From Personalised Nutrition to Precision Health

The potential for transforming nutritional and health research through the application and implementation of non-invasive markers of metabolic status is profound. Integration of genetics, (epi)genomics, proteins and metabolites from physiological process provides a "window into the body", are transforming how to measure health, how to identify and monitor people most at risk of disease and the way to monitor food intake. Coupled with tools utilising sensor technology to enable ecological momentary assessment, a new horizon of research in which indicators of metabolic risk and indicators of dietary intake could be collected at a population level with unprecedented simplicity and low cost. Through the validation of state-of-the-art molecular tools for measuring health synergistically identifying, how nutrients, supplements or dietary patterns impact these markers, we can optimise health of individuals from diverse genetic backgrounds. This paper discuss the outcomes from a study designed to understand the influence of amylase copy number on weight trajectories and glycaemic control; introduce CSIROs Precision Health Future Science Platform and discuss how Precision Health will transform the way to manage our health by five staeps. First, changing the emphasis from treating illness to keeping people healthy by better predicting, and delaying, the on-set of chronic disease; second, adopting a wider view of health to include genomics, gut microbiome, environmental, behavioural and social factors; third, integrating data to deliver insights through predictive data platforms; foutrh, moving from a 'one-sized-fits all' trial and error to more effective, personalised solutions to keep people healthy; fifth, shifting from a provider centric to consumer centric model supported by digital tools to help people track their health status and make better decisions.