While it’s quite a complicated concept, epigenetics is the study of chemical reactions that occur in genes as we – and other organisms – develop. Or, to put it another way, it’s the study of the mechanisms that turn genes on and off. And new research has found that our diet can bring about epigenetic change.
But let’s keep things simple, with a brief overview of epigenetics…
Epigenetics 101
There are times in life when our genes change. They are either switched on (to become inactive) or on (to become active).
The food you eat, the environment you live in, the way you move, how you age and how you were raised can all affect your genes. In fact, they can prompt chemical changes in genes, making them active or inactive.
Epigenetics Makes You, You!
While we’re all similar in some ways, we are also rather unique. What makes us unique is our genes, and the combination of active and inactive genes, which we inherit. So if you’re more outgoing than your sister, or your friend has blonde hair and you have black, it’s all down to which genes are switched on and off in your – and their – body.
Diet and Epigenetics
There has been a lot of research done on the link between diet and epigenetic change. That is, how what you eat can affect which genes are modified.
Interestingly, the foods your mum eats during pregnancy can affect your epigenome. You then carry this with you through to adulthood. What this means is that our health and overall wellbeing isn’t just about what we eat, but also what our parents ate. Fascinating, right?
Even more incredible, if we ingest certain chemicals and additives, we can bring about epigenetic change. For instance, after drinking water from a BPA (plastic) water bottle, mice gave birth to less healthy offspring.
There is much more research being done to unveil more about nutrition and epigenetics. So watch this space!
