Panel discusses effect of individualized diets on chronic disease risk

[Guest guest]

Panel discusses effect of individualized diets on chronic disease risk

05 Apr 2005 Medical News Today

Today at the 2005 Experimental Biology Conference, the Dairy Council

of California sponsored a thought-provoking symposium

titled " Individualized nutrition as a tool to prevent and treat

chronic disease. " During the symposium attended by over 250 people,

researchers, health professionals, nutritional scientists, and a

panel of experts discussed how the progression from broad, population-

based guidelines to more finely-tuned dietary recommendations and

specific food choices will ultimately result in an improvement in

health and chronic disease prevention across the population.

Dr. Johanna Dwyer, National Institutes of Health, commenced the

symposium by providing an overview of the past, present and future of

individualized dietary recommendations. Specifically she noted that

the interest in optimizing health is high and that more sophisticated

consumers will expect and demand more tailored food choices. This

presents a great opportunity for the nutrition community; however,

she cautioned that if the nutrition community does not move on this

topic others will in a less scientific and credible fashion.

She also noted that the individualization movement has been driven by

consumer demand, individual preferences, the need for personal

ownership of health, readiness for change, reducing chronic disease

and optimizing health.

In his presentation, symposium speaker Dr. Bruce German, University

of California , reminded the audience, " … it is possible and

necessary to apply our emerging understanding of an individual's

health status to individualize their diet and match specific foods

and their components to health needs. " He discussed the need for a

new definition of health that encompasses not just freedom from

disease but protection from pathogens, prevention of chronic disease,

attaining optimal metabolism and improving performance.

German added that technology is one factor driving the movement

towards increased individualization, and ultimately will enable the

application of it. " Technology will play a vital role in the

increasing demand toward individualized dietary recommendations, "

said German. " Consumers at an increasing rate are purchasing products

that they believe will best meet their individual nutritional needs

and technology will lead the way in determining what those needs

are. "

Although there are some basic nutritional guidelines that people

should follow, one population-based diet will not work for everyone

according to Dr. Ron Krauss, Children's Hospital Center. During his

presentation he elaborated on this point, showing lipid research

which has identified types of diets that work for different genotypes

of people. For example, in some individuals a low-fat diet can

actually be harmful to heart health.

Dr. Myles Faith from the University of Pennsylvania concluded the

symposium by discussing the need for a behavior change approach in

helping people understand and apply an individualized tactic to

obesity prevention and treatment. Using an individualized approach to

prevent and treat obesity can be practiced in many arenas beyond the

traditional one-on-one counseling. These arenas include public

health, policy, research, HMOs and other large agencies and education

organizations. Optimal results will be obtained if efforts are

coordinated across all arenas.

Following the four presentations, the audience had an opportunity to

ask the panel members questions and participate in lively discussion

about individualization and issues surrounding implementation.

Dairy Council of California has been providing nutrition information

and education programs for 85 years. Available in both Spanish and

English, Dairy Council's programs encourage healthy choices from all

food groups and daily physical activity. For more information, visit

http://dairycouncilofca.org, or www.mealsmatter.org for meal planning

and recipe information.