22nd September 2008

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More than two-thirds of Europeans would be happy to undergo genetic tests to establish the likelihood of developing illnesses like coronary heart disease and Type-2 diabetes in later life – according to new research.

The unique study carried out by the University of Ulster and the University of Porto, Portugal, also reveals that more than a quarter of participants in the European-wide survey, said they would be willing to undergo a personalised diet in order to reduce or reverse the effects of their pre-disposition. 

The six-country study of more than 6,000 people is the first of its kind in Europe and has just been published in the prestigious British Journal of Nutrition.

Findings indicate that two-thirds of participants would be willing to undergo genetic testing and one quarter would follow a personalised diet. Females were more receptive than males to the idea of having a genetic test carried out. 

Dr Barbara Stewart-Knox, from the Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), based at the University of Ulster, headed up the study. She said: “These findings are extremely encouraging for personalised nutrition strategies which are tailored to an individual’s genetic make-up.

"This research looked at personalised nutrition in the context of the metabolic syndrome, a term given to a collection of factors which include high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, blood sugar control and mid-waist obesity, and which increase the risk of developing Type-2 diabetes and/or coronary heart disease. 

"Given the worldwide concern about rising levels of these factors, consumer acceptance of genetic profiling towards a personalised diet may help prevent the development of the metabolic syndrome and therefore decrease the number of people suffering from Type-2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.”

Dr Stewart-Knox believes that by developing strategies for personalised nutrition scientists have the potential to improve the health and nutrition of people across Europe. 

"Nutri-genomics could be crucial in shaping the future of public health care and health promotion,” she added.

For further information about the Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), at the University of Ulster, visit: http://www.science.ulster.ac.uk/niche/

For further information, please contact:

Trina Porter
Telephone: 028 71675511
Email: Trina Porter