Binge drinking as a teenager not only harms your brain and body, but may also epigenetically impact your future children, a new study reports. Excessive drinking in adolescents could turn genes on or off in their offspring’s brain, setting them up for susceptibility to certain diseases. The study, presented at the annual Society for Neuroscience … Continue reading Binge Drinking as a Teen May Epigenetically Harm the Health of Future Generations
Early Epigenetic Nutrition ‘Memory’ Could Program You for Obesity Later in Life
For decades, we’ve known how important it is to receive proper nutrition during early stages of life. Nutritional experiences in the beginning of development can set the stage for many things, including body weight, and can even affect the risk of obesity as we get older. Recent research supports the idea that poor nutrition at … Continue reading Early Epigenetic Nutrition ‘Memory’ Could Program You for Obesity Later in Life
Dad’s Drinking Could Epigenetically Affect Son’s Sensitivity and Preference for Alcohol
According to a new study from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, a father’s excessive drinking behavior could set up his son for alcohol abuse, even before conception. Results published in PLOS ONE demonstrate that mice show more sensitivity to alcohol’s effects and are less likely to drink it if their fathers were chronically exposed to the … Continue reading Dad’s Drinking Could Epigenetically Affect Son’s Sensitivity and Preference for Alcohol
Selective Survival In The Womb Based On Random Epigenetic Variation May Explain Adult Health Problems
It’s been said before that health begins in the womb. That’s because the conditions we encounter in utero impact not only our well-being in infancy but throughout our entire lives. But what happens when the nutritional environment in the womb is less than favorable? Most epigenetic studies have suggested that embryos respond to adverse environmental conditions by adjusting their gene … Continue reading Selective Survival In The Womb Based On Random Epigenetic Variation May Explain Adult Health Problems
Could Common Chemicals Tip the Epigenetic Balance and Program Someone for Obesity?
We’ve all heard of the risks of the BPA, or Bisphenol A, a chemical used to make durable plastics. BPA can be found in baby bottles, toys, water bottles, and the lining of food cans, but it has also leached into the water and air, travelling around the world. Research has shown this endocrine disruptor can … Continue reading Could Common Chemicals Tip the Epigenetic Balance and Program Someone for Obesity?
Father’s Exposure to Phthalates Impact Epigenetic Marks on Sperm DNA
New epigenetic research conducted by scientists at the University of Massachusetts suggests that a father’s environment can affect the health of his baby via epigenetic marks in his sperm. Specifically, male exposure to phthalates, which are endocrine disruptors found in plastics, personal care products like shaving cream, and in the environment that surrounds us, were … Continue reading Father’s Exposure to Phthalates Impact Epigenetic Marks on Sperm DNA
Paternal Environmental and Lifestyle Factors Influence Epigenetic Inheritance
There is strong evidence that suggests certain environmental or lifestyle factors may lead to increased risk of developing chronic diseases. These factors such as diet, behavior, stress, exposure to pollutants, and physical activity have been known to cause epigenetic changes which may be passed down from one generation to the next. It is believed that a father’s exposure to … Continue reading Paternal Environmental and Lifestyle Factors Influence Epigenetic Inheritance
Prenatal Maternal Stress Triggers Distinct DNA Methylation Signatures in Ice Storm Babies
The Quebec Ice Storm of 1998 was a devastating time that plunged more than 3 million Quebecers into frigid darkness without electricity for as long as 45 days. Now, more than 15 years later, researchers from McGill University and the Douglas Mental Health University are finding out that the length of time a pregnant woman … Continue reading Prenatal Maternal Stress Triggers Distinct DNA Methylation Signatures in Ice Storm Babies
Epigenetic Transfer of Nutrition ‘Memory’ Ends Before Great-Grandchildren
A child is at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and obesity if his or her mother was undernourished during pregnancy. This risk is caused in part by epigenetic changes thought to persist through generations, but it’s uncertain at which generation these changes stop affecting offspring. Researchers at University of Cambridge give us … Continue reading Epigenetic Transfer of Nutrition ‘Memory’ Ends Before Great-Grandchildren
Inheritance and Transmission of Epigenetic Memory Across Generations
New research has been suggesting that parents can transmit changes to their gene expression to their children. The heritable changes occur as a result of environmental stresses and are known as epigenetic modifications. A previous article covered the epigenetic transfer of nutrition “memory” across several generations. Now, a recent study by researchers from the University of California in Santa … Continue reading Inheritance and Transmission of Epigenetic Memory Across Generations
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 