
What lifestyle changes can be made to support methylation?
Adequate sun exposure, reduce toxin exposure, take time for themselves, healthy gut function, alcohol intake, smoking, caffeine intake, reduce stressors
What food can give detoxification support?
Pre/pro biotics, sulpur, NAC, selenium, cysteine, adenosine, B vits, mg, zinc
What life style support can be give for detoxification
Pesticide and herbicide exposure, alcohol levels, caffeine intake, toxin exposure, free radical production, dysbiosis, methylation factors, types of stressors
What support food wise is for oestrogen?
Cruciferous veges, zinc, green tea, grapefruit, sulphur, pre/probiotics, fibre, mg, ellagic acid
What life style changes are necessary for oestrogen?
Moderate exercise, reduce stressors, weight management, reduce toxin exposure, reduce BBQs
What is meant by polymorphism?
inheritance of genes in different forms (alleles)
What are phase III reactions?
xenobiotic and other chemo drugs require further processing catalysed by transferase enzymes
What is the difference between toxins, toxicants and xenobiotics?
toxins - poison produce by living o/s that is active at low conc
toxicants - toxic chem typically that have been introduced into the environment by human
xenobiotics - foreign substances found in the body that do not come from a normal diet
What is glutathione conjugation for?
POPs are eliminated by phase I follow by phase II conjugation to glutathione. It helps with reactive oxygen species
What are POPs?
persistent organic pollutants
