If “nature and nurture” were to converge it would be right here, at the epigenetic level. Epigenetics refers to characteristics that appear to be inherited, but do not appear to be encoded within the gene. This challenging and exciting field of science examines the complex interactions between genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors (such as stress, chemicals and the food we eat).
It is quite remarkable that both our food choices and environmental circumstances can beneficially or detrimentally shape the health of our children. Diet, stress and prenatal nutrition can make an imprint on genes that is passed from one generation to the next. Although epigenetic research is still in its infancy, and much is unknown regarding the mechanisms by which diet and environment affect gene expression, this field of science is taking the health community by storm.
Nutritional genomics (aka “nutrigenomics”) is particularly interesting, and examines how food affects gene function at the cellular and molecular level, and how individual genetic differences affect responses to dietary input. One study has shown that the diet of a mother animal can permanently influence the fur colour of the offspring. What these rodent mothers ate during pregnancy had fundamental and lifelong effect on the genes of their children.
What does all this mean for us?
It means that our current actions have consequences for future generations. If our epigenetic profiles are used in responsible ways, there is enormous potential to optimise individual outcomes in all areas of health. When treating many diseases, it is not ‘one size fits all’, and epigenetics provides tremendous insight into our individual differences and uniqueness.
We must be pro-active in educating ourselves about our daily dietary choices, and the positive or negative outcomes these choices have on not only ourselves, but our children, and even their children. I leave you with this theory … “Current epidemics of chronic disease may be a result of discordance between our ancient genes and our modern lifestyle.” – Boyd Epstein
References:
Cohen P 2003, ‘You are what your mother ate’, New Scientist, http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn4017-you-are-what-your-mother-ate-suggests-study.html
Fenech M, El-Sohemy A, Cahill L, Ferguson LR, French TA, Tai ES, Milner J, Koh WP, Xie L, Zucker M, Buckley M, Cosgrove L, Lockett T, Fung KY, Head R 2011, ‘Nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics: viewpoints on the current status and applications in nutrition research and practice’ J Nutrigenet Nutrigenomics.; 4(2):69-89.
Love your latest update. Keep them coming!!! Mum