Nutrition

Your diet affects your Grandchildren’s DNA

Key Message: Diet can alter the nature of one’s DNA
Action Point: Eat a healthy, well balanced diet prior to conception to reduce the risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome
We all know the age-old saying, “ you are what you eat”. Well now according to new studies, you are what your mother, father, grandparents and great-grandparents ate.

There has been much speculation about the ability of diet to alter the nature of your DNA, however researchers in two independent studies have found ways in which this is likely happening.

Epigenetics may help explain the increased risk that children face and the reason why poor dietary habits may be doing your offspring harm, despite how healthy they will try to eat.

A new study in the Netherlands showed the diet of human adults induces changes in all cells, including sperm and egg cells, which can be passed on to offspring. While such effects on a single generation have been known, what is still missing is an understanding of how such information is remembered from generation to generation.

The common belief is that during the process of cell division, all epigenetic markers are erased. However according to author Josep C. Jimenez-Chillaron of the Paediatric Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, in Spain his work and the work of many others “suggests that this is not completely true.” He says, “Although the majority of epigenetic markers are erased, some markers are spared for unknown reasons.”

Although the evidence is still inconclusive, another study conducted in Poland, speculates that nutrients, which affect the chromatin, can also cause mutations, both good and bad.

More experiments are needed however if mothers and fathers eat more omega-3 fatty acids, choline, betaine, folic acid and vitamin B12, these nutrients can […]

By |February 24th, 2016|Fertility, Health & Wellbeing, Naturopathy, Nutrition, Preconception & Pregnancy, Research|0 Comments
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What affects your baby’s development in the womb?

Have you ever wondered how much of a baby’s development in the womb is determined by genes passed on from parents, compared with the mother’s nutrition, mental health and lifestyle?

Well now, an international study published in Genome Research, has used an analysis of genetic DNA marks to measure exactly this.

The combination of our genes and our experiences at the beginning of our lifetimes, inside the womb affect our health throughout our lives.

The link between a baby’s development in the womb and its risk of obesity and heart disease later in life is thought to be linked to epigenetics and DNA methylation markers.

This research provides important evidence showing most of the variations between babies come from the combination of the environment experienced in the womb and the genetic information passed on from their parents.

According to Professor Godfrey, from National University of Singapore, “development in the womb can be likened to an orchestra, in which genes are the instruments and epigenetic changes are the musicians who determine how the baby is formed.”

The Singapore GUSTO Birth Cohort Study, led by researchers at A*STAR’s Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS) in collaboration with the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, used samples of umbilical cord DNA which showed that genetic differences alone explained only 25% of the epigenetic variation between babies.

This is the world’s first study using DNA to estimate how big a role the prenatal envi-ronment plays in a child’s development and how much is simply genetically determined.

This is an extremely important study as the findings are likely to revolutionise the un-derstanding of gene-environment interactions in early life and how a mother’s nutrition and lifestyle have long lasting effects on the health of her children.

So watch this […]

By |February 21st, 2016|Children, Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition, Preconception & Pregnancy, Research|0 Comments
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Decrease the risk of childhood eczema with probiotics

With the incidence of childhood eczema at almost one in five babies in Australia, a study has showed astounding results for mums and bubs alike. Eczema is debilitating and heart breaking but there is now proof certain strains of probiotics can help.

In this study, 415 pregnant women were divided into two groups. From 36 weeks of pregnancy until 12 weeks post birth, one group took a probiotic milk supplement while the others were given a placebo.

The researchers evaluated the children at six years of age and assessed them for eczema, asthma, allergic rhino conjunctivitis, and atopic sensitisation. There was a statistically significant 52% decrease in the risk of eczema in the probiotic group.

References

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4522068/

By |February 17th, 2016|Children, Gut health, Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition, Preconception & Pregnancy, Research|0 Comments
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Our top 5 Healthy summer snacks for kids

With summer fast approaching it’s time to rejoice and harness the energy of the sun.
Healthy summer snacks are key to keeping your child well nourished during holiday season. Young children need energy to help them grow, develop and reach their maximum potential. When children get hungry, not only does their behaviour and moods change but they can easily turn to quick unhealthy snacks to satisfy their needs.

With a little bit of planning, you can keep your child on track for a healthy summer with some healthy and tasty snacks to nibble on! A great way to get them onboard with the selections is to involve them in the planning.

Food has to be fun and tasty. Give them options. When they decide, it gives them a feeling of control and they are less likely to refuse eating.

