Scylex Lab
02-Jun-2025
Personalized Nutrition for Inflammation: Unlocking the Power of Nutrigenomics
Chronic inflammation is a driving force behind many common health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Diet, sleep, and physical activity are lifestyle factors that play a pivotal role in modulating inflammation. Genes also influence our inflammatory responses, and emerging research in this area is providing further insight into how nutrigenomics may play a role in understanding and reducing chronic inflammation.
Inflammation and Diet
Inflammation is the body’s natural immune response to injuries, infections, or other harmful stimuli. Acute inflammation typically lasts only a few days to a few weeks. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is more persistent, lasting months to years. When left unregulated, it can damage tissues and contribute to disease progression. In addition to cardiovascular disease and diabetes, chronic inflammation is linked to a wide range of conditions, including autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and even neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s.
Diet is one of the most modifiable influencers of inflammation, with certain nutrients playing critical roles in either promoting or resolving it. The commonly recommended anti-inflammatory diet is rich in whole foods, fiber, and healthy fats. However, genetic differences can alter how individuals respond to some of these pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory nutrients. Knowing these genetic differences may also help to determine individual needs for nutrient supplementation.
Gene-Nutrient Interactions in Inflammation
IL6 (Interleukin-6) is a key cytokine in the inflammatory response. Individuals with certain IL6 variants may experience heightened inflammatory responses when consuming a high omega-6 to omega-3 ratio diet. Interventions such as increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to downregulate IL6 expression, especially when EPA and DHA are consumed regularly.
NFKB (Nuclear Factor Kappa B) is a central regulator of inflammation as it controls the transcription of pro-inflammatory genes. Individuals with variants in genes that regulate NFKB may be more prone to chronic inflammation or have reduced immune regulation.
Targeted nutrition strategies, such as increasing intake of curcumin, resveratrol, and omega-3 fatty acids may help support these individuals. These nutrients have been shown to influence NF-κB activity, helping to reduce oxidative stress and calm the body’s inflammatory response.
VDR (Vitamin D Receptor). Vitamin D’s anti-inflammatory effects are mediated in part through the VDR gene. Polymorphisms in VDR can affect the receptor’s activity, influencing how effectively vitamin D suppresses inflammation. Ensuring optimal vitamin D levels through diet, supplementation, and sun exposure may be particularly crucial for those with less responsive VDR variants.
FADS1/2 (Fatty Acid Desaturase 1 and 2): These genes are responsible for converting short-chain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids into their long-chain, bioactive forms. Variants in FADS1/2 can impair this conversion, reducing the availability of anti-inflammatory EPA and DHA. Individuals with reduced desaturase activity may benefit from direct sources of long-chain omega-3s, such as fatty fish or fish oil supplements for their anti-inflammatory benefits.
Zinc Transporter-8 Gene: Individuals with variants in this gene, paired with low zinc levels, had a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. This variant affects zinc transport and may impair insulin signaling, contributing to chronic low-grade inflammation. The study suggests that maintaining adequate zinc levels could help reduce inflammation and metabolic risk in individuals with this genetic variant.
Summary
Chronic inflammation underlies many prevalent health conditions. While modifiable lifestyle factors such as diet, sleep, and physical activity play critical roles in modulating inflammation, emerging evidence highlights the importance of genetic variation in shaping individual inflammatory responses.
As nutrigenomics research advances, healthcare professionals have the opportunity to integrate genetic insights into clinical practice. Personalized nutrition strategies, such as targeted supplementation, therapeutic food choices, and lifestyle modifications, can enhance outcomes by aligning interventions with each patient’s genetic predisposition.
Understanding the intersection of genetics, nutrition, and inflammation enables clinicians to move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches and develop more precise, effective care plans that address underlying drivers of inflammation and support long-term health.
Integrating nutrigenomic testing into your practice can help you harness the full potential of personalized nutrition in managing inflammation and chronic disease risk. Scylex Labs offers comprehensive panels that reveal key genetic insights to guide individualized dietary and supplement recommendations.
Written By:
Vanessa Imus, MS, RDN,
Owner of Integrated Nutrition for Weight Loss
