Role of nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics in shaping personalized nutrition

Abstract

The rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders and certain cancers has been strongly linked to unhealthy dietary patterns and sedentary lifestyles. Although population-based dietary guidelines have been developed to reduce disease risk, their effectiveness is often limited by substantial inter-individual variability in metabolic responses to foods and nutrients. This limitation has driven growing interest in personalized nutrition, an emerging approach that tailors dietary recommendations by integrating individual-specific genetic, metabolic, behavioral and environmental information. Central to personalized nutrition are the fields of nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics, which investigate how nutrients modulate gene expression and how genetic variations influence individual responses to dietary components, respectively. This review summarizes current evidence on the role of nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics in shaping personalized dietary interventions, with particular emphasis on nutrient-gene interactions involved in metabolic pathways related to inflammation, glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism. The relevance of these interactions in major chronic conditions, especially obesity and diabetes, is discussed, highlighting population-specific genetic variations and emerging insights from machine learning-based analyses. In addition, the review outlines key components and technological tools that support personalized nutrition. The potential benefits of personalized nutrition include improved dietary adherence, enhanced patient engagement, optimized nutrient intake, and more effective prevention and management of chronic diseases. Overall, personalized nutrition represents a promising advancement in precision health, with the potential to transform dietary guidance and support sustainable chronic disease prevention and management.