A personalized approach to the assessment of nutrition biomarkers using the example of mining workers

Introduction. The use of modern OMIC technologies and traditional research methods in personalized nutrition makes it possible to provide an integrated assessment of the nutrition and health of industrial workers in order to form individual dietary recommendations.

The study aims to develop a personalized approach to the assessment of nutrition biomarkers using the example of mining workers.

Materials and methods. The study included the results of a medical examination and a survey of 40 workers at a mining enterprise in the Sverdlovsk region, and an assessment of the individual nutritional phenotype and its clinical manifestations was carried out. The levels of 60 organic acids in the urine of these workers were studied by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (LLC Chromolab), and the polymorphism of 42 genes was evaluated (LLC Basis Genotech).

Results. The nutrition of all surveyed employees of the enterprise characterizes the European model using a large number of ultra-processed, high-calorie products with a low density of vitamins and minerals. The presence of deviations in the content of organic acids in urine indicates a change in the metabolic pathways associated with the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, coenzyme Q10, B vitamins, and lipoic acid. According to the results of a genetic study, more than 60% of workers revealed high genetic risks of overeating, impaired carbohydrate metabolism, increased levels of triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), blood pressure, metabolic disorders of vitamins D and A, lactose intolerance, and decreased detoxification. According to body mass index (BMI), waist size, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, more than a third of the surveyed have metabolic syndrome.

Limitations. A small sample and a frequency-based nutrition questionnaire reduces the accuracy of the results obtained.

Conclusion. The identified markers of unbalanced nutrition, as well as the studied genetic and metabolic (dietary) profiles of employees may indicate high risks of depletion of the body's energy resources, affect detoxification processes, functional capabilities, and increase individual risks of developing metabolic syndrome, which necessitates the development of personalized dietary recommendations and correction of corporate nutrition.

Ethics. The study received permission from the local Ethics Committee of the Yekaterinburg Medical Research Center for Prophylaxis and Health Protection in Industrial Workers of Rospotrebnadzor No. 5 dated 12.27.2021. All the surveyed gave voluntary informed consent.

Contributions:
Mazhaeva T.V. — research concept and design;
Dubenko S.E. — data collection, analysis and interpretation, text writing;
Chernova Yu.S. — data collection, analysis and interpretation, text writing;
Sutunkova M.P. — editing, making fundamental changes, approving the final version of the article;
Gurvich V.B. — editing, making fundamental changes, approving the final version of the article.

Acknowledgment. The authors express their gratitude to specialists of Basis Genotekh LLC, Yekaterinburg Branch of the Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory (KDL DOMODEDOVO-TEST LLC), Chromolab LLC, and doctors of the Yekaterinburg Medical Research Center for Prophylaxis and Health Protection in Industrial Workers for their assistance in conducting the study.

Funding. The study was conducted with the financial support of the company under study.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Received: 24.12.2024 / Accepted: 06.01.2025 / Published: 07.02.2025

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