1. Genetic Testing for Personalized Nutrition

2. Overview The Science of Nutrigenomics About Nutrigenomix®
How Nutrigenomix® Works
The Genetic Test Results Report

3. The Science of Nutrigenomics
Genes encode proteins, which have many functions
Some proteins interact with dietary components
Genes are composed of sequences of nucleotides (A, C, G and T)
Differences in nucleotides within a gene produce genetic variants
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism = “SNP”
Example: a “C” replacing an “A”
Insertion/deletion = deleted segments ( “del”) or additional inserted segments ( “ins”)
We inherit two copies of most genes, one from each parent
Each gene has two different forms (e.g. A and C, or ins and del)
Three possible variants (or “genotypes”):
Example: AA, CA, or CC

4. The Science of Nutrigenomics
Health
Outcome
Nutrition
Genes
Genotype A
Genotype C
Genotype B
Increase
Decrease
No Effect

6. About Nutrigenomix® Test developed for exclusive use by dietitians
Why only dietitians?
Most qualified experts to offer nutritional advice
Best at providing personalized nutrition plans
Not considered a controlled act
No referral required

7. About Nutrigenomix® University of Toronto start-up company
Launched in Canada, June 2012
Available in >300 clinics
8 languages in 15 countries
Panel of 7 genetic tests

9. Nutrigenomix® Launch Dietitians of Canada Conference
Toronto, June 2012
International Congress of Dietetics
Sydney, Sept. 2012
Food & Nutrition Conference and Expo (USA)
Philadelphia, Oct 2012

12. Science behind Nutrigenomix®
Nutrigenomix is based on studies published in:
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Archives of Internal Medicine
Atherosclerosis
Genes and Nutrition
Journal of Hypertension
Journal of the American Medical Association
Journal of Nutrition
Backed by an expert Science Advisory Board

13. DNA-based dietary advice resulted in:
greater understanding of recommendations
greater interest in learning more
greater motivation to change eating habits
improved dietary outcomes (to be published)

14. International Science Advisory Board
Ahmed El-Sohemy, PhD (Chair)
Canada Research Chair in Nutrigenomics
University of Toronto
David Jenkins, MD, PhD
Canada Research Chair in Nutrition
and Metabolism
University of Toronto
David Castle, PhD
Chair of Innovation in the Life Sciences
University of Edinburgh
Ben van Ommen, PhD
Director of the Nutrigenomics Organisation
TNO Quality of Life
Lynnette R Ferguson, D.Phil., DSc
Program Leader of Nutrigenomics
New Zealand
University of Auckland
Bénédicte Fontaine-Bisson, RD, PhD
Assistant Professor in Nutrition Sciences
University of Ottawa
J. Bruce German, PhD
Director of Foods for Health Institute
University of California, Davis
Jose Ordovas, PhD
Director of Nutritional Genomics
Tufts University

15. How Nutrigenomix® Works
Test performed with dietitian
Test sent to lab
Results uploaded
Report generated
Results interpreted by dietitian
Five-Step Process

16. How Nutrigenomix® Works
1. Test performed with dietitian – saliva sample provided
Saliva collected into vial:
Quick, non-invasive procedure

17. How Nutrigenomix® Works
2. Saliva sample sent to lab for genetic analysis

18. How Nutrigenomix® Works
3. Results uploaded to secure server

19. How Nutrigenomix® Works
4. Personalized report generated and sent to dietitian

20. How Nutrigenomix® Works
5. Meet with dietitian to discuss results and develop personalized nutritional plan based on genotype

21. The Genetic Test Results Report
Test panel consists of seven genetic tests:

22. Sample Report

23. Vitamin C
Low levels of vitamin C linked to increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer
Some utilize vitamin C more efficiently than others
Dependent on a variant of the GSTT1 gene
Results: Based on individual’s genotype for GSTT1, recommend target vitamin C intake
Cahill et al. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2009;90:

24. Frequency of serum ascorbic acid deficiency by GSTT1 genotype and vitamin C adequacy.
* Relative risk of deficiency for those with the “deletion” (Del) variant who do not meet the RDA for vitamin C compared to those who meet the RDA
Cahill et al. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2009;90:

