The power of personalized nutrition lies in being able to conduct clinical research on healthy people while capturing metabolic markers sensitive to the impact of environmental and metabolic... Show moreThe power of personalized nutrition lies in being able to conduct clinical research on healthy people while capturing metabolic markers sensitive to the impact of environmental and metabolic stressors (e.g. diet, changing sex hormones and the menstrual cycle). Using clinical biomarkers, metabolomics, and diet interventions with intake analyses, we demonstrated the metabolic impact of vegan and animal diet interventions using fasting plasma analysis after 48 hours and using postprandial plasma analysis after meals and snacks. Sexually dimorphic responses were differentiated using proteomics and pathway analyses in two larger, sex-balanced cohorts. Finally, clinical biomarker and metabolomics analyses identified metabolic subtypes across menstrual cycle phases. Although challenges with integrating –omics technology and nutrition remain, the fundamental information generated from these research studies may provide a foundation for future novel personalized nutrition strategies. Show less
Draper, C.F.; Duisters, K.L.W.; Weger, B.; Chakrabarti, A.; Harms, A.C.; Brennan, L.; ... ; Greef, J. van der 2018
The menstrual cycle is an essential life rhythm governed by interacting levels of progesterone, estradiol, follicular stimulating, and luteinizing hormones. To study metabolic changes, biofluids... Show moreThe menstrual cycle is an essential life rhythm governed by interacting levels of progesterone, estradiol, follicular stimulating, and luteinizing hormones. To study metabolic changes, biofluids were collected at four timepoints in the menstrual cycle from 34 healthy, premenopausal women. Serum hormones, urinary luteinizing hormone and self-reported menstrual cycle timing were used for a 5-phase cycle classification. Plasma and urine were analyzed using LC-MS and GC-MS for metabolomics and lipidomics; serum for clinical chemistries; and plasma for B vitamins using HPLC-FLD. Of 397 metabolites and micronutrients tested, 208 were significantly (p < 0.05) changed and 71 reached the FDR 0.20 threshold showing rhythmicity in neurotransmitter precursors, glutathione metabolism, the urea cycle, 4-pyridoxic acid, and 25-OH vitamin D. In total, 39 amino acids and derivatives and 18 lipid species decreased (FDR < 0.20) in the luteal phase, possibly indicative of an anabolic state during the progesterone peak and recovery during menstruation and the follicular phase. The reduced metabolite levels observed may represent a time of vulnerability to hormone related health issues such as PMS and PMDD, in the setting of a healthy, rhythmic state. These results provide a foundation for further research on cyclic differences in nutrient-related metabolites and may form the basis of novel nutrition strategies for women. Show less
