Proposed guidelines to evaluate scientific validity and evidence for genotype-based dietary advice.

Grimaldi KA1, van Ommen B2, Ordovas JM3,4, Parnell LD5, Mathers JC6, Bendik I7, Brennan L8, Celis-Morales C6,9, Cirillo E2, Daniel H10, de Kok B2, El-Sohemy A11, Fairweather-Tait SJ12, Fallaize R13, Fenech M14, Ferguson LR15, Gibney ER8, Gibney M8, Gjelstad IMF16, Kaput J17, Karlsen AS16, Kolossa S10, Lovegrove J13, Macready AL13, Marsaux CFM18, Alfredo Martinez J4,19,20, Milagro F19,20, Navas-Carretero S19,20, Roche HM21, Saris WHM18, Traczyk I22, van Kranen H23, Verschuren L2, Virgili F24, Weber P7, Bouwman J2.

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Abstract

Nutrigenetic research examines the effects of inter-individual differences in genotype on responses to nutrients and other food components, in the context of health and of nutrient requirements. A practical application of nutrigenetics is the use of personal genetic information to guide recommendations for dietary choices that are more efficacious at the individual or genetic subgroup level relative to generic dietary advice. Nutrigenetics is unregulated, with no defined standards, beyond some commercially adopted codes of practice. Only a few official nutrition-related professional bodies have embraced the subject, and, consequently, there is a lack of educational resources or guidance for implementation of the outcomes of nutrigenetic research. To avoid misuse and to protect the public, personalised nutrigenetic advice and information should be based on clear evidence of validity grounded in a careful and defensible interpretation of outcomes from nutrigenetic research studies. Evidence requirements are clearly stated and assessed within the context of state-of-the-art 'evidence-based nutrition'. We have developed and present here a draft framework that can be used to assess the strength of the evidence for scientific validity of nutrigenetic knowledge and whether 'actionable'. In addition, we propose that this framework be used as the basis for developing transparent and scientifically sound advice to the public based on nutrigenetic tests. We feel that although this area is still in its infancy, minimal guidelines are required. Though these guidelines are based on semi-quantitative data, they should stimulate debate on their utility. This framework will be revised biennially, as knowledge on the subject increases.