Nutrigenomics and curcumin

Nutrigenomics is an integration of genomic and nutrition science, for assessing response to nutrients at genetic level. Nutrigenomics is considered to be a modern tool for disease interpretation, intervention and nutrient requirement to solve complexities of healthcare sector.

Nutrigenomic assessment can be subdivided into:

Nutrigenetics (nutrient-gene interaction, which helps to explore the effects of nutrients on gene expression),

Nutrition and toxicogenomics (which helps to explore the effect of nutrients against genotoxicity, DNA damage and oxidative stress),

Nutriepigenomics (chromatin modifications such as DNA Methylation and histone acetylation, can be caused by changes in the diet patterns)

Proteomics and metabolomics

In genetics, Genotoxicity refers to the ability of a chemical, physical or biological agent to damage the genetic material (usually DNA/RNA) within a cell causing mutations. There are various causes of genotoxicity such as lifestyle variables including pollution, smoking, alcohol consumption, exposure to chemicals, radiations and other agents. Genetic damage is the most important cause of degenerative diseases, developmental diseases and cancer. Nutrigenomics is the latest emerging area of nutrition research which involves use of specific nutrients for intervention of complex diseases and prevention of oxidative stress and protection of genome from damage.One such example of a nutrient that may help to protects the genome from damage is Curcumin, widely used as a dietary supplement.

Curcumin:

Curcumin is main component of the golden spice turmeric (Curcuma longa), that belongs to Zingiberaceae (Ginger family). Curcumin acts as a natural pigment, thereby imparting yellow colouration to turmeric. It acts as a food colorant and food additive. The rhizome or the root of turmeric is processed and purified to form purified turmeric extract which contains curcumin.

Curcumin as a food additive: As per the standards of FSSAI (Food Safety Standards Authority of India) and FDA (Food and Drug Administration), Curcumin is used as a food additive and is safe to consume. Various brands of curcumin are available in the market, and people have started consuming curcumin and turmeric extracts since they have started realizing the importance of traditional health practices. Turmeric is being used as spice, in Indian foods, since ancient times. It has been widely used in holistic health practices. It is also used as a flavour in Indonesian and Thai foods

There are various properties of curcumin:

DNA Protection: Curcumin has been researched intensively for its DNA protection properties. DNA damage is a process wherein DNA (i.e. our genetic makeup) gets altered or damaged due to exposure to radiations, chemicals or other environmental agents. However, our body has various repair mechanisms to repair the damaged DNA. But, during excessive stress and in few health conditions, some part of DNA may not repaired sufficiently or may be skipped by the repair machinery in our body. In such cases the damaged DNA may be stored in non replicating cells such as brain cells and could lead to alzheimer's disease and aging. In such cases, curcumin has been researched to have an ability to activate our body's DNA repair machinery. It activates DNA repair enzymes to function properly, and helps to protect the cell.

Anti-Oxidant: Oxidative stress generates free radicals and reactive oxygen species in our body, which are extremely harmful. These free radicals or reactive oxygen species (also known as ROS) are known to cause degenerative and chronic ailments such as cancer. Curcumin is best known anti-oxidant, which shows the ability to scavenge the reactive oxygen species. It is best to consume at least one teaspoon of curcumin mixed with turmeric and pepper, to detoxify your system.

Anti-inflammatory: Curcumin has an ability to inhibit molecules that promote inflammation, such as cyclo-oxygenases (COX) and nitric oxide synthase. Since, inflammation is main factor for tumour progression and carcinogenesis, Curcumin exhibits its anti-inflammatory property by preventing inflammation

Anti-microbial: Curcumin acts as an anti fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral agent and helps to boost our immune system

Anti-hypertensive: Curcumin is known to exhibit anti- hypertensive properties by regulating blood pressure

Digestive aid: Curcumin mixed with turmeric and pepper acts as an excellent digestive aid

Memory booster: It has been researched that, daily dose of curcumin may help to boost memory.

How does curcumin help to fight against Genetic Damage?

This is where, nutrigenomics plays a very important role, in defining the specific function of a dietary factor's interaction with our genetic makeup, for example curcumin. Studies have been published in various research journals, that curcumin may help to fight against genotoxicity and genetic damage, by exhibiting its DNA protective and anti-oxidant properties, by improving the repair system in our body. In one study, it has been published that curcumin has proven to reduce the number of micronuclei in cells (micronuclei are cytoplasmic bodies, formed during anaphase. These micronuclei indicate genetic damage and increased number of micronuclei possess a potent risk of cancer).

Hence, In broader sense, nutrigenomics helps to assess the potential role of nutritional or dietary factors such as curcumin, to protect the genome from damage, and help to develop dietary supplements and functional foods with specific targets at molecular level, in order to satiate the requirement of every cell. Curcumin acts as a cell protector, by protecting the cells from the damage caused by various lifestyle variables such as pollution, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. In conclusion, curcuminoids have potential role to play in protecting our cells from genotoxicity and oxidative stress.