Beyond Antioxidants: Nutrigenomic Regulation Of The Adaptive Stress Response Webinar
Many epidemiologic studies have found a decreased incidence and/or severity of chronic inflammatory diseases in individuals who consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Most inflammatory diseases are associated with increased levels of free radicals (oxidative stress). Since fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants that effectively neutralize free radicals in a test tube, it is reasonable to assume that taking these chemicals as nutritional supplements would have the same effect as eating the food.
However, numerous clinical studies have failed to show the expected benefits. The emerging science of nutrigenomics offers an explanation for this apparent paradox: it is not the simple chemical antioxidants in foods that confer their benefit, but rather a unique group of compounds made by plants for protection. An extensive body of research has shown that when we consume typical dietary levels of these compounds, they create small amounts of free radical stress inside our cells. These phytochemicals induce our genes to make an array of antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes in a highly coordinated manner called the adaptive stress response.
This “indirect” enzymatic antioxidant effect is much more potent and long lasting than what can be achieved by taking “direct” antioxidants. This webinar will review the cellular signaling pathways involved in this process and the potential therapeutic benefits of activating it by eating certain plant foods and extracts made from them.
Objectives:
- Review the basic concepts behind the emerging disciplines of nutrigenomics and metabolomics.
- Learn about the cellular physiology of the adaptive stress response
- Learn how plants “talk” to our genes and alter DNA expression by interacting with the “master switches” called transcription factors found inside the cell.
- Learn how this information can be used to design interventions for preventing and treating disease in a way that is highly personalized and tailored to the unique biochemical needs of an individual.
The webinar recording lasts 72 minutes, including a Q & A session.