Interplay With Dietary Components – Diet Therapy to Treat the Metabolic Disorders

Our daily life interactions between genetic and environmental factors including over nutrition have promoted the pathogenesis of polygenic diet related diseases. These complex interactions between genetics and nutrition are investigated by nutrigenetics which is relevant to metabolic health and disease. Diet including dietary chemicals can be a serious risk factor for a number of diseases, affect health by altering gene structure and expression. This alteration causes metabolic disorders (MDs) from which round the world 20-25% population is suffering. The Indian scenario includes detection and cure for certain MDs based on the diet modification. Pure MDs like obesity, insulin resistance etc. are generally arise because of poor nutritional habits, thus creating a harmful environment in body due to the diseases. Sometimes, MDs can also lead to genetic basis e.g. hyperlipidemias in which children and apparently healthy adults are also predisposed to coronary artery diseases. In some cases, genetic factors (like unique HLA haplotype) can predispose to either Type 1 diabetes or Celiac disease. At the extreme end of the spectrum, there are inherited MDs which themselves lead to disease. In phenylketonuria (PKU)-restricting amino acids (AA) with dietary protein supplements, Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD)- thiamine with reduced branched AA, tyrosinemia 2- reduced phenylalanine and tyrosine, homocystinuria- reduced methionine but high cystine, galactosemia-reduced milk and milk products are recommended. The above conditions need specific dietary modifications based on the genetic factors involved as well as the knowledge of nutritional requirements and nutritional status. Thus, personalized nutrition based on the genetic makeup is essential to create wonders in both prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders.