Nutrition plays a crucial role in our physical and mental well-being. The food we eat on a daily basis provides us with the energy and nutrients our body needs to function optimally. Since not all nutrients can be utilized differently depending on the individual body’s needs and requirements, the personalized approach in designing personal diet plan is an appealing approach.
Personalized nutrition taking into account individual dietary requirements might be a highly effective strategy to optimize overall health and well-being, further contributing to better productivity and higher satisfaction in the workplace.
The Science of Personalized Nutrition
Personalized nutrition is based on the understanding that individuals have unique genetic and metabolic profiles that influence how they utilize different foods, and nutrients that they provide. This is achieved through use of advanced technologies, such as genomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics to analyze the specific nutritional needs of person. Consequently, understanding a unique individual metabolic profile, personalized nutrition can develop specific dietary recommendations to optimize the health of the person.
One of the key benefits of personalized nutrition is the ability to identify and address nutrient deficiencies that may be negatively affecting overall health and well-being. For example, vitamin D deficiency may lead to fatigue and low mood. Therefore, by identifying and correcting this nutritional deficiency, through employing personalized advice there is a possibility to quickly improve energy levels and mental clarity of the person.
How Personalized Nutrition can benefit Brain Productivity?
The brain is one of the most complex and active organs in our body, that to appropriate function requires a steady supply of high-quality nutrients. In fact, the brain uses approximately 20% of the total body’s energy, despite only accounting for 2% of its weight. As a result, personalized nutrition can have a significant impact on brain productivity and energy levels – how?
Some examples we are presenting below:
- Micronutrient Status:
Micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, are essential for brain function. For example, vitamin B12 is necessary for the production of neurotransmitters, which are essential for cognitive function. A deficiency in B12 can lead to fatigue, brain fog, and decreased mental clarity.
- Macronutrient Balance:
The appropriate balance of macronutrients with the diet composition, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, can significantly impact brain function. For example, a diet that is high in refined carbohydrates and sugar can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, which can lead to decreased mental clarity and energy levels. In contrast, a diet that is balanced in macronutrients and includes healthy fats and proteins can support sustained energy and mental focus.
- Gut-Brain Axis:
The gut-brain axis is a two-way communication system made of various microorganisms and their bio-active between your gut and brain. The gut microbiome function can be influenced by our diet and commonly eaten foods can significantly impact the gut microbiome composition. Research has shown that a diverse gut microbiome, achieved through regular consumption of whole fresh plant-based foods, rich in micronutrients and dietary fibres, such as vegetables, whole grains and fruits is associated with improved cognitive function and mental well-being. Personalized nutrition can help identify foods that support a healthy gut microbiome, which can improve brain productivity and energy levels.
Personalized Nutrition help to deal with burnout
Fatigue and low energy levels are common complaints among hard-working people, especially in the corporate world. Long working hours, living on coffee, poor sleep quality and chronic stress exhaust both physical and mental fuel to live and work well. As this common burnout syndrome is quite common in high achievers, its severity can vary significantly from person to person. Personalized nutrition can help identify the underlying causes of low energy levels and provide targeted dietary recommendations to address these issues.
Personalized nutrition through tailoring dietary recommendations based on an individual’s genetics, lifestyle, and health status. Research studies have shown that personalised nutrition can be an effective tool in managing burnout.
In a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that a personalized nutrition intervention reduced burnout and improved work engagement in healthcare professionals (De Hert, 2020).
In another study published just a year later in 2021 in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, participants who received personalized nutrition recommendations, such as increasing intake of low-fat dairy produce, vegetables, fruit and berries, vegetable food, and white meat, showed a significant reduction in burnout symptoms compared to those who received standard dietary advice (Penntinen et al., 2021).
Altogether, this may suggest that personalized nutrition can be an effective approach to managing burnout. By identifying and addressing nutrient deficiencies and imbalances, personalized nutrition can help to support physical and mental well-being, and improve overall quality of life.