Ever wondered what makes you look like your parents, siblings and makes you behave like them? The answer lies in the fact that every human body has a unique set of inherited chemical makeup known as DNA that affects how our body looks and functions.
These inherited genes also influence a person’s chances of weight gain and often, lead them to becoming obese. This is due to the various roles played by genes in energy homeostasis, with a tendency of fat storage and absorption, body’s response to physical activity etc. Studies show that obesity might run in families and a genetic inheritance influences a person’s chance of becoming fat, more than any other factor.
Within families, there is about 80 per cent chance that if both parents are obese and 50 per cent chance if one parent is obese, the child will be prone to obesity.
However, even slim parents can have obese children or vice-versa. This is due to the mutation in the gene coding of the adipose (fat) tissue which is involved in lipogenesis, lipolysis (fat breakdown in the body) and thermogenesis (burning calories to produce heat), and gets altered in a way that increases the risk of obesity.
Earlier DNA testing was done for very technical and research purposes but it has been seen that it could be used by people in their everyday life to control their weight and help avoid diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis.
Fortunately, the different genes that are linked to an effect on energy utilisation, Insulin hormone secretion, fat absorption and storage in the body, carbohydrate metabolism, and the significance of physical activity in weight loss, etc. have been identified. Every human being has a unique genetic constitution and variation/mutations, because of which a particular diet or physical activity may not help them lose weight! For instance, a general recommendation suggesting aerobic exercise in combination with a certain diet to facilitate weight loss, may not work. The constituent genes of your DNA decide exactly what type of physical activity suits you the best.
Due to this reason, general guidelines for a healthy existence are not uniformly appropriate for everybody. Personalised lifestyle and behaviour recommendations based on an individual’s DNA profile can vary significantly from the conventional dietary recommendations for people of the same age and gender. Thus, the very definition of a balanced diet is different for every individual.
By knowing how much quantity of carbohydrate, proteins, fats you should eat for your body type, you can provide it with exactly what it requires! A DNA-based diet is not a fad. It is intended to create personalized weight loss plans and is unlike general ‘fad’ diets that have been criticized by experts.
The idea that a genetic nutritional analysis can unlock the secret to how an individual behaves towards certain nutrients and activities and using that knowledge for weight loss is an interesting concept, if something is right for your body, it will be easier to stick to, and has a greater chance of keeping the weight off for a healthier living.
Keeping this in mind, VLCC has launched DNA FITTM, a DNA-based weight management program, which offers individualised solutions keeping a particular person in mind.
Vandana Luthra Founder of VLCC