25. Sample Results

26. Sample Results

27. Folate Low folate linked to increased risk of heart disease
Some utilize folate more efficiently than others
Dependent on a variant of the MTHFR gene
Results: Based on individual’s genotype for MTHFR, recommend target folate intake
Guinotte et al. J. Nutr. 2003;133:

28. Frequency (%) of subjects who had low serum folate after repletion with 400 mcg/day of daily folate equivalents, by MTHFR genotype
* Relative risk of low serum folate for those with the risk variant (CT or TT genotype) compared to those with the CC genotype.
Guinotte et al. J. Nutr. 2003;133:

29. Sample Results

30. Sample Results

31. Whole Grains
Whole grains may help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
Some benefit from increasing whole grain consumption more than others
Dependent on a variant of the TCF7L2 gene
Results: Based on individual’s genotype for TCF7L2, recommend target whole grain intake
Cornelis et al. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2009;89:

32. Risk of diabetes based on TCF7L2 genotype and glycemic load (GL) of the diet.
* Percent risk calculated from odds ratios for GT or TT group compared to GG group when the glycemic load of the diet is high.
Cornelis et al. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2009;89:

33. Sample Results

34. Sample Results

35. Omega-3 Fat
Omega-3 fats may help reduce risk of heart disease by lowering triglyceride levels
Omega-3 fats help reduce triglycerides in some people, while others see little benefit
Dependent on a variant of the NOS3 gene
Results: Based on individual’s genotype for NOS3, recommend target omega-3 fat intake
Ferguson et al. Atherosclerosis. 2010;211:

36. Circulating levels of triglycerides based on circulating levels of omega-3 fats (low vs. high) and NOS3 genotype
* Subjects with the GT or TT genotype who had low circulating omega-3 fats (≤3.68% of total lipids as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) had a 25% greater circulating triglyceride level than those with high circulating omega-3 fats (>3.68% of total lipids as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids).
Ferguson et al. Atherosclerosis. 2010;211:

37. Sample Results

38. Sample Results

39. Saturated Fat
Saturated fat is associated with heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity
Some people are more prone to obesity when consuming a diet high in saturated fat
Dependent on a variant of the APOA2 gene
Results: Based on individual’s genotype for APOA2, recommend target saturated fat intake
Corella et al. Arch. Intern. Med. 2009;169(20):

40. Combined data showing overall frequency of prevalent obesity by APOA2 genotype and saturated fat intake
* Relative risk of obesity for those with the CC variant who consume <22 grams saturated fat/day compared to those who consume ≥22 grams of saturated fat/day.
Corella et al. Arch. Intern. Med. 2009;169(20):

41. Sample Results

42. Sample Results

43. Sodium Sodium intake is linked to blood pressure
Some have a greater increase in blood pressure than others in response to excess sodium intake
Dependent on a variant of the ACE gene
Results: Based on individual’s genotype for ACE, recommend target sodium intake
Poch et al. Hypertension. 2001;38:

44. Prevalence of salt-sensitive hypertension by ACE genotype
* Relative risk of salt-sensitive hypertension with the GA or AA genotype compared to the GG genotype.
Poch et al. Hypertension. 2001;38:

45. Sample Results

46. Sample Results

47. Caffeine Caffeinated coffee can influence heart health
Some people have increased risk of high blood pressure and heart attack if they consume ≥2 cups/d of coffee, while others do not have this risk
Dependent on a variant of the CYP1A2 gene
Results: Based on individual’s genotype for CYP1A2, recommend target caffeine intake
 Cornelis et al. JAMA. 2006;295:

48. Risk of myocardial infarction (MI) associated with coffee consumption by CYP1A2 genotype
* Significantly increased risk of MI compared to <1 cup/day.
1,2 Risk = relative risk of MI for subjects with the GA and AA genotype who consume (1) ≥4 cups of coffee/day or (2) 2-3 cups of coffee/day compared to those consuming <1 cup of coffee/day.
 Cornelis et al. JAMA. 2006;295:

49. Sample Results

50. Sample Results

51. Learn more about Nutrigenomix:
Website:
Or Contact:
Lisa Cianfrini, MSc, RD (click below to watch video)
Manager, Dietitian Services
Nutrigenomix Inc.

52. Starter Package for Dietitians
Register at
College registration number must be provided