Epigenetics and neurodegeneration: role of early-life nutrition

Modulation of the Epigenome by Nutrition and Xenobiotics during Early Life and across the Life Span: The Key Role of Lifestyle

“…as well as sufficient levels of B12 and B6 vitamins [2,3]. Deficiencies in these micronutrients during early life have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological diseases later in life [4,5]. In addition to nutrients, other lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol, stress, and food pesticides have also been reported to increase the risk of disease development in adulthood according to genetic variations [5].…”

“…Deficiencies in these micronutrients during early life have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological diseases later in life [4,5]. In addition to nutrients, other lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol, stress, and food pesticides have also been reported to increase the risk of disease development in adulthood according to genetic variations [5]. For example, alcohol can interfere with methyl donor transfer from folate to methyl tetrahydrofolate, thus perturbing the one-carbon metabolism (folate) pathway [6].…”

“…A maternal deficiency in folate has been associated with decreased availability in methyl groups. Furthermore, alcohol consumption during pregnancy can perturb normal neuronal development and promote proinflammatory cytokine release in offspring [5,6]. Similarly, a maternal high-fat diet can contribute to proinflammatory cytokine production, and maternal obesity can promote changes in methylation patterns [4].…”

“…Studies using animal models, as well as humans working on farms, show increased levels of pesticide metabolites in urine [5]. These chemicals can have an impact on gene expression and epigenetic mechanisms [13,14].…”

“…These chemicals can have an impact on gene expression and epigenetic mechanisms [13,14]. For example, pesticide residues in foods have been associated with an increased risk for the development of neuronal damage [5,15] and obesity [16] according to individual genetic variations and the epigenetic modifications that may be induced and potentially inherited in the unexposed offspring [5,17,18]. In this regard, promoting the consumption of organic foods may be beneficial particularly during the sensitive window of epigenetic plasticity (i.e., early life) to prevent the risk of developing neuronal damage [5,8,14].…”