Nutrigenomics, the study of how nutrients influence the way genes behave in the body, is a rapidly growing field of science that influences health outcomes. However, understanding and integrating this complex science into daily clinical practice can be challenging.

To provide you with a thorough understanding of nutrigenomics and help translate the science into personalised prescriptions for your clients, Fitgenes in partnership with Integria Healthcare, have developed a module-based Practitioner Accreditation Programme. These modules will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to utilise genomic testing, interpret patient genetic profile reports, and appropriately develop personalised nutrigenomic patient interventions to enhance clinical results. 

From this programme you will:

• Advance your knowledge of key genes, their variants and potential to impact biochemical pathways and health
• Gain tools to implement a systems-biology based approach to nutrigenomics, covering aspects such as inflammation, immune function, oxidative stress/antioxidant resilience, detoxification, Vitamin D, cardiovascular health and cellular metabolism
• Confidently know how to interpret Fitgenes reports, which are evidence-based, and use published scientific literature to focus on selected genes to provide targeted DNA based solutions
• Understand the importance of patient privacy, insurance and genetic testing

Modules include:

• Introduction and Overview
• Inflammation, Vitamin D and Cell Defence
• Methylation, Homocysteine Metabolism and Vitamin B12
• Cardiovascular Health, Lipid Metabolism and Appetite Control
• FoodChoice (common food and histamine intolerances/sensitivities/allergy risk) 
• CarbChoice (ability to process starchy carbs, blood glucose management)
• Clinical use of Pracware and Nutrigenomics in Practice and how to interpret reports
• Practitioner Case Studies

Fitgenes Practitioner Accreditation Programme modules cover a broad range of SNPs and their potential impacts on health, and include:

1. Introduction and Basic Genetics – Provides an outline of why Fitgenes is a leader in the field, benefits of genetic testing, inclusions and exclusions of Fitgenes ‘wellness’ genetic testing, quality aspects, insurance, various testing options, the fundamentals of genetics, and an introduction to systems biology

2. Inflammation – The role of inflammation, differentials of acute and chronic inflammation, relationship between inflammation and disease, biochemistry of inflammation, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory SNPs: IL-1α-1, IL-1α-2, IL-1-β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, TNF-α, CRP-1, CRP-2, CRP-3, COX-2-3, COX-2-4, IL-10-1, IL-10-2, IL-10-3

3. Vitamin D Metabolism – Risks for deficiency, impact of Vitamin D on health and disease, Vitamin D metabolism, SNPs that impact Vitamin D metabolism and receptor function: DHCR7, IL-6, TNF-α, CYP2R1, GC-1, GC-2, CYP24A1, CYP27B1, VDR-1, VDR-2, VDR-3 

4. Cell Defence: Oxidative Stress – The function of oxidative stress, damaging effects of excessive oxidative stress, types of ROS, endogenous antioxidants, inflammation and oxidative stress cycle, SNPs: MnSOD, GPX1, CAT

5. Cell Defence: Detoxification – Overview of phases of detoxification, links between SNPs and compromised detoxification of oestrogen, caffeine and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and environmental toxins, production of protective glutathione, interventions, SNPs: CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP1B1, GCLC, GCLM, GSTP1, NQ01, HO-1

6. Methylation, Homocysteine Metabolism and Vitamin B12 – Why methylation is such a critical biochemical pathway to understand, beyond the issue of MTHFR, transmethylation, oestrogen metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, trans-sulfuration, links with health and disease, interventions, SNPs: MTHFR-1, MTHFR-2, MTR, MTRR, PEMT, MTHFD1, BHMT, SHMT1, COMT, CBS, TCN2, FUT2

7. Cardiovascular Health: Blood Pressure Regulation – Factors influencing cardiovascular health, roles of angiotensinogen, angiotensin and nitric oxide, influence of dietary and lifestyle modifications, SNPs: AGT, ACE, AGTR1, GNβ3

