PERFORM Colloquium

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. Numerous studies have shown that variations in genes can explain why individuals respond differently from others to the same foods, beverages and supplements they consume. Randomized controlled trials of genetic information on personalized nutrition also showed that DNA-based dietary advice is superior to population-based recommendations for improving compliance. With growing interest in genetic testing, there is a need for healthcare practitioners to understand the science, determine the benefits and limitations, and learn which types of tests provide clinically actionable information.

Following this talk, participants will:

• Gain a better understanding of the science behind genetic variation and how this can affect nutritional requirements, eating behaviours and food intolerances.
• Recognize the benefits and limitations of consumer genetic testing, what genetic tests can and cannot tell us and what to look for when considering a genetic test.

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Ahmed El-Sohemy is a Full Professor at the University of Toronto and held a Canada Research Chair in Nutrigenomics. He earned his PhD in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Toronto and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard. The goal of his research is to understand how genetics can explain why some people respond differently from others to the same foods, beverages and supplements they consume on health and performance. Dr. El-Sohemy has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles and has given over 200 invited talks around the world. He received the Centrum Foundation New Scientist Award for Outstanding Research by the Canadian Nutrition Society and the Mark Bieber Professional Award and Stanley Wallach prize by the American College of Nutrition. He is the founder of Nutrigenomix Inc. and Chair’s the company’s International Science Advisory Board.