Nutrigenomics: Linking diet, genes, and health for a personalized future

‘Nutrigenomics’, which is defined as the study of how nutrients and bioactive food components influence gene expression and function, is an emerging discipline with profound implications for personalized nutrition and preventive healthcare. By integrating genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and epigenomics; nutrigenomics offers insights into the molecular mechanisms by which diet modulates metabolic pathways, disease risk, and overall health outcomes. This review summarizes the current evidence on the role of nutrigenomics in the prevention and management of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers. Special emphasis is placed on bioactive dietary compounds—including polyphenols, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and dietary fiber—that regulate gene activity and confer measurable health benefits. Challenges related to scientific reproducibility, ethical considerations, and the accessibility of genetic testing in low- and middle-income settings are discussed. Finally, the potential for integrating nutrigenomics into Sri Lanka’s public health strategies is explored, especially focusing the high burden of diet-related non-communicable diseases. The review underscores the need for local research to align traditional dietary practices with genomic insights for improved health outcomes.