Associate Professor Gülsen Meral graduated from Istanbul University Cerrahpa?a School of Medicine in 1994. She became a specialist in paediatrics in 2001 . She is Associate Professor in Pediatrics and worked as a specialist as well as deputy chief physician and chief physician at several hospitals. She was the Rector’s advisor between 2019-2021 at the Northern Cyprus ITU. She is also an Acupuncture instructor. She worked as a Nutrigenetics graduate course and lecturer and gave undergraduate and graduate courses on child development. She has many national and international publications, and worked on editorial boards and as reviewers. She has a Master's Degree in Hospital Management. She has a Turkish language literature undergraduate education. She completed PhD program in Medical Genetics. In addition to her scientific achievements, she is ambitious about poetry and has 5 poetry books. She is the Founder of the Nutrigenetics and Epigenetics Association, and has memberships in the Green Crescent and Rumelia Association, Istanbul Acupuncture Association, and International Society of Nutrigenetics & Nutrigenomics. She participated in the first and second International Epigenetic Congress as the president. She is still the organizer and educator of the Epigenetic Coaching Program. She is actively giving trainings on Nutrigenetic & Epigenetic Counselling to health professionals from all over the World as a certified CPD program. She continues research and training as the founder and manager of Epigenetic Coaching.
Pediatrics, Medical Genetic, Epigenetics
Longevity, the pursuit of a healthier and extended lifespan, is intricately connected to personalized nutrition and the modulation of biological mechanisms through environmental and lifestyle factors. Nutrigenetics focuses on how dietary components interact with individual biological variations, enabling tailored nutritional interventions to optimize health. Meanwhile, epigenetics reveals how external factors, such as diet, stress, and lifestyle, influence biological pathways by regulating the activity of cells and systems.
Research highlights the transformative potential of these approaches in addressing age-related conditions, improving metabolic efficiency, and promoting cellular repair. Nutritional interventions that focus on optimizing vitamin and nutrient levels, managing inflammation, and supporting detoxification processes have shown promise in reducing the risk of chronic diseases and enhancing overall health. For example, the impact of dietary components on methylation cycles and inflammatory pathways demonstrates how nutrition can influence biological balance, promoting resilience and vitality.
This comprehensive perspective emphasizes the integration of nutrigenetic and epigenetic insights to develop personalized approaches for promoting health and wellness. By understanding the interaction between dietary patterns and biological mechanisms, we can pioneer innovative strategies that support healthier aging, enhance vitality, and improve quality of life across diverse populations.