Genomics 101: Two Great Books for Medical Practitioners

A basic working knowledge of nutritional genomics and pharmacogenomics can inform more effective medical care. If you’re interested in learning about these fields, but aren’t sure where to begin, I recommend the following reference books. If you have a medical or health sciences background, you will find that both are easy to read. They are also packed with fascinating real-life case examples to help guide your application of the knowledge in everyday practice. These books are neither incredibly lengthy nor overwhelming, and can even be perused from cover to cover as part of your summer reading.

Nutrigenetics: Applying the Science of Personal Nutrition by Martin Kohlmeier (c. 2012, Academic Press)

Excellent coverage of nutritional genetics, its promises and realities
Real-world examples of effective use of nutritional genomics, including clinical cases
Highlights gene-nutrient interactions that guide supplementation decisions

2. Pharmacogenomics: An Introduction and Clinical Perspective by Joseph S. Bertino Jr. et al. (c. 2013, McGraw Hill)

This is a great introductory reference, complete with case studies. The authors examine the topic in a practical and engaging way. Again, you can probably read this entire paperback if you were so inclined. But even if it sits on your bookshelf as a reference, you can easily search for a polymorphism of interest and understand its implications.

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