Genomics In Nutrigenoma

There is no distinction between food and medicine, atleast not from the state where I come from which is Tamil Nadu in the South of India. In Tamil language “unave marundhu” (food is medicine) has been in vogue for centuries. Our food for long has been talking to our genes to switch on or off for the goodness of our health. Traditional wisdom has thus been instrumental in shaping how and what we eat. Ayurveda is thus one of the oldest Nutrigenomics science where there has been a good understanding of classifying humans based on “Doshas” to provide personalized care. Several Indian systems of medicine have carefully monitored the effects of the phytochemicals that go into food. These chemicals are not the traditional chemicals of calories like

Human genetic makeup varies highly with each individual and hence the assimilation and absorption of food and medicine. Human Genome Sequencing deciphered the presence hotspots in human genome called as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), a genetic variation between each individual/group of individuals which plays a vital role determining the individual's nutrient requirement, their vulnerability to diseases and responses to food and medicine. Nutrigenomics (diet to gene: influence of diet on gene) along with nutrigenetics (gene to diet: effect of genetic variation between individuals and varied responses to nutrient) applications changed the approach of 'food as medicine' into a more personalized one and has revolutionized the nutrition industry. Thus Nutrigenomics, which once was seen as a nutrient based solution for metabolically challenged population like phenylketoneurics and lactose intolerants - is perhaps the compelling tool for every individual of present and future generation to seek food specific to their genetic

Pitta recognized as fast metabolizers of food and drugs while vata and kapha are relatively slow and they show evidences of polymorphism in house-keeping genes like CYP2C19 (metabolism), HLA, TLR, FAS and other genes related to cancer like DPYD, ABCC1, FTL specific to each prakritis (Goldstein & de Morais, 1994)(Prasher et al., 2008)(Joshi, Ghodke, & Shintre, 2010). Women belonging to different groups exhibited a varied haemoglobin level, similarly men belonging to kapha showed more susceptibility to chronic disease than the other groups. Ayurveda, the most ancient tradition was developed with a vision to stay contemporary throughout generations and will continue to do so in future as