Genetic Testing for Personalized Nutrition

Overview:

There is increasing awareness among researchers, educators, healthcare professionals and consumers that the one-size-fits-all, population-based approach to nutritional guidance is inefficient and sometimes ineffective.

Genetic differences can explain some of these different responses and randomized controlled trials show that giving DNA-based dietary advice can be superior to population-based recommendations for improving compliance.

With increasing consumer awareness and demand for nutrigenetic testing, there is a need for healthcare professionals to have sufficient knowledge to understand the science behind these tests, and determine the benefits and limitations of both the science and the testing. 

Join Dr. Ahmed El-Sohemy, PhD for this introductory online course about genetic testing for personalized nutrition.

Dr. Ahmed El-Sohemy is a Professor and Associate Chair at the University of Toronto and held a Canada Research Chair in Nutrigenomics. He is also the founder of Nutrigenomix Inc., serves as the company’s Chief Science Officer and Chair’s the company’s International Science Advisory Board.

Dr. El-Sohemy earned his PhD in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Toronto and a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard. The goal of his research is to understand how genetic differences modify response to diet for optimal health and performance.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Gain a better understanding of the science behind genetic variation and how this can affect nutritional requirements, eating behaviors and food intolerances that impact health and performance.
2. Understand the role of epigenetics and how that impacts the interpretation of genetic tests.
3. Recognize the strengths and limitations of consumer genetic testing and understand what genetic tests can and cannot reveal about a person’s health and dietary recommendations. 

Audience:

This online course is open to all healthcare practitioners including but not limited to physiotherapists (physical therapists), chiropractors, medical doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, kinesiologists, athletic therapists, and massage therapists.