Video: Treating Genetic Flaws with Vitamins-A UC Berkeley Study

What perfect timing! UC Berkeley just released the findings of a huge study that found that by looking at the genetic weaknesses of an individual, we can begin to specifically formulate vitamins to prevent illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity and many others. Hmmm, sounds like just what GeneWize is doing!




In addition, the San Francisco Chronicle has also written up and interesting article, a bit more in-depth, on the findings of the study. Here are some high-lights:

- People commonly take vitamins in the hope of filling gaps in their diet or improving their daily health, but UC's Marini pointed out that most of the recommended daily allowances established for supplements are derived from nutrition studies conducted in the 1940s. "They are based on the assumption that, biochemically, we are all the same," he said.

In fact, studies like this one are affirming that a wide variety of genetic mutations occur among humans. Every person is likely to have a mix of defective genes, and many of the less apparent, minor variants might have a cumulative negative effect on health.

-The Berkeley team noted that humans produce about 600 different enzymes that need vitamins and minerals to carry out their work. They estimate that each person can carry five different defective enzyme genes that are repairable with a higher dose of the related vitamin.

- If the suppositions of the researchers are correct, every person is likely to carry a handful of genetic defects that can be remedied by higher consumption of specific vitamins. One strategy, long used by consumers, is simply to down high doses of all vitamins. Rine believes that it simply makes more sense to match vitamin consumption to each individual's genetically determined vitamin requirements. It avoids waste of vitamins and potential health problems caused by toxic levels of some supplements.

Science blog I09 also has an in-depth overview of the story, and some interesting comments from their users.