Science Tackles Weight and Obesity

Wellness and weight management based on your genes.

Losing weight is more personal than you think

Each of us has a unique body chemistry and genetic make-up which determines how our body responds to
food and exercise. Yet despite the role of genetics in the development of obesity, most weight-management programmes have until now focused exclusively on dietary restriction and increased physical activity - or eating less and moving more.

While the necessity for exercise and good nutrition is understood, we are now

able to design personalised exercise and nutrition programmes for each individual based on their genetic profile. Nutrigenomics is the emerging science of personalised, gene-smart nutrition that studies the interaction between genes, diet and lifestyle factors. Understanding your own genes gives you the power to maximise weight loss and optimise your health by adjusting your diet and lifestyle to your own unique set of genes. One-size-fits-all is out; personalised nutrition is in. Weight loss today is all about designing lifestyle habits that are optimal for your unique genetic make-up.

SA scientists lead the way

South African biotechnology leaders have developed a range of non-invasive DNA tests that identify specific genes linked to optimum health, weight-loss and weight management. The tests provide the opportunity to personalise diet and exercise interventions, and recommend nutritional supplementation according to an individual's unique genetic profile.

Dr Daniel Meyersfeld says, "Over the past few years our research team has identified key genes linked to optimal health, weight loss and weight-loss resistance. We can now deliver the benefits of nutritional genomics to the public at an affordable price, which will change weight-loss and wellness strategies forever. The benefits will be especially significant in people who have had difficulty losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight in the past, or who are predisposed to certain lifestyle diseases such as high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes."

DNA Diet

DNA Diet is designed to assist practitioners and individuals to optimise weight loss and weight management by guiding the planning of diet and exercise programmes based on genetic differences in metabolism, lipolysis and fat absorption. DNA Diet provides information on:

• individual diet and exercise responsiveness;
• optimal macronutrient distribution for effective weight loss;
• weight-loss resistance and/or weight gain after weight loss;
• optimal exercise type and intensity for weight loss;
• optimal exercise type to reach performance potential

DNA Health

DNA Health is concerned with optimising energy, wellbeing and health by making better lifestyle and diet choices, and using specific supplements to offset a particular nutritional deficit or genetic shortcoming. The DNA Health approach establishes the optimal nutrition necessary for good health, energy, longevity and risk mitigation. DNA Health tests for 20 genes involved in the following biological processes:

• cholesterol regulation
• bone health
• vitamin B metabolism
• inflammation
• detoxification
• antioxidant status
• insulin sensitivity

Availability

These services will be available in South Africa from March 2010 through registered dietitians and nutritionists, and accredited health and fitness professionals, such as Physicorp.

(Information Provided by Dr Daniel Meyerfeld of DNAlysis)

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