The power of epigenetic changes to remake future generations
Thanks, Drs. Watson and Crick! (They discovered that the DNA molecule is a three-dimensional double helix.) Your original understanding of our genetic code transformed our ability to manage health and disease. And building on your insights, ever-advancing research has uncovered deeper complexities within DNA: A person's genes are NOT always a set blueprint that lays out his or her physical and mental destiny.
Many genes that control health and behavior may be turned on or off in YOU because of what previous generations of your family experienced or encountered. In addition, you can influence your genes and turn them on and off at different points during your lifetime because of your choices and exposure to environmental and emotional stressors. That can change your health (for good or bad), and you can pass those changes on to subsequent generations, also for good or bad.
This is called epigenetic change, or potentially heritable changes in gene expression that don't involve changes to your underlying DNA sequence.
What are the negative repercussions of epigenetic changes? Heart disease, various cancers, autism, fragile X syndrome and obesity are linked to genes being switched on and/or off. Research has shown that fathers who smoke before conception have sons with increased body fat. And a study found that children of Holocaust survivors have inherited epigenetic traits that help explain how severe psycho-physiological trauma can affect a future generation(s) and predispose them to stress disorders.
In addition, lab research reveals that stressed mouse mothers are more likely to give birth to female pups that exhibit binge-eating-like behavior later in life. Lab studies also show a male's choices can affect his offspring's metabolism, glucose control and blood pressure - and if he's stressed out, epigenetic changes may affect his offspring's hormonal response to stress, leading to behavioral problems.
But, fortunately, your lifestyle choices can make many of those negative epigenetic changes and the conditions they promote disappear faster than Houdini could say, "Presto-chango." You control this because it's not magic; it's simple chemistry.
This is being tested by a current research project: The director of metabolic research at Dr. Mike's Cleveland Clinic and colleagues from other institutions are conducting an experiment to determine if a proclivity for childhood obesity can be prevented before conception!
The Lifestyle Intervention in Preparation for Pregnancy program will randomly assign 200 women before and during pregnancy to groups receiving intensive nutrition education, an exercise program and support-group programming, or a group receiving usual care. The goal: To determine if avoiding epigenetic changes triggered by poor nutrition, lack of exercise and stress can prevent childhood obesity in a future generation.
Emotional positives such as an ability to cope with stresses, as well as physical plusses such as a healthy metabolism and glucose control, can be passed along. And numerous studies show that negative epigenetic changes are reversible. So, as scientists learn more about epigenetic changes, we think your smart steps are to:
1. Reduce exposure to environmental chemicals that may create epigenetic changes, such as the hormone disruptors 3BPA, BPS and pesticides.
2. Avoid a high-saturated-fat diet: Animal studies have found that a pregnant female's high-saturated-fat diet is linked to epigenetic changes and development of tumors in her offspring later in life.
3. Get a full complement of vitamins and minerals from 7-9 daily servings of produce and fatty fish, like salmon. Plus, daily, take half a multivitamin (no superdoses) in the morning, half in the evening. Lack of vitamins and nutrients such as choline, B vitamins and folic acid were found in an animal study to trigger epigenetic changes in offspring that lead to obesity and heart disease. Deficiencies also may lead to epigenetic changes that trigger childhood cancers and autism spectrum disorders.
4. Learn stress-response-reduction techniques: daily physical activity, exercise and meditation. Stress goes hand-in-hand with inflammation, a known trigger of epigenetic changes.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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