Your DNA called - it has some thoughts on your diet

Imagine if your body came with a personalised instruction manual that told you exactly what to eat, what to avoid and how to feel your best? Well, it kind of does. It's called your DNA, and thanks to a field called Nutrigenomics, we can now tap into it and change the way we think about food, health and wellness.

What Is Nutrigenomics?

Nutrigenomics is the science of how your genes and nutrition work together. Basically, it looks at how your body responds to the food you eat based on your genetic makeup and how those responses impact everything from metabolism and inflammation to energy levels and disease risk. In short, its personalised nutrition based on your DNA.

Ever wondered why your friend thrives on a keto diet while you just feel like a sluggish zombie? Or why coffee gives you jitters but your sister can drink four cups and nap an hour later? That’s your DNA doing its thing.

How Does Nutrigenomics Work?

Our genes tell our bodies how to do everything, including how well you process and absorb specific nutrients like carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals, affecting your nutrient needs. It impacts production of sex hormones, reproduction and fertility and neurotransmitters, influencing thinking and emotional wellbeing. It regulates how well your cells can grow and repair, even how efficiently they produce energy, or how readily you store excess energy as fat.

Small variations in these genes, known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), can result in small but important differences in function. These SNPs don’t create ill-health in themselves, but in combination they can affect our energy, mental wellbeing, detoxification and more, impacting health and contributing to development of specific health conditions.

But every SNP has a solution, and SNPs can be adjusted and compensated for using nutrition and lifestyle interventions, such as supplementing a particular nutrient to speed up or slow down a pathway. SNPs aren’t your destiny, and they aren’t used to diagnose conditions, but are more about identifying potential risks and empowering you with knowledge that can be used in a beneficial way.

Why Does It Matter?

Because you're unique, and your diet should be too. We’ve all seen the endless stream of diets claiming to be the “one-size-fits-all” solution - low carb, low fat, keto, paleo, vegan and more. But the truth is, your body is unique, and what works for someone else may not work for you.

This isn’t about fad diets or cutting out everything you love; it’s about using your genetic blueprint to make better choices. Think of it as upgrading from generic advice to a personalised game plan for your body, enabling you to focus on the things that will make the biggest difference to you, rather than trying to do everything perfectly (which let’s be honest, is impossible!)

Nutrigenomics helps take the guesswork out of health decisions by giving you insight into your genetic predispositions, such as:

• How well you process carbs, fats, and protein

• If you're more likely to be low on vitamins like B12 or vitamin D

• Whether caffeine, gluten, or dairy might not be your friends

• What kind of workouts are best for you

• If you're more at risk of inflammation, weight gain or certain chronic conditions such as heart disease or diabetes.

Pretty cool right? Armed with this information, you can make smarter choices that align with your biology, whether your goal is to boost energy, manage weight, improve digestion or support healthy ageing.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Nutrigenomics?

Personalised Nutrition Plans

Say goodbye to generic diets and the one-size-fits-all advice. Eat in a way that actually suits your body.

Reducing the Risk of Chronic Disease

By understanding genetic risk factors for conditions like heart disease, diabetes or inflammation, you can take preventive steps, through diet and lifestyle, to lower your risk and protect your long-term health.

Enhanced Nutrient Absorption

Nutrigenomics can highlight deficiencies or inefficiencies in nutrient absorption and metabolism, allowing for targeted supplementation or food choices to optimise health. Genes can influence how efficiently your body absorbs key nutrients like vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins, all essential for bone health, energy and mood.

Increased Energy and Focus 

When you fuel your body according to its genetic needs, you’re more likely to avoid afternoon energy slumps, brain fog and sluggishness caused by poor nutrient processing.

Easier Weight Management

Genetics can influence appetite regulation, fat storage and metabolism. Some people gain weight more easily on high-carb diets, while others thrive on them. Nutrigenomics helps tailor your diet to support sustainable weight loss or maintenance, based on your unique genetic profile.

Better Fitness Results

Athletes can benefit from insights into how their bodies respond to different types of fuel, recovery protocols, and hydration strategies—allowing for peak performance based on genetic traits.

The Bottom Line

Nutrigenomics is more than a wellness trend, it’s the future of personalised health. By understanding your body from the inside out, you can make informed decisions that work with your biology, not against it. When it comes to your health, there’s no one-size-fits-all. There’s only what’s right for you.

Curious what your DNA has to say about your nutrition and health? Learn more about my nutrigenomics testing packages here.