Do you know that what you eat can reprogram your genes? Yes, food is not just a source of energy, but it also "talks" to our genome. The field of nutrigenomics focuses on how food interacts with genes, affecting our health and physiology. Nutrigenomics has taught us that our relationship with food is far more intimate than we ever imagined. For instance, the food bees eat can determine their anatomy and physiology, even though they are genetically identical organisms. Also, food can span across generations and alter the activity of genetic switches.
Food is composed of macronutrients and micronutrients that can trigger genetic switches that reside in the genome, just like switches that control the intensity of light in our houses. Some nutrients activate genetic controllers that sustain our reproductive ability, influence cell growth and division, and even protect the genome from oxidative damage.
Interestingly, the genetic information in food could also arise from its molecular composition, environmental policies, and food packaging. For example, Bisphenol
A (BPA), a compound found in plastic, influences the age of sexual differentiation and decreases fertility by making genetic switches more likely to turn on.
In conclusion, the emerging science of nutrigenomics has taught us that the interaction of food and genes is an intimate relationship that can affect our well-being, disease risk, and longevity. So, next time you eat, remember that you're not just consuming calories, but you're also reprogramming your genes.
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