• View ecochildsplay’s profile on Facebook
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Twitter
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Instagram
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Pinterest
  • View Jennifer Lance’s profile on LinkedIn
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on YouTube
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Google+

Eco Child's Play

Live a greener, healthier life!

  • Environment
  • Pregnancy
  • Food & Recipes
  • Health News
  • Parenting
  • Green Toys
  • Beauty & Beauty Products
  • Green Home & Cleaning
  • Contact

Permanent Genetic Changes Caused by Poor Nutrition in the Womb

Scientists at the University of Utah report that the genes of offspring are modified in the womb as a result of the mother’s diet, emphasizing that what the mother eats (or doesn’t eat) influences the health of the child throughout its life.

“The new ‘epigenetics’ has taught us how nature is changed by nurture. The jury’s in and, yes, expectant moms really are eating for two. This study shows not only that we need to address problems such as preeclampsia during pregnancy, but also that prenatal care is far more important than anyone could have imagined a decade ago.” – Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of FASEB Journal

[social_buttons]

The science of epigenetics explains how genes can be modified by the environment, and according to the new study published in FASEB (Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology), “You are what your mother did not eat during pregnancy.”

The research found that rat fetuses which received poor nutrition in the womb were genetically primed to be born into an environment lacking proper nutrition. As a result, the offspring were more likely to be smaller, as well as being at higher risk for lifelong health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, growth retardation, and neurodevelopmental delays. The authors of the study stated that the genes and cellular mechanisms affected are the same in rats as in humans, and therefore the same links can be made for humans.

“Our study emphasizes that maternal–fetal health influences multiple healthcare issues across generations.  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.” – Robert Lane, professor of pediatric neonatology at the University of Utah

The experiments used two groups of rats, a control group and a restricted nutrient group. The group receiving restricted nutrients (through the placenta) was examined after birth and at 21 days old (preadolescent age for rats) and measured for IGF-1, a protein responsible for normal growth and development. Researchers found that the lack of nutrients in the second group caused the gene responsible for IGF-1 to significantly reduce the amount produced in the body both before and after birth.

Image: dizznbonn at Flickr under CC License

  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • WhatsApp
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe!

« The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Cleaning Second Edition
Placentophagy and Other Fun Uses for Afterbirth! »

Comments

  1. 1001 petals says

    April 13, 2009 at 4:08 pm

    Fascinating, thank you.

    Reply
  2. Rachael says

    April 13, 2009 at 6:17 pm

    On the one hand, this study is fascinating. On the other, and as a mother, I can’t help but feel like “Oh great. Another study telling women what they *should* be doing while pregnant.” It’s tiresome after awhile no matter how good the science.

    Reply
  3. David says

    April 16, 2009 at 5:31 pm

    Have you got a link to the article? I could not find it in the March or April editions of FASEB. Thanks.

    Reply
  4. Derek Markham says

    April 16, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    David: The abstract is here http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/abstract/fj.08-124768v1

    Reply
  5. Angie says

    April 19, 2009 at 5:51 am

    Definitely sent this to all my mom/preggo friends!

    Reply
  6. Ophthalmologist says

    May 7, 2009 at 1:41 am

    Eat healthy foods, full of fruits and veggies. Stay away from the fast food and processed.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search Content

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter


About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

Contact Eco Child’s Play

Plants Over Plastics! Repurpose Compostable Home Products

Convenient Plastic Container Free Dropps Laundry & Dishwashing Pods

More from the archives!

Springtime: Where I Crush the Souls Of Girl Scouts

The Olympics: What Does it Inspire?

Under the Nile Organic Teething Toys

Plastic Surgery Billboards Touting Mommy Makeovers

Fathers And Homeschooling: Teach What You Know

cbd salve joy organics

CBD Products that Actually Deliver: Joy Organics

wama hemp underwear

The Most Comfortable Underwear is Made of Hemp: WAMA Review

Information

  • About & Contact
  • Archive
  • Blog
  • Consulting Services
  • Disclaimer, Disclosure, & Sponsored Posts
  • Privacy Policy

Free Eco Toys for Baby!

The Gift of Nature

Before the 1950s, cotton-growing mainly involved sustainable techniques, but now cotton is one of the most environmentally damaging crops grown in the world

American Company & Quality: Natural, Organic, Eco-Friendly Dots on Tots Baby & Toddler Hats

European Toys: Old Fashioned Block Play Develops Intellect

Tip o' the Day: Shop Ebay for Alternative Energy Equipment

Popular Categories

  • Breastfeeding
  • Health News
  • Natural Childbirth
  • Parenting
  • Education
  • Product Review
  • Green Toys

Get our posts via email

Please stay in touch!

You might also like to read…

Schoolhouse Rock: 30 Years Later Still Singing the Energy Blues

Caution: Your Child's Clothing May Harm Her

Organic Crib Mattresses: Safer Sleep Options for Baby

Parenting 101: Danger has "Great Learning Benefit" for Children

Green, Green, Organic Lawn

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.