A new clinical study published in Clinical Nutrition suggests that dietary choices can influence gene expression through “one-carbon metabolism.” Researchers led by Prof. Iris Shai of Ben-Gurion University and Dr. Hila Zelicha Peer found that the Green Mediterranean diet, specifically when supplemented with the aquatic plant Wolffia globosa (Mankai), can improve metabolic health and potentially compensate for genetic predispositions related to folate processing.
How does diet influence gene expression?
Dietary patterns act as an “epigenetic pencil” that reshapes cellular health without altering a person’s DNA, according to researchers from Ben-Gurion University, Leipzig University, and Harvard University. The study indicates that the Green-MED diet increases serum folate levels, which fuels the biochemical pathways responsible for methylation—a process that regulates how genes are expressed.
Mankai, the aquatic plant featured in the study, consists of more than 45% protein and contains essential amino acids, fiber, and bioavailable folate, making it a highly efficient nutrient source for metabolic support.
Can nutrition overcome genetic metabolic disadvantages?
Targeted nutrition may offset inherited metabolic challenges, particularly for carriers of the MTHFR gene variant. The study focused on individuals with the high-risk TT genotype, who typically struggle with lower folate levels. According to the research findings, TT carriers who maintained high adherence to a Mankai-supplemented diet saw a 7.74-point reduction in their cardiovascular risk score. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that these participants experienced an upregulation of alternative folate-pathway genes, such as MTHFD2 and DHFR, which helped compensate for impaired enzyme activity.
What are the clinical benefits of the Green-MED diet?
Adopting the Green-MED diet—which prioritizes green tea, walnuts, and Mankai while limiting red and processed meats—is linked to measurable clinical improvements. The study, part of the broader DIRECT-PLUS trial, identified several key health markers that improved among participants:
- Insulin Sensitivity: Significant improvements were observed in participants with higher folate intake.
- Inflammation: Reductions were noted in inflammatory markers, specifically IL-6.
- Lipid Profiles: Participants showed better triglyceride-to-HDL ratios.
- Fat Distribution: Researchers measured reductions in both visceral and liver fat.
Future trends in personalized nutrition
The transition toward personalized nutrition suggests a shift from “one-size-fits-all” dietary guidelines to interventions tailored to an individual’s genetic makeup. Prof. Shai notes that these findings strengthen the scientific foundation for precision nutrition, where specific botanical interventions like Mankai are used to address identified genetic metabolic bottlenecks. As imaging and transcriptomic data become more accessible in clinical trials, the ability to prescribe specific nutrient-dense foods to “reprogram” metabolic pathways is expected to become a standard component of preventative medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Green-MED diet?
It is a dietary pattern rich in polyphenols, including green tea and walnuts, that emphasizes the consumption of the aquatic plant Mankai while reducing red and processed meat intake.
What is an “epigenetic pencil”?
It is a term used by researchers to describe how nutrients like folate can influence gene expression and cellular function without changing the underlying DNA sequence.
Can Mankai help everyone?
While the study highlights significant benefits for those with the MTHFR TT genotype, the researchers observed that participants with the highest Mankai intake generally showed the most pronounced clinical and transcriptomic changes.
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