The Rest of the SNP Story

In an Odds and Ends post dated July 31, 2011, I wrote this:

SNPs - Guess what a SNP is?  It is pronounced SNIP and has to do with DNA and genetic codes?  OK - Single Nucleotide Polymorphism.  It means that a mistake is made when a cell is reproducing.  The body can sometimes catch and repair these mistakes and at other times, changes occur which could make one susceptible to a disease or condition or vice versa.  I read an article about SNPs and muscle strength and endurance this week.  There is some interesting research about predispositions - but GREAT  caution was made against using gene testing to determine athletic prowess or prescription.  I want you to hear that - if you read advertisements about a test that can determine if you or your child could be a sprinter, jumper or Olympic marathoner - do NOT buy into that hype.  I am looking forward to the next article in the series, because it promises to tell us how to change the things that we CAN change.  Brace yourself, I expect it will take some effort.   (article by Dr. Maria Urso in the ACSM Certified News Vol. 21[2])

 The last article in the series has been published (same reference as above except it is Vol. 21 [3].  I have read it and it was pretty technical. The conclusion is the important part though it is ironic that I am posting it at the same time that a new study is questioning (once again) the need and the safety related to supplementation.  Maybe we will get to that later but it is what I have been saying for years - get your nutrients from your food!


With regard to building endurance and strength within the constraints of our own genetics, the upshot is this:
We cannot change the genes that we are born with but through our actions, efforts and exposures we can turn them on and off and otherwise "micromanage" them.  The author of the three SNP articles, Dr. Urso,  made several good points in the last piece.  The first is her reference to "beneath the skin" and "above the skin" factors.  The above the skin things, exposures (smoke, sun) and behaviors (sedentary, active) can have an impact on beneath the skin mechanics. So what are the things that we can do with the genes we have that will improve our muscular strength and ability?  And  which are effective AND safe?  For now, Dr. Urso offers the following points to ponder.

• antioxidant supplementation may be counterproductive
• the most important strategy is using a  weight"load" that is strenuous enough to tax the muscle and lead to protein synthesis
• the best nutritional approach is a protein carbohydrate combination (which would include the one I always recommend to my friends, peanut butter on whole wheat bread)
• the protein source should contain the amino acid leucine, and yes, I checked - peanut butter does
• with regard to  increasing skeletal muscle growth through the targeting of cellular level processes/signaling  the only safe and effective way to do that today is "proper exercise and nutrition."