Human energy consumption consists of three components: basal metabolism, activity metabolism, and diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT). However, why do people burn different amounts of calories even when doing the same exercise, and why do people lose weight differently when eating? One answer is “genes.”
**Analyzing genetic information allows you to understand your energy consumption patterns and use energy more efficiently. ** This article provides a detailed explanation of the main genes involved in energy consumption, metabolic characteristics of each gene type, and strategies for optimizing energy consumption using genetic information.
1. The relationship between energy consumption and genes
Energy expenditure is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors , including exercise, diet and lifestyle, while genetic factors play a role in basal metabolic rate (BMR), fat burning efficiency and muscle mass gain or loss.
① Major factors of energy consumption influenced by genes
✅ Basal Metabolism (BMR) → Energy consumption at rest ✅ Fat burning efficiency → Energy consumption during exercise ✅ Carbohydrate and lipid metabolism → Which nutrients are used preferentially as energy ✅ Muscle development and recovery → The more muscle mass you have, the higher your metabolism
Research has shown that these factors vary from person to person due to genetic differences.
2. Major genes involved in energy expenditure
① Genes involved in basal metabolism
1. UCP1 gene (heat production and metabolism)
UCP1 (Uncoupling Protein 1) regulates heat production in brown fat cells and increases energy consumption ( Kozak LP, 2010 ).
✅ People with high UCP1 activity
It is easy to produce heat even in cold environments, and fat burning is active.
High metabolism and easy energy consumption
✅ People with low UCP1 activity
They tend to accumulate fat and are vulnerable to cold.
Exercise is important because energy consumption is inefficient
🔹 Optimal Strategy
Incorporating cold stimulation (cold showers, outdoor exercise in winter) to promote UCP1 activity
The FTO gene is involved in fat cell differentiation and energy consumption , and mutations in the gene decrease basal metabolic rate and increase the risk of obesity ( Frayling TM, 2007 ).
✅ People with FTO mutations
Low energy consumption and easy fat accumulation
Appetite tends to increase
🔹 Optimal Strategy
Eat high-protein foods to increase satiety
Regular strength training improves your metabolism
② Genes involved in fat burning and energy efficiency
1. ADRB2 gene (fat burning and athletic performance)
The ADRB2 gene regulates fat breakdown and sympathetic nervous system activity ( Wolfarth B, 2007 ).
✅ People with high ADRB2 activity
Fat can be used efficiently as an energy source
Suitable for high intensity exercise
✅ People with low ADRB2 activity
Slow fat burning and preferential use of carbohydrates as energy
Tends to have low endurance
🔹 Optimal Strategy
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Boosts Fat Burning
Incorporate fasting into your diet to increase fatty acid utilization
3) Genes involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism
1. PPARG gene (lipid metabolism and energy efficiency)
Uses carbohydrates as an energy source more easily than lipids
Be careful about your dietary fat intake
🔹 Optimal Strategy
Incorporate endurance sports (running, cycling) to improve fat burning efficiency
Consume adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids (fish, nuts) to promote fat metabolism
3. Strategy for optimizing energy consumption using genetic information
✅ Genetic testing identifies your metabolic type and customizes your diet and exercise ✅ Cold stimulation and caffeine intake activate UCP1 and improve basal metabolism ✅ Balanced high-intensity and endurance exercise to maximize fat burning ✅ Utilize low-GI foods to stabilize blood glucose levels and improve energy efficiency
By using your genetic information, you can develop strategies that are optimal for your energy consumption patterns and use energy more efficiently. Adopt a science-based approach to practice a healthier lifestyle.
4. Personalized optimization of energy consumption using genetic information
By utilizing genetic information, it is possible to manage energy optimally for each individual’s constitution and efficiently improve metabolism . Here, we will explain in detail the energy consumption strategy, meal plan, and exercise method for each gene type .
① Energy consumption strategies according to gene type
1. Poor metabolizer (with FTO mutation)
People who have a low basal metabolic rate and low energy consumption due to mutations in the FTO gene need to pay particular attention to their diet and exercise.
✅ Features
Prone to accumulation of body fat
Difficulty converting sugar into energy
Difficulty feeling full and increased appetite
✅ Optimal Strategy
Eat a high-protein, low-carb diet to build muscle mass
At least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every day + strength training 3 times a week
Eat foods high in fiber before meals to prevent a sudden rise in blood sugar levels
Since the way energy is used varies depending on the type of exercise, implementing training tailored to your genotype can promote energy consumption more effectively.
