Question 2
Question 2
A client doesn’t understand why her friend can eat fast food on a daily basis, and be the picture of health, while she on the other hand, eats sensibly and exercises daily, but continues to struggle with heart disease.
Using the ideas behind nutritional genomics, provide her with an explanation of why this occurs.
posted by Carrie Smith @ 3:04 PM
14 comments
14 Comments:
I would explain to the client that everyone’s body is different and responds differently to the food that they may or may not consume. I would explain that with nutrigenomics, nutrition recommendations are very personal and may differ from person to person, based on their genetic make-up. Research is also shows that physical activity can also alter molecular pathways involved in health and disease. I would ask her if she exercises on a daily basis. I would ask her about her diet and any other concerns that she is having. I would tell her not to focus on her friend, but to focus on improving her own health.
This is actually a common question asked by a lot of people. My answer to this client, knowing what we know about genomics, would be that there are diferences in our individual genomes. There are distinct mutations, deletions, and additions in certain genes that can lead to the absence or dysfunction of the proteins derived from them. This would explain why her friend can eat differently than her and not struggle with heart disease. This client would just need to be extra careful in what she eats and make sure she is exercising sufficiently.
Sam,
You made a good point about telling the client that she shouldn't focus on her friend but rather on improving her own health. I think a lot of times, people compare themselves to others and want to know why what there doing isn't working for them. Like you mentioned, everyone is different and should focus on different things to accomplish their goals.
First off I would want to reassure my client that just because her friend my look like the picture of health, her arteries may tell a different story. I would then go on to tell the client that we are all different and our metabolisms are very different. She maybe also be older than her friend in which case her metabolism could have slowed down. But I would want to reassure her that studies have shown that people that are active and still on the heavy side have better health outcomes than people who don't exercise at all.
Sam,
I like the idea of taking her focus off of her friend and putting it on her health. So many times people get caught up in comparing themselves to others that they forget that we are all different literally all the way down to our genes.
Like Meredith, I too have heard many individuals discuss this topic. Using the concepts of nutritional genomics, we know that each individual's genetic makeup is different from the next person's, and as a result the food we eat affects our bodies differently. Our genes affect the way we absorb, metabolize, and utilize food and nutrients. So, I would discuss with the client the fact that her genes may be playing a role in how her body is responding to fats and cholesterol she eats, and this may be why she is struggling with heart disease. Physical activity is also important to think about. I would recommend that this client exercise at least 5 days per week and eat a balanced diet that is lower in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
Based on our genetic code, our bodies handle nutrients differently. We may also be more "prone" to certain responses, including disease states. I would also point out that her friend's habits may catch up with her eventually, and we typically feel better overall if we eat a healthful, balanced diet.
Mere,
That is a GREAT explanation, but I think it might frighten/confuse some patients/clients. "Deletions in my genome! Aaah!". Have you actually used that wording in response to that question?
Emily
I would explain to the client that some people's family history puts them at greater risk for some diseases, like heart disease. Using the ideas behind nutritional genomics, I would also tell them that though we all have the same basic genetic information certain people's genes have mutated to make expression or suppression of certain traits more or less likely. And that it's possible her genes, passed on to them by their parents, are more likely to express in a way that leads to heart disease. I would then tell them the things they can do with their diet (which affect gene's being active or inactive) that can make it less likely the genes that are predisposed to heart disease won't activate or turn on. Like a lower fat diet, a diet higher in fiber, and getting regular exercise.
Nutritional genomics could be uses as a model to explain why some individuals will struggle all their lives preventing heart disease while other seem to be able to eat bacon and eggs everyday and never face this problem. Everyone has genetic mutations that cause our bodies to react differently to food in our diet. Take for example, there a teacher in the KNR department that exercise intensely, eats a healthy diet, but still her cholesterol level is over 200. For her it is her genetics that cause her body to have elevated cholesterol levels even though she is doing everything right. This is an extreme example and most people can control most of the risk factors that cause heart disease, but this just shows that some may have a harder time than others.
Unfortunately/Fortunately not everyone's body is made the same. Whereas some people may be able to tolerate fast foods on a regular basis others may not. However just because it is not in her gene make-up does not mean she can develope some clogged arteries if she continues on with this lifestyle. I would want our client to be reassured in the fact that at least she knows her own limitations and she is doing the right thing by watching her diet and exercising. Two things that are beneficial not matter what a person's health state is.
Susan
Tori,
I like the way you focus on the positive aspects and point out that we are made up differently. I agree her friends lifestyle may catch up with her and she is doing the best for herself.
Susan
Basically...everyone is different. The friend may appear to be healthy with regards to exterior characteristics such as being thin. However, if the person who eats fast food all of the time does not exercise or consume an otherwise well rounded diet, then she may be at higher risk secondary to her possible increased saturated fat intake. In addition, each person's heredity effects their predisposition to heart disease.
Emily & Tori, I agree with each of you. Each person is different and because they look healthy on the outside doesn't necessarily mean they are healthy on the inside. Also, one must remember that habits across the lifespan effect health outcomes later in life.
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