Sciona, Inc., a leader in the
science of nutrigenetics, announced the results of a pivotal study
published by Nutrition Journal, which demonstrates substantial advances in
long term weight management and blood glucose levels as a result of
personalizing patients’ diets based on their genetic information
(nutrigenetics). In the first study to demonstrate the efficacy of applying
nutrigenetics to long term weight management, researchers found significant
improvement in long term (more than 300 days) weight management for
individuals whose nutrient requirements were tailored to individual
variations in the genes known to affect nutrient metabolism and transport.
Each subject’s genetic profile was developed by the use of Sciona’s Mycellf
Kit.
The comprehensive 3 year study examined 93 individuals with a history
of weight loss failures. In an effort to answer whether the application of
genetic information could improve sustained weight management, one test
group was genetically screened for (24) separate variants in (19)
individual genes specifically know to be related to metabolism. A second
control group did not receive the genetic screening. The groups were
matched on characteristics such as age, gender, frequency of clinical
visits and Body Mass Index (BMI), during their initial clinical visit.
After monitoring patients between the fixed ranges of 100 – 300 days, the
BMI and the fasting blood glucose levels were compared and contrasted
within the test population.
Results conclusively showed that after 300 days, individuals in the
genetic testing group were more likely to have maintained weight reduction
and reduced glucose levels than those of the control group, which had not
been genetically screened. In the final analysis, 73% of those in the
nutrigenetic group maintained weight reduction compared to only 32% of
those in the control group. Among patients with a fasting blood glucose of
greater than 100 mg/dl, 57% of the nutrigenetic group, compared to only 25%
of the control group had levels reduced to less that 100 mg/dl after more
than 90 days of weight management therapy. These results reflected a return
to normal blood glucose levels from pre-diabetic levels in the nutrigenetic
group, based on a genetically tailored diet and exercise program.
Sciona’s Chief Science Officer, Dr. Rosalynn Gill stated, “We are
delighted with the results of this study given the global health problems
associated with clinical obesity and diabetes.” Dr. Gill went on to note
that according to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the total
cost of obesity, including those illnesses associated with obesity such as
type II diabetes, coronary heart disease, and hypertension in the year 2000
was approximately $117 billion dollars. Sciona’s CEO, Peter Vitulli,
stated, “Sciona’s Mycellf genetic testing kit allows an individual to learn
how to personalize their nutrition and lifestyle to match their genes,
which gives them a revolutionary gene-based road map to better health and a
longer life.” Study coordinator, Dr. Ioannis Arkadianos, stated, “The
results of this clinical study featuring the application of nutrigenetics
clearly demonstrates that using genetic information is critical in helping
people optimize their health. As a clinician, it is gratifying to be able
to apply the information regarding an individual’s inherited genetic code
to help us to understand how each person’s body works. We finally have the
tools that enable health care professionals such as myself to determine
which nutrition and exercise protocols will get results and what
nutrigenetic interventions will promote longevity. Just like fingerprints,
no two individuals are the same and so we are now able to personalize your
health based on your DNA.”
Summary: Tailoring a weight loss program to individuals’ unique genetic
profiles, even in a group with a history of prior weight loss failures,
resulted in significant improvements in better compliance, greater
motivation, and improved effectiveness when measured by weight reduction,
BMI, and glucose levels, in a long term study, over 300 days.
About The Study
Patients with a history of unsuccessful attempts at weight loss
attending a weight management clinic in Athens, Greece were offered a
nutrigenetic test screening 24 variations in 19 genes involved in
metabolism. The case histories of 50 “nutrigenetic” patients were compared
to those of 43 patients in the non-tested group attending the same clinic.
All patients followed a traditional weight management program involving a
low glycemic index Mediterranean diet, recommended exercise routines and
regular follow-up visits in the clinic. The dietary program of the patients
in the nutrigenetic group was modified from the standard diet based on the
genetic results of each patient. The patients participating in the study
were blinded to the clinicians. After 300 days, the patients following the
nutrigenetically tailored diet and exercise programs demonstrated better
long-term BMI reduction and improvements in blood fasting glucose. Key
contributors to the study included the Twin Research Unit, King’s College
London, UK and the Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, National Technical
University of Athens, Greece.
About Sciona, Inc.
Sciona, an international company founded in 2000 to provide
personalized health and nutrition recommendations based on an individual’s
diet, lifestyle and unique genetic profile, has created a powerful set of
tools utilizing their proprietary Rules Engine which allows consumers to
harness the scientific information uncovered in the landmark Human Genome
Project. For more information, visit Sciona, Inc. at Sciona,
or the Mycellf product website at Mycellf.
Sciona, Inc.
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