Nutrition based on own metabolism makes people healthier

Nutrition based on own metabolism makes people healthier

For the first time there is scientific evidence that a personalized diet, based on a person's metabolic profile, leads to better health. This conclusion follows years of research in a large-scale public-private partnership within TiFN. Maastricht UMC+ (MUMC+) and Wageningen University & Research (WUR). Where they joined forces with various knowledge institutes and companies in the food industry under the leadership of Professor of Human Biology Ellen Blaak (MUMC+). At Wageningen University & Research, Lydia Afman, associate professor at Human Nutrition and Health, was responsible for the study. The results were recently published in the leading scientific journal Cell Metabolism.

Afman is pleased with the results: “Food scientists have suspected for some time that the most optimal diet can differ from person to person. Never before has a study been done with this approach, size and to such an invasive degree. The research shows that variants within the general, healthy dietary advice lead to further improvements in the metabolism and that the optimal nutritional advice depends on a person's metabolic type.”

The study

The researchers from both the WUR and Maastricht designed a study in which 242 research participants followed a three-month nutrition programme. The programme was adapted to their metabolic profile and the recommended diet complied with the 'Guidelines for a good diet' of the Health Council. Before and after, the researchers measured glucose and fat metabolism and sensitivity to the hormone insulin. Insulin plays an important role in the regulation of sugar metabolism. These are important indicators of the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The study did not focus on weight loss.

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Read more about the study and it's results.