Reprogramming Illness

New research tells us there's a lot more to consider when planning our daily diets than just avoiding a deficiency. You truly are what you eat and that starts with how food and other natural substances that complement the diet affect your cells and influence your health.

Signal Interference. Eating processed foods and other unhealthy dietary habits can interfere with the dietary signals sent to cells throughout the body, which can lead to premature aging and disease. But with an eating plan that addresses unhealthy dietary patterns, you can help manage symptoms and perhaps even halt or reverse the progression of illness. Eating plans can also be tailored to specific conditions to maximize healthy signals, such as to help regulate blood sugar or reduce inflammation, for example.

Strengthening the Signal. The growing field of research in nutritional genomics—or nutrigenomics—has demonstrated the effects that nutrients and plant substances can have on modifying gene function. These discoveries have led to the development of research-based nutraceuticals and medical foods that complement dietary approaches to address today's top health concerns.

Groundbreaking research suggests that certain plant components can selectively modify the activity of enzymes called kinases, which have the ability to translate dietary signals to positively influence numerous aspects of health. These plant-derived substances are referred to as selective kinase response modulators (SKRMs). They function by regulating cellular processes, especially those involved in the transmission of signals within cells. When an unhealthy diet makes cell signaling less clear, SKRMs may help increase the volume of the messages in ways that positively influence cellular processes for preservation or restoration of health.

Here are some of the SKRMs that have been discovered so far:

• Reduced iso-alpha acids (RIAA), derived from Humulus lupulus L. (hops), favorably influence glucose utilization and insulin signaling. Hops have also been used for centuries in traditional medicine, and components derived from hops have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
• Tetrahydro-iso-alpha acids (THIAA), also derived from H. lupulus L. (hops), have been extensively researched and shown to help favorably regulate kinase activity involved in joint tissue health.
• Acacia nilotica (acacia tree) has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and has been shown to positively influence kinase signaling in fat-storing cells involved in glucose utilization and insulin signaling.

These research-based nutritional substances offer a new avenue for a natural approach to wellness for a variety of conditions. In fact, in a preliminary clinical study at the Functional Medicine Research Center^SM, the clinical research arm of Metagenics, a combination of RIAA and acacia was shown to improve fasting insulin and blood lipid parameters, such as triglycerides.

Send a Healthy Message. Healthier eating and other modifiable lifestyle factors can help you achieve your optimal health. A variety of nutritional approaches shown to be without serious adverse effects can be tailored to your specific health concerns and help you feel your best.