8. Cardiovascular Health: Vascular Tone – The importance of the endothelium to cardiovascular health, nutrigenomic, diet and lifestyle interventions, SNPs: eNOS3-2, NADPH-CYBA, PAI-1, ADIPOQ

9. Lipid Metabolism – Genes, lipids and obesity, lipid biochemistry, adipose as an endocrine organ, interventions, SNPs: FABP2, PPARγ, PPARγC1A, LEPR-1, LEPR-2. UCP1, UCP3, CETP, LIPC, PON-1

10. Appetite Control – How appetite is controlled physiologically, hormonal influences, cholesterol regulation, interventions, SNPs: MC4R, FTO, LEPR-1, LEPR-2, FAB2, PPARγ, PON-1 

11. FoodChoice – The issue of common food intolerances and sensitivities, potential risk for Coeliac’s disease, lactose intolerance, alcohol intolerance, caffeine sensitivity, salt sensitivity, histamine intolerance, predisposition to food allergies, interventions, SNPs: HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1, LCT, MCM6, ADH1B, ALDH2, CYP1A2, ADORA2A, AGT, ACE, AGTR1, DAO, HNMT, SERPINB gene cluster, cytokine gene cluster, Fillagrin gene, C11orf30/LRC32 locus and HLA region

12. CarbChoice – The issue of obesity and diabetes, difference between gene SNPs and copy number variations (CNVs), CNV link with obesity and BMI, amylase and amylase trypsin inhibitors, dietary and lifestyle interventions, case studies, CNVs: AMY1 copy number

13. Clinical Use of ‘Pracware’ & Getting Started – How to navigate and utilise all of the tools and resources found in Pracware, establishing new patient and existing patient information, extracting and reading reports, interventions, ordering test kits and more 

14. Interpreting Reports: Health and Wellbeing – IL-1α-1, Il-1α-2, IL-1-β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, CRP-1, CRP-2, CRP-3, COX-2-3, COX-2-4, IL-10-1, IL-10-2, IL-10-3, MnSOD, GPX1, CAT, CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP1B1, GCLC, GCLM, GSTM, GSTp1, NQ01, HO-1, VDR, VDR-2, MTHFR-1, MTHFR-2, MTR, MTRR, PEMT, MTHFD1, BHMT, SHMT1, COMT, CBS, TCN2, FUT2, AGT, ACE, AGTR1, GNβ3, eNOS3-2, NADPH-CYBA, PAI-1, ADIPOQ, FABP2, PPARγ, PPARγC1A, MC4R, FTO, LEPR-1, LEPR-2, FADS1, ADRβ2, ADRβ3, UCP1, UCP3-2, CETP, LIPC, PON-1, PPARδ

15. Interpreting Reports: FoodChoice – HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1, LCT, MCM6, ADH1B, ALDH2, CYP1A2, ADORA2A, AGT, ACE, AGTR1, DAO, HNMT, SERPINB gene cluster, cytokine gene cluster, Fillagrin gene, C11orf30/LRC32 locus and HLA region

16. Interpreting Reports: CarbChoice - AMY1 copy number

17. Interpreting Reports: Immunity – IL-1α-1, Il-1α-2, IL-1-β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, TNF-α, CRP-1, CRP-2, CRP-3, COX-2-3, COX-2-4, IL-10-1, IL-10-2, IL-10-3, MTHFR-1, MTHFR-2, FUT2, ACE, GNβ3, eNOS3-2, NADPH-CYBA, PAI-1S, ADIPOQ, VDR, VDR-2, PPARδ, PPARγ, LEPR-1, LEPR-2, ADRβ2, CETP

18. Interpreting Reports: Vitamin D – DHCR7, IL-6, TNF-α, CYP2R1, GC-1, GC-2, CYP24A1, CYP27B1, VDR-1, VDR-2, VDR-3

19. Practitioner Case Studies – A practical overview to help understand how incorporate Fitgenes testing into practice with your patients, which patients are most appropriate for testing, and how it can influence patient outcomes