Nutrition and Metabolomics

Abstract

Analysis of metabolomics using various technological approaches can provide relevant information on the molecular events associated with nutrient intake and the adaptations of the body to increase or decrease of certain nutrients through metabolic pathways. Metabolites, which are identified in the blood, plasma and urine samples, have been used to characterize the effects of both a deficiency or a supplementation of different nutrients, and to compare the metabolic effects of related foods. Metabolomic assays can be used to measure small molecule biomarkers of oxidative stress, redox potential, antioxidant activity, inflammation and cardiovascular disease risk depending on the physiological response. Although these metabolites are separately used in the diagnosis of the diseases, it is aimed to detect levels of all metabolites and appropriate dietary recommendations with the metabolomics technology used in the field of nutrition. There are advantages to use metabolomic approach in dietetic field like determination of the nutritional status of individuals, unexpected metabolic responses including effects of both essential and nonessential nutrients and, determination of dietary strategies on individual metabolic response. Therefore, nutritionists should play an active role in the development of new tools to establish the connection between individual metabolic profile and health and diet. In this review, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between metabolomics approach in nutritional research and health.