Personalized Nutrition (PN) is a promising and emerging concept in the field of nutrition and health food. It holds immense potential to enhance human well-being and has become a focal point for development within the industry. Recognized by academia, industry professionals, and the general public, personalized nutrition is still in its early stages, with ongoing efforts to establish a global research-translational application framework. To foster a unified understanding within the industry and expedite the translation of cutting-edge scientific research into practical applications, CNHFA has assembled a panel of industry experts. Their collaborative efforts have resulted in the development of the Expert Advice on Personalized Nutrition. This guidance document is based on recent breakthroughs in the field, aiming to propel the healthy advancement of personalized nutrition in China.
Background
Nutrition plays a vital role in sustaining life, facilitating growth, development, and overall well-being. With advancements in genomics research, which explores individual genome structures and metabolic characteristics, along with corresponding dietary interventions and nutritional healthcare practices, there has been a significant surge in attention. PN research takes into account inherent genetic differences and integrates external factors like lifestyle, upbringing, and behavioral habits. By harnessing advanced science and technology, PN aims to enhance personalized health maintenance and reduce the risk of chronic nutrition-related diseases. It offers innovative approaches to disease prevention, leveraging the understanding of individual genetic makeup and lifestyle factors.
The "Healthy China" strategy advocates a transformative shift in focus from "disease treatment" to "health maintenance and disease prevention". This strategic approach aligns with the evolving demand for health consumption and the increasing health literacy across the population. As a result, personalized health management services have emerged and gained traction. This dual transition in both the macro system and market orientation presents a wider scope for development and promising prospects in the field.
Introduction
PN involves offering customized dietary and nutritional guidance and interventions tailored to individual characteristics. The objective is to assist individuals in developing their own dietary and behavioral habits to improve overall health and mitigate the risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases. These individual characteristics encompass a range of objective factors such as genetic information, dietary patterns, lifestyle, physiological status, health condition, environment, and product availability. Additionally, subjective factors like personal food preferences, health goals, and affordability are also taken into account. By considering these diverse factors, PN aims to provide personalized recommendations that align with individual needs and circumstances.
PN and Precision Nutrition are dynamic and interdisciplinary fields that are continuously evolving. These terms have become commonly used due to their shared underlying principles. Precision nutrition relies on fundamental research, public health, and epidemiology to generate tailored nutritional recommendations for specific groups. On the other hand, PN utilizes the theories and research findings of precision nutrition to offer accessible products, technologies, methods, and services that support individual health. It draws upon clinical practice, personal characteristics, and health education to provide personalized guidance. The discussion surrounding the precise connotations of these concepts is a natural outcome of the rapid advancements in personalized nutrition and precision nutrition. Over time, as new technologies and concepts emerge and are applied, the understanding of these terms will gradually converge towards consensus.
Characteristics
Emphasizing individual differences lies at the core of personalized nutrition. Dietary and nutritional recommendations tailored to individual characteristics can enhance consumer compliance and yield positive outcomes in dietary behavior. PN recommendations and interventions are highly customized to align with factors such as age, gender, occupation, physiological condition, health status, and lifestyle scenario of each individual. This level of individualization ensures that the recommendations are tailored specifically to the unique needs and circumstances of each person.
Multidisciplinary scientific research serves as a crucial foundation. Innovations across various disciplines, including medicine, nutrition, genetics, physiology, biology, bioinformatics, social ecology, and data science, will propel the translation of research findings in personalized nutrition. Presently, technological advancements enable nutritional supplementation based on physiological biochemical markers and genomic insights derived from biological samples. Furthermore, the utilization of big data and sophisticated algorithms is becoming increasingly prevalent. Looking ahead, personalized nutrition will integrate other pioneering technologies such as non-targeted metabolomics, AI algorithms, and cloud-based platforms.
Promoting feasibility is the driving force. Currently, personalized assessment tools are gradually making their way into areas such as individual nutritional status, dietary intake, lifestyle, and personal health goal advice. As a result, the market is witnessing a proliferation of nutritional health food products that cater to individual needs, tastes, and lifestyle preferences. Looking ahead, the expanding product supply, innovative service models, and improved health literacy will contribute to the thriving development of personalized nutrition.
Development Principles
Science-based translation and application. It is essential that PN recommendations and interventions are grounded in evidence-based practices, ensuring that the translation and application of research findings are supported by robust scientific evidence.
Efficient integration is essential to involve both consumers and professionals. As tools like AI technology and wearable devices become more prevalent, the integration of vast amounts of data from diverse fields, disciplines, and categories is crucial. This integration ensures that the data gathered is comprehensive, timely, and reliable, enabling the provision of targeted recommendations and solutions for individual nutrition enhancement.
Scientific publicity. PN should continue to strengthen the scientific publicity and training of clinical staff, health managers, dietitians, and consumers themselves, so that the value of PN is understood based on scientific and widely-recognized knowledge, which is the key to its healthy development.
Regulated and responsible development. In the realm of PN, it is vital to prioritize the protection of personal information privacy and comply with national regulations concerning food safety, nutrition and function claims, biodata security, and other relevant aspects. Adhering to ethical principles and safety standards is crucial to mitigate potential risks and ensure responsible and sustainable development in the field of personalized nutrition.
Future Prospects
Currently, access to PN information and services is limited, posing challenges for consumers seeking precise and professional health services. However, as the concept of personalized nutrition evolves and related research deepens, PN products and services are expected to undergo significant improvements. In the future, personalized nutrition will play an increasingly significant role in enhancing personal health and addressing chronic diseases, meeting the evolving needs of individuals.
Fostering a robust industrial system to enhance supporting services is crucial. This can be achieved by continuously promoting scientific and technological innovation in relevant fields and establishing comprehensive evaluation systems, thus paving the way for PN advancement.
Facilitating the formation of expert consensus and advancing scientific development are paramount. To establish expert consensus, it is crucial to draw upon existing research findings and engage in active international exchanges, thereby constructing a robust theoretical framework for PN. Additionally, scientific research should align with cutting-edge research directions, ensuring continuous synthesis, updating, and enhancement of knowledge within the field.
Enhancing fundamental research and facilitating the translation of research outcomes are essential goals. To strengthen research results, it is imperative to foster professional integration and conduct thorough data analysis. Moreover, promoting the transformation of research outcomes can be achieved through effective technical collaborations and the establishment of industry standards.
Enhancing the governance system and diversifying product services are crucial aspects to address. To achieve this, we need to establish an exchange platform encompassing government departments, industry organizations, research institutions, and operational enterprises. This collaborative effort, conducted within the existing regulatory and systemic framework, aims to collectively enhance the governance system governing research and development, production, marketing, testing, and distribution of PN-related products and services. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive and well-structured developmental environment for PN.
Promoting social governance and advancing training and education are pivotal for progress. It is imperative to foster consensus-building and draw strength from various stakeholders. By deepening training and education initiatives, we can take a leading role in propelling the development of PN in the new era of health, characterized by conceptual innovation.
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