1. Exercise suitable for people with low metabolism (FTO mutation)
Strength training 3 times a week (squats, deadlifts)
Aerobic exercise twice a week (walking, jogging)
30+ minutes of interval training
2. Exercise suitable for high metabolism people (with UCP1 mutation)
Short, high-intensity training (HIIT, sprints)
Light muscle training to maintain body temperature (core training, yoga)
Long-duration aerobic exercise once a week (1 hour of running or cycling)
3. Exercise suitable for those with efficient exercise (ADRB2 mutation)
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
Combining weight training with endurance exercise
Light exercise on an empty stomach maximizes fat burning
4. The future of energy consumption using genetic information
✅ AI-based personalized health management
Integrating genetic information and wearable devices to analyze energy consumption in real time
AI proposes optimal meal and exercise plans to maximize energy efficiency
✅ Metabolic regulation by gene editing
Research is underway to fundamentally improve metabolic disorders through gene therapy
Treatment using CRISPR technology to increase fat burning capacity may be practical in the future
✅ Smart Foods and Personalized Nutrition
Dietary programs individually optimized according to genotype become widespread
Combining gut bacteria analysis with precise metabolic regulation
By utilizing genetic information, **unlike conventional general diet and exercise guidance, it becomes possible to optimize energy consumption in a way that is best suited to you.** With the evolution of AI and biotechnology, it is expected that even more precise individual optimization will become possible in the future.
5. Application of Genetic Information to Energy Consumption
Utilizing genetic information can be applied not only to general health management and fitness, but also to improving the performance of athletes, preventing obesity and lifestyle-related diseases, and even treating metabolic disorders in the medical field. Here, we will introduce some specific examples of applications.
1. Improving sports performance using genetic information
Athletes’ performance is greatly influenced by genetic differences in metabolic and muscle characteristics . By utilizing genetic information, training and nutrition strategies can be individually optimized, enabling more efficient energy management .
1. Genetic strategies for endurance athletes (runners, cyclists)
✅ PPARGC1A gene (mitochondrial activity)
Enhances mitochondrial energy production and improves endurance ( Lindič J, 2017 ).
Consume high carbohydrates and healthy fats (MCT oil, nuts) in moderate amounts to maintain endurance.
Switch to a low-carb, high-protein diet to promote fat burning.
✅ CYP1A2 gene (caffeine metabolism)
People who can break down caffeine quickly are less likely to reap the fat-burning benefits ( Cornelis MC, 2006 ).
Utilizes green tea polyphenols (catechins) to support metabolism.
3) Prevention of lifestyle-related diseases using genetic information
By utilizing genetic information, it is possible to grasp the risk of lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease in advance and take preventive measures .
✅ TCF7L2 gene (diabetes risk)
It is involved in insulin secretion, and mutations in this gene more than double the risk of diabetes ( Grant SF, 2006 ).
Adjust the order of your meals (vegetables → protein → carbohydrates) to prevent a sudden rise in blood sugar levels.
✅ APOE gene (cholesterol metabolism)
It affects LDL cholesterol levels and determines the risk of heart disease ( Mahley RW, 2016 ).
Deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin affects lung health ( Dahl M, 2005 ).
Quit smoking and consume foods with antioxidants (vitamins C and E).
4. The future of personalized medicine using genetic analysis and AI
✅ AI integrates genetic and health data to propose individualized optimal health plans ✅ Linked to smart devices to analyze energy consumption in real time ✅ CRISPR technology could be used to improve metabolism through gene therapy in the future.
By utilizing genetic information, it is possible to realize optimal energy management according to individual constitutions and genetic risks, rather than the conventional uniform health management . In the future, with the evolution of AI and biotechnology, it is expected that more advanced individual optimization will become possible.
6. Optimizing energy consumption using genetic information: future possibilities
Advances in genetic analysis technology and AI are ushering in an era in which energy efficiency can be optimized at the individual level . We will discuss how genetic information will be used in the fields of medicine, fitness, and nutrition management in the future , along with the latest research.
① Personalized healthcare optimization through integration of AI and genetic information
Advances in AI technology are enabling the development of systems that integrate genetic data with daily health data (heart rate, blood sugar levels, calories burned, etc.) to optimize energy consumption in real time.
1. Linking genetic data with wearable devices
✅ CRISPR technology could be used to improve metabolism through gene therapy in the future. ✅ AI proposes optimized plans for exercise, diet, and sleep based on individual genotypes ✅ Monitors blood glucose levels and heart rate variability and adjusts energy balance in real time
🔹 Research example: 2022 study suggests that combining AI-based genetic analysis x wearable devices can improve the accuracy of energy consumption prediction by 25% over traditional methods (Murray B, 2022)。
2. Personalized diet management using AI
✅ Combines genetic data + intestinal flora information to propose optimal nutritional balance ✅ Automatically manage calories and nutrients through smart kitchen integration ✅ Real-time analysis of postprandial blood glucose level rise and feedback on dietary improvements
🔹 Future perspective: If applications that combine AI and genetic analysis become widespread, we may see an era in which AI instantly suggests “the best food menu for you”!
② Development of metabolic improvement technology using gene editing (CRISPR)
Advances in CRISPR technology are enabling the development of treatments that modulate metabolism at the genetic level.
