Each of us has a unique body chemistry and genetic make-up which determines how our body responds to food and exercise. Yet despite the overwhelming evidence of the role of genetics in the development of obesity, most weight-management programmes have until now focused exclusively on dietary restriction and physical activity – or eating less and moving more.
Scientists now know that no diet or weight-management lifestyle is optimal for everyone. Nutrigenomics is the emerging science of personalised, gene-smart nutrition that studies the interaction between genes, diet and lifestyle factors. Understanding your own genes gives you the power to maximise weight loss and optimise your health by adjusting your diet and lifestyle to your own unique set of genes. One-size-fits-all is out; personalised nutrition is in. Weight loss today is all about designing lifestyle habits that are optimal for your unique genetic make-up.
SA scientists lead the waySouth African biotechnology leader DNAlysis has developed a range of non-invasive DNA tests that identify specific genes linked to optimum health, weight-loss and weight management. The tests, among the first of their kind in the world, provide the opportunity to personalise diet and exercise interventions, and recommend nutritional supplementation according to an individual’s unique genetic profile.
Says Dr Daniel Meyersfeld, CEO of DNAlysis, “Over the past few years our research team has identified eight key genes linked to weight loss and weight-loss resistance. We are extremely close to being able to deliver the benefits of nutritional genomics to the public at an affordable price, which will change weight-loss strategies forever. The benefits will be especially significant in people who have had difficulty losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight in the past.”
DNAlysis’s two products, DNA Diet and DNA Health, each incorporates a simple genetic test and a lifestyle programme based on an individual’s unique genetic variants. According to Meyersfeld, the two products will be launched in South Africa in March 2010 and will be available through accredited dietitians and health practitioners, and online.
For more information, visit www.dnadiet.co.za
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
About DNAlysis
DNAlysis Biotechnology was founded in 2007 to bring state-of-the-art molecular technologies to the South African healthcare and wellness market. DNAlysis Biotechnologyemploys and leverages molecular technologies in the study of relationships between genes and individual health, wellness and weight management. The company is a pioneer in the development of opportunities to personalise nutrition and lifestyle advice according to an individual’s genetic make-up.
The research team
The DNAlysis team has combined expertise in the fields of molecular biology, human genetics, gene mapping, nutritional genomics and dietetics. It is led by:
South African molecular biologist, Dr Daniel Meyersfeld is founder of DNAlysis Biotechnology and co-developer of DNA Health and DNA Diet.
Yael Joffe (RD (SA)) specialises in nutritional genomics. Joffe recently returned home to South Africa, after furthering the field of nutrigenomics in the USA, and co-authoring the critically acclaimed nutrigenomics title It’s Not Just Your Genes. Joffe collaborates with academic partners around the world, and raises awareness about nutrigenomic applications among healthcare practitioners, dietitians and the general population. In addition to her activities in the private sector, Joffe developed a nutrigenomics module for the Masters in Nutrition degree offered by the University of Stellenbosch. She is also conducting doctoral research on the genetics of obesity in black and white South African women at UCT.
MEDIA CONTACT: KATHLEEN BARTELS, WORDSMITHS SA, 082 548 9405, kathleen@wordsmiths.co.za