From eNewsletter May 1, 2019
DID YOU KNOW that according to a study in JAMA Psychiatry, maternal prenatal vitamin intake during the first month of pregnancy may reduce autism spectrum disorder (ASD) recurrence in siblings of children with ASD in high-risk families? The prevalence of ASD was 14.1% in children whose mothers took prenatal vitamins in the first month of pregnancy compared with 32.7% in children whose mothers did not. Children in the maternal prenatal vitamin group also had significantly lower autism symptom severity and higher cognitive scores.
Congrats Lauren Schwerzler, RDN, LDN, winner of the University of Illinois-Chicago School of Public Health Bonnie Minsky Scholarship!
Lauren describes herself as a passionate public health professional and Registered Dietitian using data to positively influence the health of women, children, and families. Interested in system-level work with a focus on health equity and social justice. Topics of interest include early childhood, adverse childhood experiences, and food security.
IS GENETIC ANALYSIS WORTH IT?
Bonnie & Steve: Someone asked us this week if there was value in getting their genome mapped and have us analyze it.
Aside from wondering if they've read our newsletter lately, it got us to thinking that we could talk about the value of mapping your genome until we're blue in the face. But sometimes it takes a fresh perspective. It just so happens we came across an incredible study published in this month's Cell Metabolism.
The authors confirmed what we have said for almost two decades now. Your genetic mutations won't change. What you inherited is what you will always have. The way your mutations act is the key. This depends upon the information they receive. If the wrong messages bombard your mutations, they may express themselves negatively, leading to chronic or acute disease. Alternatively, if the right messages bombard your mutations, they will stay latent. This messaging process is called epigenetics.
The authors emphasize that like your genes, epigenetic information can be passed down through generations. But unlike your genes, your epigenetics are reversible with the proper individualized lifestyle choices.
The authors state, "There is now enough evidence to establish that the human epigenome contributes to diseases and also interacts with and responds to various physiological conditions".
The authors could not have been more vociferous over their zeal for incorporating genetics and epigenetics into personalized healthcare, using terms such as "advancements are tremendous" and "unlimited possibilities for preventing disease".
Many of the genes cited in this study are the same ones we screen for in our Pure Genomics panel. So when we state that our mission is to bring the wellness of tomorrow, today, we really mean it!
PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT
Steve: A lot has happened since our last update in February. Miracle herb for Alzheimer's, soy, new surgical guidelines, new issues with Metformin, fluoroquinolones, PPIs, NSAIDs, and more...this article is reserved for NCI Well Connect Members. You can get this article by signing up here. You can get our free eNewsletter by signing up at the top of our website.
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