Cholesterol and the Gene Apolipoprotein E
Are you someone that has followed a heart healthy diet “to the letter” and still struggled to lower blood pressure or cholesterol levels? If so, it’s possible the diet didn’t work for you due to your specific genetic makeup.
Mapping of the human genome (13 year project that identified all genes in human DNA) was completed by scientists in 2003.
For the most part, genes are the same between individuals, with just a 1% variation. This small difference is what accounts for our unique physical attributes, biological processes, and metabolism. It’s also this slight difference that makes one individual more susceptible to heart disease than another.
Nutrigenomics
This has opened the door for nutrigenomics and the role it can play disease prevention. You see, dietary recommendations, such as Dietary Reference Intakes and Recommended Dietary Allowances, are established to meet the needs of 99% of the population from a statistical perspective. However, a “one size fits all approach” doesn’t necessarily work. Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s a great foundation to base your diet around, but if you have a specific disease or increased risk for disease, this is where nutrigenomics can step in.
Nutrigenomics looks at the interaction between nutrients and genes, because how we respond and metabolize nutrients is influenced by our genes.
Apolipoprotein E
The Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype influences coronary heart disease risk. APOE was discovered back in 1970 and can bind to triglyceride rich lipoproteins and acts as a binding mechanism for receptors.
