Genetics predict iron and omega 3 supplement efficacy, suggest studies

26 Mar 2021 --- Genetic makeup may determine the effectiveness of dietary supplementation with ingredients like iron and omega 3, according to new studies. The findings add further evidence that personalization is essential in nutrition.

Research conducted at the University of Toronto, Canada, found a genetic variation that regulates iron metabolism could enhance athletes’ endurance performance. Previous studies have shown an association between the genetic variation and elite athletes across many sports.

Meanwhile, an investigation at the University of Georgia, US, found fish oil supplements can effectively combat cardiovascular disease (CVD) in consumers with a suitable genetic makeup. The study suggests that those without the correct gene types could raise their risk of CVD by continuing to take fish oil supplements.

Innova Market Insights highlighted the importance of personalization by naming “Tailored to Fit” a top trend to watch in 2021. The market researcher flags that technological advances are set to revolutionize the health market thanks to the new potential for bespoke foods, beverages and supplements.

Consuming omega 3 supplements without genetic testing could carry CVD risks.Iron in athletes 
The University of Toronto study was carried out by Ahmed El-Sohemy, a nutritional sciences professor and president in chief of Nutrigenomix, a company specializing in genetic testing for personalized nutrition. 

El-Sohemy and his colleagues studied a genetic variation found in the homeostatic iron regulator (HFE) gene, a known cause of hemochromatosis (iron overload). 

Athletes at risk for hemochromatosis but with iron stores below potentially toxic levels could have a competitive edge, the research finds, suggesting only those with low-risk genotypes could benefit from increasing their iron stores.

The study took 100 athletes from a variety of sports, tracking how quickly they cycled 10 km while measuring their aerobic capacity through VO2 peak, a measure of oxygen used during exercise.

The findings show those genetically at risk for iron overload performed 8 percent better than those with low risk, cycling 1.3 minutes faster on average. 

The findings also show athletes with a higher risk for iron overload had a 17 percent greater oxygen-carrying capacity, which could explain the improved cycling rate

Using genetic profiling could prove essential in sports nutrition.The higher-risk group of participants was small (11 males), but the findings are consistent with studies on iron in endurance performance, which show that iron facilitates oxygen transport and that athletes with levels on the higher end of normal can circulate oxygen in their muscles more efficiently.

“Genetic testing and supervision by a health-care professional to monitor iron status could be an effective way for athletes to optimize endurance performance,” El-Sohemy says.

The study is now published in Medicine & Science in Sport & Exercise. 

Fish oil and CVD 
The research at the University of Georgia, led by Dr. Kaixiong Ye and published in PLOS Genetics, looked at fish oil’s omega 3 fatty acids and their effects on triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood and a biomarker for CVD.

“We found that fish oil supplementation is not good for everyone; it depends on your genotype. If you have a specific genetic background, then fish oil supplementation will help lower your triglycerides. But if you do not have that right genotype, taking a fish oil supplement actually increases your triglycerides,” remarks Ye. 

The study authors examined four blood lipids: high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol and triglycerides. All are biomarkers of CVD. 

The data was drawn from 70,000 individuals in the UK Biobank, a large-scale cohort study collecting genetic and health information from half a million participants.

After running over 64 million tests, their results revealed a significant genetic variant at gene GJB2. Individuals with the AG genotype who took fish oil decreased their triglycerides. Individuals with the AA genotype who took fish oil slightly increased their triglycerides.

“Personalizing and optimizing fish oil supplementation recommendations based on a person’s unique genetic composition can improve our understanding of nutrition,” concludes Ye. 

Edited

By Louis Gore-Langton