Image: When it comes to determining if a vegetarian diet is right for you, genetics are an important part of the equation, according to a new study from the University of Georgia. The researchers analyzed data from over 150,000 participants and identified 2,300 who followed strict parameters for a vegetarian diet to determine how genetics affect health benefits. By including a genetic component to their analysis, the study found that when specific gene variants, also known as minor alleles, were present, participants saw different health outcomes. This included a variant of the gene MMAA, which relates to calcium metabolism. While most vegetarians see decreased calcium levels, which can have noteworthy negative effect, individuals with this minor allele saw increased calcium levels. Moving forward, this study can support future nutrigenetics studies and clinical trials, helping researchers better understand the impact of diet on different groups. Read More: UGA Today Article
