Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Ahmed El-Sohemy, professor and research chair in nutrigenomics at the University of Toronto and founder of Nutrigenomix, to examine why individuals respond so differently to the same foods, and what genetic testing can now tell us about those differences.

The conversation moves through four key genes studied in the field. The MTHFR gene, which affects folate metabolism in roughly a third of the population, is addressed directly, including why it has been overhyped and what the clinical evidence actually supports regarding methylated supplements and homocysteine. The ACE gene and its connection to salt-sensitive hypertension is examined using data from a large JAMA study showing that approximately 20 to 30 percent of individuals see blood pressure move in the opposite direction when sodium is reduced. The GLUT2 gene, originally thought to influence glucose metabolism, turns out instead to be linked to sugar cravings through dopamine receptor pathways. And the CYP1A2 gene, which governs caffeine metabolism, is discussed at length: roughly half the population are slow metabolizers, and for that group, consuming more than two small cups of coffee per day has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk and impaired athletic performance.

Dr. El-Sohemy also addresses a recent paper on the APOE4 gene, associated with elevated Alzheimer's and cardiovascular risk, where evidence suggests individuals carrying that variant may respond more favorably to higher protein intake including animal protein. The discussion closes with a practical look at how Nutrigenomix testing works, why it is offered exclusively through licensed healthcare professionals, and the meaningful differences between a clinically validated panel and consumer ancestry platforms when it comes to nutritional markers.

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