mom's diet can change genes of unborn fetus

[Amby 490]

There's an old phrase that an expectant mother is eating for two. A new study indicates it's more apt than was known. A bad diet can actually alter a baby's genes.

If a mother rat does not eat well, her offspring exhibit genetic changes that affect what they'll become. Because the genes and cellular mechanisms involved in the study are very similar to those in humans, researchers think the study is relevant to us.

Specifically, rat fetuses receiving poor nutrition in the womb become genetically primed to be born into an environment lacking proper nutrition, the researchers figure; they were likely to grow to smaller sizes than their normal counterparts. The poorly nourished rats were also at higher risk for a host of health problems throughout their lives, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and neurodevelopmental delays.

"Our study emphasizes that maternal-fetal health influences multiple healthcare issues across generations," said Robert Lane, professor of pediatric neonatology at the University of Utah. "To reduce adult diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease, we need to understand how the maternal–fetal environment influences the health of offspring."

The results, announced this week, are detailed online by the FASEB Journal.

The researchers split rat fetuses into two groups. The first group was normal. The second group had the delivery of nutrients from their mothers' placentas restricted. The rats were examined right after birth and again at 21 days, considered preadolescence. The lack of nutrients in the second group caused a gene responsible for a protein that promotes normal development and growth in rats and humans to significantly reduce the amount of the protein produced before and after birth.

It's an example of nurture affecting nature, the researchers say.

"The jury's in and, yes, expectant moms really are eating for two," said Dr. Gerald Weissmann, editor-in-chief of the journal. "This study shows ... that prenatal care is far more important than anyone could have imagined a decade ago."

http://www.livescience.com/health/090414-diet-genes.html

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Which is why prenatal vitamins are so important, IMO.

[Amby 490]

Which is why prenatal vitamins are so important, IMO.

If/when I become pregnant (very distant future lol) I can see my diet becoming even more strict than it is now.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Which is why prenatal vitamins are so important, IMO.

If/when I become pregnant (very distant future lol) I can see my diet becoming even more strict than it is now.

I think you'd make an excellent mom.

[Amby 490]

Which is why prenatal vitamins are so important, IMO.

If/when I become pregnant (very distant future lol) I can see my diet becoming even more strict than it is now.

I think you'd make an excellent mom.

Thanks I think so too, but I have waaaay too many things I want to accomplish before I go down that road.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Which is why prenatal vitamins are so important, IMO.

If/when I become pregnant (very distant future lol) I can see my diet becoming even more strict than it is now.

I think you'd make an excellent mom.

Thanks I think so too, but I have waaaay too many things I want to accomplish before I go down that road.

For sure. Get your career underway first.

[netfiltering 0]

Scientists are discovering more and more how nurture does affect nature. There is a book called, "The Biology of Belief," that talks about how your thoughts and beliefs can affect your cells, and I believe it cites many other books that refer to this new understanding of the link between mental health and physical health.

Learning about nutrition is a good start, but I think we have a long way to go before we have a better education about what really does affect our genes and our health.

[Nessa 23]

i think i did very well during my pregnancy. took my prenatal everyday, plus DHA and ate well.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

i think i did very well during my pregnancy. took my prenatal everyday, plus DHA and ate well.

Awww...look at little Ben.

My mother fed me a steady diet of martinis and cigarettes and look how I turned out.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

i think i did very well during my pregnancy. took my prenatal everyday, plus DHA and ate well.

Awww...look at little Ben.

My mother fed me a steady diet of martinis and cigarettes and look how I turned out.

I think yo mamma did a fine job, hermano ...... I guessssss

[Peikko 1,575]

i think i did very well during my pregnancy. took my prenatal everyday, plus DHA and ate well.

Awww...look at little Ben.

My mother fed me a steady diet of martinis and cigarettes and look how I turned out.

Refined?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

i think i did very well during my pregnancy. took my prenatal everyday, plus DHA and ate well.

Awww...look at little Ben.

My mother fed me a steady diet of martinis and cigarettes and look how I turned out.

I think yo mamma did a fine job, hermano ...... I guessssss

Thanks, sis. I'm just glad she didn't sell me to those pirates she hitched a ride with...no tellin what I would be like now.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

i think i did very well during my pregnancy. took my prenatal everyday, plus DHA and ate well.

Awww...look at little Ben.

My mother fed me a steady diet of martinis and cigarettes and look how I turned out.

I think yo mamma did a fine job, hermano ...... I guessssss

Thanks, sis. I'm just glad she didn't sell me to those pirates she hitched a ride with...no tellin what I would be like now.

Heavens, no!!!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

i think i did very well during my pregnancy. took my prenatal everyday, plus DHA and ate well.

Awww...look at little Ben.

My mother fed me a steady diet of martinis and cigarettes and look how I turned out.

I think yo mamma did a fine job, hermano ...... I guessssss

Thanks, sis. I'm just glad she didn't sell me to those pirates she hitched a ride with...no tellin what I would be like now.

Heavens, no!!!

I imagine my name would have 'peg leg' somewhere in it.