It is important that the snack foods you provide are healthy, low in sugar, fat(do you mean pro inflammatory?) and salt. Being a role model and buying food that is healthy will go a long way in shaping your child’s relationship with food too.
Here are a few fast and easy ideas to get you started:

Smoothies – these are perfect for the hot days ahead. Simply blend yoghurt, milk and fruit such as bananas and berries. They also make a great power breakfast in the morning. Get some silly straws to make them even more fun.
Frozen fruit ( e.g oranges, bananas, watermelon and grapes)
Cheese slices or cheese sticks either on their own or with low fat crackers
Homemade frozen yoghurt icy-poles. Blend natural yogurt and fruit, pour mixture into icy-pole moulds, freeze and enjoy. A great alternative to ice cream on those hot days.
Carrot, zucchini or celery sticks combined with healthy […]

By |February 14th, 2016|Children, Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition|0 Comments
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    How the Specific Carbohydrate Diet Can Help Reduce Body Inflammation and Improve Digestive Health

How the Specific Carbohydrate Diet Can Help Reduce Body Inflammation and Improve Digestive Health

Key Message: Great health starts in the gut

Action Point: The SCD diet helps to reduce inflammation and improve overall digestive health
If you’ve ever studied ancient history, you’ll have heard the saying “all roads lead to Rome.” Apply a similar saying to the human body and you could quite easily say, “great health starts in the gut.” So prominent is this organ, that if it’s in poor health, so are you. Period.

Stress, antibiotics, poor sleep, pollutants, and bad diet have lead to the average person’s gut becoming more inflamed than it’s ever been in history. As a result, allergies, asthma, eczema and auto-immune diseases are becoming more common. Fatigue disorders are through the roof, and so too is depression, anxiety, and a general feeling of ill health.

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) diet, an eating plan created in the early 20th century but later popularized by Elaine Gottschall, looks to reduce chronic inflammation and improve overall digestive health. If you believe you suffer from either of those things, this diet may just change your life.

The History of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet

Sidney V. Hass, the original creator of the diet, found that certain foods made inflammation worse . He found that by eliminating certain foods from the diet, the body was able to overcome this inflammation and therefore heal itself.

Originally, the diet was intended to treat patients with major gut disorders such as Celiac Disease and Crohn’s. Later, however, it was found that even those without major gut disorders could still improve their health by following it and reducing their own inflammation.

An Overview of the Diet

Those taking part in a SCD are required to limit their intake of simple and complex carbohydrates, sometimes to the point of reducing […]

By |February 10th, 2016|Gut health, Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition, Research|0 Comments
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Your diet before conception affects your child’s DNA

Key Message: What a woman eats prior to conception can affect her children’s genes 
Action Point: Maintain a healthy diet and be mindful of your eating patterns well before conception
Women can often obsess about their diet during pregnancy to make sure they are doing everything right for their baby. However, the latest twist in this development has shaken the foundations of genetics.

It has been claimed by the Medical Research Council (MRC) that even before conception, a mother’s diet can have an impact on her unborn child’s immune system and pose a risk, on a long term basis, to life threatening diseases.
Basis of claim
After extensive testing on pregnant women from Gambia, the MRC came to this astonishing conclusion. As we all know a child inherits genes from his or her parents. The genes in discussion here are at the mercy of a process called DNA methylation, which is affected by epigenetics.

This affects how genes are either upregulated or downregulated and ultimately affects cell function. Research on this complex subject has pinpointed a tumor suppressor gene called VTRNA20-1, which is largely dependent on the diet of the female and vital in determining the future health of the child.

A compound called methyl group is added to the DNA, and this forces gene silencing and therefore limits their ability to express themselves properly.
How the tests were carried out
The researchers at the MRC in London required the services of pregnant African women from Gambia. Initially they were separated in two groups, as per the season they had conceived in. When divided in to the rainy season group and the dry season group, their blood was examined and comprehensively tested.

When they gave birth to their children, their blood was tested too […]

By |February 7th, 2016|Children, Fertility, Health & Wellbeing, Hormones, Nutrition, Preconception & Pregnancy, Research|0 Comments
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Should Diets be Tailored to Your Gut Microbiome?

Key Message: There is “no one size fits all” dietary advice.

Action Point: Diets should be tailored to individuals based on a number of factors and further study is needed to determine if gut bacteria is one of them.
According to a new study, there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all dietary advice. Everyone metabolises meals differently so based on this, Israeli scientists believe that diets should be tailored to an individuals microbiome or combination of gut bacteria.

The three phase study shows that different people can have a very different blood sugar response to food. It appears that the individual’s gut bacteria was a key factor influencing whether a food delivers a long, slow rise in blood sugar or a short, sharp spike. 1

Over one week, hundreds of healthy and pre-diabetes volunteers had their blood sugar levels monitored and also recorded their every meal and daily activity which revealed dramatic differences in each person’s blood sugar response to different foods.

An algorithm was developed to predict an individual’s glycemic response to a food based on factors such as their microbiome, daily activity, blood parameters and food content.

They then tested the algorithm against customised advice of experienced dieticians for a group of people with pre-diabetes and found that the algorithm created a better diet that would improve people’s blood sugar profile that are considered at risk.

Interestingly, some of the food ingredients included in these people’s good diets were also included in other people’s bad diets.

Professor Jennie Brand-Miller, director of the Sydney University Glycemic Index Research Service, commented on the study stating that such information was already well known as “the response was influenced by factors such as exercise, sleep and stress.”

