Nutrigenomics in the prevention of cardiovascular disease

Title : Nutrigenomics in the prevention of cardiovascular disease

Abstract:

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death globally, with its pathogenesis intricately linked to metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity. Emerging evidence from the field of nutrigenomics—the study of gene–nutrient interactions—reveals that personalized dietary strategies based on genetic profiles may improve cardiometabolic risk management and disease prevention. This review explores how dietary components influence gene expression involved in lipid metabolism, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity through transcriptional regulation, epigenetic modifications, and microRNA pathways. Key gene candidates such as APOE, CETP, and LPL play pivotal roles in lipid transport and atherogenesis and exhibit significant modulation by nutrients like saturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, and plant sterols. For instance, individuals with the APOE ε4 allele show elevated LDL-C levels but respond favourably to diets low in saturated fat. Nutrigenomic insights also intersect with T2D and obesity, where genes such as FTO and TCF7L2 are influenced by fibre intake, fatty acid profiles, and overall macronutrient balance—factors that cumulatively affect CVD risk. Furthermore, early-life nutritional exposures and gut microbiota alterations can induce lasting epigenetic changes with cardiovascular consequences. Despite its promise, clinical implementation of nutrigenomics faces challenges related to data interpretation, population variability, and ethical concerns. However, with the integration of multi-omics data and AI-driven analytics, precision nutrition could become a transformative tool in cardiovascular disease prevention.

Biography:

Pratibha Gupta, Ph.D., is a research associate professor of food, nutrition, and health and Extension specialist for Family and Consumer Science at Central State University. She is an editorial member for the National Consortium for Building Healthy Academic Communities and the Journal of Current Trends in Nutrition. She is also on the five-member Board of Directors of the Food Distribution Research Society. Gupta recently responded to a list of questions by Cyril Ibe on her $600,000, USDA-funded research titled, “Nutrition Education and Outreach Program to Address and Prevent Obesity in Minority Communities: Application of Nutrigenomics.” The following has been lightly edited for clarity. Gupta is the principal investigator (PI) for the study, which involves Central State in partnership with Kentucky State University, Lincoln University, and the University of Toledo.