Readiness of food composition databases and food component analysis systems for nutrigenomics

The two-fold purpose of this paper is to examine the adequacy of food composition databases and dietary assessment techniques to meet the needs of nutritional genomic research and to explore the challenges and opportunities presented by the emerging field of nutrigenomics to future development of food composition databases and food composition analysis systems. A review of published literature and the Internet for organizations and their ongoing dialogues were used to explore how current food composition databases and nutritional assessment methodology could be made more useful in nutrigenomics research. An outline of current projects and potential approaches to develop more reliable and cost-effective methods for the study of nutrigenomics in diverse populations is presented. Many issues related to these dietary and database methodologies need to be addressed and overcome if nutrigenomics is to reach its potential for promoting optimal health through better individualization of diet and physical activity recommendations. To meet the complex research and clinical challenges of individualizing nutrition and health care, a network of diverse health care professionals and scientists is needed to move the world toward optimal health practices.