The symposium began with presentations from 3 Nobel Laureates in Medicine and Physiology. Günter Blobel (Nobel Laureate, 1999), Joseph Goldstein (Nobel Laureate, 1985) and Michael Brown (Nobel Laureate, 1985), gave graphic proof to the first question: do we have sufficient biological knowledge to begin to predict how health will develop in the face of disregulated metabolism?
Participants showed specific examples of genetic variation in humans that led to different responses to the same diets, lifestyles and exercise. There was a clear consensus that humans respond individually and differently to the same diet. Scientific evidence showed that in addition to genetic differences, phenotypic differences in humans again caused them to respond differently to the same diets.
Science today gives us the ability to measure the properties of metabolites within body fluids such as blood and urine. This could be combined with genomic and proteomic data to build a comprehensive perspective of health as Systems Biology. This type of approach will enable researchers to document the mechanistic basis of pathology, toxicity in the future, as well as to detect and predict the consequences of the small changes in metabolism due to diet.
Metabolic disorder affects the health of tens of millions of people. Although it is invisible, metabolism can be analyzed equally comprehensively using advanced technology and scientific information methods. The science of metabolic profiling cannot start before a substantial investment is made in describing normal and abnormal phenotypes. Once this is accomplished, however, this knowledge will be the basis for improving the health of millions of individuals.
The symposium was closed by Mr Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, CEO of Nestlé S.A., who once again emphasized the role that Nestlé should play as a leader in helping the building and use of nutritional knowledge. Food should be an integral part of each person’s quality of life, and science should contribute to that. With scientific knowledge of how to assess and direct health, it will be possible to define the role of food in enabling each individual to pursue optimal health and wellness.
The results of this symposium will serve to create a published document as a blueprint for the next steps.