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Epigenetics and nutritional environmental signals.

Elizabeth A Mazzio¹, Karam F A Soliman²

¹Florida A&M University, College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1520 S MLK Jr. Blvd Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA.

Integrative and Comparative Biology

|May 28, 2014

Summary

Epigenetic changes, influenced by environment and diet, are reversible. Nutritional interventions offer hope for preventing and treating illnesses by correcting maladaptive epigenetic patterns.

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Area of Science:

Environmental epigenetics
Nutritional epigenetics
Human adaptation

Background:

Terrestrial life adapts through phenotypic plasticity, influenced by environmental signals.
The Earth's systems and environmental factors impact epigenetic processes and circadian rhythms.
Adverse conditions can cause maladaptive epigenetic changes, leading to illness.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the influence of environmental factors and nutrition on epigenetic regulation.
To highlight the potential of dietary interventions in reversing maladaptive epigenetic patterns.
To emphasize the dynamic and potentially reversible nature of epigenetic modifications.

Main Methods:

Review of environmental influences on epigenetic mechanisms.
Analysis of nutritional impacts on DNA methylation, histone modification, and chromatin remodeling.
Examination of epigenetic reversibility for therapeutic applications.

Main Results:

Environmental factors and lifestyle choices significantly impact epigenetic states.
Specific "epi-nutrients" and "epi-bioactive" food constituents can stabilize the genome.
Dietary practices play a crucial role in modulating epigenetic metabolism and reversing maladaptive patterns.

Conclusions:

Epigenetic changes are dynamic and potentially reversible, unlike static genomic DNA.
Nutritional and dietary interventions hold promise for preventing and treating epigenetic-related illnesses.
Reversing deleterious epigenetic programming through diet is a viable therapeutic strategy.