In recent years, the idea that “diet is the new dermatology” has gained real scientific traction. No longer confined to surface treatments and topical care, modern skin health science now recognises nutrition as a primary influencer of how our skin looks, feels and functions. At the core of this revolution lies nutrigenomics, the science that studies how nutrients and bioactive compounds in food interact with our genes.
Nutrigenomics helps us understand how food can literally communicate with our DNA, turning genes on or off, up or down, to influence health, disease resistance and even the pace of ageing.Nutrigenomics helps us understand how food can literally communicate with our DNA, turning genes on or off, up or down, to influence health, disease resistance and even the pace of ageing.
Nutrigenomics is the study of how nutrition affects gene expression, sometimes described as nutritional
epigenetics. It focuses on how dietary components send molecular signals to our genes, influencing which ones are expressed and to what extent. In essence, nutrigenomics bridges nutrition, genetics and physiology to explain how food choices shape the body’s biological activity.
Every cell in our body contains roughly 20,000 genes, yet not all are active at once. Genes can be “upregulated” (increased activity) or “downregulated” (reduced activity), much like turning a dimmer switch up or down. The foods we eat can directly influence this process. For instance, during wound healing, genes responsible for
collagen synthesis are upregulated, whereas genes that promote inflammation or tumour growth are ideally downregulated.
To appreciate how food can influence our genes, it helps to understand gene expression. Genes are sections of DNA that act as instruction manuals for building proteins, the molecules that form the structure of our tissues, enzymes and hormones. When a gene is “expressed,” its information is copied into RNA (transcription) and then translated into a protein inside the cell’s ribosomes.
Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNA activity, determine whether a gene’s “instructions” are read or silenced. Nutrigenomics investigates how diet affects these very mechanisms.
A wide variety of nutrients and phytonutrients can alter gene expression in ways that influence skin integrity, inflammation, detoxification and ageing. These include vitamins, minerals and plant-based compounds known as polyphenols.
Some of the best-researched epigenetic modulators include:
- Folate, choline and vitamins B₂, B₆ and B₁₂ – Essential for DNA methylation, helping regulate gene activity and maintain DNA stability.
- Sulforaphane (broccoli, kale) – Modifies DNA methylation patterns, reducing inflammation and enhancing detoxification pathways.
- Curcumin (turmeric) – Regulates DNA methylation and helps to silence inflammatory genes.
- Resveratrol (red grapes) – Activates longevity-related genes such as SIRT1, supports DNA repair and reduces collagen-degrading enzyme activity.
- Quercetin (apples, onions, kale) – Downregulates inflammatory microRNAs and enhances the expression of the filaggrin gene to strengthen the skin barrier.
- Ellagic acid (raspberries, pomegranates) – Modulates histones to calm inflammation.
- Vitamin C – Alters the epigenome to counter oxidative damage and “inflammageing”.
- Selenium (Brazil nuts) – Supports DNA methylation and antioxidant defence.
These examples highlight how food components can act as biochemical messengers, influencing the activity of thousands of genes that shape everything from cell turnover to
wrinkle formation.
The skin is one of the most responsive organs to nutrigenomic influences. Dietary compounds can modulate the expression of genes that control collagen synthesis, keratinocyte renewal, pigmentation and inflammatory response.
For instance:
- EGCG (from green tea) and sulforaphane (from cruciferous vegetables) can modulate tumour suppressor genes, reducing UV-induced gene expression linked to skin cancers.
- Lycopene (from tomatoes and watermelon) has been shown to reduce the activity of UV-induced enzymes that degrade collagen (MMPs).
- Curcumin, quercetin and resveratrol have been demonstrated to activate pathways that upregulate filaggrin gene expression, vital for restoring barrier integrity in dry or eczema-prone skin.
Nutrigenomic modulation doesn’t just prevent dysfunction; it supports optimal function. When genes related to repair, detoxification and antioxidant protection are upregulated, skin can maintain clarity, resilience and elasticity well into later life.
Nutrigenomics has also highlighted the importance of Sirtuins; a family of seven proteins that regulate DNA stability, oxidative stress, inflammation and metabolism.
Sirtuins, especially SIRT1, are closely associated with longevity and youthful cellular function.
SIRT1 is known to:
- Protect against collagen breakdown by regulating MMPs.
- Enhance resistance to oxidative stress.
- Support autophagy; the body’s cellular “housekeeping” system that clears damaged components (reducing what researchers call “garb-ageing”).
- Mitigate telomere shortening, a hallmark of ageing.
Polyphenols such as resveratrol,
quercetin, fisetin (found in strawberries) and genistein (from soya) are potent activators of SIRT1, making them dietary keys to longevity at the cellular level.
Diet isn’t the only factor shaping gene expression. Stress, sleep, physical activity and exposure to toxins or alcohol can alter gene behaviour too. Chronic stress and high alcohol intake, for instance, are known to disrupt methylation cycles and suppress genes responsible for tissue repair.
This means that nutrigenomics must be seen within a lifestyle context: true gene-level health depends on an integrated approach that includes balanced nutrition, emotional regulation and consistent rest.
For dietitians, nutritionists and skincare professionals, nutrigenomics represents the next era of evidence-based practice. By understanding how nutrients interact with genetic pathways, professionals can personalise dietary advice and therapeutic strategies, addressing not only visible skin concerns but also the deeper biological drivers of ageing and inflammation.
With advancing research and consumer awareness, the industry is moving towards precision nutrition: bespoke diet plans and supplements designed to optimise gene expression for individual clients.
Nutrigenomics confirms what the emerging science of epigenetics has shown: that our genes are not static instructions but living systems responding to our diet and lifestyle choices. Each bite of food is a molecular message to our DNA, influencing whether our cells thrive, repair, or age prematurely.
For skin-health practitioners, embracing nutrigenomics means working with the body’s innate intelligence, using food not just as nourishment but as communication. Through this lens, the age-old saying “you are what you eat” evolves into something even more powerful: you express what you eat.
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