NIMML Delineates the Path for Personalized Nutrition: Challenges and Solutions

The Nutritional Immunology and Molecular Medicine Laboratory (NIMML), a leading lab at the Biocomplexity Institute of Virginia Tech is applying artificial intelligence (AI) methods to personalized nutrition and health. These efforts are aligned with the Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI) which not only aids the researchers and physicians cure people, but also empowers individuals to monitor and take a more active role in their own health. As opposed to the PMI, personalized nutrition refers to tailored nutritional recommendations aimed at the promotion, maintenance of health and prevention against diseases. However, there are numerous challenges in the path of making personalized nutritional recommendations for the health well-being and disease prevention. The "one-size-fits-all" template is based on generic suggestions regarding nutritional recommendations for improving an individual's health are not helpful.