She also stated that the variation of glycemic […]

By |February 3rd, 2016|Gut health, Health & Wellbeing, Naturopathy, Nutrition, Research, Weight Loss|0 Comments
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The Importance of DHA – Part 2

Key Message: During pregnancy and breastfeeding DHA plays a vital role in foetal and infant brain development and visual function.

Action Point: Maternal intake of DHA is crucial and dietary intake should be increased to avoid becoming depleted, especially during the third trimester when there is significant brain development.
We know that DHA is critical for optimal brain development, health and function at all ages. While it provides support for memory and cognitive function and healthy development of eyes for adults, research has shown DHA supplementation during pregnancy and breastfeeding plays a significant role. It assists with foetal and infant brain development, increases IQ scores, lengthens attention spans, and enhances foetal and infant eye development.

Amazingly, the foetal brain is consuming 70% of dietary energy fed to it by the mother to meet the demands for its rapid rate of growth. Similarly, when the baby is born, it will use up to 60% of the energy from its mother’s milk for growth. That is why adequate maternal DHA intake is vitally important as without sufficient dietary intake, mothers become depleted of DHA and may increase their risk of suffering major depressive symptoms in the postpartum period. 2   Some say that “baby brain” is more likely caused by the depletion of maternal DHA, as it makes up 97% of the omega 3 fats in your brain.

 During the third trimester there is significant development of brain and fat tissues and maternal DHA levels decrease while foetal accumulation of omega-3 fatty acids (mainly DHA) increases. Therefore maternal intake of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation is crucial as it not only determines the DHA levels of a newborn but also has a significant impact on post-natal development of […]

By |January 27th, 2016|Children, Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition, Research, Uncategorized|0 Comments
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The Importance of DHA – Part 1

Key Message: DHA, an omega 3 fatty acid, is important for brain and eye development and function throughout life and is vital during pregnancy for foetal and infant development.

Action Point: Ensure you are getting adequate dietary intake of omega 3’s from oily fish such as mackerel, salmon, trout and sardines or consider a supplement to boost your DHA levels.
Did you know that 60% of the structure of your brain is fat? Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid important for brain and eye development and function throughout life.

It is the most abundant omega 3 in the brain, representing about 97% of all omega-3 fatty acids in the brain. It also assists with the healthy development of eyes and provides support for memory and cognitive function. 2-3

Omega-3s are essential fats that your body doesn’t produce so most of it must be obtained through diet or supplementation.

DHA plays a role in numerous functions including:

Brain and nervous system development and function
Inhibits oxidative stress
Influences growth and development of nervous tissue
Infant mental development
Supporting the mental function of children and adults throughout life
Some behavioural and mood disorders affecting both children and adults
Infant visual development and visual function throughout life
Supporting a healthy heart

DHA intake supports a healthy pregnancy and assists in achieving healthy pregnancy outcomes. It’s particularly important in the third trimester when significant brain growth occurs. Developing infants cannot efficiently produce their own DHA and therefore must obtain this vital nutrient through the placenta during pregnancy and from breast milk after birth.

As foetal supply of DHA is solely dependent on maternal intake, increasing DHA during these times has a very important impact on the status of the newborn and may assist children’s general growth and development, cognition, vision […]

By |January 24th, 2016|Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition, Research|0 Comments
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Depleting your Gut Bacteria May Keep You Thin!

Key Message: The absence of certain gut bacteria has been shown to burn more calories

Action Point: Further research will hopefully identify new ways to suppress or modify the gut bacteria in an effort to reduce obesity
In the past few years, research has started to show how microbiota (AKA gut bacteria) has an impact on the way calories are absorbed and how fat cells develop. Now, scientists from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Faculty of Medicine, Switzerland have recently been able to demonstrate on mice how the absence of microbiota has a remarkable effect against obesity which could revolutionise new anti-obesity treatments.

They have discovered that the absence of gut bacteria in mice triggers a surprising metabolic mechanism: an increase in white fat cells, which in fact cause obesity and insulin resistance. These white fat cells are transformed by gut bacteria into cells known as “beige fat” which are similar to brown fat in that they protect the body against excess weight and its consequences.

White fat, which is used as energy storage, makes up around 25% of the body mass of a healthy person. However an excess of white fat contributes to insulin resistance and diabetes while brown fat does the opposite. Cells, similar to brown fat, called beige fat, can develop within white fat, a process known as “browning” as a response to cold or exercise.

The increased production of beige fat within white fat means the more calories burned and this then suggests that a way to reduce obesity and limit insulin resistance could be to stimulate beige fat growth.

It has only been recently that scientists have started to understand the unexpected role of gut microbiota. Researchers from UNIGE Faculty of Medicine have shown that it […]

By |January 20th, 2016|Gut health, Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition, Research|0 Comments
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How to Heal Your Adrenals Naturally

How to Heal Your Adrenals Naturally

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