Baby's genes change by what Mom eats

Genes can be changed by environment influences, and fascinating research just published in The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology shows how what mothers eat can alter the genes of their offspring. The authors state:

"Previous studies indicated that the intake of α-linolenic acid (ALA) can alter the concentration of both ω-6 and ω-3 fatty acids in both mother and offspring, with consequences on postnatal brain development. This study describes the association between maternal ALA availability during gestation and lactation, and alterations in the Fads2 DNA methylation in both maternal and offspring livers, at the end of lactation period."

Epigenetic changes in DNA methylation of genes refers to an alteration in how the genes express that has been caused by an external stimulus, in this case maternal consumption of alpha-linoleic acid.  In other words, their study investigated how maternal consumption of alpha-linoleic acid changed the genes in the babies' livers.

"Both Fads2 promoter and intron 1 DNA methylation were increased in the groups receiving postnatal flaxseed oil containing 50% ALA (mothers or pups), while bivariate analysis indicated a significant association of the Fads2 epigenetic status in the liver between each mother and its offspring. In addition, Fads2 expression was negatively correlated with promoter methylation at the individual level in maternal livers. This study also indicated that the interplay between ALA availability during gestation and lactation can differentially alter the expression of desaturases and elongases involved in ω-6 and ω-3 metabolic pathways."

Desaturases and elongases are enzymes involved in the modification of essential fatty acids to either pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory forms. Changes in the genes that code for them is significant for the genetic expression of tendencies for inflammation. The vast panoply of inflammation related disorders could be influenced by this, which include cardiovascular disease, cancers, diabetes, obesity and autoimmune conditions. The editor-in-chief of the this journal, Gerald Weissmann, MD, noted wryly:

"New York City may be laughed at by some for banning large, sugary sodas and for encouraging a healthy diet. As we begin to understand the effects of diet on epigenetics, New York may go from being considered a funny 'nanny-state' to becoming appreciated as a public health visionary."

What we eat modifies our genetic expression...