Nutrigenomics and Malnutrition: Advances in Prevention and Therapeutic Strategies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v4i5.3246Keywords:
Nutrigenomics, Malnutrition, Gene-nutrient Interactions, Epigenetics, Precision nutrition, Micronutrient deficiency, Personalized dietary therapy, Gut microbiome, MTHFR, FADS1/FADS2, Undernutrition, Therapeutic strategies.Abstract
Malnutrition, in all of its forms, including undernutrition, micronutrient deficiency, and nutritional imbalance caused by obesity, is one of the world's most serious health issues. Even after many years of interventions by public health professionals, conventional dietary guidelines have not been very effective because they do not account for the vast differences in genetics and epigenetics that influence nutrient metabolism and responses in individuals. Nutrigenomics is an area of study that investigates the interactions between diet and genes, providing a completely different perspective on malnutrition. This narrative overview summarizes the molecular mechanisms by which nutrients regulate gene expression. How genetic polymorphisms influence food requirements and metabolism, and how epigenetic changes relate dietary intake to long-term phenotypic impacts. Nutrigenomics is specifically studied in regard to protein-energy malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies (iron, zinc, vitamin D, and folate), and the growing global prevalence of malnutrition-related metabolic disorders. The review also investigates how machine learning, multi-omics technologies, and gut microbiome-gene interactions have advanced precision feeding strategies. According to current research, single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes such as MTHFR, FADS1/FADS2, FTO, TCF7L2, VDR, and GC have a considerable impact on both the risk of malnutrition and the therapeutic efficiency of dietary therapy. Epigenetic programming provides actionable preventive targets during critical developmental windows, particularly via methyl-donor pathways. Personalized dietary recommendations, microbiome-integrated nutritional algorithms, and genotype-guided supplements are examples of translational techniques with high clinical potential. According to the article, the next logical step in combating malnutrition is to incorporate nutrigenomic ideas into global nutrition policy, clinical practice, and therapeutic design. This will necessitate interdisciplinary collaboration, equitable access to genomic tools, and robust ethical frameworks to ensure benefit for various groups.
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