One size fits all nutritional advice is commonplace. Recommendations as to the amount of particular foods we require to obtain certain health outcomes is the norm. Individual biochemistry is nearly never taken into account when making these recommendations. Although government recommendations for vitamin and minerals do take account of the variance in a random biological population, and the RDA’s and other recommended levels consider the amount of a particular vitamin and mineral that will satisfy the needs of most of the population, they are not optimal recommendations. This comes down to practicality and the ease with which generalities can be made. The differing requirements for nutrients in animals and plants has been understood for a long time, but more recently evidence is showing that the magnitude of this variance may have been much greater than previously considered. This biochemical individuality may have serious implications for the maintenance of health if not accounted for.
Studies that have measured plasma levels of nutrients and then made associations to gene loci have demonstrated that many polymorphisms exist that affect nutrient metabolism. For example, one group of researchers investigated genetic variation with plasma levels of the carotenoid lycopene1. Lycopene is a common dietary carotenoid because it is present in tomatoes, and evidence suggests high plasma levels may be protective of disease. Associations were found between plasma lycopene concentrations and the gene for a particular cholesterol scavenger receptor (scavenger receptor class B member 1; SCARB1). Each additional guanine containing allele variant (guanine polymorphism) resulted in a 12 % decrease in lycopene concentration for African Americans, a 20 % decrease for Hispanic Americans and a 9 % decrease for European Americans. Another 2 gene regions were also found to influence lycopene concentrations in the plasma, but only in African Americans.
Dr Robert Barrington’s Nutritional Comments: Biochemical individuality is an important consideration in any nutritional plan. In this case those with a particular polymorphism in a gene would require higher intakes of lycopene to maintain their plasma levels at the same concentration as those with a different polymorphism. How would such an individual know that this was the case? Without blood tests it is impossible to know the intricate biochemistry of the blood. This is why recommendations for nutrition should always be modified by the individual to create a unique nutritional intake. It is possible through trial and errors to make adjustments to a basic high quality eating plan such that the health of the individual gradually improves. The feedback received from eating particular foods and how they make the individual feel are often more important than any research findings for this reason. Most people are aware intuitively of their requirements for nutrients and this should be used to guide their eating habits.
RdB
