Personalised nutrition

*Updated version of the 2023 article.

Definition

Nutrition is personalised when it is tailored to the individual. Personalisation takes into account the genetic and physiological background as well as environmental influences on the individual. Analysis of genetic material, the microbiome, clinical and biochemical markers, metabolism and physical activity provides measurable guidelines for an individual, healthy diet. The aim is to prevent lifestyle diseases, inadequate nutrition and deficiencies. Personalised nutrition takes different approaches.  These include targeted nutrition, which takes into account special needs or requirements at different stages of life and is derived from statistical data on the entire population, and precision nutrition, which offers highly personalised solutions based on individual data. The concept of personalised nutrition includes not only the provision of the right foods, but also services and recommendations for a healthy lifestyle. 

Current applications and opportunities 

Products and services in the field of personalised nutrition can be roughly divided into three different business models. The first encompasses test kits and wearables. Test kits enable the measurement of nutrition-specific biomarkers such as vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids and trace elements in customers’ blood, saliva or urine samples. DNA tests are used to analyse relevant genes. Based on the results, biomedical experts and nutritionists develop an individual nutritional plan, often accompanied by recommendations for specific behavioural training. A common example is the prediction of vitamin B12 requirements, which is based on the analysis of a few genes and has a good success rate. 

Wearables and implants are sensor devices on or in the body that enable, for example, continuous real-time monitoring of blood sugar levels (continuous glucose monitoring, CGM) in patients with diabetes. Such devices are also increasingly being designed for people without diabetes, as blood sugar levels are an important indicator of diet- and lifestyle-related health. 

The second business model encompasses different apps on the market. Users regularly enter their health- and nutrition-related data and receive corresponding predictions and recommendations for a healthy lifestyle. Similar services are also offered by nutritionists, either through consultations or websites. Finally, the third business model relates to the production and sale of specific personalised nutritional products, including dietary supplements. 

The technology offers users the opportunity to critically examine their lifestyle and enables health-promoting behaviour. It helps prevent lifestyle-related chronic diseases and can help reduce healthcare costs. Digital platforms give more people access to high-quality nutritional advice. 

In Switzerland, both universities and industry are driving development forward. While university research provides the scientific basis, SMEs, in particular, are developing new offerings. These include better or less invasive test kits. In recent years, for example, great progress has been made in the analysis of saliva, urine or even breath samples. In order to strengthen cooperation between all stakeholders, the Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley initiative connects more than 80 companies, research groups, authorities and investors on its Precision Nutrition impact platform. 

Challenges 

The development of personalised products is expensive because the quality of the recommendations and forecasts depends on the integration of as much data as possible from different processes. New business models must account for the fact that testing procedures, such as test kits, entail additional costs for consumers. In addition, in many cases there is still no scientific proof that the higher costs actually pay off in terms of better health. Getting medical professionals and healthcare experts more closely involved and connecting them with stakeholders in the field of personalised nutrition could greatly improve the range of products and services. 

Another challenge is optimising the analyses. For example, the usefulness of stool analysis for creating gut microbiota profiles is questionable. Recently, however, some promising results have been achieved in the area of intestinal health with breath and saliva analysis, and new methods for analysing the small intestine microbiota have been developed. The success of personalised nutrition depends on high-quality analyses and subsequent conclusions, because the technology depends heavily on the trust and acceptance of customers. 

Data protection issues are another hurdle. Personalised nutrition is inherently dependent on the collection of personal data. Effective data protection laws are therefore necessary, without hindering access to the data required for reliable recommendations. 

Focus on industry 

Personalised nutrition has great potential for companies in the food industry. It opens up opportunities in sales, marketing and services. By personalising their offerings, companies can strengthen their relationships with existing customers and acquire new ones. They can also gain valuable data on consumption trends in nutrition. 

To develop and operate such tests, employees need in-depth knowledge of biomedicine and nutritional sciences. Meanwhile, the development of integrated solutions requires broad knowledge in the fields of nutritional medicine and microbiology. Also essential, however, is knowledge of the social sciences, because human behaviour is key to the successful use of personalised nutrition products. Implementing digital solutions requires knowledge of data science and computer technology combined with expertise in nutritional sciences and digital health applications. 

The training and educational landscape in Switzerland is well prepared to meet these challenges. Led by the two ETHs, a sufficient number of highly qualified nutrition specialists and data scientists are being trained. Switzerland also has leading experts in the field of behavioural sciences. 

International perspective

Switzerland is well positioned in terms of research and development of analytical and test methods and wearables. However, the main market for personalised nutrition solutions is in the US, followed by the Asia-Pacific economic area and China. These regions, as well as the UK and the Netherlands, are one step ahead when it comes to integrating all sub-technologies and marketing and commercialising a complete range of products and services. 

Future applications

Future development will be shaped by AI solutions that integrate the results of laboratory analyses, health data and lifestyle factors. This could improve the quality and health benefits of the resulting recommendations and reduce the cost of the products at the same time. This allows better prognoses to be made for lifestyle-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes. In addition, it can be assumed that AI-generated nutritional models will support treatment decisions and the prognosis of disease-related complications. This also allows for better assessment of potential disease risks in healthy individuals. In addition, AI applications give users new tools for self-tracking. When analysing food, AI-supported methods improve the search for bioactive substances. 

Personalised nutrition can have a huge positive impact not only on the lives of individuals, but also on the entire food and healthcare system of a country. As Switzerland has a high level of research and industry expertise in the field of industrialised nutrition, it stands to reason that it will also assume a leading role in personalised nutrition in the future and ensure the transfer of knowledge to less prosperous countries. However, further scientific progress, a systemic approach and a high degree of digitalisation are essential for success.