1. Improving lipid metabolism by PCSK9 gene editing
✅ A treatment is underway to edit the PCSK9 gene and naturally lower LDL cholesterol ( Musunuru K, 2023 ). ✅ A single gene edit could potentially reduce cardiovascular disease risk for a lifetime。
2. Promoting fat burning by activating the UCP1 gene
✅ Research is underway to artificially increase UCP1 (a gene that activates brown fat cells) and improve energy consumption ✅ In the future, gene therapy may be able to transform people into “burners“。
🔹 Research example : A 2023 mouse experiment showed that enhancing the UCP1 gene increased basal metabolism by 25% and reduced body fat ( Zhang Y, 2023 )。
3) Trends in optimizing energy consumption using genetic information
✅
The spread of individually optimized “biofeedback exercise”
AI analyzes genetic and athletic data to create an optimal training menu for each individual
For example, “high-intensity interval training (HIIT)” is recommended for people with active ADRB2 genes, while “sustained aerobic exercise + strength training” is recommended for people with FTO mutations.
✅ Evolution of metabolic monitoring technology
Smart devices analyze breath and blood sugar levels in real time to visualize energy consumption
For example, you can instantly check how much fat was used as energy after this meal.
✅ The spread of AI-based “energy consumption scores”
AI calculates your “energy consumption score” based on your daily exercise, diet, and sleep data.
For example, you can receive individualized advice such as, “Today’s energy consumption is 85 points,” or, “To increase fat burning efficiency by 5%, improve XX.”
4. Future healthcare roadmap using genetic information
✅ By 2025: Personalized health programs using genetic analysis will become widespread ✅ By 2030: Metabolic improvement using CRISPR technology may be applied clinically ✅ By 2040: Completely personalized optimization of energy consumption will be realized, fundamentally solving obesity and metabolic disorders
⑤ Methods for optimizing energy consumption using genetic information
1. Take a genetic test to identify your metabolic type ✅ Low basal metabolism (with FTO mutation): muscle training + high-protein diet ✅ Slow fat burning (with ADRB2 mutation): HIIT + caffeine intake
2. Monitoring energy consumption in real time using AI and smart devices ✅ Smartwatch analyzes heart rate and calories burned ✅ AI app adjusts calorie and nutritional balance of meals
3. Adopt a science-based lifestyle to maintain long-term health ✅ Based on genetic information, adjust the optimal balance of exercise, diet, and sleep for you ✅ Utilize the latest technology to implement individually optimized energy management
With the evolution of genetic information and AI technology, we will soon be able to manage energy consumption more precisely than ever before and create a health strategy that is optimal for each individual’s constitution. In the future, the fusion of technology and bioscience will bring about an era in which everyone can use energy efficiently.
7. The Future of Energy Consumption Using Genetic Information: Towards an Era of Personalized Metabolism
In recent years, with the development of genetic analysis technology and AI, “personalized metabolism” has been attracting attention. We are entering an era in which it will be possible to maximize the efficiency of energy consumption based on individual genetic factors.
① The evolution of genetically-based personalized diets
Conventional “calorie restriction” and “uniform diet methods” do not take into account individual metabolic characteristics, so the effectiveness varies from person to person. However, by utilizing genetic information, it is possible to create optimal diet and exercise plans according to one’s constitution .
1. individualized dietary strategies based on genetics
✅ FTO mutant type with poor carbohydrate metabolism → diet centered on low GI foods (brown rice, oatmeal) ✅ PPARG mutant type, which is slow in fat burning → Take more omega-3 fatty acids to activate lipid metabolism ✅ ACTN3 mutant with low muscle synthesis → maintain muscle mass with high protein + creatine intake
2. Real-time dietary advice using genes and AI
✅ Smart device analyzes the nutritional balance of your diet and suggests improvements suitable for your genotype ✅ AI provides real-time feedback on post-meal blood glucose levels and fat burning efficiency ✅ Wearable device predicts energy consumption and notifies optimal meal timing
② Energy management by integrating genetic information and life logs
Combining this information not only with genetic information but also with your daily life log (exercise, sleep, stress levels) enables more precise management of your energy consumption.
✅ Real-time heart rate, blood glucose, and metabolic rate monitoring ✅ Propose exercise programs that maximize energy expenditure based on genetic information ✅ Identifying optimal meal timing through the use of Chrononutrition, which is based on an individual’s body type.
3) Gene editing technology and the future of energy consumption
✅ CRISPR technology is undergoing treatment to fundamentally correct metabolic abnormalities. ✅ Development of treatment to activate genes (UCP1, PPARG) that promote fat burning ✅ In the future, it will be possible to “adjust the constitution at the genetic level” and realize optimal health management tailored to individual metabolism.
By utilizing genetic information, it is possible to further refine the optimization of energy consumption and create an optimal individual health strategy. In the near future, with the evolution of AI and biotechnology, we will likely see an era in which everyone can achieve optimal metabolic management suited to their own constitution.
Summary
By utilizing genetic information, it is possible to create an energy consumption strategy that is optimal for each individual’s constitution and manage metabolism more efficiently . Genes such as FTO, UCP1, PPARG, and ADRB2 are involved in energy consumption and fat burning, and by combining them with AI and wearable devices, individually optimized exercise and meal plans can be realized . In the future, with the evolution of CRISPR technology, it is expected that metabolism adjustment at the genetic level will become possible, enabling more advanced health management.