🔑 Introduction: Why Supplements Work Differently for Everyone
Have you ever noticed that a supplement works wonders for your friend but seems to do nothing for you? Or that you feel better when eating certain foods while others do not? The reason is not just diet or lifestyle. Your DNA plays a crucial role in how well your body absorbs, transports, and activates vitamins and minerals. Understanding these differences can save you from trial and error and help you focus on what your body truly needs.
🔋 Absorption vs. Activation
There are two steps when it comes to nutrients. The first is absorption. This is how well your digestive system takes nutrients from food and gets them into your bloodstream. The second is activation. This means converting the nutrient into a form that your body can actually use. Both steps are strongly influenced by genetics.
🧬 Key Genes That Influence Nutrient Absorption
- TCN2 (Transcobalamin II)
- Function: Transports vitamin B12 from the gut into cells.
- Variant effect: Reduced efficiency may lead to low B12 inside cells even if blood tests look normal.
- Function: Transports vitamin B12 from the gut into cells.
- VDR (Vitamin D Receptor)
- Function: Determines how effectively your body uses vitamin D.
- Variant effect: Some people need more sun exposure or higher vitamin D intake to reach optimal levels.
- Function: Determines how effectively your body uses vitamin D.
- MTHFR (Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase)
- Function: Activates folate into methylfolate, the usable form for DNA repair and methylation.
- Variant effect: Reduced activity means you may not benefit fully from regular folic acid supplements.
- Function: Activates folate into methylfolate, the usable form for DNA repair and methylation.
- SLC Family Transporters
- Function: A group of genes that move minerals like zinc, magnesium, and iron into cells.
- Variant effect: Can contribute to deficiencies even with a balanced diet.
- Function: A group of genes that move minerals like zinc, magnesium, and iron into cells.
🥦 Why RDAs Are Not “One Size Fits All”
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for nutrients is based on averages. If your genes make you less efficient at activating or absorbing a vitamin, the standard RDA might not be enough. This explains why two people can eat the same food, take the same supplement, and experience completely different results.
🌿 Nutrient Support Strategies
If you have gene variants that reduce nutrient efficiency, there are still powerful ways to support your body:
- Choose active forms of vitamins such as methylfolate instead of folic acid or methylcobalamin instead of cyanocobalamin.
- Support absorption naturally with digestive enzymes, probiotics, and adequate stomach acid.
- Pair nutrients wisely (for example, vitamin D with K2, or iron with vitamin C).
- Get regular testing to check if blood levels reflect what you actually absorb.
- Personalize supplementation based on your DNA insights rather than guesswork.
🚀 The Future: Precision Nutrition
The science of nutrigenomics shows that the future of nutrition is personal. Instead of generic supplement advice, DNA analysis allows you to know which nutrients you are likely to be low in and which forms work best for your body. This is precision nutrition in action, helping you get the most out of every meal and supplement.
📌 Key Takeaways
- Your DNA strongly influences how well you absorb and activate vitamins and minerals.
- Genes such as TCN2, VDR, MTHFR, and SLC transporters are especially important.
- The same nutrient dose can work differently for two people depending on their genetic profile.
- Active nutrient forms, smart pairing, and DNA-guided supplementation are the keys to overcoming hidden deficiencies.
Want to discover how your genes influence your nutrient absorption?
Explore our DNA Reports and get a personalized roadmap to fuel your body with exactly what it needs