In the near future, your doctor might offer you a personalized diet plan tailored specifically to your unique needs and health goals.

A study currently underway at 14 clinics nationwide, including LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center and LSU Health New Orleans, holds the promise of providing personalized dietary recommendations to patients in the near future.

Why it’s significant: This study aims to develop a groundbreaking algorithm capable of predicting individual responses to different diets and exercise regimens, potentially leading to personalized dietary prescriptions.

The broader context: According to the National Institutes of Health, over half of American adults suffer from at least one preventable chronic disease, often stemming from diet and exercise habits. Managing chronic illnesses becomes easier with a healthy diet, leading to longer life expectancy, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Despite years of generalized nutritional guidance advocating for balanced diets and limited sugar intake, there’s significant variability in individual responses to identical diets, says Pennington Biomedical Research Center’s clinical science professor, Leanne Redman, a key contributor to the study. This variability underscores the need for more tailored approaches to nutrition.

The approach: The Nutrition for Precision Health project, funded by a $170 million National Institutes of Health Grant, leverages data from the All of Us study, involving 1 million Americans. Subsequently, researchers will focus on 10,000 participants monitoring their typical diets, alongside 1,500 individuals adhering to prescribed diets, while providing samples for microbiome analysis. An additional 500 participants will undergo observation while consuming researcher-selected diets.

Expected outcomes: By 2026, the project aims to utilize machine learning to categorize individuals based on their unique responses to different diets. West Point Academy researchers are already developing algorithms for this purpose, with final results anticipated in 2027.

Challenges: The study relies heavily on self-reported data, which may be unreliable due to inherent biases. To address this, researchers are incorporating smartphone apps and wearable technology to track dietary habits more accurately.

Local relevance: Louisiana serves as a pivotal location for this study, allowing researchers to examine the unique dietary patterns, such as those associated with Cajun cuisine. The diverse culinary landscape, including Mardi Gras fare and regional dishes, underscores the importance of Louisiana’s participation in the study.

Participant engagement: Participants will have access to their own data throughout and after the study, enabling them to make informed decisions about their health in consultation with healthcare professionals.