Articles
Healthy Diet = Healthy DNA
It has long been known that a healthy diet and lifestyle can reduce the risk of developing disease, reduce the risk of cancer, slow ageing and increase longevity. Now genetic science is backing up this good advice. Geneticists believe that damage to an individual’s DNA is ultimately what leads to rapid ageing and an increased risk of disease, and that this DNA damage is largely caused by what we eat.
Of course there are many environmental factors at play when it comes to DNA damage, many of which are out of our control, but recent evidence indicates that our individual diet and lifestyle choices are taking a huge toll on the health of our DNA and its ability to repair itself. Exciting new research may potentially give us the opportunity to look at an individual’s DNA, assess the damage and develop specific ways in which the individual can slow degeneration or enhance the DNA repair pathways.
Research is investigating a number of biomarkers that are a measure of DNA damage. Scientists will be able to look at an individual’s specific biomarker and assess the risk of a particular outcome based on that biomarker.
Research highlights four main diet and lifestyle factors contributing to DNA damage including hours of sleep, amount of exercise, hours worked and diet. Population recommendations to reduce DNA damage are to aim for 7 hours sleep daily, exercise at least twice per week, working less than 9hrs per day and enjoying a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and wholegrain cereal, with a moderate lean protein intake. The research also indicated that smoking, alcohol and high stress levels will negatively affect DNA damage. Individual nutrients have also been shown to decrease DNA damage or enhance DNA repair and include vitamin C, E, B12, A, D and K, selenium, magnesium, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids. Research into optimal intake levels is important, as excessive intakes may actually enhance DNA damage.
This is where individual genetic testing becomes even more valuable. Broad advice regarding sleep, exercise and a healthy diet is certainly beneficial, but imagine if we had the opportunity to give individuals diet and lifestyle advice based on their personal biomarkers, DNA damage and genetic makeup. Optimal level of intakes for specific vitamins and minerals differ by age and a person’s genetics. Some individuals may require more than we currently recommend on a population level and by increasing intake of specific nutrients an individual could decrease risk of a particular negative outcome.
More research is certainly needed before we can give such personalised advice but it is exciting to think that changes to diet and lifestyle choices may keep us healthier and living longer in the future. Just rest assured for now that the preliminary DNA research is backing up our current advice regarding a healthy diet and exercise to reduce chronic disease risk and improve overall health and longevity.
Added to site on : Monday, 28 October 2013