![You Are What You Just Ate](https://cdn.magzter.com/1367307635/1678370423/articles/MR9BNjObk1678422765964/Zoe-is-Dr-Tim-Spector.jpg)
I knew a guy in college who could consume heaping bowls of ice cream without any discernable effect on his six-pack abs. I've been wondering ever since why my body doesn't respond that way to my favorite dessertor, for that matter, if I'll ever find one that I won't regret the next day when I step on the scale. Recent advances in nutrition science now are edging closer to delivering on my dream of dessert with impunity and a lot of other health benefits, besides.
It's long been obvious, to scientists and lay people alike, that each person responds differently to a given food or diet regimen. For years, scientists have tried to figure out how to accommodate these idiosyncrasies in a way that improves health and avoids common ailments such as heart disease, obesity and diabetes-and, for better or worse, helps people lose weight.
After years of trying to find genes that might account for individual differences, scientists have come to realize that genes alone cannot explain the human body's relationship to food in all its complexity. Diet and health involve genes and many other factors besides, including sleep, exercise, stress and other lifestyle matters. One of the biggest factors perhaps the biggest-is the community of trillions of individual microorganisms that live in each person's gut, called the microbiome.
This news is good because, while you can't change your genes, you can cultivate healthy gut bacteria, change the timing of meals and adjust diet and lifestyle factors to optimize metabolic health.
This story is from the March 17, 2023 edition of Newsweek US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 17, 2023 edition of Newsweek US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Exhausted No More](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1747170/V_zukemha1719569030485/EXHAUSTED-NO-MORE.jpg)
Exhausted No More
Political polarization has led to burned-out Americans, weary of civic discourse. The answer lies not in disengagement but, rather, positive engagement
![Reef Rehab](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1747170/VZrUWlTaH1719569674698/REEF-REHAB.jpg)
Reef Rehab
Innovative concrete structures mix with corals to defend the coastline during hurricane season
![Biden's European Headache](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1747170/4FvQ8WOES1719562513315/BIDENS-EUROPEAN-HEADACHE.jpg)
Biden's European Headache
The right-wing surge in the EU elections could hamper the president's ambitions in Ukraine and play into the hands of his election rival, Donald Trump
![Lupita Nyong'o](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1747170/HHo7ByO2g1719568680966/LUPITA-NYONGO.jpg)
Lupita Nyong'o
THE TRAILER FOR A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE (JUNE 28) SHOWS STAR LUPITA Nyong'o carrying a cat around moments before New York City is overtaken by aliens.
![Do Films Have a Future?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1747170/bpbt3o6UT1719568360871/DO-FILMS-HAVE-A-FUTURE.jpg)
Do Films Have a Future?
With the movie industry under threat from streaming and Al, experts predict how Tinseltown will look in 10 years' time
![MOST TRUSTED by PHARMACISTS OTC BRANDS in AMERICA 2024](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1747170/4mZEPjihY1719567935185/MOST-TRUSTED-BY-PHARMACISTS-OTC-BRANDS-IN-AMERICA-2024.jpg)
MOST TRUSTED by PHARMACISTS OTC BRANDS in AMERICA 2024
HEADACHES, UPSET STOMACHS AND FEVERS-THESE ARE some of the minor conditions that many people treat with over-the-counter medication.
![DISSENTING OPINIONS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1747170/kp_Vtc7_81719567494651/DISSENTING-OPINIONS.jpg)
DISSENTING OPINIONS
BUCKING THEIR TRADITIONAL RESERVE, JUDGES FROM ACROSS THE SPECTRUM ARE PUBLICLY DISAGREEING WITH THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES AND DECISIONS
!['I'm Happy To Disrupt'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1747170/R2hWkZRIG1719566724886/IM-HAPPY-TO-DISRUPT.jpg)
'I'm Happy To Disrupt'
Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver talks to Newsweek about Trump, Biden, NATO, Gaza and maximum freedom
![Budget Battle](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1747170/wuXWxu3Og1719562773762/BUDGET-BATTLE.jpg)
Budget Battle
Protesters demonstrate in Kenya's capital city as the country's members of parliament debate a finance bill on June 18.
![AMERICA'S BEST SPECIALISTS & SURGEONS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1731949/HkzEW3Pd41718360828089/AMERICAS-BEST-SPECIALISTS-SURGEONS.jpg)
AMERICA'S BEST SPECIALISTS & SURGEONS
FINDING THE BEST MEDICAL SPECIALIST IS A DAUNTING TASK for anyone requiring specific treatment.