The study represents the work of an emerging field called epigenetics, which is the "study of how environmental factors like diet, stress and maternal nutrition can change gene function without altering the DNA sequence in any way."
Until now scientists have not known why these factors play such a large role in an offspring’s susceptibility to disease like cancer, stroke, diabetes, schizophrenia and others.
New York Times October 7, 2003
Dr. Bruce Lipton is a cellular biologist who is one of the leading authorities on how our emotions can regulate our genetic expression. I posted one of his articles earlier this year. The new research described in this article is also confirming how diet can alter what our genes produce.
After reviewing many tens of thousands of articles on nutrition I am convinced that the single most important dietary influence for prenatal nutrition is adequate omega-3 fats. The ideal way to obtain them is through fish oil or cod liver oil. This time of year we want to make certain that we shift to cod liver oil, unless you have measured your vitamin D levels and know they are normal or high. Optimizing omega-3 fats will virtually guarantee that the baby is full term.
Premature deliveries are a nightmare that can be easily avoided with fish oil or cod liver oil. Using cod liver oil is also important for infants after they are born. This is especially true during the winter and if they are breastfed. Most people are not aware that very little vitamin D is transferred in breast milk. That is because vitamin D really is not a true vitamin; it is a steroid hormone precursor that we are designed to make from adequate sun exposure, and for most of us in the United States that really stops about this time of year. So if you are breastfeeding please be sure to give your child one ml (cc) of liquid cod liver oil for every 10 pounds of body weight. If you are using formula it is vitally important that you review my recent recommendations on formula to optimize your baby's health.
The highest quality brand of krill oil that I know of is NKO. It is completely purified of mercury and other toxins, which is especially important during pregnancy.
Of course, fish oil and krill oil should be incorporated into a healthy diet that includes plenty of healthy meat and fresh vegetables with a minimum of (or no) grains and sugar. Related Articles:
Pregnant Women May Not Be Getting Enough Omega-3 20 Percent of Pregnant Women Suffer From Depression Pregnant Women Need to Avoid Caffeine Painkillers Increase Risk of Miscarriage Hepatitis B Vaccine Continues to Kill Infants Good Bacteria Prevents Eczema in Infants
Pregnant Women May Not Be Getting Enough Omega-3
20 Percent of Pregnant Women Suffer From Depression
Pregnant Women Need to Avoid Caffeine
Painkillers Increase Risk of Miscarriage
Hepatitis B Vaccine Continues to Kill Infants
Good Bacteria Prevents Eczema in Infants