Researchers are trying to understand how nutrigenomics can affect a person’s health. Studies have shown that epigenetics increases the risk of several health issues. Other studies have also shown that nutrition can change the risk of disease. For many years, researchers have studied the way that traits in plants and animals are passed down between generations. However, this process is still not well understood. A recent study evaluated how epigenetic marks are passed down between generations of pregnant rats given personalized nutrition. The findings showed both genetic and characteristics changes in the rats’ offspring. This suggests that maternal traits and diet may send different signals to the fetus.

 

Another study showed methylation changes in mice given more methyl donor intakes over six generations. These findings demonstrated that genetic and characteristic changes passed down between generations may be how environmental factors affect genes in plants and animals to allow adaptation to different environments. The purpose of the following article is to discuss how nutrigenomics and traits between generations can ultimately affect a person’s overall well-being.

 

Epigenetics, Nutrition, and Exercise

 

Researchers have determined that the role of epigenetics in health issues like cancer is caused by methylation changes in several different types of genes and it is commonly associated with aging. However, the increased risk of cancer may be due to factors in the person’s immediate course of life where changes in epigenetics may happen years before the development of health issues like cancer. One study found that methylation of the breast-cancer-related gene is associated with the increased risk of early-onset breast cancer. Other studies have shown that resveratrol prevents methylation changes while folic acid affected gene expression associated with changes in methylation and other functions.

 

Eicosapentaenoic acid also caused methylation changes in the tumor suppressor gene associated with leukemia cells. This study demonstrated the effect of a polyunsaturated fatty acid on epigenetics. Another study found that methylation increased in women diagnosed with human papillomavirus that didn’t have cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The changes in methylation were associated with higher concentrations of folate and cobalamin in the blood stream. Another study also found that methylation changes in the tumor suppressor gene L3MBTL1 were ultimately associated with overall health. Further studies are necessary to determine how nutrition can affect epigenetics and traits between generations.

 

Two studies evaluated the effects of exercise on methylation. One of the studies showed methylation changes in people who participated in physical activities for about 30 minutes every day compared with people who engaged in physical activities for less than 10 minutes every day. In the other study, volunteers who participated in exercise demonstrated changes in methylation and gene expression. These findings suggest that methylation is affected by physical activity.

Nutrigenomics and Risk of Health Issues

 

Numerous studies have evaluated the role of epigenetics in people with diabetes. According to researchers, changes in methylation of several genes have been shown to be associated with insulin resistance in patients with diabetes. A single change in gene expression caused significant methylation changes in people with diabetes compared to healthy controls. However, other studies found changes in traits between generations and obesity. Furthermore, methylation changes did happen in people with normal glucose metabolism which then developed impaired glucose homeostasis. Various genes have been shown to be different in people with diabetes compared to healthy controls, according to the studies.

 

According to numerous other studies, twins were found to have increased methylation associated with increased insulin resistance. These findings suggest that epigenetic marks associated with diabetes may occur before symptoms and determine the risk of disease. In conclusion, increasing evidence has demonstrated that nutrition can ultimately cause changes to a person’s epigenetics and how these are associated with the increased risk of developing health issues.

 

 

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Studies show that nutrition can affect methylation and gene expression. These studies have also found that balanced nutrition can improve how good food affects our overall health and well-being. The following article discussed how our epigenetics can affect traits passed down between generations, including methylation and the risk of disease. Although a good diet is essential it may be difficult for some people to follow. Drinking juices or smoothies can be easy ways to include the balanced nutrition we need to promote our health and well-being. Below, I’ve provided a smoothie recipe so you can address your nutrigenomics from the kitchen to your genes. – Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insights